RoadVitals

2009 Volkswagen GTI Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
167
Latest Apr 21, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
15
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen GTI, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

98
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the ABS control unit indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a communication loss; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The failure mileage was 132,000.

NHTSA ID 11732775 · filed Apr 21, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID 11482449 · filed Sep 1, 2022
All 98 reports naming brakes

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

73
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the ABS control unit indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a communication loss; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The failure mileage was 132,000.

NHTSA ID 11732775 · filed Apr 21, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID 11482449 · filed Sep 1, 2022
All 73 reports naming driver assistance

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

31
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The warning light went on engine oil pressure off. Search manual. Then it wouldn't start. But lights where on so we put a new starter. But it wouldn't turn the engine. So We thought it must be the battery needs a jump start. And then wire from battery to starter caught on fire? I Googled the problem, and found that there had been recalls for that faulty wire before.

NHTSA ID 11543629 · filed Sep 9, 2023

AFTER DRIVING MY CAR FOR FIVE MINUTES, I HEARD A LOUD "POP" FROM THE CAR'S RIGHT SIDE. I LOOKED OVER AND OBSERVED THAT MY RIGHT SIDE VIEW MIRROR WAS BLACK BUT STILL INTACT. WHEN I PULLED OVER AND EXITED MY CAR, I FELT THE MIRROR WHICH FELT TO NO LONGER BE FLAT BUT WARPED IN VARIOUS SPOTS. IT IS QUITE APPARENT THE MIRROR OVERHEATED. MY MIRROR FUNCTION NOB WAS NOT IN THE "HEAT" POSITION AND WAS SET TO THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR POSITION. MY CONCERN IS THAT IT COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID 11325090 · filed May 19, 2020
All 31 reports naming electrical

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR WAS AFFECTED BY THE 2017 RECALL FOR THE ABS MODULE. I WAS DRIVING AROUND A CORNER AND HIT BRAKES TO SLOW A LITTLE, THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/STEERING LIGHT(S) CAME ON AND MY BRAKES LOCKED MOMENTARILY CAUSE ME TO SLIDE. I CALLED LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. THE DEALER STATED(AND VW AMERICA) THAT BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO PULL CODES FROM THE MODULE I WOULD NEED TO PAY TO REPLACE IT MYSELF AND THEN THEY COULD PERFORM THE RECALL. THIS IS COMPLETE AND UTTER STUPIDITY. THE MODULE WAS RECALLED DUE TO FAILURES. THEY SHOULD COVER THE COMPLETE COST TO REPLACE AND RECODE. I WAS QUOTED 2100.00 MY CAR ONLY HAS 88,000 MILES AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. *TR

NHTSA ID 11324642 · filed May 15, 2020

A NUMBER OF WARNING LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AND SOUND ALARMS COME ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES ON ITS OWN AT TIMES AND THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL VW DEALER LOCATED IN COUNTRYSIDE IL (AUTOBARN) KNOWING THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE ABS SYSTEM. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS NOT WORKING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT ($2,400) PARTS AND LABOR AND THAT THE RECALL DID NOT COVER WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE PART.

NHTSA ID 11309047 · filed Feb 13, 2020
All 20 reports naming steering

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY PRNDS LIGHTS FLASHING. WHEN I PUT CAR IN D OR R NOTHING HAPPENS. ACTS LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH ON WHY. FIX THIS PROBLEM NOW.

NHTSA ID 11300342 · filed Jan 19, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (POWER TRAIN) BY HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN PARKVILLE (9215 HARFORD RD, PARKVILLE, MD 21234, (877) 398-1963). AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS SHOWING THE INCORRECT FAILURE CODES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES STARTED GRINDING AND TWITCHING AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, THE STEERING BECAME LOOSE, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS INITIALLY DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE COVERED; HOWEVER, THEY LATER CALLED THE CONTACT BACK STATING THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE INCORRECT FAILURE CODES WERE VAG00290 (DRIVER'S SIDE REAR ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WITH MECHANICAL FUNCTION) AND VAG00285 (PASSENGER SIDE FRONT ABS SPEED SENSOR). THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE DEALER THAT THE RECALL HAD TO MATCH TWO OF THE SPECIFIC CODES, WHICH WAS WHY THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RUN AROUND FOR A WEEK WITH BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, STATING THEY WERE WAITING TO HEAR FROM EACH OTHER. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE PERFORMED AND THE CONTACT MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID 11252241 · filed Aug 29, 2019
All 18 reports naming powertrain (other)

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TAKATA RECALL MY VOLKSWAGEN HAS MANY PROBLEMS THAT I BELIEVE ARE FACTORY DEFECTS. STARTING WITH THE AIRBAG FAULT WARNING THAT COMES ON AS SOON AS I START THE VEHICLE. THEN ITSTARTED LOOSING COOLANT TO TBE POINT THAT K WAS HAVING TO PULL OVER EVERY 30-50 MILES TO PUT MORE. AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGIN HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. THEN THE CHECK COOLANT COMES ON AND SHORTLY AFTER IT SAYS CHECK OIL PRESSURE TURN OFF ENGINE. IVE HAD TO PUT MORE WORK INTO THIS CAR THAN WHAT ITS WORTH. THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF RANDOMLY THE BRIGHTS DONT WORK OR WHILE IM DRIVING ONE WILL TURN OFF OR BOTH AT THE SAME TIME AND THIS HAPPENS ANYWHERE IF MY CAR IS IN MOTION. . THE IMAGE BELOW THAT SHOWS THE RADIATOR CONNECTOR THAT HAS KB WELD ON IT BECAUSE MY ENGINE GOT SO HOT THAT THE TOP HOSE BROKE OFF CAUSING A DOMINO EFFECT OF PROBLEMS ANLONG WITH COSTLY REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID 11231751 · filed Jul 14, 2019

WITHOUT WARNING, THE ABS MODULE IN THE CAR FAILED, GIVING WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. RECALL WORK WAS PURSUED WITH THE A VW DEALER AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, BUT THE RECALL WORK WAS DENIED, SAYING THIS FAILURE WAS OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL. CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID 11114457 · filed Jul 30, 2018
All 17 reports naming engine

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2009. SHE STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE THE GEAR WOULD SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR AS IT SHOULD. SHE HAD REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE TWICE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER, 09V333000, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN THREE TIMES. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO ACTUALLY CORRECT THE FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 13,055.

NHTSA ID 10299738 · filed Jan 14, 2010

I PURCHASED THE CAR IN THE BEGINNING OF JULY 2009, NOTICED WEIRD SHIFTING BUT FIGURED IT WAS PART OF CAR BREAK IN PROCESS. NOW I NOTICE IT HAPPEN ALMOST DAILY. THE CAR SHIFTS HARSHLY DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. IT JERKS FORWARD A LOT DURING BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. LATELY THE CAR WILL HESITATE WHEN GOING FROM COMPLETE STOP TO FORWARD THEN "BUCK" FORWARD. *TR

NHTSA ID 10291280 · filed Nov 6, 2009
All 14 reports naming transmission

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI IS HAVING CONSTANT INTERMITTENT IGNITION AND FUEL PUMP ISSUES ON START UP STATIONARY AND WILL SHUTDOWN IN MOTION WHILE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS . VEHICLE IS SERVICED REGULARLY ON SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE INTERVALS. VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WILL ONLY REPAIR ISSUE AT THE COST OF $624.91. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS BEEN CONTACTED BUT HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID 10786209 · filed Oct 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHERE IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID 10487298 · filed Dec 4, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TAKATA RECALL MY VOLKSWAGEN HAS MANY PROBLEMS THAT I BELIEVE ARE FACTORY DEFECTS. STARTING WITH THE AIRBAG FAULT WARNING THAT COMES ON AS SOON AS I START THE VEHICLE. THEN ITSTARTED LOOSING COOLANT TO TBE POINT THAT K WAS HAVING TO PULL OVER EVERY 30-50 MILES TO PUT MORE. AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGIN HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. THEN THE CHECK COOLANT COMES ON AND SHORTLY AFTER IT SAYS CHECK OIL PRESSURE TURN OFF ENGINE. IVE HAD TO PUT MORE WORK INTO THIS CAR THAN WHAT ITS WORTH. THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF RANDOMLY THE BRIGHTS DONT WORK OR WHILE IM DRIVING ONE WILL TURN OFF OR BOTH AT THE SAME TIME AND THIS HAPPENS ANYWHERE IF MY CAR IS IN MOTION. . THE IMAGE BELOW THAT SHOWS THE RADIATOR CONNECTOR THAT HAS KB WELD ON IT BECAUSE MY ENGINE GOT SO HOT THAT THE TOP HOSE BROKE OFF CAUSING A DOMINO EFFECT OF PROBLEMS ANLONG WITH COSTLY REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID 11231751 · filed Jul 14, 2019

AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR IS ERRONEOUSLY PRESENT. NOW THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT ACTIVE EVEN WITH PASSENGERS ONBOARD. DEALERSHIP US ASKING ME TO PAY THE 55 DOLLARS TO GET THE LIGHT RESET FOR THE AIRBAGS TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID 10630640 · filed Sep 4, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI - ABS CONTROL MODULE OR PUMP FAILURE. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, SEVERAL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON INCLUDING "BRAKE" AND "ABS", AS WELL AS BEING ACCOMPANIED BY BEEPING. THE ABS SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ACTIVE AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENED. ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, THE LIGHTS WERE GONE AND ABS WAS ACTIVE. NOW, IN ANY INCLEMENT WEATHER, THIS HAPPENS AND IMMEDIATELY DISABLES THE ABS, WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT CURRENTLY ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID 10749131 · filed Aug 17, 2015

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 34 FROM GREELEY CO TOWARDS LOVELAND CO AT SPEED LIMIT OF 65. I APPLIED THE BREAKS TO ADJUST MY SPEED FOR TRAFFIC, AS I APPLIED THE BREAKS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING WHEELS TO LOCK UP CAUSING THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. AFTER A MOMENT I WAS IN A DITCH WITH BENT WHEELS AND BODY DAMAGE TO MY GTI FROM THE SPEED LIMIT AND MILE MARKERS SIGNED I STUCK. MOST LIKELY THESE TWO POST WERE PROBABLY WHAT KEPT THE CAR FROM ROLLING AND KILLING ME. POLICE AND INSURANCE HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE CRASH.

NHTSA ID 10725005 · filed Jun 12, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ONE OF THE HID HEADLAMP STOPPED WORKING CAUSING THE BULB FAIL WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH TO BE ILLUMINATED. I WENT TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE AND BOUGHT A NEW BULB. UPON REMOVAL OF THE BULB ACCESS COVER I FOUND THAT ALL THE INSULATION ON ALLOF THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT UNIT TO HAVE DISINTEGRATED CAUSING THE BARE WIRES TO TOUCH AND SHORT OUT. I THEN INSPECTED THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE EXACT SAME CONDITION. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT AS THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE TWO NEW HEADLAMP UNITS AT A COST OF $500 PER UNIT. I THEN CONTACTED VWOFA ( CUSTOMER CARE REF #[XXX]) ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT AGAIN BEING OUT OF WARRANTY IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO INCUR THE REPAIR COSTS. AS THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 60K AND THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AND A MANUFACTURING DEFECT PLEASE INVESTIGATE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ID 11232001 · filed Jul 15, 2019

TAKATA RECALL MY VOLKSWAGEN HAS MANY PROBLEMS THAT I BELIEVE ARE FACTORY DEFECTS. STARTING WITH THE AIRBAG FAULT WARNING THAT COMES ON AS SOON AS I START THE VEHICLE. THEN ITSTARTED LOOSING COOLANT TO TBE POINT THAT K WAS HAVING TO PULL OVER EVERY 30-50 MILES TO PUT MORE. AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGIN HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. THEN THE CHECK COOLANT COMES ON AND SHORTLY AFTER IT SAYS CHECK OIL PRESSURE TURN OFF ENGINE. IVE HAD TO PUT MORE WORK INTO THIS CAR THAN WHAT ITS WORTH. THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF RANDOMLY THE BRIGHTS DONT WORK OR WHILE IM DRIVING ONE WILL TURN OFF OR BOTH AT THE SAME TIME AND THIS HAPPENS ANYWHERE IF MY CAR IS IN MOTION. . THE IMAGE BELOW THAT SHOWS THE RADIATOR CONNECTOR THAT HAS KB WELD ON IT BECAUSE MY ENGINE GOT SO HOT THAT THE TOP HOSE BROKE OFF CAUSING A DOMINO EFFECT OF PROBLEMS ANLONG WITH COSTLY REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID 11231751 · filed Jul 14, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI (AND VARIOUS OTHER MODELS 2006-2009) WINDSHIELD INTERIOR DEFROSTER AIR DISPERSION GRILL DIRECTS AIR TO RIGHT AND LEFT PORTIONS OF WINDSHIELD ONLY. NO SEGMENTS OF THE AIR DISPERSION GRILL LOCATED AT THE BASE OF THE WINDHIELD DIRECT AIR UP THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD, THIS CREATES A LARGE PATCH OF FOG/CONDENSATION ON THE INTERIOR OF THE WINDSHIELD BELOW THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND CAUSES DRIVER FIELD OF VISION TO BE REDUCED. CAN BE "FIXED" BY RUNNING AC AND DEFROST-ONLY W/ FAN SPEED ON "3", THIS IS VERY NOISY INSIDE THE CAR AND THE DRY AC AIR OUTPUT MAY CRITICALLY AFFECT DRIVER EYES/OTHER MUCUS MEMBRANES WHEN DRIVING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THIS DEFECT IS CORRECTED IN THE MY 2010 GTI WHERE THE CENTER TWO VANES OF THE AIR DISPERSION DEFROSTER UNIT HAVE BEEN MADE TO POINT STRAIGHT UP RATHER THAN TO EITHER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. VW DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR A YEAR AGO REFUSES TO TRY AN '10 PART ON MY '09 VEHICLE TO SEE IF THE NEW AIR DIFFUSER UNIT WILL FIT. A COOWORKER HAS THE SAME MODEL YEAR CAR I DO AND HAS THE SAME COMPLAINT. THIS IS ESPECIALLY PRONOUNCED IN THE WINTER MONTHS AND IN HUMID WEATHER AND CREATES A LARGE AREA OF BLURRED GLASS DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD, VERY HAZARDOUS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT OR WHILE LOOKING SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT WHEN APPROACHING A RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE ROAD. TW*

NHTSA ID 10303060 · filed Jan 28, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 34 FROM GREELEY CO TOWARDS LOVELAND CO AT SPEED LIMIT OF 65. I APPLIED THE BREAKS TO ADJUST MY SPEED FOR TRAFFIC, AS I APPLIED THE BREAKS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING WHEELS TO LOCK UP CAUSING THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. AFTER A MOMENT I WAS IN A DITCH WITH BENT WHEELS AND BODY DAMAGE TO MY GTI FROM THE SPEED LIMIT AND MILE MARKERS SIGNED I STUCK. MOST LIKELY THESE TWO POST WERE PROBABLY WHAT KEPT THE CAR FROM ROLLING AND KILLING ME. POLICE AND INSURANCE HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE CRASH.

NHTSA ID 10725005 · filed Jun 12, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10248211 · filed Nov 9, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ON 4 AUG 2012 AT ABOUT 2:15PM MY WIFE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF HER RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) REAR TIRE. THE TIRE IS A DUNLOP SP SPORT 01 AS 225/40R18. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT ABOUT 35 MPH ON SURFACE STREETS. MY WIFE HEARD A "POP" NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE INFLATION WARNING CAME ON. SHE IMMEDIATELY CALLED ME AND AAA. THEY PUT ON THE FULL-SIZED SPARE. WHEN I INSPECTED THE TIRE THE INSIDE SIDEWALL SHOWED A "SPLIT" IN ONE OF THE SEAMS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE (INSIDE SIDEWALL SHOWED A "SPLIT" IN ONE OF THE SEAMS) WITH THE SAME TIRE TYPE (DUNLOP SP SPORT 01 AS 225/40R18) ON 1 JUNE 2012. THAT TIME THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THAT TIME THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) TIRE FAILED. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE! BOTH TIRES FAILED WIT APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES ON THEM. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY WERE SAFE TO INSTALL AT THE START OF THE SUMMER SEASON. WE SWITCH TIRES TWICE A YEAR BECAUSE THE DUNLOPS ARE CONSIDERED MORE OF A "PERFORMANCE" TIRE. AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE THE DEALER ORDERED A PAIR OF TIRES. HE ORDERED THE SAME ONES SO THE TREAD WOULD MATCH. NOT SURE AT THIS POINT THAT I WILL CONTINUE WITH DUNLOPS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10469199 · filed Aug 4, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .