Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

53 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
38

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

sudden stalling 11transmission slipping 10premature wear 10
A recent report: The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started jerking and failed to properly…
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The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started jerking and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the intake manifold was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 67,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11419311 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
4

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1smoke 1
A recent report: THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE (31,000) VEHICLE. UNEXPECTED, COMPLETE FAILURE OF RADIO, CD, NAVIGATION SYSTEM, BLUETOOTH HANDS-FREE COMMUNICATION... EVERYTHING WENT DEAD. VW DEALER CHECK FUSES AND RADIO FUSE…
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THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE (31,000) VEHICLE. UNEXPECTED, COMPLETE FAILURE OF RADIO, CD, NAVIGATION SYSTEM, BLUETOOTH HANDS-FREE COMMUNICATION... EVERYTHING WENT DEAD. VW DEALER CHECK FUSES AND RADIO FUSE AND SAID THAT THEY WERE OK. RADIO AND ALL FUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH RADIO DEAD AND NOT WORKING. WILL NOT TURN ON. WHY IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE? BECAUSE OF THE HANDS-FREE, BLUETOOTH PHONE CAPABILITIES NO LONGER WORK. VERY DANGEROUS. PLUS NAVIGATION DOESN'T WORK.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10779932 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of braking 3airbags not deploying 1
A recent report: under emergency braking at around 70mph all 4 wheels locked up and abs/traction lights illuminated on dash. Caused a minor accident and flat spot on all 4 tires. ABS did not work. This is a know…
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under emergency braking at around 70mph all 4 wheels locked up and abs/traction lights illuminated on dash. Caused a minor accident and flat spot on all 4 tires. ABS did not work. This is a know recall for 2009 models of the same vehicle. I replicated the issue a second time at a slower speed on a secluded road with the same results. There are numerous complaints about the same situation on this and other model VW cars of this year all over the internet forums. The ABS module was diagnosed as defective by mechanic shop.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11575395 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
3

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

loss of steering 1
A recent report: Steering lock mechanism has broke twice. Key cannot be removed from steering lock causing it to run and not able to turn off. Once car eventually can be turned off or dies you can no longer remove…
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Steering lock mechanism has broke twice. Key cannot be removed from steering lock causing it to run and not able to turn off. Once car eventually can be turned off or dies you can no longer remove the key or start the car.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11471143 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
2

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying.

airbags not deploying 1premature wear 1
A recent report: The seatbelt is failing as it does not retract back into its holder and I am uncertain as to how safe and effective it is. Note that I have not done anything to cause this damage to it, it is through…
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The seatbelt is failing as it does not retract back into its holder and I am uncertain as to how safe and effective it is. Note that I have not done anything to cause this damage to it, it is through use and time. Volkswagen Group should approve fixes to it without additional cost to the customer.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11577383 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
2

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 1
A recent report: I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG, LIKE A GUN SHOT. I LOOKED AROUND, AND LOOKED UP, AND NOTICED MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED INTO A MILLION LITTLE PIECES, AND WAS…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG, LIKE A GUN SHOT. I LOOKED AROUND, AND LOOKED UP, AND NOTICED MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED INTO A MILLION LITTLE PIECES, AND WAS SLOWLY BREAKING BACK INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND WAS FALLING ON ME. I WENT TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE, AND A LARGE CHUNK (ABOUT 9"X9") FELL ON ME AND SCRAPED MY ARM. I HAVE GLASS IN THE CAR, HAIR AND GROUND INTO MY SKIN A BIT - SOME OF IT IS VERY FINE AND SHARP, LIKE SPARKLY POWDER. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT WAS PROBABLY A ROCK THAT HIT IT, BUT I DON'T THINK A ROCK COULD HAVE A VELOCITY IN THE VERTICAL DIRECTION AT THAT SPEED TO HIT AND SMASH THE GLASS. I'M REQUESTING IT BE FIXED UNDER BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10534357 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 53 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2024, roughly 4 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.