2011 Volkswagen GTI Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
45/100
#12 most-complained of 21 GTI years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2011 Volkswagen GTI has 55 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 45 out of 100 — #12 highest of 21 GTI model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is engine (21 complaints, 38% of the total). Complaints report 1 fire.
- Complaints
- 55
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22.5 city / 32 hwy
Top 2011 Volkswagen GTI problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
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 a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Volkswagen GTI ranks #12 of 21 among GTI model years (Complaint Index 45/100, verdict: Good). It has 55 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Volkswagen GTI?
- The most reported problem areas are engine (21 complaints), transmission & powertrain (16 complaints), and electrical system (9 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 54,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Volkswagen GTI have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2011 Volkswagen GTI, most recently reported 2018, covering other and airbags.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Volkswagen GTI?
- EPA rates the 2011 Volkswagen GTI at 26 MPG combined (22.5 city / 32 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,075. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.