2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
52
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
19
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
The 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI has received a total of 52 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with UNKNOWN OR OTHER, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. 19 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (13 complaints), Power Train (7 complaints), and Service Brakes (5 complaints).
Recalls for the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI, potentially affecting up to 416,077 vehicles.
Recall 18V329000 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
| 252 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 15V483000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 415,825 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
52 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontaldriver Clockspringspiral Cassette | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
ABS Control Module short and failure occurred. Trouble codes generated include 01325 - Tire Pressure Monitoring Control Module No signal/communication and 01130 - ABS Operation Implausible signal static. Upon visiting an Authorized Volkswagen dealer service center was charged $200 for ABS diagnostic fee and told the ABS Control Module has failed and I will need to pay >$2900 to replace. ABS, ESP/ASR, airbag, and parking brake lights are now permanently active as a result and not certain these systems are functioning.
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low coolant level warning light illuminated. The contact stopped and refilled the coolant reservoir bottle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed water pump. The contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been persistent, and the water pump had been replaced three times previously. The contact was informed that oil leaked onto the gasket and caused the housing of the water pump to crack, which caused the engine to overheat. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low coolant level warning light illuminated. The contact stopped and refilled the coolant reservoir bottle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed water pump. The contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been persistent, and the water pump had been replaced three times previously. The contact was informed that oil leaked onto the gasket and caused the housing of the water pump to crack, which caused the engine to overheat. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
My Air bag light came on. Plus all the controls on my steering column do not work, including the horn. I called the VW dealer. They knew exactly what it was. The Clock Spring. This happened in early May. I was told the part has been on back order for 6 months. The dealer does not have any cars to give me until the part comes in. I was told 6 other cars have the same problem This to me is a major safety issue. I HAVE to drive my car, and I am not comfortable with that.
A MONTH AGO I NOTICED MY GTI WAS STALLING WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AFTER A STOP. WENT ON A DRIVE WITH A LOT OF HILL CLIMBING AND THE CAR STARTING TO STALL ON THE UPHILL PORTIONS. THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICEABLY WORSE AFTER THAT, SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP. THEY WEREN'T ENTIRELY SURE BUT PUT IN A NEW FUEL FILTER. THE PROBLEM DID NOT GET BETTER. TODAY, A MONTH LATER, I TOOK MY CAR TO A DIFFERENT SHOP FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP/CAMSHAFT FAILURE. THE CAR IS NOT PERFORMING SAFELY DUE TO STALLING AND A LAG IN ACCELERATION.
Safety Rating for the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 19 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
V6913052035369_2 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Installation of accessory alarm added instead of referring out to another website.
V3416022034406_6 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Noise Diagnostic for Manual Transmission vehicles.
V0017062033708-5 — STRUCTURE:BODY
Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
DLFAQ -19K5 4Z — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP COMMUNICATION (Upcoming Service Action 19K5 ? Coolant Pump): This document informs of an upcoming service action for a coolant pump. The coolant pump may develop a small leak over time. The corrective action that will be taken is to Inspect and, if necessary, replace the coolant pump
TT 20-13-01 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
Tech Tips (ECM Fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low" Will Not Clear): This document informs to clear static ECM fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low", add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not allow...
TT450904 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Some Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Passat vehicles equipped with electromechanical power steering have the G85 steering angle sensor located in the steering rack. These vehicles do not have a G85 in the steering column. To determine G85 location, check the J500 Power steering control module part number in the GFF...
TT450904 — POWER TRAIN
Some Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Passat vehicles equipped with electromechanical power steering have the G85 steering angle sensor located in the steering rack. These vehicles do not have a G85 in the steering column. To determine G85 location, check the J500 Power steering control module part number in the GFF...
961301 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
Keyless Entry Inoperative after Access / Start (KESSY) Module Replacement
TT 91-11-09 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
Tech Tips (All Navigation Radios-All Models): When the Navigation RNS 850/510/315 is in 3D mode, the top portion of the screen may not display streets. This line represents the horizon and is a normal operation of system. This document provides Examples of day and night modes:
V011407 2014603 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Technical Bulletin This Technical Bulletin details the general process for carrying out a Software Version Management (SVM) software update for any Technical Bulletin (TSB) / Required Vehicle Update (RVU).
Showing 10 of 19 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN GTI
- 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 102 complaints
- 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 76 complaints
- 2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 293 complaints
- 2010 VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 68 complaints
- 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 65 complaints
- 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI (current)
- 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 42 complaints
- 2014 VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 15 complaints
- 2015 VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 122 complaints
- 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 83 complaints
- 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 54 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 13,715 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 10,288 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 3,613 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN — 3,104 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — 2,635 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 1,991 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 — 1,568 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN CC — 1,356 total complaints