2019 Volkswagen GTI problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Volkswagen GTI, most often about engine. There are 4 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 25
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Median mileage
- 595 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 16 of 25 complaints (64%).
- Transmission & Drivetrain (4) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (3) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 595 mi.
- The 2019 Volkswagen GTI has 4 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 6th of 20 Volkswagen GTI model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
2019 Volkswagen GTI problems by category
- Engine16 complaints
- Other / Unknown5 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain4 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion3 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech2 complaints
- Electrical System1 complaints
- Body & Structure1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 16 |
| Unknown or other | 5 |
| Power train | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 |
| Structure:body | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance: warnings | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 1 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2019 Volkswagen GTI recalls (4)
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Risk: 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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
Risk: 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.
- TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
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."
Risk: 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 Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
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."
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
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 emiss…
- DP19003Opened Sep 3, 2019Closed Jun 30, 2020
Vehicle Stalling - Manual Transmission
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a defect petition received on 14 August 2019 requesting an investigation of an alleged defect of the manual transmissions in Model Year (MY) 2019 Volkswagen (VW) GTI, Golf GTI and Jetta GLI vehicles. The stalling incidents cited occurred without warning as the vehicle slows to a stop or prepares to make a turn across traffic with the clutch pressed in and the vehicle in neutral.The hazard posed by a vehicle stalling event is manifested in the inability of the vehicle to move with the flow of surrounding traffic. Two factors …
Recent 2019 Volkswagen GTI complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Aug 5, 2026VTFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
I own a vehicle built from two salvage vehicles: a 2019 VW Golf Sportwagen (VIN [XXX] - the body) and a 2019 VW GTI (VIN [XXX] - the engine, suspension, fuel tank/system, etc). The vehicle is registered and titled under the Sportwagen VIN. Safety Recall 20UF requires replacement of the suction jet pump to prevent risk of fire. The recall was performed on the Sportwagen prior to its crash, but not on the GTI. Since the Sportwagen no longer has it's original engine/fuel tank,…
NHTSA complaint #11754905 · source - Filed Jan 30, 2026FLBody & StructureOther / Unknown
While simply driving 75mph (speed limit during time of incident) on the highway, i heard a loud explosion sound and the sunroof had completely shattered and was blown upwards. Glass began and continued to fly off, creating a large hole, while trying to get to a stopping point. The was only very little shards of debris that had gotten inside the vehicle while driving, but had potential to put me and a passenger at risk of serious injury. No vehicles were close to mine that…
NHTSA complaint #11714588 · source - Filed Jul 24, 2025TXDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
The front collision brake assist goes on when there is no obstacle. It has given me obstacle warnings before, but this time it slammed on the brakes and brought me to a stop. This "safety" feature is going to get me rear ended. I have not taken it to a dealer because internet search shows me it is a widespread problem for which there is no fix. I would like it permanently disabled.
NHTSA complaint #11675819 · source - Filed Apr 18, 2025HIOther / Unknown
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen GTI SE. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The contact lives in Hawaii. However, there are no Volkswagen dealers on the island. The contact was told by the manufacturer that the recall repairs would need to be done by a dealer. It was suggested that the vehicle be shipped to O'ahu at the contact's expense. The contact stated that the manufacturer did not offer any assistance when…
NHTSA complaint #11655500 · source - Filed Oct 8, 2024CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Rough idle on start. RPM is not maintaining to keep the engine running. After a few try, it starts ok and drive off the parking lot, but the engine dies after about 10 seconds over 30mph. It feels like gasoline is not igniting corretly. Scanned Error Code P0171: System Too Lean Bank 1 P0190: Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor A Circuit Dealership can't replicate the issue and find the issue. Could be related to Fuel System Recall.
NHTSA complaint #11618799 · source - Filed May 20, 2024ALFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
There has been no incident. I am filing this complaint because I have been unable to get an expected date of repair from VW by calling VW.
NHTSA complaint #11589689 · source - Filed Feb 21, 202121,000 miVATransmission & Drivetrain
Vehicle stalls at low speeds. I have noticed my car stall when leaving a parking spot where i will get halfway out of the park, and then the rpm goes to 0 and i have to put it into park, turn the key, and after a longer than normal startup time, it goes.
NHTSA complaint #11397180 · source - Filed Nov 11, 202013,400 miFLOther / Unknown
While driving on highway at approx. 75mph, my 2019 volkswagen gti se panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded. I heard a very loud bang followed by shattered glass falling into the car. The entire sunroof had shattered and a very large hole (approx. 1' x 1.5' large) near the front of sunroof was present. I did not see anything hit the sunroof. Given the loud bang and the extent of damage to the sunroof, i find it difficult to believe a rock or some other object hit the…
NHTSA complaint #11374175 · source
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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology