2018 Volkswagen GTI

17 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

1. Filed Sep 15, 2026Failure Aug 23, 2026Brooklyn, NYEngine

   On 8/23/2026, my vehicle experienced severe vibrations and unusual noise after load crack sound while driving. We discovered that the factory motor mount (metal arm) was completely Brocken off (picture in attachment) and required immediate replacement to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle. Also bolt thread in the engine support was damaged.

   NHTSA complaint 11764440
2. Filed Mar 4, 2026Failure Feb 11, 2026Silver spring, MDElectrical system, Body

   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 complaint 11722115
3. Filed Apr 2, 2025Failure Mar 28, 2025Dearborn, MIService brakes

   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 complaint 11652252
4. Filed Oct 19, 2020Failure Sep 29, 202028,675 milesHuntington Beach, CAService brakes

   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 complaint 11365285
5. Filed Apr 10, 2020Failure Mar 2, 202021,115 milesBaltimore, MDBody

   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 complaint 11320753
6. Filed Mar 4, 2020Failure Mar 4, 202014,426 milesBellingham, WAService brakes

   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 complaint 11316109
7. Filed Mar 1, 2020Failure Mar 1, 202018,000 milesCabot, ARPower train

   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 complaint 11315480
8. Filed Feb 5, 2020Failure Feb 3, 202026,000 milesBoone, NCService brakes

   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 complaint 11307211
9. Filed Oct 29, 2019Failure Oct 24, 20195,000 milesPhoenix, AZSun/moon roof assembly

   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 complaint 11276914
10. Filed Jul 5, 2019Failure Jul 5, 201910,000 milesClarksville, INElectrical system, Engine

    LOSS OF POWER CYLINDER 2 MISSFIRES LOSS OF CAM CRANK SYNCHRONIZATION AND LACK OF CAM SIGNAL EVEN AFTER REPLACING BOTH CAM SENSORS IT STILL READS 0 RPM AND HAS BECAME VERY FRUSTRATING

    NHTSA complaint 11229618
11. Filed Jun 26, 2019Failure May 2, 201910,000 milesBorden, INEngine, Power train

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ACCELERATED SLOWER THAN NORMAL. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE FAILURE REMAINED. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND STATED THAT HE USED VOLKSWAGEN FACTORY SOFTWARE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FOUND FAILURE CODES PERTAINING TO THE LOSS OF CAMSHAFT SYNCHRONIZATION AND FAILURE OF CYLINDER TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11222639
12. Filed Apr 5, 2019Failure Jan 1, 20191,000 milesSilver Spring, MDEngine, Power train

    WHEN DOWN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGHLY. (ONLY IN TRAFFIC) WHEN DOWN SHIFTING FROM 3,2,1 THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR SOME REASON DECIDES TO BRAKE HARDER THAN SUPPOSED TO, MAKING THE CAR JERKY. ( REGULAR DRIVING AND COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT. ) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND IT'S THE AUTOBAHN EDITION.. ALSO WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING (COLD START) THE ENGINE VIBRATES ALOT MORE THAN NORMAL

    NHTSA complaint 11193984
13. Filed Mar 7, 2019Failure Jun 1, 20187,000 milesColorado Springs, COService brakesCrash1 injured1 killed

    I HAVE/ HAD A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI. AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION MY CAR HAD JUST BARELY NORTH OF 7000 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT AND I SAW DEER ABOUT 30-50 YARDS AWAY. I WAS GOING 25-30MPH, AS SOON AS I SAW THE DEER I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL FELT SPONGY AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP RESULTING IN A COLLISION.

    NHTSA complaint 11184757
14. Filed Mar 7, 2019Failure Jun 3, 20187,000 milesColorado Springs, COService brakesCrash1 injured1 killed

    I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO SLOW DOWN/STOP THE CAR AT 50 YARDS OUT GOING 30 MILES PER HOUR RESULTING IN A COLLISION. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE JUNE 2018 AND ITS CURRENTLY MARCH 2019.

    NHTSA complaint 11184755
15. Filed Dec 5, 2018Failure Dec 1, 2018Balitmore, MDUnknown or other

    SUNROOF SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND HEARD A LOUD "BOOM." I LOOKED UP TO SEE THAT THE SUNROOF WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE TEMPERATURE WAS MILD, THERE WERE NO BUMPS ON THE ROAD, NO BRIDGES NEARBY FROM WHICH SOMETHING COULD BE THROWN, AND NO SIGN OF EXTERNAL IMPACT TO CAUSE THE BREAKAGE.

    NHTSA complaint 11156426
16. Filed Nov 6, 2018Failure Apr 28, 2018400 milesRiverdale, MDTires, Wheels

    2018 VOLKSWAGEN GTI S. WAS ACTUALLY LEAVING MY HOUSE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE. AS I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE, DRIVING AT LIKE 10-15 MPH ON MY STREET. MY TPMS LIGHT COMES ON SAYING I HAVE LOW PRESSURE. I STOP IMMEDIATELY TO CHECK TO SEE. MY REAR DRIVER TIRE HAD A HUGE SIDEWALL BULGE AND YOU COULD SEE THE BEAD SITTING ON THE RIM LIP. THIS WAS WITHIN LESS THE 400 MILES OF THE VEHICLE BEING ON THE ROAD. I HAD NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES OR ANYTHING JUST SMOOTH PAVEMENT WENT IT HAPPENED(OR EVER). I PUT THE SPARE AND CONTINUED TO THE DEALER. IT WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW TIRE. BUT I FEEL THIS TIRE BRAND IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE THE SAME TIRES ON MY 2017 FORD EXPLORER AND THEY ARE ALREADY WORN DOWN AT 15000 MILES. HANKOOK VENTUS TIRES ARE GARBAGE AND DEF A SAFETY CONCERN.

    NHTSA complaint 11149644
17. Filed Jul 17, 2018Failure Jul 15, 20183,000 milesColumbia, MDUnknown or other

    THE "FRONT ASSIST" AUTOMATIC FORWARD COLLISION WARNING AND BRAKING SYSTEM RANDOMLY ACTIVATES WHEN DRIVING, BRAKING THE CAR WHEN THERE IS NOTHING TO TRIGGER IT. (THIS IS OCCURRING EVEN ON EMPTY ROADS WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES IN SIGHT) THE LAST OCCURRENCE WAS ON AN EMPTY 4-LANE SUBURBAN STREET. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A GENTLE CURVE IN THE ROAD WHEN THE WARNING SOUND ACTIVATED AND THE CAR BRAKED.

    NHTSA complaint 11112054