I hydroplaned and was t-boned on the passenger side. The only air bags that went off were the side curtains on the passenger side
2007 Volkswagen Gti
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Gti years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
62 reports with mileage · 15 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
11 reportsThe front passenger airbag has been verified by a service centre to have some kind of issue, is a safety hazard and they confirmed other of the same type airbags have had faults as well (in their experience).
AIR BAG FAILURE FOR CAR, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THERE IS A TSB 69-11-01 FOR UPDATING THE SEAT OCCUPANT MODULE J706 BUT FAULTS WOULD NOT CLEAR SO RECOMMEND REPLACE J706 WITH SEAT OCVUONAT SENSOR BUT VOLKSWAGEN SAYS THE PART IS OBSOLETE AND THEY DON'T MAKE IT ANYMORE AND THERE ARE NO AFTER MARKET MODULE AVAILABLE! THE AIRBAG SYSTE…
Read full complaint
AIR BAG FAILURE FOR CAR, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THERE IS A TSB 69-11-01 FOR UPDATING THE SEAT OCCUPANT MODULE J706 BUT FAULTS WOULD NOT CLEAR SO RECOMMEND REPLACE J706 WITH SEAT OCVUONAT SENSOR BUT VOLKSWAGEN SAYS THE PART IS OBSOLETE AND THEY DON'T MAKE IT ANYMORE AND THERE ARE NO AFTER MARKET MODULE AVAILABLE! THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND WON'T WORK WITH OUT THIS MODULE AND NOW NO ONE CAN RIDE IN THE FAR!!
TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNED A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE LOT WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNED A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE LOT WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
I'VE ALREADY SPOKEN WITH VW OF AMERICA, AND THE DEALERSHIP MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM. BUT YESTERDAY 03/17/2016 AT APPROX 420AM MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE GTI TO WORK. IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. A TXDOT LIGHT POLE FELL ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY HUSBAND HAD NO TIME TO STOP UNTIL HE W…
Read full complaint
I'VE ALREADY SPOKEN WITH VW OF AMERICA, AND THE DEALERSHIP MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM. BUT YESTERDAY 03/17/2016 AT APPROX 420AM MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE GTI TO WORK. IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. A TXDOT LIGHT POLE FELL ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY HUSBAND HAD NO TIME TO STOP UNTIL HE WAS JUST ABOUT TO HIT IT. AFTER HITTING THE LIGHT POLE HE WENT AIR BORN, LANDED ON ALL 4 TIRES AND FISH TAILED. AFTER HE TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, IT FLIPPED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ROLLED TO THE ROOF, WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP IT WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE. HE WAS GOING ABOUT 30-40 MPH IF THAT. WHAT BLOWS MY MIND IS THE MINUTE THE VEHICLE FLIPPED AND LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH CRUSHED THE DOORS AND FRAME NEAR WINDSHIELD. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. NOT SIDE, NOT FRONT. NOTHING. HE WALKED AWAY AFTER CRAWLING OUT THE SUNROOF. BUT HIS HANDS ARE CUT UP AND HE IS EXTREMELY SORE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. AND MIND YOU THE RADIATOR AND INTERCOOLER FELL OUT AFTER HE HIT THE POLE AND LANDED!!!!!!
I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN. I T-BONED THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT OF MY CAR IMPACTED THE FRONT PASSENGER FENDER AND DOOR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKE, ONLY ENOUGH TO LET OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL BEFORE THE COLLISION OCCURRED. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BEL…
Read full complaint
I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN. I T-BONED THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT OF MY CAR IMPACTED THE FRONT PASSENGER FENDER AND DOOR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKE, ONLY ENOUGH TO LET OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL BEFORE THE COLLISION OCCURRED. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT DAMAGE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO COVER HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO COVER HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATES AND DISPLAYS "PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS OFF". THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT WAS MADE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATES AND DISPLAYS "PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS OFF". THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT WAS MADE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE SEAT TENSIONER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AS WELL. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, IN ADDITION TO THE SUNROOF ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. SPORADICALLY, THE AIR BAG AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TEN OCCASIONS AND THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SENSORS, THE REAR SEAL IN THE TRUNK,THE SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY, AND THE SEAT BELT POSITION SENSOR. IM…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. SPORADICALLY, THE AIR BAG AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TEN OCCASIONS AND THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SENSORS, THE REAR SEAL IN THE TRUNK,THE SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY, AND THE SEAT BELT POSITION SENSOR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
AS TYPICAL OF VWS, MY COMPLAINT IS NOT A SINGLE MAJOR ONE, BUT A LAUNDRY LIST OF MINOR FAILURES AND INCOMPETENCE OF DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THE LARGEST TWO COMPLAINTS DEAL WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND THE SUBFRAME. *TR
Official recalls
107V442000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Sep 24, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration