NHTSA Data Explorer

Volkswagen GTI

Data refreshed July 19, 2026

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

Complaints

2,820

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

884

Condition issue

739

Reporting mechanism

587

Engine behavior

554

Fluid issue

350

Safety restraint issue

340

Performance issue

304

Driver assistance issue

298

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

277

Safety restraint behavior

161

Noise

155

Thermal issue

133

Braking behavior

123

Access/entry issue

122

Vibration/harshness

119

Lighting behavior

94

Electrical issue

79

Steering behavior

67

Starting behavior

66

Smell

57

Powering on/off behavior

36

Infotainment behavior

33

Recent change

30

HVAC behavior

22

Wiper/washer behavior

16

Ride/handling behavior

12

Communication/network issue

4

Electrified system issue

3

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed Jul 16, 2026


15V483000 (VW Recall Code 69L2) was issued for 2014 Volkswagen Golf's indicating a clock spring affecting a cable that powers the air bag. This is indicated also by the airbag emergency light coming on. I believe a similar, if not the same, issue is occurring in my 2015 VW Golf. Furthermore, the issue has affected all mechanical buttons on the steering wheel. I had taken my vehicle to a VW mechanic that indicated a recall had been issued for this problem. However, upon my own further…

2022 VOLKSWAGEN GTI

Filed Jul 6, 2026


Travel assist, the VW system that controls Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning, is repeatedly and randomly failing on the 2022 VW GTI. This is a well-known defect readily documented on the internet, due to a faulty capacitive sensor mat inside the steering wheel. This intermittent failure is clearly safety related and should be subject to a recall and repair at the manufacturer's expense. Itis not.

2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed Jun 17, 2026


Rear strut completely broke

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…

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


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.…

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…

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

Updated July 19, 2026. Refreshed nightly.