Volkswagen GTI Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#10262494March 19, 2009
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED A NEW 08 VW GTI 10/13/07. AFTER A FEW MONTHS, THE MANUAL 6 SPEED CLUTCH MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST INTO 2ND GEAR. INITIALLY I TOOK IT IN 3 TIMES, THE TECH SAID THE CONDITION COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. ON 7/5/08, AS I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, THE CLUTCH ACTION FELL LIMP AND SMOKE BELLOWED FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE CAR WAS DOWN FOR A WEEK. THE CLUTCH DISC,PRESSURE PLATE,TRANS SEALS,BOLTS,FLYWHEEL AND RELEASE BEARING WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, 2 MONTHS LATER THE ISSUE RETURNED BUT WAS WORSE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER ANOTHER 10 TIMES. I EVENTUALLY HAD TO TRADE THE CAR @ A HUGE LOSS. THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. I CONTACTED VW HEADQUARTERS 2 MONTHS BEFORE I HAD TO SELL THE CAR, THEY WERE OF NO ASSISTANCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258295February 11, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DRIVING TO SCHOOL AND WAS ABOUT TO PULL INTO THE SCHOOL WHEN I WAS CUT OFF, SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY AND WENT ON TO THE CURB AT AN ANGLE TO WHERE IT ONLY HIT THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. I QUICKLY CAME DOWN AND MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 30 BUT SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MPH RIGHT BEFORE IMPACT. I HAVE HIT POTHOLES HARDER AND NOTHING HAPPENS. SEEMS LIKE A CLEAR MALFUNCTION MY FRIEND WAS HIT BY THE AIRBAG, BUT SUFFERED NO SERIOUS INJURIES. THE ONLY EXTERIOR DAMAGE WAS THAT I GOT A LEAK IN MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND HAD TO GET IT REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257385February 4, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS FOR MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI MKV MUST HAVE SOME FORM OF A HOLE OR INSUFFICIENT SEALANT BECAUSE WHEN IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE ALLOT OF MOISTURE BUILT UP INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS AND MADE MY VISIBILITY SO HARD TO SEE ON THE HIGHWAY I ALMOST RAN INTO 1 CAR AND WHILE I WAS EXITING AND GETTING ONTO THE SERVICE ROAD I WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO MY STREET WHEN I ALMOST HIT 2 PARKED CARS. MY FRIEND HAS ALSO BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH HIS CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256878January 29, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CAR WAS INVOLVED IN FRONTAL CRASH, HITTING ANOTHER THAT WAS STOPPED IN THE ROAD. CAR WAS GOING BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT NOSE ON STEERING WHEEL. NOT BROKEN BUT SEVERELY BRUISED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10252334December 20, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THERE WERE NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE, ONLY TIME. THE HIGH MOUNTED 3RD BRAKELIGHT ON MY 2007 VW GTI IS FAILING. IT'S FULL OF CONDENSATION, AND THAT'S CAUSING THE BULBS INSIDE IT TO FAIL. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THEM, THE OWNERS MANUAL INFORMED ME THAT ONLY THE DEALER COULD DO SO. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THE CAR SEVERAL DAYS AS THEY HAD TO DISMOUNT SEVERAL BODY PANELS, CUT THEM OPEN, THEN REPLACE THE BULBS AND GLUE EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER. I WAS ALSO WARNED TO ESSENTIALLY EXPECT BODY DAMAGE, AND THAT THE BILL FOR ALL THIS WOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL. ALL THIS TO REPLACE A BULB? THAT'S INSANE, AND I FELT LIKE THAT WAS A POOR ENOUGH RESULT THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD DEAL WITH THE SAFETY ISSUES INSTEAD OF REPLACING IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251152December 9, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I BOUGHT A PAIR OF AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS FROM A MEMBER ON EBAY FOR MY 2001 VW GTI. I BOUGHT THESE HEADLIGHTS FROM A SELLER . I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND FOGLIGHT (WHICH IS INCORPORATED INTO THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING) IS TURNED ON IT WILL CAUSE THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT TO MELT BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I DO BELIEVE THESE ARE UNSAFE AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE; HOWEVER, AFTER SEVERAL EMAILS. HE HAS NOT RESPONDED TO ME. I'VE GONE AND DONE MY RESEARCH AND OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE LIGHTS. THEY ARE MANUFACTURED BY DEPO FOR FK AUTOMOTIVE, AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THIS SELLER IS AND AUTHORIZED DEALER OF THESE HEADLIGHTS. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE I CAN GO. PLEASE HELP ME OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250541December 2, 2008
STRUCTURE
MY 2003 VW GTI LEAKS AND HAS NOW DEVELOPED SERIOUS MOLD THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET RID OF ON OUR OWN BECAUSE THE CAR KEEPS TAKING ON WATER EVERY TIME IT RAINS. I REFUSE TO PAY THOUSANDS FOR A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW AND I CAN'T ALWAYS PARK IT UNDER COVER. APPARENTLY THESE LEAKS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I HAVE A SERIOUS MOLD ALLERGY AND CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249547November 22, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I AM UNABLE TO REPLACE MY THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WITHOUT TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DRIVE A 2008 VW GTI. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248293November 10, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I CAN'T REPLACE THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT BULBS ON MY 2008 VW GTI. THERE IS NO WAY TO SERVICE THEM AND THE DEAL STATES THEY WOULD HAVE TO PHYSICALLY RIP OFF MY SPOILER TO DO SO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248308November 10, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1. PURCHASED MY 2006 VW GTI ON JULY 15TH 2008. NOTICED CONDENSATION IN THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING. 2. CONDENSATION ALWAYS THERE. NO WAY TO REMOVE BRAKE LIGHT TO REMOVE THE CONDENSATION. 3. FILING COMPLAINT. POSSIBLE CRACKED LIGHT OR SHORT IN LIGHT DUE TO THE CONDENSATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248069November 9, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE 2008 VW GTI USES THE HEADLIGHTS AS RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED THE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF THE POSITION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THIS CAUSES A HAZARD AS AT NIGHT THE DRIVER IS LIKELY TO START THE CAR AND PROCEED TO DRIVE. USUALLY ONE WOULD NOT PROCEED TO DRIVE WITHOUT TURNING THE LIGHTS ON HOWEVER THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON AUTOMATICALLY. NOW YOU ARE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS BUT NO TAILLIGHTS. THIS FEATURE IS CREATING A HAZARD AND SHOULD BE CHANGED. I INQUIRED AT THE DEALER AND THEY STATED 'THAT IS THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED TO WORK'. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS DEFICIENCY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248211November 9, 2008
INTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2009 VW GTI THAT IS ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD. THE REAR BRAKELIGHT IN THE SPOILER IS FILLED WITH MOISTURE AND DOES NOT GO AWAY. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE THIS BULB OUT EASILY WHEN IT FAILS BECAUSE IT WILL IF MOISTURE REMAINS TRAPPED. HOWEVER THE FACTORY MANUAL WARNS THAT THIS IS A MULTI-DAY JOB AND MAY RESULT IN A BROKEN SPOILER AND POSSIBLE BODY DAMAGE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VIOLATION OF FMVSS 108 WHICH REQUIRES THAT REPLACING THE BULBS BE SIMPLE AND REQUIRE ONLY COMMON TOOLS. THIS IS AN ISSUE ON ALL 2006 - 2009 VW GTI AND R32 CARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247981November 7, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WANT TO COMPLAINT ABOUT THE 3RD HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT ON MY 07 VOLKSWAGEN GTI THAT I HAVE ONE OF THE LIGHT OUT AMONG THE LIGHT AND I TRY TO REPLACE THE LIGHT IN A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE ONE LIGHT OUT UNLESS I NEED FOUR LIGHT OUT WHICH I THINK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE ALL LIGHTS ARE OUT WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I THINK THINK HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH ONE LIGHT IS OUT IT ALREADY NOT OUT OF THE FACTORY CONDITION. I HAVE NO IDEA THAT THEY NEED TO WAIT 4 LIGHTS ARE OUT TO FIXED IT. ALSO I WANT TO COMPLAIN THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE IT BY YOURSELF BECAUSE IT IS MOUNT INSIDE THE SPOILER, THEREFORE I THINK THE DEALERSHIP HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE EVEN THOUGH IT CHARGES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247902November 6, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ON WASHING THE CAR (2007 VW GTI 2.0 2H) THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT CRACKED AND FELL FROM ITS HOUSING IN SEVERAL PIECES. THE MAIN BODY OF THE PART REMAINS ATTACHED BY THE ELECTRIC CABLE. THE FACTORY RESOLUTION IS TO SEND THE CAR TO A BODY SHOP TO REMOVE THE FACTORY SPOILER AND REPLACE THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE FACTORY MANUAL WARNS THAT THIS IS A MULTI-DAY JOB AND MAY RESULT IN A BROKEN SPOILER AND POSSIBLE BODY DAMAGE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VIOLATION OF FMVSS 108 WHICH REQUIRES THAT REPLACING THE BULBS BE SIMPLE AND REQUIRE ONLY COMMON TOOLS. THE ADDED COSTS ARE BEYOND REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS AND WERE NOT SET FORTH AS PART OF THE PURCHASING DECISION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247222October 30, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE 2008 VW GTI USES THE HEADLIGHTS AS RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED THE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF THE POSITION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THIS CAUSES A HAZARD AS AT NIGHT THE DRIVER IS LIKELY TO START THE CAR AND PROCEED TO DRIVE. USUALLY ONE WOULD NOT PROCEED TO DRIVE WITHOUT TURNING THE LIGHTS ON HOWEVER THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON AUTOMATICALLY. NOW YOU ARE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS BUT NO TAILLIGHTS. THIS FEATURE IS CREATING A HAZARD AND SHOULD BE CHANGED. I INQUIRED AT THE DEALER AND THEY STATED 'THAT IS THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED TO WORK'. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS DEFICIENCY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246391October 22, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1. I SERVICED MY CAR AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO PERFORMED A LOWER SUSPENSION BUSHING REPLACEMENT ON THE FRONT STRUT SUSPENSION. THIS WAS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE THAT I ELECTED TO DO VIA A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM VW TO REPLACE NOISY AND SQUEAKY BUSHINGS INSTALLED WHEN THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. 2 DAYS AFTER THE SERVICE WAS DONE I NOTICED A LOUD BANGING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP, GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, AND TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. 2. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT LEAST FOUR TIMES A DAY THE FORCE OF THE BANG IS SO STRONG THAT IT SENDS A SHARP VIBRATION THROUGH THE FRAME OF THE CAR. ON OCCASION I HAVE HEARD THE PLASTIC INTERIOR PANELS CRACK FROM THE FORCE. 3. I SENT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE TO CORRECT IT. ON THE FIRST VISIT THE DEALER TIGHTENED ALL OF MY SUBFRAME BOLTS BECAUSE THEY IDENTIFIED SOME AS BEING LOOSE. THE SOUND CAME BACK 3 DAYS LATER. THE SECOND VISIT I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEIR TECH COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE SOUND AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING UNDER MY ADVISED CONDITIONS. THE THIRD VISIT I WAS ABLE TO SHOW THE SERVICE REP THE PROBLEM AND REPRODUCE THE NOISE. WHEN THE SERVICE REP TRIED TO SHOW IT TO THE TECH HE SAID HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT AFTER 15 MINUTES. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS NOW AND I AM NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. ON ALL PREVIOUS VISITS I WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246426October 22, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
REAR HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY FAILED( LED'S BURNED OUT) DUE TO MOISTURE GETTING IN. WHEN ASKED ABOUT REPLACING THE LAMP, VW'S RESPONSE IS THAT THE OLD SPOILER CONTAINING THE STOP LAMP HAS TO BE CUT OFF OF THE HATCH. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF FMVSS 108 WHICH REQUIRES THAT REPLACING THE BULBS BE SIMPLE AND REQUIRE ONLY COMMON TOOLS. THE CAR IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY 700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE A BRAKE LAMP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246379October 22, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE 3RD BRAKE LIKE ON MY 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI FORMED CONDENSATION AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE DEALER BY CUTTING OFF THE SPOILER SINCE IT WAS NOT REMOVABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE SURFACE. THE PROCESS OUTLINED BY VW WARNS OF POSSIBLE BODY DAMAGE DURING THIS PROCESS, WHICH I ALSO FOUND AFTER THE REPAIR. THIS PART IS NOT USER SERVICEABLE, AND IS VERY COSTLY IF IT HAS TO BE DONE OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245315October 13, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
#1 IGNITION COIL FAILED. CAR REPAIRED BY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND WITHIN 50 MILES, THE #3 COIL FAILED. REPLACED ALL IGNITION COILS AT 77K MILES. SEEMS PREMATURE FOR A 5 YEAR CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242920September 19, 2008
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS, STRUCTURE, AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATES AND DISPLAYS "PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS OFF". THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT WAS MADE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE SEAT TENSIONER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AS WELL. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, IN ADDITION TO THE SUNROOF ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen GTI