2021 Volkswagen GTI Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2021 Volkswagen GTI has a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th out of 21 model years, with 4 complaints, 1 recall, and no crashes or fires reported. Electrical system issues make up 75% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 GTI years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 4
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 23.5 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2021 Volkswagen GTI problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System3 (75%)
- Airbags1 (25%)
- Engine1 (25%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (25%)
- Other1 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (25%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission failing to engage forward gear at low mileage, causing the car to roll backward into an intersection at a stoplight.
- Drivers describe the reverse braking system activating on its own, slamming the brakes with no obstacle present.
- Some owners say the infotainment head unit goes black or turns off while backing up or using navigation.
- One owner reported the key sensor repeatedly displaying error messages.
- An owner reported the airbag warning light coming on years into ownership, with a dealer tracing it to a failed airbag control module from water intrusion.
2021 Volkswagen GTI recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V514000Jul 20, 2022Other43,091 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:infotainment:software
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.
Remedy: 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.
2021 Volkswagen GTI fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,450
- 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.
2021 compared with other GTI years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Volkswagen GTI reliable?
- NHTSA lists 4 complaints and 1 recall for the 2021 GTI, giving it a complaint index of 25. That ranks 16th out of 21 GTI model years, meaning most other years show fewer reported problems relative to their complaint volume.
- What is the top problem area for the 2021 GTI?
- Electrical System complaints make up 75% of all reported issues for the 2021 GTI, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2021 Volkswagen GTI have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA recall 22V514000 covers the 2021 GTI along with several other Volkswagen models. It involves an infotainment software update that dealers perform free of charge; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2021 GTI compare to other years?
- The 2021 GTI's complaint index of 25 is lower than years like 2019 (90) and 2015 (95), but higher than 2020 (15) and 2023 (20), which carry Best verdicts.