2011 Volkswagen GTI Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2011 Volkswagen GTI has 55 complaints, a complaint index of 45, and ranks 12th worst of 21 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other GTI years. Two recalls apply, covering airbags and emissions-related compliance.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 GTI years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 55
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22.5 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2011 Volkswagen GTI problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine21 (38%)
- Transmission & Powertrain16 (29%)
- Electrical System9 (16%)
- Other5 (9%)
- Airbags3 (5%)
- Fuel System3 (5%)
- Steering2 (4%)
- Brakes1 (2%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
- Structure & Body1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- DSG automatic transmission occasionally fails to accelerate from a stop, revving without forward motion.
- DSG transmission slips into neutral when slowing below 10 mph, then hesitates when trying to accelerate again.
- A false-neutral condition occurs during light acceleration while pulling into traffic, delaying forward movement.
- Condensation builds up on all windows while driving, blocking visibility, and recurs even after repeated dealer visits.
- Fuses and the fuse box have overheated and caught fire, tied to exterior lighting fault codes.
- Ignition coil failure causes the engine to lose power while driving, with owners noting related recalls on other model years.
2011 Volkswagen GTI recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V329000May 16, 2018Other252 vehicles
Unknown or other
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
- NHTSA 15V483000Aug 4, 2015Airbags415,825 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
2011 Volkswagen GTI fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,075
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other GTI years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Volkswagen GTI reliable?
- Compared with other GTI model years, the 2011 rates Good, with a complaint index of 45 and 55 total complaints, ranking 12th worst out of 21 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 GTI?
- Engine complaints make up 38% of reports, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 29% and electrical system problems at 16%. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints was 68,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Volkswagen GTI have transmission problems?
- Yes. Transmission and powertrain complaints account for 16 of 55 reports (29%), including DSG hesitation and false-neutral slips, with a median mileage at failure of 19,000 miles.
- Are there recalls on the 2011 Volkswagen GTI?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 GTI: one covering a compliance/repurchase remedy shared with several VW models, and one covering an airbag steering wheel clock spring cover.
- How does the 2011 GTI compare to other years?
- The 2011 GTI's complaint index of 45 is lower than 2007 (75), 2009 (100), 2015 (95), 2016 (85), and 2019 (90), all of which carry Avoid verdicts, and higher than the 2014 (10) and 2020 (15) Best years.