Volkswagen Golf Plus (2005 – 2009) Review

• March 2005: Golf Plus unveiled
• January 0001: Golf Plus launch list prices
• June 2006
• May 2007

01-01-0001:

On 1.9 TDI 105 both a clutch release bearing fault and a hesitation on running fault.

SP warning light can indicate Fault Code "Boost Pressure Sensor G201". This is embedded inside Teves Mk 60 ABS systems and requires replacement of ABS control unit/pump. Seems to be age-related, occurring mainly in 3 - 5 year old cars. Does not necessarily lead to an MoT failure. Volkswagen policy seems to be to pay 100% for fully VWG serviced cars up to 48 months old. Older than that, 35%. Non VWG serviced, smaller contribution towards £1,500 cost of replacement. More on the problem and independent rebuilds of the unit at:http://ecutesting.com/vw_golf_touran_abs_pump_module.html

Cheapest fix: £225 from www.sinspeed.co.uk

Dodgy dealers and unscrupulous private vendors were unplugging the ECU as no warning then shows on the dash. Replace the plug and the light 'ECU off' appears permanently whether you switch it on or off.

Also minor problems with hestitation when pulling away and car very prone to stalling.

On 6-speed twin shaft manuals the gearchange from first to second can become stiff. First stage dealer cure is to replace the transmission oil. If that fails, it needs a synchro ring replacing. So if your box stiffens up, make sure it is attended to before the warranty expires.

Check 2.0 TDI regularly for coolant loss. Volkswagen has become aware of a problem with the alloy used to make the cylinder head, causing the head to become porous allowing coolant to leak in to the engine. Means a new head at a cost of £1,700 plus labour at VWG franchise rates. By July 2009, cylinder head failures of 1.9 and 2.0 diesels were becoming increasingly common.

22-01-2011:

If ESP/ABS amber warning light comes on intermittently and will not re-set, you might not actually have the ATE Teves Mk 60 ABS/ESP problem. First check circuits and start at the ABS fuse and holder (no 9 on a Golf, on scuttle edge by driver door). Pull it out, have a look and if okay replace it. The warning light may then go out. Sometimes they slip out a bit and become wobbly, which is enough to set off the warning.

28-01-2012:

Manufacturer recall to replace Siemens Piezoelectric injectors of 2006 - 2009 2.0 TDI BMN engines. All the injectors from the the 2.0 TDI PD engines that use piezoelectric Siemens injectors and Siemens ECUs are affected by this problem. The most problems are on the Passat 2.0 TDI 140. No problem from 2009 and the introduction of the common rail 2.0 TDI engine (CEGA).

13-03-2012:

Three year old, 32,000 mile Volkswagen Golf Estate 2.0 TDI with DSG automatic transmission. Started making a noise a couple of weeks before, then reader was told by the dealer it needed a new gearbox. After various calls to Volkswagen were 'offered' 70% off the price of a new gear box, and 50% off the cost of fixing it, which left over £1,300 to pay.

11-04-2012:

Golf 1.4 GT TSI 170 purchased new in July 2006. In July 2011 at 58,736 miles the timing chain needed to be replaced (Volkswagen paid half the cost). In April 2012 at 64,280, lack of compression on number four cylinder diagnosed.

18-04-2012:

Another report of timing chain failure on 1.4 TSI. Could be due to insufficiently frequent oil changes, or the wrong oil.

06-05-2012:

Timing chain issue with Golf 1.4TSI. During the preceding two weeks journalists from Auto Bild in Germany met with Volkswagen to discuss the extent of a chain failure. In the meeting, managers admitted that they have identified a problem with a defective component supplied by a third party company. The engines affected have been identified by Volkswagen but there is no general recall. Journalists from Autoweek have also started to investigate the extent of the problem in the Netherlands. Clarification of which engines are affected is urgently needed but has not so far been forthcoming. Timing Chain Failure Video No evidence that this is a problem with the same engine in later cars such as the Golf VI.

20-06-2012:

Reports of dealers fixing the ESP pressure sensor fault FoC in cases where the car had been fully Volkswagen dealer serviced.

28-06-2012:

Another DSG bearing failure reported on 1.4 TSI, this one 3 years 8 months old and 30k miles. Quoted £7,500 for complete new box or £3,500 for exchange box + fitting. Volkswagen agreed to pay 80% of the costs.

30-07-2012:

Siemens Piezoelectric injector recall on 2006 - 2009 2.0 TDI BMN engines seems to be causing problems with DPFs. Several reports of this.

02-09-2012:

Can be a persistent problem with the door locks.

30-09-2012:

Check carefully for rust beginning to spread across the surface of the inner wheelarches as a result of abrasion from the sound deadening material that gets wet during normal use of the car. If unchecked, this can result in paint bubbling as it gradually spreads to the visible surfaces at the top edge of the wheel arches. It is not covered by the perforation warranty.

12-10-2012:

Another DSG failure, this time on a 2008/58 1.4TSI at 41,000 miles. First noticed asd a whistling sound. Eventually Volkswagen agreed to pay half the costs levaing the owner with a bill of £1,989.60. These transmissions do require a change of fluid and microfilter every 3 years at a cost of around £200.

29-12-2012:

Yet another Mechatronics failure in 22k mile 4 year old 1.4 TSI DSG. Cost £1,600, but Volkswagen paid 60%.

05-01-2013:

69,000 mile 2005 Golf Plus DSG developed alarming jolts and jerks usually at slow speeds. On one ocasion the engine revved up highly when the gearbox was in drive mode ie. in midst of traffic my car lost forward drive and slowed down despite foot pressure on accelerator. Reader took car to local Volkswagen garage who diagnose gearbox fault -oil contamination in gearbox wiring loom-TP reference 2022248/4 requiring replacement of internal gearbox looms. Their quotation for this repair is £815.

11-01-2013:

Warranty on DSG extended to 5 years or 150,000 kilometres in Russia and China.

05-02-2013:

Report of flickering of rear light cluster DRLs on 60k mile 2008 Golf Plus. Dealer recommended to replace both sides at a cost of £310.56.

02-06-2014:

Passenger doorlock problem on a 2008 Golf Plus 1.4 TSI 122 led to the following saga: "The passenger door lock on my 2008 Golf Plus started to refuse to open. It got worse and worse until eventually I took it into a local garage to fix. He locked the car overnight, but when he came back in the morning the door refused to unlock. As the internal door panels were now hidden by the door frame there was no way of him reaching the faulty door lock. After trying everything he could think of, he took it to the local VW dealer (terribly expensive so I never use them) for advice. They said that it was a common problem with VW group vehicles and the only way of dealing with it was to cut a large hole in the outer panel so that they could get into the door and release the solenoid! A new door skin was then required which would cost about £1100 plus a new door lock at about £400 plus hours of labour. He took the car back to his garage to contact me with the bad news, but thought he would try one more time to open the door and bingo it worked! So just £400 for a new lock (a sealed unit which couldn't be opened) and a charge of just £30 for his time.

05-06-2014:

Windows ECU failed on a five year old Golf Plus resulting in a soaked interior.

16-09-2014:

Rusty front wing top reported, on a 2006 Golf Plus 105 TDI, DSG, with approx 46,000. Same fault as on Golf Mk V diesels. Front wings prone to rust perforation if moisture retaining foam pads have not been removed by the Volkswagen dealer soon enough. TSB 2007396/15 of 6th November 2009 advises dealers what to do to stop rusting occurring around the wings. If this has not been done Volkswagen is claiming exemption from 12 year no perforation warranty and only offering a 50% contribution to the cost of replacing the front wings.

21-01-2016:

Report that VW's free or dealer contributed fix of the ATE Teves Mk 60 ABS/ESP module failure has ended in August 2015 because the cars were all then more than 6 years old. Fault discovered by VW dealer on Golf GTI Edition 30 in November 2015 and reader forced to pay, since when the reader has been attempting to get a contribution to the fix.

22-03-2016:

Another rod through block reported by a reader, this time on an 81k mile 2008 Golf Plus 1.9TDI fitted with the BXE coded engine. Apparently the material used in the conrods is not the same quality it used to be. See Golf monthly forum thread. Numeroud other reports in Golf V car by car entry.

23-03-2016:

ABS/ESP light flashing on 2010 VW Golf estate. Supplying dealer told reader that VW had stopped repairing these FoC or at discounted rates and wanted £1,400 for the repair. We advised that as the car is still less than 6 years old he may be able to claim against the supplying dealer. Otherwise a case of sewnding the ABS/ESP module to ECU Testing for the brake pressure sensor to be replaced. Total cost shoul,d not be more than £600.

10-09-2016:

Report of 2009 VW Golf Plus 1.9TDI losing power after 20 minutes running and failing to turn beyond 2,000rpm. Suspect carbon blockage in turbo bearing oil feed and oil return pipes starving the turbo bearing of oil and stopping if from turning freely. (Same car had needed standard ATE Teves Mk 60 brake prssure sensor replacement.)