Four problems related to transmission not engage have been reported for the 2011 Volkswagen Golf. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2011 Volkswagen Golf based on all problems reported for the 2011 Golf.
I was driving the car (golf tdi) equipped with dsg transmission in manual mode in 4th gear at about 35mph and I had to slow down for a car to turn right in front of me. After the car turned right I changed the gearbox in 2rd gear and pushed the accelerator pedal and the car didn't accelerate (move), only the engine revved at about 3500-4000 rpm (like being in neutral mode, basically the transmission not engaging the engine). I had to move the gearshift selector in drive mode (automatic) and the car after a few seconds began to accelerate. This is a very dangerous situation if happens crossing from one side to the other side of the road or in heavy traffic.
Subsequent to stopping, while turning right, vehicle's automatic transmission went into an unplanned shift into neutral gear. Engine revved to 3,000 rpms alerting driver to the disengaged. Driver applied brakes, shifted gear into neutral, and then into drive mode. Vehicle remained in drive mode through out the rest of the drive.
Cars transmission fails to engage in drive, will rev and not move. Was at a gas station and was going to leave put car in drive and it just reved, put car back in park and in drive again was able to drive away.
Twice the transmission has failed to engage for approximately 15 seconds after the car was slowed without coming to a complete stop. When this happens, the engine revs freely as though the car was in neutral. In both cases the transmission eventually re-engaged on its own.