YearToAvoid

2023 Volkswagen GTI Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#17 most-complained of 21 GTI years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2023 Volkswagen GTI has 6 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 20 out of 100 — #17 highest of 21 GTI model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is collision avoidance & cameras (2 complaints, 33% of the total).

Complaints
6
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
27.5
23.5 city / 33 hwy

Top 2023 Volkswagen GTI problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (33%)
  2. Other2 (33%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain2 (33%)
  4. Brakes1 (17%)
  5. Electrical System1 (17%)
  6. Engine1 (17%)
  7. Fuel System1 (17%)
2023 Volkswagen GTI complaints: complaints filed per month3Oct 2024Nov 2024Dec 2024Feb 2025May 2025Jul 2025
10 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2024 to Jul 2025; peak Nov 2024 (3).

2023 Volkswagen GTI recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V103000Feb 19, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras8,237 vehicles

    Back over prevention:software

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Golf GTI vehicles. A software error may delay or deactivate the rearview camera image, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. 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 can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91SB.

  2. NHTSA 24V480000Jun 27, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras84,432 vehicles

    Back over prevention:software

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Golf R, Golf GTI, 2024 Atlas, and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The rearview camera image may be delayed or deactivated after shifting into reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview camera with a delayed or deactivated image reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2024, and July 16, 2024. Owners may contact VW customer service at 1-800-893-5298. VW's number for this recall is 91US.

  3. NHTSA 23V437000Jun 21, 2023Suspension, Wheels & Tires59 vehicles

    Suspension:front:macpherson strut

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Golf R A8 and Golf GTI vehicles. The strut mount may be deformed, loosening the bolted connections to the suspension strut mounting.

    Risk: Loose suspension connections can cause steering instability, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the right and/or left suspension strut mountings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40T3.

See all 5 recalls for the 2023 Volkswagen GTI →

2023 Volkswagen GTI fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23.5 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
27.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,350
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.

2023 compared with other GTI years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021No verdict254126.5
2022Caution5028628
2023Best206527.5
2024Avoid8028227
2025No verdict00127

All Volkswagen GTI years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Volkswagen GTI a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Volkswagen GTI ranks #17 of 21 among GTI model years (Complaint Index 20/100, verdict: Best). It has 6 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Volkswagen GTI?
The most reported problem areas are collision avoidance & cameras (2 complaints), transmission & powertrain (2 complaints), and brakes (1 complaints).
Does the 2023 Volkswagen GTI have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2023 Volkswagen GTI, most recently reported 2025, covering collision avoidance & cameras, suspension, wheels & tires, and engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Volkswagen GTI?
EPA rates the 2023 Volkswagen GTI at 27.5 MPG combined (23.5 city / 33 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,350. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.