Volkswagen GTI Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#11488320October 7, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Gasoline leaking through the Evap charcoal canister on my GTI 2015
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11486454September 26, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
problem unknown, but I was driving at 40mph in 4th gear when my rpm’s dropped to zero and my battery light came on and I had a total loss of power and was unable to accelerate, when I pulled over and stepped on the gas pedal it did not rev and rpm’s stayed at zero. This was very dangerous. This happened again a couple weeks later driving in second gear when the same thing happened. The only thing I could do was pull over and restart my car and everything seemed functional again after restarting. I took it to an auto shop where they said it was my throttle body and cleaned it out but a week later while sitting in my car with the radio and air conditioning on my car does the same thing where the rpm’s drop to zero and battery light comes on, engine is still running, ac stops blowing cold, radio flashes off and back on and unable to apply gas as it would do nothing. I had to restart the car to regain function. The last time this happened I was stopped at a red light and again the Rpm’s drop to zero and battery light comes but the engine is still running, I have to quickly restart the car again as it seems the only way to reset it. This is just ridiculous and absolutely dangerous, how can a car just suddenly decide to lose all power to the gas pedal. If I was on the freeway or traffic I could cause a huge accident because of this issue. This needs to be fixed asap.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11486106September 23, 2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she smelled a strong gasoline odor inside of the vehicle intermittently. The contact stated while attempting to refuel at the gas station, the gas pump lever shut off at only a 1/2 gallon of fuel. The contact drove to a second gas station and attempted to top off the tank however, the failure reoccurred. The contact was able to drive to her residence, where the vehicle remained parked for four days. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the suction pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine and Engine Cooling) which she associated with the failure. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and inquired about reimbursement; however, the manufacturer informed the contact that the recall was previously completed on the vehicle in 2018 and the recall repair was one-time free of charge. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11483589September 8, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Vehicle started to show intermittent coolant gauge fluctuation with simultaneous loss of cruise control function. The coolant gauge would show cold, then hot. After visiting a dealer, a coolant leak was identified from a crack in the Thermostat/Water Pump housing along with corrosion in the coolant bottle. In addition, the trunk latch failed, likely from a faulty windshield washer fluid valve leaking onto the electrical equipment. All parts were replaced. Within another 3 months the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. All parts were repaired at a Volkswagen Dealer. The overheating of the engine and failure of the fuel pump could have caused engine failure and the car to lose immediate power, causing a fire or crash. The faulty rear door latch could have caused the door to open while driving. All of these issues occurred without warning. Check engine light, EPC and disabled cruise control lights came on at the time of the problem. The vehicle also restricted the speed of the car and maximum RPMs allowed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482449September 1, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the ABS warning light, traction control warning light, and the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). Upon reprogramming the ABS module, the dealer informed the contact the ABS module failed the diagnostic test and needed to be replaced; however, the dealer informed the contact that he had to pay for the repair even though the recall remedy stated that the ABS module replacement was free of charge. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482092August 30, 2022
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
My Air bag light came on. Plus all the controls on my steering column do not work, including the horn. I called the VW dealer. They knew exactly what it was. The Clock Spring. This happened in early May. I was told the part has been on back order for 6 months. The dealer does not have any cars to give me until the part comes in. I was told 6 other cars have the same problem This to me is a major safety issue. I HAVE to drive my car, and I am not comfortable with that.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478572August 10, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that he lost the function of the steering wheel, horn, controls, and air bag. The air bag warning indicator light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts required were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478485August 9, 2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated upon pulling into a parking spot, the vehicle started sputtering. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pushed the vehicle into the parking spot. The contact noticed that gas was leaking from the fuel tank onto the ground. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11474541July 18, 2022
ENGINE
There is an issue with the thermostat housing that causes coolant to leak out. This can cause the water pump to fail or if enough of the coolant leaks it can cause the engine to over heat and fail. The Thermostat housing is totally sealed so this is a manufacture defect that happens on the make of my car and should have a recall on the part. There were no warning lights or indicators to let me know of this issue. I brought the car in to my local Volkswagen dealer (dealer of purchase of the car) for another recall to be serviced and I was informed of this issue and need to have it fixed or risk having major issues with the car. I checked online and found MANY other car owners with this same issue so it seems to be systematic and a failure in the part in question.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11474199July 15, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My horn had stopped working and I brought it to the dealership to get it diagnosed. They identified it as a clockspring issue, and with the knowledge that VW has an active recall for the clockspring, I was hoping that I could get the clockspring replaced under the warranty. However, VW of America refuses to replace the clockspring under the warranty as my airbag light isn't on. I am frustrated because my horn issue is clearly due to the clockspring, and now I do not have a working horn and have to pay out of pocket to fix it. Also, there are no available parts for the clockspring, so even if I wanted to fix it I have to wait for months.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472403July 5, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Factory radiator came loose while driving causing the radiator to fall towards engine block. Lower radiator hose was cut by the crank or ac pulley causing all the coolant drain out. Dealer is replacing the radiator hose, but is not addressing the radiator falling out of place. Car had 6,900 miles when the fault happened. The car not been in an accident or been modified in any way.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472153July 2, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
After 3500 miles my radiator came loose and pushed a lower coolant hose into the alternator belt, chewed through the hose and all the coolant leaked out. Now my car is sitting at a dealer lot awaiting the replacement hose which is on back order in the entire country with no ETA. After this incident I realize this is a common issue(posts on Facebook & Reddit) and for whatever reason VW doesn't seem to be addressing this issue. At the very least they should be shipping a large shipment of these hoses to the US so customers can get back on the road ASAP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11471143June 27, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Steering lock mechanism has broke twice. Key cannot be removed from steering lock causing it to run and not able to turn off. Once car eventually can be turned off or dies you can no longer remove the key or start the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467674June 5, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving normal going the speed limit, had my 4 windows rolled down just a bit to let some air in the car and after driving for about 20 minutes, my sunroof glass decided to explode right above my head. sounded really loud like a gunshot and i don’t think anything from the road hit it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466384May 27, 2022
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL
The emergency parking hand brake won't engage until after around an average of 5 attempts. The hand brake button and spring behind it is also loose and pops off. I'm unable to drive with it on, or else it can pop off and fall to the floor. This causes issues as now I'm unable to use the emergency hand brake in an event of an emergency, which is what the purpose of the emergency hand brake is for.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465936May 24, 2022
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CHAIN/BELT
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465359May 19, 2022
ENGINE
The coolant shutoff valve/water pump has failed twice in a little over 13,000 miles. The first incident caused the engine to overheat and go into "lump mode" on the highway and would not go over 45 mph. In the 2nd incident, the coolant shutoff value because stuck in an open position, resulting in poor gas mileage and an engine that takes much longer than normal to reach operating temperature. Problem has been confirmed by the dealer that performed all scheduled maintenance. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance or others. Warning Lamps: I was not the driver during the first incident. The 2nd incident, the engine warning light came on within a couple of days of a major maintenance at the dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463091May 2, 2022
POWER TRAIN
Was going about 75 mph on the highway when my car dropped into neutral by itself causing me to have to cut across 4 lanes of highway to stop the car. 2014 gti with 67k miles. now being told its my gear shifter an module costing $2,300. I believe this is an essential part that should not be going defective an the dealer told me that their was no visible damage or reason to why it happened. "It is just a failed part"
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462527April 27, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
I recently purchased this used car and discovered that there is a recall on it. I made an appointment for the recall service. Prior to the appointment, the ABS warning light came on while driving the car. I took the car to University Volkswagen. They charged me for a diagnostic on the ABS system and have advised that the ABS module needs to be replaced and that I must have that done, before they can address the recall. I asked the service advisor if the issues with the ABS system were due to the recall issue, and he told me it was difficult to say. I escalated the issue, and they still tell me that I have to pay $3000 to replace the ABS module before they can do the recall work. It seems that if the ABS failure is due to the recall, that it should not be up to me to pay for the ABS module so that they can test the ABS module. Can you please help me with this situation, or advise me what steps to take next?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457483March 20, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I bought the car and a couple days later the dash started lighting up with a bunch of codes about exterior lights so we checked them all fine I went to the auto part store and they said that the vehichle I have has a known issue with the fuses burning so we pull the fuse and sure enough it melted and we replaced fuse drove a week longer and the fuse box caught fire so I took and had a new fuse box installed and it again is burning fuses. Flashing all kinds of code error lights on dash and the sunroof opens and closes by its self . I looked at other VIN OF SAME CAR SAME YEARS and they are recalled for this problem but my VIN is not for some reason
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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