NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty seal on the suction pump inside the fuel tank allows fuel to flow into the emissions control system and potentially leak from the charcoal canister.
What the fix does
This page covers 4 recalls, 178 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2019 Volkswagen Gti.
27 mpg combined
8.7 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Engine and powertrain complaints dominate what 2019 GTI owners report, and those two categories account for the large majority of filings. On the engine side, owners frequently describe rough or unstable idle, difficulty keeping the engine running at startup, and stalling shortly after pulling away, often accompanied by fault codes pointing to fuel rail pressure and lean-running conditions. Powertrain reports lean heavily on the automatic emergency braking system activating without an obstacle present, in some cases bringing the car to a full stop in traffic. A smaller cluster of owners reports fuel system concerns, including trouble getting timely service related to a fuel system campaign. The unprompted braking behavior is a recurring theme, with multiple owners describing the car decelerating hard or stopping abruptly when no hazard exists.
178
Total Complaints
By System
The 2019 Volkswagen GTI has 4 recalls, the most serious being two that can each cause a crash: an ignition switch that can cut engine power while driving, and a fuel system component that can leak near an ignition source and start a fire.
The ignition switch can fail, particularly in hot conditions, causing the entire electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall without warning while the vehicle is in motion. The fuel system recall covers a separate risk where a leak can develop and, if it contacts any ignition source, ignite a fire. There is also a rollaway concern on vehicles with an automatic transmission, a manual handbrake, and keyless entry: the ignition key can be removed while the shifter is not in Park, which removes the driver's awareness that the car is not in a secured gear and can allow the vehicle to roll freely. Rounding out the list, the tire pressure monitoring system can fail to detect a sudden loss of pressure across all four tires at once, leaving the driver unaware of a dangerous drop in tire pressure that affects vehicle control.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty seal on the suction pump inside the fuel tank allows fuel to flow into the emissions control system and potentially leak from the charcoal canister.
What the fix does
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The suction pump will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ignition switch may fail, particularly in high-temperature environments, affecting 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta models with conventional ignition switches.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the ignition switch at no cost. Contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or reference recall 28H7.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect when air pressure drops in all four tires at the same time, failing to alert you in time.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the tire pressure monitoring system software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Silicate buildup on the shift lever switch contacts can allow the key to be removed from the ignition even when the transmission is not in Park.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.