Starter motor OEM Volkswagen or Duralast

The starter on my 12' began going out so I go a Duralast reman. for about $160 at AutoZone. There's a few helpful vids on YouTube, and it's not too bad of a job. It took me about 90 minutes and you might want to have some socket extensions and maybe a wobble joint. Overall pretty doable for a busy dad with young kids on a Sunday.

I replaced with a Duralast Gold starter and it's been running fine for nine years. Of course who knows what you're getting now in 2025, but the aftermarket one from 2016 has done great.

I had the same issue with my 2016 V6 Touring. I followed the instructions on the TSB, replaced the starter with a Duralast Gold starter from Autozone ($400), & replaced the alternator (OEM) at the dealership. No issues at all. It has been over a year and a half.

I've gotten in the habit of installing the smaller, lighter, more powerful DL9990S in all of my older small block trucks that use the big heavy 3510 series starters. Never once had an issue with them.

Replaced mine with a Duralast and worked wonders I even made a youtube video on it.

I got the Duralst Alternator, so far so good but I also got the Duralast starter. It has a lifetime warranty. The starter lasted me almost 10k miles.

I got a reman. Auto Zone Duralast starter in Aug 2021, and then had to replace that with another reman. Duralast starting in Nov 2022, and now I need another one.

Since installing #19590, I’ve been hearing a slight grinding noise on startup — sometimes it sounds worse than other times, but definitely not right.

Mine has done this on my '23 Arteon a couple of times. Mine has even went so far as not wanting to start with the start button! Acted like the starter was dead.

I got a replacement Duralast 17341 for a Hyundai Accent 2011 GL, and it was grinding like crazy. Really worried me.