Seven problems related to timing tensioner have been reported for the 2011 Volkswagen GTI. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Timing chain or tensioner fails without warning leaving motorist in an unsafe situation especially if driving in metropolitan traffic.
I tried to start my car, which was parked in the driveway; the battery was working fine, but the engine would not start. I had it towed to a vw mechanic the next morning, 11/9/17. The vw mechanic informed me that my timing tensioner chain had broke causing my pistons to crash into one another, causing my engine to not work and need a total rebuild. My car had given no warning, no engine lights, nothing to allude to an impending catastrophic issue involving my engine. My car only has 59,000 miles on it, premature for this issue - especially with no warning. This issue is not protected by warranty.
60k miles timing chain tensioner failed at idle in my garage causing catastrophic engine damage. Vwoa declined assistance despite TSB existing for updated part. Vwoa cited reason of failure as improper maintenance. All my maintenance was done on time or early at vw dealers with the exception of 3 oil changes I performed myself with recommended oil. The rate of failure is extremely high and customers are not being informed that an updated part exists. I brought this car into the dealer twice for camshaft correlation codes which were verified and I was told it's normal operation. This cost me $3000 to repair. Also warranty extensions on other parts are not disclosed when you run your VIN on vw's website. Fraudulent concealment is being committed. If this happened while the vehicle was in motion a crash could have occurred as all power was lost.
Timing chain tensioner failure. Started the car one morning and ran extremely rough and wouldn't stay running. Dealer wants %6000 to rebuild engine or $7000 for a remanufactured engine. Car has 80k miles on it.
My vw Gti has a failing timing chain tensioner that caused my valves to collide with pistons and required a rebuild of the engine (excluding timing chain). The engine is not timed correctly and has lost a ton of power and is rattling, if I continue to drive it will most likely cause the engine to seize again. The vehicle was stationary and initially broke upon turning it on.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Gti. While parked, it took multiple attempts to start the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing chain tensioner failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,900.
Walking out to my vehicle in sub-freezing weather to return home, I attempted to start the vehicle and when the engine caught it made a loud rattle and died quickly. This same situation occurred on subsequent ignition cycles all with the same result. Vw has released a service bulletin pertaining to this common issue which is to check the timing chain tensioner. When this tensioner fails it can render the engine useless. I have removed the timing chain cover and the tensioner has failed and does not hold tension to the chain. Vw should take responsibility to fix this issue in customer vehicles as it is a known defective part that they are unwilling to repair or aid in repairing.