VehicleVerdict

2019 Volkswagen GTI problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 287 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 15.9 times the median GTI year — the 2019 model ranks #2 of 41 GTI years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 48% of all reports (139 of 287), far ahead of transmission at 62.

287

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2019 compare to other GTI years?

GTI NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted295 complaints1985: 3 complaints1986: 2 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 28 complaints1996: 11 complaints1997: 12 complaints1998: 12 complaints1999: 11 complaints2000: 58 complaints2001: 97 complaints2002: 141 complaints2003: 72 complaints2004: 13 complaints2005: 12 complaints2006: 57 complaints2007: 102 complaints2008: 76 complaints2009: 295 complaints2010: 68 complaints2011: 65 complaints2012: 52 complaints2013: 42 complaints2014: 18 complaints2015: 123 complaints2016: 84 complaints2017: 54 complaints2018: 21 complaints2019: 287 complaints2020: 10 complaints2021: 6 complaints2022: 51 complaints2023: 11 complaints2024: 40 complaints2025: 0 complaints
GTI NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all GTI years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Volkswagen GTI problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine13948%
Transmission6222%
Other3713%
Fuel System228%
Electrical System197%
Driver Assistance21%
Speed Control21%
Steering21%
Body & Structure21%

Does the 2019 Volkswagen GTI have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V110000Fuel SystemFebruary 14, 2024 · 261,257 units

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.

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.

23V604000Electrical SystemAugust 30, 2023 · 62,538 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.

Consequence

Ignition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.

22V815000Tires & WheelsOctober 31, 2022 · 296,044 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence

An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.

19V615000Electrical SystemAugust 22, 2019 · 679,027 units

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."

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE WILL SPONTANEOUSLY TURN OFF ENGINE OR STALL WHILE DECELERATING FROM SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY LESS THAN 20 MPH. CAR WILL STALL WITH CLUTCH DEPRESSED OR NOT, STEERING WHEEL LOSES POWER ASSIST, AND CAR NEEDS TO BE RESTARTED. ENGINE SHUT OFF OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND HAS OCCURRED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 10, 2019

“VEHICLE WILL SPONTANEOUSLY TURN OFF ENGINE OR STALL WHILE DECELERATING FROM SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY LESS THAN 20 MPH. CAR WILL STALL WITH CLUTCH DEPRESSED OR NOT, STEERING WHEEL LOSES POWER ASSIST, AND CAR NEEDS TO BE RESTARTED. ENGINE SHUT OFF OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND HAS OCCURRED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 10, 2019

“THE CAR IS RANDOMLY STALLING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SO FAR SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE ON 5/24. EACH TIME SO FAR IT HAS HAPPENED IN PARKING LOTS, IT IS SO SUBTLE ITS LIKE THE AUTO START/STOP TECHNOLOGY SOME CARS HAVE ALTHOUGH THIS ONE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THAT. EACH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 25, 2019

“THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN APPROACHING A STOP DESPITE BEING IN NEUTRAL. THE STALL IS GENTLE (NOT SUDDEN). EACH TIME, THE COOLANT AND OIL TEMPERATURE WERE AT REGULAR OPERATING TEMPERATURES (WARMED UP, NOT COLD). THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES THUS FAR, AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES, 120 MILES, AND 500 MILES ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 10, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED AFTER COMING TO A STOP, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT GEAR THAT WAS IN USE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 26, 2019

2019 Volkswagen GTI — common questions

Is the 2019 Volkswagen GTI reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 287 complaints put the 2019 model at #2 of 41 GTI years. It is one of the GTI years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 GTI problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (139 complaints), transmission (62 complaints), other (37 complaints).

Does the 2019 Volkswagen GTI have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Volkswagen GTI. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2019 Volkswagen GTI under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen GTI years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the GTI years to avoid are 2009, 2019, 2002, 2015, 2007, 2001, 2016, 2008, 2003, 2010, 2011, 2000, 2006, 2017, 2012, 2022, 2013, 2024, 2014. The cleanest record among GTI years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.