2018 Volkswagen GTI

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

I am reporting a water intrusion issue involving the rear hatch area of my 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn. Water leaks into the vehicle through the hatch wiring boot area and travels into the interior of the car, causing the headliner to become saturated with water. During periods of rain or after washing the vehicle, water enters near the rubber hatch wiring boots and leaks into the interior roof area. The vehicle has two rubber hatch boots (left and right) that route wiring harnesses from the body to the liftgate. These harnesses carry wiring for several rear hatch components including the backup camera, center high-mount brake light, rear wiper motor, hatch release switch, rear defroster, license plate lights, and other electrical systems located in the liftgate. Water intrusion in this area can allow moisture to travel along the wiring harnesses and into the vehicle interior, resulting in a soaked headliner and moisture accumulation inside the cabin. Because these wiring boots contain electrical harnesses for important components such as the center brake light and backup camera, continued water exposure could potentially lead to electrical faults, corrosion, or failure of these systems. The vehicle has approximately 23,000 miles. The leak occurs during normal weather conditions such as rain. Numerous owners of similar Volkswagen Golf and GTI/R vehicles have reported similar rear hatch water intrusion issues. I have been scared to drive the car in the rain and wash my car after the incident. The hatch boots have been replaced twice per side and are still causing issues. I request that this issue be investigated as a potential design or sealing defect allowing water to enter the passenger compartment and electrical harness areas.

NHTSA ID

11722115

Incident

Feb 11, 2026

During moderate braking, the ABS system was violently pulsing the brakes on the left front wheel. This occured on about one dozen braking events over a 5-7 mile distance. Afterwards upon inspection, the left front brake smelled and radiated intense amounts of heat. There were no Warning Lights displayed at any time during or after. The tires, original equipment size, are almost brand new. All tires were at recommended air pressure. A Volkswagen dealer will inspect the vehicle today. The ABS hydraulic assembly is suspect. The vehicle has 46,000 miles and has had its brake fluid replaced in the past as part of normal recommended service.

NHTSA ID

11652252

Incident

Mar 28, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11365285

Incident

Sep 29, 2020

Mileage

28,675 mi

VW CORPORATION DID NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY ON MY 2018 VW, GTI. MY 2018 VW, GTI WAS PARKED, AND I WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHEN THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTER. THE SUNROOF WAS NOT HIT BY ANY DEBRIS. THE 2018 VW GTI IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO I TOOK THE DAMAGED VEHICLE TO OURISMAN VW OF LAUREL. OURISMAN VW STATED THAT VW DECLINED TO HONOR WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS IT BY A ROCK. THE ROOF WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING. VW STATED THAT AS A GESTURE OF GOOD FAITH BECAUSE I HAD BEEN A LOYAL CUSTOMER, THEY WOULD PICKED UP 40% OF THE REPAIR COST. I PICKED UP 60% OF THE COST, $3,239.38. I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE VW SHOULD HAD PICKED UP THE ENTIRE REPAIR COST BECAUSE THE SUNROOF WAS NOT HIT BY ANY OBJECTS. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO OTHER VW CUSTOMERS AS WELL, CLASS ACTION FILED AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN ALLEGING EXPLODING SUNROOFS. VOLKSWAGEN EXPLODING SUNROOF CLASS ACTION UPDATE: A FEDERAL COURT RULED ON FEBRUARY 26, 2019, THAT CONSUMER PROTECTION CLAIMS AND CLAIMS OF FRAUDULENT CONCEALMENT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN CAN MOVE FORWARD.

NHTSA ID

11320753

Incident

Mar 2, 2020

Mileage

21,115 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSIST ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A WARNING MESSAGE STATING AN OBJECT WAS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILLAGE WAS 14,426.

NHTSA ID

11316109

Incident

Mar 4, 2020

Mileage

14,426 mi

AN ISSUE EXISTS WHERE THE START STOP SYSTEM (S/S) CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL AT A STOP LIGHT. AT ONE POINT, THE DRIVER WAS IN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, WHICH CAUSED MY S/S TO ACTIVATE, TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE. THE DRIVER UNBUCKLED HIS SEAT BELT SO HE COULD PUT SOMETHING INTO THE GLOVE BOX, THEN RE BUCKLED HIS SEAT BELT. TRAFFIC BEGAN MOVING AGAIN, SO THE DRIVER HIT THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THERE WAS A NOTIFICATION ON THE DASH STATING "PLEASE START ENGINE MANUALLY". THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE, SO THE VEHICLE NOTIFIED HIM TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO P OR N. THE DRIVER SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO N, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE AND THEN RESUMED DRIVING. (AFTER CREATING A SMALL TRAFFIC JAM) LATER, THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT POLITELY EXPLAINED THAT THE S/S SYSTEM DOES THAT, AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. THEY EXPLAINED THAT MULTIPLE FACTORS STIPULATE THE S/S SYSTEM'S DECISIONS, SUCH AS ENGINE TEMPERATURE, POWER CONSUMPTION (JUST TO NAME A FEW). THE DRIVER ALSO ASKED IF THE DEALERSHIP COULD JUST REMOVE S/S SYSTEM, THEY EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO DUE TO EPA REGULATIONS. ATTACHED IS A PNG FILE CONTAINING SCREENSHOTS OF A MP4 THAT THE DRIVER TOOK ON 03/01/20 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RECREATE THE INCIDENT. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE DRIVER COULD NOT RECREATE THE INCIDENT PERFECTLY. THE DRIVER WAS ONLY ABLE TO MAKE IT SO THAT THE S/S MECHANISM WOULD RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER THE DRIVER RE BUCKLED HIS SEAT BELT AND SUBSEQUENTLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR MOST OF THE WAY DOWN (NOT REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO P OR N AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE).

NHTSA ID

11315480

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

18,000 mi

ON 3 OCCASIONS THE MANUAL PARKING BRAKE HAS RELEASE FULLY WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED UPHILL ON A SIDE STREET WITH A STEEP INCLINE. TWICE THIS WAS AFTER I HAD GOTTEN OUT OF THE CAR, AND ONCE WHILE IN THE CAR IT HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE HILL-HOLDER BRAKE RELEASED. EACH TIME, THE CAR WAS IN GEAR AND DID NOT ROLL MORE THAN A FEW INCHES; AND AN ADULT PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT AND WITNESSED IT AND REAPPLIED THE BRAKE. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED TIGHTLY, AND FULLY RELEASED WITH A BIG NOISE 2-20 SECONDS LATER. THE FROM THE SOUND MADE, IT SEEMS THAT THE RATCHETING PAWL ON THE HANDBRAKE SLIPPED OUT AND DID NOT CATCH ON THE NEXT TOOTH. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT RECREATE THE ISSUE AND HAS NOT MADE ADJUSTMENTS. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS A FEW WEEKS AFTER MY MOST RECENT SERVICE.

NHTSA ID

11307211

Incident

Feb 3, 2020

Mileage

26,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMELBACK VOLKSWAGEN (499 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014, (602) 648-9181) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GLASS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 19018636, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ID

11276914

Incident

Oct 24, 2019

Mileage

5,000 mi

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) – No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.

Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement

Lubricating engine components before reassembly.

Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.

Inquiries

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards