2021 Volkswagen GTI Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other GTI years
- Not enough data 30th of 31 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volkswagen GTI. That ranks 30th out of 31 GTI model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (3 complaints, 75%). Complaints mention 1 injury. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
- 4owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Volkswagen GTI problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 | 75% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 25% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 25% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 25% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 25% | 300 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 25% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Volkswagen GTI recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Equipment:electrical:infotainment:software; back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Problem: 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."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Component: The MIB3 Infotainment Head Unit (specifically the internal eMMC memory chip) and the motorized rearview camera trunk emblem assembly.Inspection: Yes, the vehicle and all malfunctioning…
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…
My car has, on several occasions, slammed the breaks on while Iâm 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…
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…
Other Volkswagen GTI years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 GTI | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 GTI | 29 | 2 |
| 2023 GTI | 6 | 5 |
| 2022 GTI | 28 | 6 |
| 2021 | 4 | 1 |
| 2020 GTI | 8 | 3 |
| 2019 GTI | 179 | 4 |
| 2018 GTI | 17 | 3 |
| 2017 GTI | 52 | 2 |
| 2016 GTI | 66 | 4 |
| 2015 GTI | 97 | 6 |
| 2014 GTI | 10 | 1 |
| 2013 GTI | 34 | 2 |
| 2012 GTI | 40 | 2 |
| 2011 GTI | 55 | 2 |
| 2010 GTI | 53 | 1 |
| 2009 GTI | 167 | 2 |
| 2008 GTI | 67 | 1 |
| 2007 GTI | 77 | 1 |
| 2006 GTI | 43 | 2 |
| 2005 GTI | 8 | 1 |
| 2004 GTI | 7 | 1 |
| 2003 GTI | 53 | 1 |
| 2002 GTI | 124 | 2 |
| 2001 GTI | 74 | 2 |
| 2000 GTI | 45 | 3 |
| 1999 GTI | 8 | 2 |
| 1998 GTI | 10 | 0 |
| 1997 GTI | 10 | 0 |
| 1996 GTI | 9 | 1 |
| 1995 GTI | 18 | 2 |
See all Volkswagen GTI problems by year, every Volkswagen model, or the Volkswagen VIN decoder.
Similar Volkswagen models
Embed this 2021 Volkswagen GTI badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen GTI?
Owners most often report electrical system, air bags, engine problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 3 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Volkswagen GTI?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 Volkswagen GTI a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other GTI model years, the 2021 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.