NHTSA Data Explorer

Volkswagen GTI

Data refreshed June 26, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Volkswagen GTI.

Complaints

2,818

Active records

Recalls

31

Active records

TSBs

3,255

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

6

Injuries

147

Crashes

99

Fires

45

Top reported issues — Volkswagen GTI

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

553

Reporting mechanism

327

Engine behavior

321

Condition issue

315

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

206

Driver assistance issue

195

Performance issue

183

Fluid issue

135

Safety restraint issue

132

Vibration/harshness

82

Braking behavior

77

Safety restraint behavior

73

Noise

68

Thermal issue

54

Steering behavior

42

Lighting behavior

38

Access/entry issue

37

Electrical issue

32

Starting behavior

28

Smell

20

Recent change

16

Powering on/off behavior

14

Infotainment behavior

12

HVAC behavior

7

Wiper/washer behavior

7

Ride/handling behavior

5

Communication/network issue

2

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2022 VOLKSWAGEN GTI

Filed Jun 17, 2026


Sos travel assist, Warning lights come on with such frequency the are very distracting. they even come on and the emergency braking system starts up This is a know problem that VW refuses to address. They have replace the entire system on future models. leaving current owners left hanging with this safety issue with random sensors going off whenever they dam please I'm on my 3rd steering wheel, yea the thing that controls the whole vehicle. This is a known problem and VW chooses not to…

2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed Jun 17, 2026


Rear strut completely broke

2022 VOLKSWAGEN GTI

Filed Jun 13, 2026


The warning Travel Assist chimes and lights up on dashboard repeatedly. It is a defective warning, signifying nothing. The dealer said the repair requires a new steering wheel, an extremely expensive yet uncertain remedy.

2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed Jun 8, 2026


1 injured
Crash

I am reporting a severe safety system failure regarding the airbag deployment force on a 2016 Volkswagen Golf SE. The vehicle was involved in a collision where the frontal/side air bag safety systems engaged. While the impact speed was moderate, the airbag deployment was violently disproportionate, resulting in severe, direct injuries to the occupant rather than providing the intended safety cushioning or protection. The force of the deployment appeared heavily uncalibrated, acting as a primary…

2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed May 31, 2026


Vehicle brought in for Recall 20UF (fuel tank suction pump fire risk) on 04/15/2026. Upon pickup after approximately one week of dealer service, a strong chemical odor was present in the cabin that did not exist prior to service. Odor persists despite cabin air filter replacement with activated charcoal filter, professional carpet shampooing, and extended airing out over several weeks. Dealer dismissed concerns and suggested owner pay for cabin filter replacement which had no effect. VW's own…

2014 VOLKSWAGEN GTI

Filed May 27, 2026


I started my car and drove to a local 7-11 on my way to work and could not turn the key to shut the engine off. I proceeded to work and asked my friend to help me. After a struggle he got the key out,and 3 days later parked my car at a clients only to not be able to start the car. My steering wheel locking was random and was afraid it would lock up while driving. Was told at the dealership there was no recall even after I searched and found this to be problem enough that VW extended their…

2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed May 26, 2026


SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION OF ODI COMPLAINT NUMBER 11740201. I am submitting critical supplemental information to my active safety complaint regarding a 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen (1.8T engine). My primary safety issues are a severe drop in fuel efficiency (cut completely in half), heavy vehicle hesitation/jerking during acceleration, and a powerful raw gasoline smell inside the cabin immediately after fueling. These symptoms heavily align with the known physical failures covered under…

2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed May 26, 2026


Took my car into VW in Johnson City TN because my millage has been dropping drastically. Went from about 420 miles to a tank, down to less than 300. There is hesitation and jerking when I accelerate as well as a gasoline odor in the cab of the vehicle after refueling. Service manager said there was no code thrown and when he took it for a drive her drove “conservatively” and the mpg was normal. They did not physically inspect the fuel pump jet and gaslit me saying it was how I’m driving.…

2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed May 22, 2026


The right rear coil spring on my 2015 Volkswagen Golf fractured suddenly while the vehicle was completely stationary in a parking lot. There was no collision, pothole impact, curb strike, road hazard, or other external event that could reasonably explain the failure. The incident was captured on dash cam video. The failed component is the right rear suspension coil spring. I will retain the broken component and make it available for inspection upon request, although the vehicle must be…

2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed May 8, 2026


Heated seats get extremely hot. Smell of burning. Possible to catch fire or burn people Vw patrick volkswagen auburn ma confirmed that electrical inspection to rule out seat recall No. No recall has been submitted yet When i first bought the car in 2025

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated June 26, 2026. Refreshed nightly.