VehicleVerdict

2021 Volkswagen GTI problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2021 Volkswagen GTI — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

6

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other GTI years?

GTI NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 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, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all GTI years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Volkswagen GTI problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System233%
Airbags117%
Driver Assistance117%
Engine117%
Transmission117%

Does the 2021 Volkswagen GTI have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V514000Electrical SystemJuly 20, 2022 · 43,091 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“My car has, on several occasions, slammed the breaks on while I’m reversing, while suggesting that I am about to hit something, even though there is nothing there. It is very scary because I have no way of knowing when this will happen. Also it turns off the head unit and goes black while I am in…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 17, 2021

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD AND ROLLED INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER TOMS RIVERS VOLKSWAGEN LOCATED AT 256 NJ-37, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753, WHO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 30, 2021

“My car has, on several occasions, slammed the breaks on while I’m reversing, while suggesting that I am about to hit something, even though there is nothing there. It is very scary because I have no way of knowing when this will happen. Also it turns off the head unit and goes black while I am in…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 17, 2021

“At around 38,000 miles (4 years into my lease), the airbag warning light came on in my 2021 Volkswagen GTI. Pasadena Volkswagen inspected the vehicle and confirmed the airbag control module had failed due to water intrusion from a clogged A/C drain tube, with a repair estimate of $1,974. Because…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 12, 2025

“My car has, on several occasions, slammed the breaks on while I’m reversing, while suggesting that I am about to hit something, even though there is nothing there. It is very scary because I have no way of knowing when this will happen. Also it turns off the head unit and goes black while I am in…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · March 17, 2021

2021 Volkswagen GTI — common questions

Is the 2021 Volkswagen GTI reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2021 Volkswagen GTI have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2021 Volkswagen GTI. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.