2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,102 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #5

Jul 012022

GTI

  • miles
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.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #4

Oct 052019

GTI

  • 103,000 miles
When the key has been inserted into the ignition cylinder, the key will not turn all the way to turn on the vehicle. It will stop in the accessory setting and not go further. The key can be taken out again but same issue continues if you try again. The automatic transmission on my vehicle is fully engaged in park and the steering wheel is not locked. The car will not turn on and will force me to have it towed to a mechanic to repair or replace the ignition lock cylinder that seems to be damaged. All accessories power on just fine when the accessory setting is engaged so that leads me to believe the ignition switch is fine but the cylinder is damaged. Replacement of this part requires the removal of the steering wheel, airbag, steering column arms and other electronics so I am taking it to a mechanic in fear that this is too advanced a project for home repair. This issue was first documented on October 5th 2019 and has never given any issues in the past.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #3

Mar 202018

GTI

  • 100,000 miles
'takata recall' on the horn, it stopped working, checked the horn, and fuses and wasnt that. 'takata recall' on the front lights, checked the bulbs and it wasnt that, most likely is the wiring

- Sunrise, FL, USA

problem #2

Jul 152017

GTI

  • 48,556 miles
This is my third Volkswagen model, particularly golf Gti model in ten years, and for the third time, like clockwork, the air con has died before 48K miles on the odometer. All signs point to a faulty sensor on the compressor that dies, and typically shrapnels the compressor, dry, and other critical air con systems, causing zero cold air to blow. VW has a recall or an open tsb for this faulty sensor and the parts affected by it on previous models after several complaints, but refuses to extend any compensation or assistance for the facelifted MK6 generation. VW is cheapening out and using the same exact parts as before, and hoping to slide under the radar to avoid having to shell out costs to fix and repair for the newer generations. This is absurd. VW should be ashamed for putting such a flawed combination of inept systems together and call it "the people's car". what a joke.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #1

Nov 022017

GTI

  • 48,956 miles
This is my third Volkswagen Gti in three years, and for the second time in the 6 years I've owned this car, the headliner has detached and fallen down onto passenger. Three times if you count the sunroof visor shade cloth. This happened on both previously owned VW models as well. Volkswagen is incapable of making a quality cloth liner for the doors, roof, and other components covered by their fabrics/upholstery. VW claims this is typical wear and tear and not a fault of their components, but then why does it occur every three years on every single model they produce?

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA