2010 Volkswagen GTI Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 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
- Engine2334.3%
- Electrical913.4%
- Powertrain (other)913.4%
- Transmission57.5%
- Fuel system57.5%
- Brakes34.5%
- Driver assistance34.5%
- Airbags23.0%
- Seat belts23.0%
- Visibility23.0%
- Steering11.5%
- Tires & wheels11.5%
- Other / unspecified11.5%
- Exterior lighting11.5%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started jerking and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the intake manifold was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 67,000.
DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION, ENGINE CUTS POWER, EPC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE, AND ENGINE WILL NOT TURN MORE THAN 3000 RPM, AND HAS NO POWER TO ACCELERATE. ENGINE DEVELOPS MISFIRES AND IDLES VERY ROUGHLY. ENGINE MAY STALL. TURNING KEY OFF AND BACK ON DOES NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY WILL TURN THE EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OFF, BUT UNDER NEXT MODERATE ACCELERATION, EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME BACK ON, AND PROBLEMS COME BACK. CHECK ENGINE DTC CODES RANGE FROM MISFIRES TO SYSTEM TOO LEAN AND AIR INTAKE LEAKS, AND FOR ACCELERATOR/THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR B MALFUNCTIONS. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE AND IN THE CITY. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT STOP SIGNS AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS. IT HAS ALSO STALLED DURING ACCELERATION. THIS PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING ON AUGUST 6TH 2019 AND HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHEN HOT TRANSMISSION IS GETTING STUCK! WHEN WARM I CANNOT GO ONTO REVERSE WHEN SHIFTER IS IN R PUSHING THE GAS DOES NOT GET IT TO MOVE! ALSO WHEN DRIVING WILL D ON DASH BOARD WILL START BLINKING AND WILL NO LONGER SWITCH GEARS ACCELERATOR WILL GO INTO RED! I NEED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART CAR TO CONTINUE DRIVING! I HAVE READ ONLY THAT OTHER VW MODELS HAD RECALLS BECAUSE OF WIRES IT WAS SWITCHING TO N !I THINK THIS CAR IS ALSO HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND BE INCLUDED! IT DOES IT MORE ONCE THE CAR IS WARM AND SOME TIMES THE CHECK OIL PRESSURE IN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES! I HAVE READ ONLINE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND OR GET NEW CAR!
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO FROM BEING IN DRIVE TO ACTING LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL. AND WILL NOT MOVE OR GO ANYWHERE. AND THIS ALL HAPPENENED WHEN I WAS IN DR9VE DRVING DOWN THE ROAD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFT WARNING INDICATOR WAS FLASHING. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V333000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT CALLED COX CHEVROLET INCORPORATED (2900 CORTEZ RD W, BRADENTON, FL 34207, (941)348-6417) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
DSG AUTOMATIC TRANS HAS GIVEN ME SEVERAL MINOR BUT ONE SCARY PROBLEM SINCE HAVING VEHICLE LESS THAN ONE YEAR. ON ANY COLDER MORNING 50 DEGREES OR BELOW THE VEHICLE WILL DRAMATICALLY LEAP FORWARD UPON ACCELERATION. ITS AS IF IT DOESN'T SEEM TO SHIFT PROPERLY THEN STARTS WORKING BETTER AFTER IT WARMS UP. THIS MARCH I EXPERIENCED A MUCH SCARIER SITUATION. I WAS DRIVING CLOSE TO HOME WHEN SOMEBODY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME BUT THE CAR ACTED VERY STRANGE AFTER I STARTED MOVING AGAIN. THE ONLY WAS TO DESCRIBE IT IS THAT THE CAR WAS STUCK IN FIRST GEAR FOR A BLOCK OR SO THE ENGINE WAS REVVING VERY HIGH AND CAR WOULDN'T GO VERY FAST AT ALL. AFTER A BLOCK OR SO IN FINALLY STARTED WORKING CORRECTLY. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE NOW ONCE FOR 60 DAY AND ALSO THE 10K SERVICE. VW HAS STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE COMPUTER SO THEREFORE THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I KNOW THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE COMPUTER ALL CODES ARE REGISTERED ON THE VEHICLE COMPUTER DISPLAY. VW NEEDS TO ADMIT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND FIX THIS SITUATION. IF YOU READ THIS AND HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO FILL THIS OUT SO VW IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PROBLEMS ON ALL DSG TRANSMISSIONS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE SEEM TO BE EXPERIENCING. *TR
JERKY, HALTING TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT /DISENGAGEMENT IN FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. CAUSED A REAR-END ACCIDENT WITH ONLY 343 MILES ON THE CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS ME BUT I HAVE READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MESA,AZ AT THE RATE OF SPEED 72 MPH AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF, I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED THROUGH TRAFFIC, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT FROM THE FAST LANE TO SHOULDER, MY HEART WAS RACING, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK TRY TO START IT DIDN'T START FOR A FEW MINUTES, DROVE HOME FEW MILES AWAY. WITH NO PROBLEMS. NEXT MORNING WOULDN'T START. WITH 59,500 MILES I WAS STOCKED. HAD THE CODES READ COILS, SPARK PLUGS, SO I CHANGED THEM. STILL DIDN'T START. 3 DAY LATER, (SHE'S GARAGE KEPT) AND STARTED UP. WELL IN THE LAST 6 MONTH'S IT HAS DONE THE SAME THING 9 TIMES ON THE FREEWAY, 4 TIMES IN THE CITY. TOOK IT TO VW DEALERSHIP THEY READ CODES P0087 WITCH IS LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE, FUEL FILTER. SO BUYING ALL NEW PARTS, I GOT FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE & FUEL FILTER AT VW DEALERSHIP, FUEL PUMP OVER THE INTERNET ALL NEW PARTS. THE VW PARTS MANAGER TOLD ME THAT VW HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH CONTROL MODULE ON OTHER MODELS, I THINK HE SAID THAT THEY WERE RECALLED ON JETTA'S, GOLF'S AND VW HAS UPDATED THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE ON MY 2010 VW GTI 2.0 TURBO 3OR4 TIMES. I ASKED HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M BUYING UPDATED VERSION OR NOT, HE POINTED OUT THE DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS AND SAID YOUR GOOD TO GO. I YOUTUBE VIDEO OF R & R FUEL PUMP, FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE, AND FUEL FILTER. MY CAR RAN GREAT FOR 20.5 MILES, STARTING IT UP TWO DAYS LATER AT HOME, I'M LETTING IT WARM UP THE MOTOR FOR A FEW MINUTES AND JUST QUIT AGAIN WOULDN'T START UP. THEN I FIND OUT THERE'S A UPDATED & UPGRADED FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE THAT'S HAS 32 AMPS. GOING TO THE FUEL PUMP, WIRES, DEVICE, CLIPS FOR $699.00 AFTER I SPENT $500.00 ON THE PARTS INSTALLED. MY POINT IS THAT SOMEONE WHO IS NOT SMART ENOUGH, STRONG ENOUGH, AND ROAD CONDITIONS VARY MAY NOT GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, EVERYTHING ON A CAR QUITS. HOPE NOBODY GETS HURT/ KILLED. *TR
THE CAR SPUTTERED, SHOOK, AND MADE AN AWFUL SOUND SIMILAR TO A TON OF MARBLES IN A DRIER MACHINE. THE TIMING CHAIN WENT AT ROUGHLY 82,000 MILES. ACCORDING TO VW LITERATURE THEY STATED THAT THE REASON THEY WENT BACK TO A TIMING CHAIN IS THAT IT IS A LIFETIME, NONSERVICEABLE PART. THE TIMING CHAIN GOING ON AN INTERFERENCE TYPE ENGINE DESTROYED MY ENGINE TO THE ORDER OF ALMOST $4000. VW DID NOT WANT TO ASSIST WITH ANYTHING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
under emergency braking at around 70mph all 4 wheels locked up and abs/traction lights illuminated on dash. Caused a minor accident and flat spot on all 4 tires. ABS did not work. This is a know recall for 2009 models of the same vehicle. I replicated the issue a second time at a slower speed on a secluded road with the same results. There are numerous complaints about the same situation on this and other model VW cars of this year all over the internet forums. The ABS module was diagnosed as defective by mechanic shop.
TRAVELING AT 45 MPH DOWN A TWO WAY HIGHWAY, I WENT TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE WHEN THE EPC TURNED ON ONCE AGAIN.I LOST POWER AND TRIED TO RETURN BACK INTO MY LANE THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SPIKED ON THE BRAKES, I TRIED STOPPING BUT DUE TO THE ABS MODULE GOING BAD (VW KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THEM) I HAD NO ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, OR AIRBAGS. THE BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING ME TO GO OFF THE ROAD WAY HITTING A BERM ALONG WITH A TREE CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER ONTO THE ROOF. UPON IMPACT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. I CONTACTED THE VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURE TO INFORM THEM OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SOME TIME AGO, THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOT RECALL AND THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS. THERE HAS BEEN A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE EPC WITH A RECOMMEND FIX. THE SIX GOLD PINS WERE PUT IN TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL ONES WHICH WORKED FOR SOME TIME BUT FAILED AGAIN. THANKFULLY I DID NOT HAVE MY TWO VERY SMALL CHILDREN WITH ME.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
About a month ago, while driving , the abs light, brake light and ESP light came on. After about 2 weeks of troubleshooting, a local mechanic troubleshot the issues to a faulty ABS module. After many phone calls with my local VW dealership I was able to set an appointment for a diagnostic. They determined " Diag ABS system no communication advised on replacement module". The module costing $2,886.04 in parts and labor. With the part not in stock and the dealership saying " no way of knowing when we'll get one in". Over 130,000 VW's same year and model have had this same issue and been recalled but for some reason my vehicle doesn't have a recall on this vin. Both the VW dealership and VW customer care refuse to do anything. I believe this vehicle like many others were missed or ignored during the recall. My vehicle brakes have been sticking and have locked on me once already in the last month while driving. It is a safety hazard to drive.
DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION, ENGINE CUTS POWER, EPC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE, AND ENGINE WILL NOT TURN MORE THAN 3000 RPM, AND HAS NO POWER TO ACCELERATE. ENGINE DEVELOPS MISFIRES AND IDLES VERY ROUGHLY. ENGINE MAY STALL. TURNING KEY OFF AND BACK ON DOES NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY WILL TURN THE EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OFF, BUT UNDER NEXT MODERATE ACCELERATION, EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME BACK ON, AND PROBLEMS COME BACK. CHECK ENGINE DTC CODES RANGE FROM MISFIRES TO SYSTEM TOO LEAN AND AIR INTAKE LEAKS, AND FOR ACCELERATOR/THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR B MALFUNCTIONS. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE AND IN THE CITY. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT STOP SIGNS AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS. IT HAS ALSO STALLED DURING ACCELERATION. THIS PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING ON AUGUST 6TH 2019 AND HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRAVELING AT 45 MPH DOWN A TWO WAY HIGHWAY, I WENT TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE WHEN THE EPC TURNED ON ONCE AGAIN.I LOST POWER AND TRIED TO RETURN BACK INTO MY LANE THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SPIKED ON THE BRAKES, I TRIED STOPPING BUT DUE TO THE ABS MODULE GOING BAD (VW KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THEM) I HAD NO ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, OR AIRBAGS. THE BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING ME TO GO OFF THE ROAD WAY HITTING A BERM ALONG WITH A TREE CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER ONTO THE ROOF. UPON IMPACT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. I CONTACTED THE VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURE TO INFORM THEM OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SOME TIME AGO, THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOT RECALL AND THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS. THERE HAS BEEN A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE EPC WITH A RECOMMEND FIX. THE SIX GOLD PINS WERE PUT IN TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL ONES WHICH WORKED FOR SOME TIME BUT FAILED AGAIN. THANKFULLY I DID NOT HAVE MY TWO VERY SMALL CHILDREN WITH ME.
TAKATA RECALL 2010 VOLSKWAGEN GTI DID NOT FALL UNDER THE TAKATA RECALL VIN NUMBERS, HOWEVER MY FRONT LEFT AIRBAG IS NEEDING A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. THE AIRBAG SERVICE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE UP IN THE DRIVEWAY. IT WAS BROUGH TO A MECHANIC CHECKED THE ISSUE. IT WAS FOUND WITH THE FOLLOWING FAULT CODE: "CODE B10001B, DRIVE AIRBAG IGNITER RESISTANCE TOO HIGH // INSPECT PLUG" THOUGH THE SAME EXACT MAKE/MODEL/YEAR OF MY VEHICLE FALL UNDER THE TAKATA RECALL I WAS TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN THAT MY VEHICLE'S VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. I FIND IT UNLIKELY THAT A VEHICLE MADE JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER MINE COULD FALL UNDER THIS RECALL, BUT MINE DOES NOT. I HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF THIS AIRBAG FROM TAKATA FAILING, BUT AM EXPECTED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR MYSELF.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The seatbelt is failing as it does not retract back into its holder and I am uncertain as to how safe and effective it is. Note that I have not done anything to cause this damage to it, it is through use and time. Volkswagen Group should approve fixes to it without additional cost to the customer.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND FORCED THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE LEFT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE RETAINER WALL. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG, LIKE A GUN SHOT. I LOOKED AROUND, AND LOOKED UP, AND NOTICED MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED INTO A MILLION LITTLE PIECES, AND WAS SLOWLY BREAKING BACK INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND WAS FALLING ON ME. I WENT TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE, AND A LARGE CHUNK (ABOUT 9"X9") FELL ON ME AND SCRAPED MY ARM. I HAVE GLASS IN THE CAR, HAIR AND GROUND INTO MY SKIN A BIT - SOME OF IT IS VERY FINE AND SHARP, LIKE SPARKLY POWDER. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT WAS PROBABLY A ROCK THAT HIT IT, BUT I DON'T THINK A ROCK COULD HAVE A VELOCITY IN THE VERTICAL DIRECTION AT THAT SPEED TO HIT AND SMASH THE GLASS. I'M REQUESTING IT BE FIXED UNDER BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY. *TR
THE REAR WINDOW WASHER NOZZLE LEAKS UPON ACCELERATION, DECREASING VISIBILITY. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS WARM OUTSIDE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THERE WAS A TSB TO INSTALL A CHECK VALVE, WHICH DIDNT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND THE HOSE WAS FURTHER SHORTENED AND IT ALSO DIDNT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL, STEERING WAS OUT. THE VOICE COMMAND CAME ON SAYING GET ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY. THIS WAS REPEATED OVER AND OVER. TURNED VEHICLE OFF, RE-STARTED AND IT WAS NOW WORKING. I DROVE TO A SHOP THEY SAID THIS DOES HAPPEN WITH THIS YEAR MAYBE ONCE A YEAR.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND FORCED THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE LEFT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE RETAINER WALL. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A NEW 2010 VOKSAWAGEN GTI IN THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER 2009.ONLY A FEW DAYS AFTER I TOOK DELIVERY OF IT I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM.I WAS DRIVING HOME GOING THE SPEED LIMIT AROUND A LONG TURN THAT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 7 YEARS NOW AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR MADE A FEELING LIKE I HAD RAN OVER SOMETHING BIG OR HAD A FLAT TIRE,I WAS NOT PRESSING ON THE BRAKES OR HARD ON THE GAS,I WAS JUST DRIVING NORMALLY.I PULLED OVER AND I COULD NOT FIND ANY DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR A FLAT TIRE.I GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND WENT BACK TO THE TURN AND THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD AND IT WAS COMPLETELY DRY THAT NIGHT TO.IT FELT LIKE A GRINDING CRUNCHY FEELING AND SOUNDED LIKE A FLAT TIRE GRINDING ON THE PAVEMENT OR SOMETHING CRUNCHY,IT ALSO SLOWED THE CAR DOWN A LITTLE BIT.I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND WHEN I PICKED IT UP THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM.I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND A DAY LATER IT DID THE SAME EXACT THING,A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT I WAS GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE I WENT TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOLID SO I HAD TO DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW DOWN,HAVING NO BRAKES IS VERY SCARY,THE NEXT DAY IT RAINED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I HAD THE CAR AND THE SUNROOF STARTED LEAKING AND THEN A FEW DAYS LATER THE RADIO STARTED TURNING DOWN AND MUTING BY ITSELF,I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN AND THE DEALER HAD IT FOR 3 WEEKS AND WHEN I PICKED IT UP ALL THEY HAD FIXED WAS THE SUNROOF.I DEMANDED SOMEONE COME OUT TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HE GOT IT TO DO THE CRUNCH GOING AROUND A TURN AND A FEW DAYS LATER HE SAID IT WAS NORMAL,IF ITS NORMAL WHY DOESNT IT DO IT EVERYTIME?IT STILL DOES THE CHRUNCHY THING A FEW TIMES A WEEK AND THE RADIO IS STILL ACTING UP ON A DAILY BASIS AND WOULDNT LET ME PRESS ON THE BRAKES YESTERDAY GOING AROUND A TURN.THE DEALER SAYS ITS WORKING LIKE IT SHOULD BUT I DONT SEE HOW IF I CANT USE MY BRAKES WHEN I NEED THEM, ITS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY.I HAVE BEEN KEEPING LOGS AND MILES WHEN THESE PROBLEMS OCCURED.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I START MY CAR I GET A WARNING SAYING MULTIPLE LIGHTS (I.E. HEADLIGHT,TAILLIGHT,FOG LIGHTS) ARE BURNT OUT. THE AFFECTED LIGHT EVENTUALLY TURNS ON. THE FUSE FOR MY LIGHTS WAS BLOWN AND SCORCHED AND MY LOCAL DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY FUSE BOX WHICH IS THE SAME BOX FROM THE TIGUAN WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. *TR
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .