NHTSA Complaint #11624393 — 2023 VOLKSWAGEN GTI

I have a 2023 VW GTI with a manual transmission. It has a feature called "Hill Hold Assist", where it enables the parking brake when you are uphill and at a stop, at a red traffic light, for example. The issue is the feature does not disengage the parking brake for about 3 seconds after you engage the gas to begin moving the car. It basically holds the car for too long when you are trying to get moving. This feature has become more of a hinderance and safety concern, than an assistance: 1) Almost rear ended by another car as the Hill Hold Assist would not disengage at a traffic light 2) The amount of gas and clutch use while the car is being held in place while engaged negatively impacts the longevity of the clutch 3) In the case of an emergency, I am unable to move the vehicle when I need to - this is most concerning. This function would not be an issue if there was a way to disable "Hill Hold Assist", or reduce the time it takes to disengage, but unfortunately Volkswagen did not include a way to disable or adjust this feature in the vehicle's software. I previously had a 2018 GTI, manual transmission, with the same feature. It was far less aggressive, and it could be disabled if needed. Please consider this a safety concern and address with Volkswagen of North America, as I have made several calls to VW with no resolution. Many other VW Gti drivers have concerns about this feature as well. Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)