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Volkswagen · NHTSA safety record

2018 Volkswagen GTI

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

16

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

2

Deaths

Owners of the 2018 Volkswagen GTI have filed 16 safety complaints with NHTSA between July 2018 and March 2026. The most complained-about system is the brakes, named in 6 of them (38%). The typical failure was reported at 10,000 miles, the median across the 13 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

24V110000 · February 14, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The 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. · up to 261,257 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

19V615000 · August 22, 2019

The defect
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."
The risk
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.
The 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. · up to 679,027 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

18V369000 · June 1, 2018

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
The risk
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 10,225 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)

RQ23007

Closed recall query · opened December 12, 2023 · closed July 1, 2024 · led to recall 24V110

the gasoline fuel system

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.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 16.

SERVICE BRAKES 6 38%
ENGINE 3 19%
POWER TRAIN 3 19%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 13%
STRUCTURE 2 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 13%
TIRES 1 6%
VISIBILITY 1 6%
WHEELS 1 6%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 6.

2018 2019 2026
2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 death · 1 injured · crash · towed · 7,000 miles

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 death · 1 injured · crash · towed · 7,000 miles

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE: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

NHTSA complaint 11722115, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE 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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

28,675 miles

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

21,115 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11320753, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

14,426 miles

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

18,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11315480, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Volkswagen GTI

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 28 2
2022 27 6
2020 8 3
2019 179 4
2017 52 2
2016 66 4
2015 97 6
2014 10 1
2013 34 2 1
2012 40 2
2011 54 2
2010 53 1

Other 2018 Volkswagen models

Every Volkswagen on this site — 152 vehicles, 256 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst