Volkswagen GTI Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#11386719January 5, 2021
POWER TRAIN
MY THERMOSTAT HAD A COOLANT LEAK AT 37K, AND THIS WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE VW DEALERSHIP IN 12/20. MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AT THE VW DEALERSHIP. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS ISSUE IS QUITE COMMON ON 2015-2018 VW GTIS (AND IT LOOKS LIKE IN ADDITION TO THE THERMOSTAT, THE WATER PUMP IS OFTEN PRONE TO LEAKAGE) AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED ON VW FORUMS HERE: HTTPS://WWW.REDDIT.COM/R/GOLFGTI/COMMENTS/DRNA5M/MK775_THERMOSTAT_HOUSING_ISSUE_AND_COOLANT_LOSS AND HERE: HTTPS://WWW.GOLFMK7.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?THREADS/FAILED-THERMOSTAT-HOUSING-COOLANT-LOSS-INFO-GATHERING.368847 THE THERMOSTAT SHOULD NOT BE LEAKING SO EARLY IN THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE. THIS LEAK CAN LEAD TO A LOSS OF COOLANT, WHICH IN TURN CAN DAMAGE OR DESTROY THE ENGINE. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA, AND THEY DECLINED TO COVER IT, AS THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS POTENTIALLY A DEFECTIVE PART THAT CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE NOT WORKING, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT A RECALL WOULD HELP OTHER OWNERS PROTECT THEIR VEHICLES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11384872December 24, 2020
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FIRST CAR STARTS. SECOND PUT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. THIRD CAR STARTS TO STALL SLOWLY SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE WHILE IN REVERSE. FOURTH, CAR HAS DIFFICULTY STARTING THE ENGINE WHILE PUTTING IN PARK GEAR. FIFTH, I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE AND THE PUSH START BUTTON IN ORDER TO START WHILE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO INCREASE THE RPM. THEN I DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE UNDER STATIONARY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11383274December 14, 2020
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IT SUCKS IN TOO MUCH AIR AND FAILS AS IF IT HAD A SPARKPLUG FAULT IT WASTES TOO MUCH GAS AND SOMETIMES SUFFOCATES AND WANTS TO TURN OFF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11382735December 9, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH CATCHING FIRE FROM EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL DRAW OVER THE MAIN POWER LEAD. OVER AMP DRAW IS CAUSING MAIN WIRING TO MELT AND ALSO MELT THE FUSE BOX OVER THE BATTERY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11378489December 8, 2020
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAS BEGUN TO BECOME UNADHERED TO THE BODY CAUSING IT TO RAISE UP AND CREATE A GAP BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE ROOF CAUSING EXCESS NOISE WHILE DRIVING. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DENIED MY CLAIM DESPITE HAVING A PENDING CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MANY MODELS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11377947December 4, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WHEN I WENT TO SLOW DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT MY BRAKES WERE NOT ENGAGING UNTIL MY PEDAL WAS PUSHED WELL OVER HALF WAY DOWN. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. I STARTED NOTICING THAT IF I PUMPED MY BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES WOULD BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE REALLY WAS NOT SAFE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL TIRES PLUS REPAIR SHOP WHO BELIEVED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS BAD AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ONCE THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES STILL WERE NOT EFFECTIVELY ENGAGING. AT THAT POINT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS HAD GOTTEN REPLACED AND EVEN AFTER THAT, NOTHING HAD IMPROVED. TIRES PLUS DECIDED THE CAR NEEDED TO GO TO VOLKSWAGEN BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND INSISTED THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES AND THAT THE WAY MY BRAKE PEDAL FELT WAS NORMAL. I KNOW FOR A FACT THIS ISN'T TRUE AND THE SERVICE CENTER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY CONCERNS. IN RESPONSE I WAS TOLD THAT I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW BRAKES ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK AND THAT MUCH DEAD PEDAL TRAVEL IS NORMAL. I PICKED MY CAR UP AND AFTER A WEEK MY BRAKES HAD GOTTEN WORSE AND THEY CONTINUE TO GET WORSE. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS STILL NOT ENGAGING MY BRAKES UNTIL OVER HALFWAY THROUGH THE PEDAL TRAVEL AND ONCE THE BRAKES DO ENGAGE THE PEDAL IS VERY STIFF. I AGAIN EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR SIMPLY YELLED AT ME AND TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THAT I NEEDED TO JUST LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS. AND YET THEY HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY CAR BECAUSE THEY DENIED TO DO SO. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO TWO OTHER REPAIR SHOPS WHO INSIST THERE IS AN ISSUE BUT COULD NOT PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND INSIST VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO DEEPLY LOOK INTO MY CARS BRAKING SYSTEM BUT VOLKSWAGEN WON'T DO FURTHER INVESTIGATING INTO THE BRAKES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11377823December 3, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
GEAR SELECTOR CHROME TRIM PEELS AND CUTS TO THE SKIN. DEALERS WILL ONLY SELL ENTIRE GEAR SELECTOR ASSEMBLIES $285+. TRIM PIECE CAN BE FOUND ON ALI EXPRESS (AFTERMARKET) FOR $16. IT IS EXACT MATCH, FIT AND FINISH. WHAT VW AND ITS DEALERS ARE DOING TO MANY CLIENTS IS UNACCEPTABLE. LOOK AT FORUMS AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEIR HANDS SLICED BY THE PEELING CHROME. CARS ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY FOREVER. BUT PROBLEMS THAT OCCUR TO MOST MODELS, IF YOU SLASHED YOUR HAND WHILE DRIVING - THAT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE, BUT IT TAKES NON MANUFACTURER PARTS TO FIX AFFORDABLY. WHY CAN'T VW EITHER OFFER THIS PART A LA CARTE OR GIVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY? WHY DO I NEED TO BUY AN ENTIRE GEAR SELECTOR FOR A SIMPLE CHROME PLATED PIECE OF PLASTIC TO BE REPLACED? THE GEAR SELECTOR WORKS FINE, IT'S THE CHROME TRIM THAT IS A SEPARATE PART THAT PEELS. I'M JUST ANGRY BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO AROUND THE WORLD AND TRUST AN UNKNOWN CHINESE COMPANY TO SUPPLY A PART THAT VW ALREADY MAKES AND WON'T SELL ON ITS OWN. AND IT'S NOT JUST ME, IT'S ALMOST EVERYONE WHOSE BOUGHT ONE OF THESE CARS. SLICING YOUR HAND WHILE DRIVING CAUSES SOME DISTRACTION. I THANK GOD I DIDN'T WRECK WHEN IT HAPPENED TO ME. PLEASE MAKE THEM EITHER RECALL THE PART OR AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS ON FL HIGHWAY 16 WHEN I SLASHED MY HAND ON THE PEELING CHROME TRYING TO TURN DOWN THE AIR CONDITIONING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11375835November 22, 2020
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER UNKNOWN CAUSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11374175November 11, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 75MPH, MY 2019 VOLKSWAGEN GTI SE PANORAMIC SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. I HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY SHATTERED GLASS FALLING INTO THE CAR. THE ENTIRE SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED AND A VERY LARGE HOLE (APPROX. 1' X 1.5' LARGE) NEAR THE FRONT OF SUNROOF WAS PRESENT. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING HIT THE SUNROOF. GIVEN THE LOUD BANG AND THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF, I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE A ROCK OR SOME OTHER OBJECT HIT THE SUNROOF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11373144November 5, 2020
AIR BAGS
PUT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND RECIEVED, "ERROR: AIRBAG" NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND I DIDNT DO ANYTHING TO MY ELECTRICAL OR AIRBAG SYSTEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11372496November 1, 2020
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN GTI AND IT HAS A ELECTRICAL ISSUE MY LIGHTS FLICKER BY THEMSELVES AND MY HAZARDS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AS WELL AND I WANT TO PUT IN A NEW RADIO BUT WITH MY ELECTRICAL ISSUES GOING I CAN'T DO THAT AND WHEN I PUT MY HEAT ON IT MESSES WITH MY HEAD LIGHTS THEY TURN OFF IDK WHAT IS GOING ON BUT I CAN'T FIX IT AND I WAS ON A TOWN STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED SO YEAH I NEED THIS FIXED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11366189October 24, 2020
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I HAVE BOUGHT THE NEW 6 SPEED MANUAL GTI THIS WEEK AND PUT 150 MILES ON IT SO FAR. ONLY 4 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, THE CAR STALLED WHILE STOPPING WITH THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED DURING SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL, WITH NO WARNING SIGNS OR ERRORS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11365285October 19, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES
6/1/20 BRAKES GOOD MEASURED 8 (IN THE GREEN) THIS IS WHEN I RECEIVED A NEW WATER PUMP (I KNOW! UNDER WARRANTY ISSUE ALSO IMO). MILAGE 25490. SEPTEMBER GOT NEW TIRES. ANTI LOCK BRAKES WENT OFF RIGHT A WAY X2. 10/10/20 TOOK CAR IN FOR 30,000 MILE CHECK AT 29,053 MILES. BRAKES MEASURED AT 3. MCKENNA SUGGESTED NEW BRAKES(PADS, ROTORS) $700.00. WHAT WOULD CAUSE BRAKES GOING FROM 8 TO 3 IN 4 MONTHS? I HAVE CONCERNS WITH ANTILOCKING BRAKES. I BELIEVE THEY ARE TOO SENSITIVE AND CAUSED BRAKE ISSUES
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11365177October 19, 2020
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SUCTION PUMP INSIDE GAS TANK ALLOWED GAS TO COLLECT WITHIN THE EVAPORATIVE-EMISSION SYSTEM. THIS FILLED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FILTER WITH LIQUID GASOLINE. THIS GASOLINE SPILLED OUT INTO THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND ON TO THE GARAGE FLOOR. I HAD ABOUT ONE QUARTER (1/4) OF A TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR WHEN I PARKED IN MY HOME GARAGE AFTER A SHORT DRIVE TO DAIRY QUEEN TO PICK UP A BLIZZARD ICE CREAM BIRTHDAY CAKE. WHEN MY ROOMMATE PULLED INTO THE GARAGE SHE SAID SHE SMELLED GAS. I WENT BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND IT SMELLED VERY STRONGLY OF GAS. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THERE WAS A GOOD SIZE PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE. I BACKED THE CAR OF MY HOME GARAGE AND DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE NEAREST OPEN MECHANIC SHOP. THEY REMOVED THE REAR TIRE AND THE INNER FENDER WELL. THEN WE COULD SEE THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER WAS LEAKING LIQUID GASOLINE. I CHECKED THE VIN NUMBER WITH VW ONLINE AND THERE WAS RECALLS FOR 2015-2016 VW GTI BUT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE MY CAR SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CANNISTER AND FUEL TANK. VW HAD A NEW PART NUMBER FOR A NEW DESIGN TANK THAT SUPERSEDED THE OLD PART NUMBER AND REQUIRED NEW GAS LINES TOO. CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED WITH MY ONW MONEY AND SEEMS TO RUN FINE WITH NO SMELL OF GAS OR VISIBLE LEAKS. I SPOKE WITH THE VW DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR THIS MORNING AND THEN SPOKE WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE THIS AFTERNOON. THEY BOTH SAID ONCE A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED I CAN SUBMIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE WITH ME IN THE CAR OR PARKED IN MY HOME GARAGE COULD HAVE INJURED MY FAMILY AND OUR DOG. *LN*JB VIN [XXX} was not included in the recall. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11364005October 12, 2020
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FIRST NOTICED STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING FROM REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. FUEL SMELL DISSIPATED AFTER AROUND 45 MINUTES. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE THE CAR, IT BEGAN BUCKING AS IF THERE WAS A FUEL PRESSURE ERROR. BY THE TIME I LIMPED THE CAR INTO MY DRIVEWAY, FUEL WAS POURING OUT OF THE SAME WHEEL WELL. THE CAR HAS LEAKED FUEL ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS SINCE THEN. I'VE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT VOLKSWAGEN ADDRESSED IN SAFETY RECALL 20Y6. FAULTY ELEMENTS IN THE FUEL TANK ARE CAUSING GASOLINE TO PURGE INTO THE EVAP SYSTEM AND THEN LEAK THROUGH THE EVAP CANISTER, DOWN ONTO THE WHEEL WELL. VW APPARENTLY MADE A BUSINESS DECISION NOT TO INCLUDE 2017 GOLFS IN THAT RECALL, DESPITE BEING IDENTICAL CARS. A QUICK LOOK THROUGH THESE COMPLAINTS OR IN VARIOUS VOLKSWAGEN FORUMS WILL SHOW THAT THIS ISSUE IS COMMON AND POPPING UP IN MORE AND MORE 2017 CARS AT AROUND 35K MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11363114October 6, 2020
ENGINE
THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CLUTCH IS FULLY IN AND THROTTLE IS NOT ENGAGED (COASTING DOWN HILLS, STOP SIGNS) THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF BUT ALL OF THE ELECTRONICS STAY ON. I LOSE POWER STEERING/THROTTLE AND RPMS ARE 0. NONE OF THE ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON LIKE THE CAR STALLED. WHEN THE CAR TURNS BACK ON, IT SEEMS TO STRUGGLE/STUTTER. SEVERAL OF THE TIMES I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, IT TOOK A TRY OR TWO TO CRANK AND ME ADDING SOME THROTTLE. I RAN MY CODE READER SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND NO ACTUAL CODES HAVE BEEN TRIPPED AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON IF I CONTINUALLY ADD SOME THROTTLE AND REV THE ENGINE WHILE AT A STOP WITH THE CLUTCH IN THE ISSUE DOES NOT HAPPEN IT HASN'T HAPPENED WHILE THE ENGINE OR THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE WAS COLD. ONLY AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE IN THE FALL NOT QUITE WARM IN THE MIDWEST US AND AGAIN ONLY AFTER I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR 10 MINUTES OR SO AND THE ENGINE WAS TOTALLY WARMED UP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11362123September 30, 2020
ENGINE
AS I SLOWED DOWN COMING TO A STOP SIGN, I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. WHEN I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AS IF IT WAS AN AUTO OFF/AUTO ON FEATURE. THE ENGINE DID NOT TURN BACK ON AUTOMATICALLY. THIS HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AFTER AT THE NEXT STOP LIGHT. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11361264September 26, 2020
POWER TRAIN
I HAD MY THERMOSTAT HOUSING REPLACED TO DUE LEAKAGE. I WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS IS A REOCCURRING ISSUE THAT CAN LEAD TO ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS HAS HAPPENED GRADUALLY OVER TIME AND NOT DUE TO ANY INCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED FROM A VW SERVICE WHEN I WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 57000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11359910September 19, 2020
ENGINE
THERE IS A CONSTANT COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND WATER PUMP AREA. IT STARTED AS A SLOW LEAK, EVERY 10,000 MILES OR SO I WOULD HAVE TO TOP IT OFF AND NOW IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO FILL IT BACK UP EVERY DAY. LOOKED INTO IT ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THAT NEARLY EVERYONE THAT OWNS THIS CAR HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND EVERYONE'S LEAK COMES FROM THIS AREA.THE LEAK HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES BUT IS GREATLY ACCELERATED WHEN DRIVING AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM IS RUNNING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11355431September 16, 2020
ENGINE
COOLANT LEAK AND STRONG SMELL AFTER DRIVING THE CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW. GRADUAL COOLANT LOSS IN THE RESERVOIR. VW REDESIGNED THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND WATER PUMP AFTER RAMPANT 2015 MODEL YEAR FAILURES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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