2019 Volkswagen GTI Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
90/100
#3 most-complained of 21 GTI years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2019 Volkswagen GTI has a complaint index of 90, ranking 3rd worst out of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. It has 179 complaints, 78% engine-related, mostly stalling reports around a median 400 miles, plus 4 recalls.
- Complaints
- 179
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 24.5 city / 31.5 hwy
Top 2019 Volkswagen GTI problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine139 (78%)
- Transmission & Powertrain62 (35%)
- Other37 (21%)
- Fuel System23 (13%)
- Electrical System16 (9%)
- Brakes3 (2%)
- Steering2 (1%)
- Structure & Body2 (1%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (1%)
What owners report
- Engine stalls while coming to a stop with the clutch depressed, even with no check-engine light or codes.
- Stalling occurs at low speeds, such as pulling into a driveway or crossing a speed bump at 8 to 10 mph.
- Some owners report the car dying multiple times within the first week or first few hundred miles of ownership.
- After stalling, the engine sometimes restarts immediately but other times requires several attempts to restart.
- Owners describe the stall as quiet, with RPMs dropping to zero and the engine shutting off without a rough shake.
- Dealers have not identified a cause in at least one case despite repeated stalling complaints.
2019 Volkswagen GTI recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V110000Feb 14, 2024Fuel System261,257 vehicles
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.
- NHTSA 23V604000Aug 30, 2023Electrical System62,538 vehicles
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.
- NHTSA 22V815000Oct 31, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires296,044 vehicles
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 AudiÂs customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
2019 Volkswagen GTI fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2019 compared with other GTI years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Volkswagen GTI reliable?
- Compared to other GTI model years, 2019 ranks 3rd worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 90 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the main problem with the 2019 GTI?
- Engine issues make up 78% of complaints (139 of 179), with a median mileage at failure of 400 miles. Most reports describe the engine stalling at low speed or when coming to a stop.
- Does the 2019 GTI have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2019 GTI, covering the fuel system, electrical system (ignition switch), and TPMS software, none marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2019 GTI compare to other GTI years?
- The 2019 GTI's complaint index of 90 is worse than most other years; only the 2009 GTI (100) and 2015 GTI (95) score higher, while years like 2014 and 2020 earned Best verdicts with much lower indexes.
- What mileage do 2019 GTI engine problems show up at?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 400 miles for engine-related issues, indicating problems often appeared very early in ownership.