Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
1925–50K
750–75K
375–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
37 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.
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
52 reports
50,000 miles · May 14, 2020
Power Train
THE COOLANT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN LOWER AND I BROUGHT MY CAR TO VW DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY WANTED TO CHARGE $140 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO PRESSURE TEST THE SYSTEM. I HAD THEM TOP OFF THE COOLANT FOR NOW BUT AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS PRONE TO LEAKING. I WILL HAVE TO BRING MY CAR BACK …
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THE COOLANT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN LOWER AND I BROUGHT MY CAR TO VW DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY WANTED TO CHARGE $140 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO PRESSURE TEST THE SYSTEM. I HAD THEM TOP OFF THE COOLANT FOR NOW BUT AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS PRONE TO LEAKING. I WILL HAVE TO BRING MY CAR BACK SOON AND PROBABLY HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE COOLANT SYSTEM OFFICIALLY CHECKED BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR AND THE COOLANT LEVEL HAS LOWERED TO BELOW THE MINIMUM LINE. VW DEALER SAID THEY DID SEE SOME COOLANT IN MY ENGINE BAY AND CLEANED IT OFF TEMPORARILY BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO PAY THE $140 DIAGNOSTIC FEE AT THAT TIME. THEY TOPPED OFF THE COOLANT AND SAID TO COME BACK IF IT DRAINS MORE AND IF I WANT TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. MY CAR HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND IS UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL 60,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324487
30,000 miles · May 12, 2020
Power Train
VEHICLE STARTED LOSING COOLANT AROUND 25K MILES. VISIBLE LOSS IN RESERVOIR AND COULD SMELL COOLANT AFTER DRIVING. AT 30K MILES, VISIBLE PUDDLE OF COOLANT UNDER CAR. CAR WAS SERVICED AT VW OF OCALA, FL, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND RELEVANT GASKETS/SEALS. THIS MATCHES WHAT DOZENS OF OTHER VW GTI DRIV…
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VEHICLE STARTED LOSING COOLANT AROUND 25K MILES. VISIBLE LOSS IN RESERVOIR AND COULD SMELL COOLANT AFTER DRIVING. AT 30K MILES, VISIBLE PUDDLE OF COOLANT UNDER CAR. CAR WAS SERVICED AT VW OF OCALA, FL, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND RELEVANT GASKETS/SEALS. THIS MATCHES WHAT DOZENS OF OTHER VW GTI DRIVERS ARE EXPERIENCING IN THEIR CARS. 30K IS WAY TOO LOW OF MILES TO HAVE SUCH A MAJOR REPAIR DONE TO THESE CARS, AND COULD HAVE LED TO PREMATURE ENGINE WEAR/FAILURE BY OVERHEATING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324232
36,974 miles · Mar 9, 2020
EnginePower Train
THERMOSTAT HOUSING LEAK CAUSES COOLANT LEAK AND LOW COOLANT WARNINGS. WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WHEN LOW COOLANT WARNING ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA ODI #11317146
26,000 miles · Mar 4, 2020
Engine
CAR SUFFERED A FAILURE OF THE THERMOSTAT AT 26837 MILES CAUSING A LOSS OF COOLANT. COOLANT ODOR WAS APPARENT SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AT LOW MILEAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11315968
55,168 miles · Mar 3, 2020
Engine
AFTER 55K MILES, MY CAR HAD A WATERPUMP LEAK THAT SEEMS COMMON IN THE FORUMS I ATTEND.
NHTSA ODI #11315880
48,417 miles · Feb 7, 2020
Power Train
48K ON THE CAR, AND I WAS INFORMED OF THE LEAKING THERMOSTAT HOUSING THAT IS APPARENTLY KNOWN FOR GOING ON THIS CAR AS A DEFECTIVE PART: VW DID NOT TELL ME! I WAS INFORMED BY MY TECH WHO FORTUNATELY DISCOVERED THE ISSUE 1500 MILES BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. VW SHOULD NOT CHARGE FOR THIS REPLACEMENT REGARDLESS OF MILES AS IT IS …
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48K ON THE CAR, AND I WAS INFORMED OF THE LEAKING THERMOSTAT HOUSING THAT IS APPARENTLY KNOWN FOR GOING ON THIS CAR AS A DEFECTIVE PART: VW DID NOT TELL ME! I WAS INFORMED BY MY TECH WHO FORTUNATELY DISCOVERED THE ISSUE 1500 MILES BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. VW SHOULD NOT CHARGE FOR THIS REPLACEMENT REGARDLESS OF MILES AS IT IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE
NHTSA ODI #11307734
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2020
Suspension
I CAN HEAR LOUD WINNING NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR AT 35 MPH AND HIGHER. I THINK IT COULD BE WHEEL BEARINGS OR BAD ROTORS. I HAVE ABOUT 48000MILES ON THE CAR .
NHTSA ODI #11307598
40,150 miles · Feb 6, 2020
Engine
2017 VW GTI 4 DOOR. SE TRIM. A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER REACHING 40K MILES, AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL BLOCKS AND MAKING IT ONTO A MAIN ROAD, THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WHILE IN MOTION AT ABOUT 20-25MPH. THIS WAS AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE A VERY CLUNKY FEELING SHIFTING TRANSMISSION FOR A FEW DAYS LEADING UP TO THE CAR BREAKING DOWN. …
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2017 VW GTI 4 DOOR. SE TRIM. A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER REACHING 40K MILES, AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL BLOCKS AND MAKING IT ONTO A MAIN ROAD, THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WHILE IN MOTION AT ABOUT 20-25MPH. THIS WAS AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE A VERY CLUNKY FEELING SHIFTING TRANSMISSION FOR A FEW DAYS LEADING UP TO THE CAR BREAKING DOWN. CAR SMELLED LIKE FUEL IN THE CABIN. CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO VEWDEALERSHIP IN LATE HOURS OF THE EVENING. DEALERSHIP CALLED THE NEXT DAY TO SAY THEY WERE ABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND DRIVE IT. NO OBVIOUS ERROR CODES ON VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD DO SOME DEEPER DIVING INTO WHAT CAN BE WRONG. THEY HELD ONTO THE CAR FOR 4 DAYS AND WERE NOT ABLE TO "DUPLICATE THE ISSUE" SO THEY RETURNED THE CAR BACK TO ME. THEY THOUGHT "MAYBE A PIECE OF DIRT GOT INTO A FUEL INJECTOR BUT WORKED IT'S WAY OUT" AFTER NOT EVEN A WEEK, THE CAR STALLED OUT AND DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAIN ROAD AGAIN WHILE MOVING ABOUT 20MPH. THIS TIME AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO TURN ON AND DROVE DIRECTLY BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP WITH BO ERROR FAULT CODES APPEARING ON THE DASH ONCE AGAIN. NO CABIN FUEL SMELL THIS TIME BUT STALLED OUT EXACTLY THE SAME. THEY HAVE BEEN HOLDING ONTO MY VEHICLE AGAIN WITH NO APPARENT IDEAS HOW TO REPAIR IT. THEY ARE GOING TO OPEN A CLAIM WITH VW. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION STALLING BOTH TIMES ON MAIN ROADS WHERE I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. CHILDREN ARE DRIVEN AROUND IN MY VEHICLE WHICH CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA ODI #11307416
22,000 miles · Feb 5, 2020
Power Train
I FIND THAT MY COOLANT LEVEL SLOWING GOES DOWN AND I'VE HAD TO REFILL SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY. MAYBE 2 TIMES A YEAR SINCE I OWNED IT. NEVER HAD TO REPLACE COOLANT ON ANY OTHER CARS. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL CAUSE A BIGGER ISSUE DOWN THE LINE.
NHTSA ODI #11307394
21,000 miles · Jan 2, 2020
Engine
THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING ON THE ENGINE DEVELOPED A SIGNIFICANT LEAK, ALLOWING COOLANT TO DRIP ON THE ROADWAY AND ALSO ENDANGERING THE CAR'S ENGINE FROM OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLE POWER LOSS. THIS COULD OF COURSE CAUSE A SLIPPERY ROAD SURFACE AND COULD ALSO RESULT IN THE CAR LOSING POWER ON THE STREET CREATING A HAZARD.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
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
1
RQ23007 · Fuel Leak Due To Suction Jet Pump Failure Within Fuel Tank (remedy Effectiveness Of Recall 16V647)
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.
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
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.
2017 Volkswagen Gti Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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