2019 Volkswagen GTI

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2019 Volkswagen GTI
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:18.177Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
179
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2019

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

74% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 0 complaints 1990 1991: 1 complaint 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 18 complaints 1995 1996: 9 complaints 1997: 10 complaints 1998: 10 complaints 1999: 8 complaints 2000: 45 complaints 2000 2001: 74 complaints 2002: 124 complaints 2003: 53 complaints 2004: 7 complaints 2005: 8 complaints 2005 2006: 43 complaints 2007: 77 complaints 2008: 67 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2010: 53 complaints 2010 2011: 55 complaints 2012: 40 complaints 2013: 34 complaints 2014: 10 complaints 2015: 97 complaints 2016: 67 complaints 2017: 52 complaints 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 179 complaints 2019 179 2020: 8 complaints 2021: 4 complaints 2022: 29 complaints 2023: 6 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2025: 0 complaints 2025
1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 0 complaints 1988 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaint 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 0 complaints 1994 1995: 18 complaints 1996: 9 complaints 1997: 10 complaints 1997 1998: 10 complaints 1999: 8 complaints 2000: 45 complaints 2000 2001: 74 complaints 2002: 124 complaints 2003: 53 complaints 2003 2004: 7 complaints 2005: 8 complaints 2006: 43 complaints 2006 2007: 77 complaints 2008: 67 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 53 complaints 2011: 55 complaints 2012: 40 complaints 2012 2013: 34 complaints 2014: 10 complaints 2015: 97 complaints 2015 2016: 67 complaints 2017: 52 complaints 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 179 complaints 2019 179 2020: 8 complaints 2021: 4 complaints 2022: 29 complaints 2023: 6 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2024 2025: 0 complaints
1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaint 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 18 complaints 1995 1996: 9 complaints 1997: 10 complaints 1997 1998: 10 complaints 1999: 8 complaints 1999 2000: 45 complaints 2001: 74 complaints 2001 2002: 124 complaints 2003: 53 complaints 2003 2004: 7 complaints 2005: 8 complaints 2005 2006: 43 complaints 2007: 77 complaints 2007 2008: 67 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 53 complaints 2011: 55 complaints 2011 2012: 40 complaints 2013: 34 complaints 2013 2014: 10 complaints 2015: 97 complaints 2015 2016: 67 complaints 2017: 52 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 179 complaints 2019 179 2020: 8 complaints 2021: 4 complaints 2021 2022: 29 complaints 2023: 6 complaints 2023 2024: 29 complaints 2025: 0 complaints 2025

2019: 179 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19862
19872
19880
19890
19900
19911
19920
19930
19940
199518
19969
199710
199810
19998
200045
200174
2002124
200353
20047
20058
200643
200777
200867
2009167
201053
201155
201240
201334
201410
201597
201667
201752
201817
2019179
20208
20214
202229
20236
202429
20250

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

74% · 133 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Rough idle on start. RPM is not maintaining to keep the engine running. After a few try, it starts ok and drive off the parking lot, but the engine dies after about 10 seconds over 30mph. It feels like gasoline is not igniting corretly.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-10-08

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

The first time was a couple weeks ago when the engine stalled out as I was pulling up to a stop sign in 2ND gear with the clutch depressed. I was able to start the engine back up and continue operating afterwards.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-06

The car will stall when slowing down to a stop in neutral, then will require restarting. Problem is more persistent in warmer temperature and also when the oil temperature is above 220 degrees. However does not cause cel or throw any codes.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-04

Power train

35% · 62 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Engine shuts off/stalls when braking to a stop in a 6MT urano grey golf GTI Rabbit edition. On dozens of occasions at this point, with no check engine light or engine codes being dropped.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-04

Fuel/propulsion system

13% · 23 reports
Show complaint excerpts

I own a vehicle built from two salvage vehicles: a 2019 VW Golf Sportwagen (VIN [XXX] - the body) and a 2019 VW GTI (VIN [XXX] - the engine, suspension, fuel tank/system, etc). The vehicle is registered and titled under the Sportwagen VIN.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-05

There has been no incident. I am filing this complaint because I have been unable to get an expected date of repair from VW by calling VW.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-05-20

Electrical system

9% · 16 reports

Engine and engine cooling

3% · 6 reports

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2019Complaint volume 179 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2019-09-03Defect petitionClosed 2020-06-30 Vehicle Stalling - Manual Transmission
  3. R
    2019-11-19Electrical system, steering19V615000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

  4. R
    2022-11-18Tires22V815000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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 Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

  5. I
    2023-12-12Recall queryClosed 2024-07-01 Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
  6. R
    2024-02-01Electrical system23V604000 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.

    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.

  7. R
    2024-07-25Fuel system, gasoline24V110000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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.

Buy-smart checklist

2019 Volkswagen GTI — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 133 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 62 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 23 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 19V615000 · Electrical system, steering
  • Recall 22V815000 · Tires
  • Recall 23V604000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 24V110000 · Fuel system, gasoline

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2019 Volkswagen GTI reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2019 Volkswagen GTI is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volkswagen GTI?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 74% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen GTI have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.