Volkswagen GTI Complaints (2016)

67 consumer complaints on file.

#11386619January 5, 2021
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
ENGINE THERMOSTAT AND PUMP FAILURE WITH GRADUAL COOLANT LEAK. COOLANT REQUIRED REFILLING MULTIPLE TIMES WITHIN 45,000 MILES, SOMETIMES COOLANT GETTING DANGEROUSLY LOW WITHOUT WARNING UNTIL CAR IS ON INTERSTATE. THERMOSTAT/PUMP HAS ALSO BEGUN OVERCOOLING ENGINE, NOT ALLOWING IT TO GET UP TO OPERATING TEMP WHEN ON INTERSTATE AND SHUTTING OUT USAGE OF CRUISE CONTROL. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH MK7 GTI.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#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
#11375835November 22, 2020
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER UNKNOWN CAUSE.
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
#11351096August 25, 2020
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TURBO FAILED AFTER 65,000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11343104August 3, 2020
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AT THE GAS STATION, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALLOW FOR NORMAL FUEL UP TO OCCUR. THE PUMP NOZZLE KEEPS CLICKING OFF AND I CAN'T PUT MORE THAN 1/4 TANK OF GAS WITHOUT THE FUEL SPILLING OUT OF THE TANK FILLER NECK/TUBE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING POWER LOSS THAT CAN BE FELT AS A SUDDEN "BUCKING" MOTION WHEN ACCELERATING NORMALLY AND AT CONSTANT CRUISE SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER DIAGNOSIS REPORTED PLUGGED EVAP CANISTER VENT LINES AND FUEL TANK AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 52,500 MILES AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. MANY OWNERS OF THIS YEAR MODEL IN OTHER STATES ARE REPORTING THE EXACT SAME FUEL UP ISSUE ON INTERNET AUTO FORUMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11340429July 20, 2020
ENGINE
THERMOSTAT HOUSING SEAL FAILURE HAS LED TO COOLANT LEAK. DISCOVERED BY TECHNICIAN DURING UNRELATED MAINTENANCE. CAR HAS 76,000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11337144July 2, 2020
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALL AND HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE BRAKE SUCTION CUP. THE MECHANIC LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V647000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. CLAY COOLEY VOLKSWAGEN OF PARK CITIES (5555 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209, (469) 240-6240) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE, WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.*DT *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11329341June 17, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES
I SET THE HANDBRAKE TO SECURE MY VEHICLE IN IT'S PARKING STALL AND LEFT THE VEHICLE WHILE I WENT INTO A STORE. AT THE TIME I LEFT THE VEHICLE, IT WAS COMPLETELY STATIONARY AND SECURE. MANY MINUTES LATER, I BECAME AWARE THAT MY VEHICLE HAD MOVED FROM THE PLACE WHERE I PARKED IT. THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF IT'S PARKING STALL AND COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER UNOCCUPIED VEHICLES LOCATED IN PARKING STALLS BEHIND MY VEHICLE, ABOUT 40 FEET AWAY. WHEN I ENTERED MY VEHICLE TO MOVE IT AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT SCENE, I FOUND THAT THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE (HAND BRAKE) HAD COME UNLATCHED AND THE LATCHING MECHANISM HAD FAILED. THERE IS A BUTTON AT THE END OF THE BRAKE HANDLE THAT WHEN DEPRESSED, RELEASES THE PARKING BRAKE. THAT BUTTON AND A SPRING LOCATED BEHIND IT HAD EJECTED FROM THE END OF THE BRAKE HANDLE. APPARENTLY, WHEN THE BRAKE RELEASE BUTTON FAILS IN THIS WAY, IT CAUSES THE BRAKE TO RELEASE, WHICH CAUSES GRAVITY TO MOVE THE UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE DOWN HILL, WHERE IT WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT REACHED A LOCAL ELEVATION MINIMA, OR STRUCK ANY PERSON OR OBJECT THAT MIGHT HAVE STOPPED IT'S MOTION. A WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT WHO OCCUPIED THE VEHICLE PARKED IN THE STALL NEXT TO MINE VERIFIED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SECURE WHEN I LEFT IT, AND IT HAD GONE INTO MOTION ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL DISTURBANCE OR INPUT. IT CONCERNS ME THAT THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE HANDLE AND BREAK RELEASE IS ALLOWED TO FAIL IN THIS WAY. I WOULD EXPECT A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE RELEASE BUTTON TO RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO RELEASE THE BRAKE, A "SAFE" FAILURE MODE. IN THIS CASE, THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE HANDLE RESULTS IN AN UNSAFE FAILURE MODE, WHERE THE ONCE SECURELY PARKED STATIONARY VEHICLE COULD SPONTANEOUSLY GO INTO MOTION DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A SIMPLE PLASTIC MECHANICAL WEAR ITEM: THE BRAKE RELEASE. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT AN EMINENT FAILURE WAS LOOMING PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11322437April 27, 2020
ENGINE
THERMOSTAT HOUSING/WATER PUMP FAILED AT 80,000 MILES. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE STRANDED ME DURING COVID PANDEMIC FAR FROM HOME. USE OF A PLASTIC PART IN A CRITICAL ENGINE APPLICATION IS PROBLEMATIC. REPAIR COST $906 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THIS HOUSING. VW HAS DENIED COVERAGE FOR THIS CRITICAL ENGINE COMPONENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11316769March 7, 2020
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY 2016 GOLF GTI SE HAS A LEAKING PANAORMIC SUNROOF, IT LEAKS INTO THE INTERIOR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CEILING, THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE OVERHEAD LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND THE PASSENGER VISOR LIGHT. THIS HAPPENS EVEN WHEN THERE IS A MINOR AMOUNT OF RAIN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING OR STATIONARY. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT VW SHOULD BE ISSUING A RECALL TO FIX IT. I HAVE A VIDEO SHOWING WHAT IS HAPPENING BUT, YOU GUYS ONLY ACCEPT PICTURES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11312169February 28, 2020
ENGINE
THERMOSTAT & HOUSING FAILURE. LOSS OF COOLANT OVER TIME, PERIOD OF 3 MONTHS. HAD TO REFILL COOLANT MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THAT PERIOD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11310217February 19, 2020
ENGINE
DRIVING TO WORK ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 AT 7:45AM, AN INDICATION NOTIFICATION CAME ON THAT THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EXTREMELY LOW. I PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT OF A DONUT SHOP ON LEFFINGWELL RD AND MEYER RD AND POPPED MY HOOD OPEN. COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. A FRIEND WAS CALLED TO COME PICK ME UP AND DRIVE TO A VW DEALERSHIP TO PICK UP COOLANT AND DISTILLED WATER FROM A LIQUOR STORE. COOLANT WAS TOPPED OFF. NEXT DAY, CAR WAS TAKEN INTO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND CONFIRMED THAT THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILED AND DUMPED COOLANT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11301522January 24, 2020
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
I BOUGHT MY CAR WITH 29,000 MILES AND NOW HAS 41,000.. MY AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON AND FLASHES AND ON PASSENGER SEAT... EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS IN SEAT ... VOLKSWAGEN WON'T FIX IT EVEN THOUGH I FIRST COMPLAINED TO THEM CAR ONLY HAD 31,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 35,000 MILES...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11298288January 9, 2020
ENGINE
HAD A CRACKED AND LEAKING WATER PUMP HOUSING THAT WAS REPLACED AND COVERED BY AN AFTERMARKET WARRANTY. I HAD BEEN TO MULTIPLE SHOPS BECAUSE OF A COOLANT SMELL, NONE COULD FINE THE SOURCE. I WAS TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN THAT 'IT HAPPENS, THEY ALWAYS LOSE A LITTLE COOLANT', THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. IT IS A CLOSED SYSTEM AND SHOULD NOT LOSE ANY COOLANT OR SMELL LIKE COOLANT AT ALL. I HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME CAR AS MYSELF WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ONLY AFTER I WAS FORCEFUL AND INSISTENT WITH A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP WAS THE PROBLEM FOUND AND CORRECTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11292284December 31, 2019
STEERING
LOOSE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ,MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE ... SUDDEN LOSS HAPPENS ABOUT 15 MINS INTO DRIVING ... EVERY TIME , IT DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OF AND TURNED BACK ON , THEN REPEATS WITH IN 10 -15 MINS YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING OR WHEN TURNING , MANY VW FORUMS SHOW THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF CARS POSSIBLY 1000S ... WHEN YOU TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND THEY START IT THEY SAY THEIR DIAGNOSTICS ARE SHOWING NO DCT CODES BECAUSE CAR RECYCLES AND LOOKS CLEARLY ALTHOUGH THEY KNOW AS THEY STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM AND I WILL NEED NEW EPAS ( STEERING RACK ) 2900$ BUT VOWA GOT DEARLERSHIP DOWN TO 1900 ... MY PROBLEM IS ON THE FORUMS YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS HAPPENS STILL WITH MANY 2016S AND OTHER YEARS .. AND IT'S SCARY TO LOOSE YOUR POWER STEERING ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE NOT THAT STRONG ... AND VW STATES THEY KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM BUT ARE STILL CHARGING HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR AN ENTIRE NEW RACK WHEN THEY EVEN SAY THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT PROBLEM BUT IT'S CLEARLY THERE AND THEY ARE AWARE OF IT ...BOTH VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND THE DEALERSHIP KNOW OF MANY PROBLEMS OCCURRING WITH ' AN INTERNAL FAILURE ' IN THE ELECTRICAL STEERING RACK ( AS SAID BY VW VER BATEM )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11290873December 23, 2019
ENGINE
THERMOSTAT HOUSING LEAKING COOLANT MAJOR AMOUNTS OF COOLANT OVER THE COURSE OF 5K MILES, MUCH MORE COOLANT THAN SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL. COULD LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE AND/OR STALLING WHILE DRIVING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11288305December 11, 2019
ENGINE
COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT 80K MILES.OIL CHANGED REGULARLY. SERVICE AT DEALER ONLY. P000A CAMSHAFT POSITIONER BANK 1 INTAKE - SLOW RESPONSE P0016 CMP SENSOR/ENGINE SPEED SENSOR INCORRECT CORRELATION P0068 MAP/MAF < THROTTLE POSITION CORRELATION P164D OIL PRESSURE SWITCH FOR REDUCED OIL PRESSURE NO AFTERMARKET PARTS, COMPLETELY STOCK. DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW ENGINE. $12,000.00
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11287724December 8, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REARVIEW BACKUP CAMERA AT TIMES STOPS WORKING IN 1 OUT OF 3 INSTANCES WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. THERE IS FIRST AT DISTORTED PICTURE, EVENTUALLY SHUTTING DOWN ALTOGETHER "PARK PILOT NOT AVAILABLE". THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WITH NO RHYME OR REASON. REAR CAMERA IS WORKING; THERE ARE DAYS IT IS ALWAYS WORKING, ON OTHERS EVERY REVERSE RESULTS IN A FAILURE. RESETTING THE HEAD UNIT DOES NOT FIX IT. SHUTTING DOWN CAR AN LETTING IT RESET ITSELF SOMETIMES WORKS. THIS SOFTWARE MALFUNCTION IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHOSE FREQUENCY APPEARS TO INCREASE WITH TIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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