124 of the
1,949 complaints filed about the Volkswagen GTI
are about the airbag system —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2002.
The vehicle was involved in a low-speed frontal collision (under approximately 20 mph) resulting in relatively minor front-end damage. Despite the limited severity of the impact, the driver frontal airbag and both the front and rear driver-side curtain airbags deployed. The vehicle has no prior accident history, had no SRS or airbag warning lights prior to the incident, and has approximately 86,000 miles. Due to the nature of the collision and the deployment of multiple airbags, I have concerns that the airbag system may have deployed unnecessarily or abnormally. I am requesting that this concern be formally documented. It is available for inspection. It has not been fixed. I have opened a case with VW.
NHTSA complaint #11710400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Today is 11/05/2025 incident happened yesterday evening 11/04/2025 The driver airbag in the steering wheel auto deployed when I started the car I went to step out from my car while it was warming up and barley turning the steering wheel the airbag exploded with my arm still on the wheel hitting and fracturing my ulna bone n causing a burn that was so instant n hot it burnt through my skin causing more damage to my nerves and tissue im having the car inspecting and is available upon request I took pictures and documented everything immediately there still in no warning lamp on and never has been on displaying it needs to be inspected.. but after it deployed the dash light still remains off so I don’t know if it even deactivated the system like it should’ve done with a airbag deploying this just happened yesterday so nothing has been inspected yet this is my first report it makes safety issues cause it deployed out of nowhere when car was parked I just turned the key over it could’ve deployed when I was driving causing a serious accident or death and it broke my ulna bone that alone is serious more I can’t go back to work pry my bills raise my 5yr old until this fracture heals.. this not only if a serious safety our it’s a serious situation off what do I even do now car showered not warning signs of anything and still don’t even display that it’s srs bag deployed
NHTSA complaint #11697811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At around 38,000 miles (4 years into my lease), the airbag warning light came on in my 2021 Volkswagen GTI. Pasadena Volkswagen inspected the vehicle and confirmed the airbag control module had failed due to water intrusion from a clogged A/C drain tube, with a repair estimate of $1,974. Because the module is damaged, the airbag system is disabled and will not deploy in a crash, which puts my safety and the safety of passengers at risk. Volkswagen Customer Care (Case #07065500) reviewed the issue but declined assistance, stating my VIN is not part of Recall 21V-892, even though the defect matches the recall description exactly. The failed part remains in the vehicle and can be inspected upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11690962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The steering wheel clockspring mechanism has failed causing the vehicle steering wheel operated controls (including the horn) to stop working. The airbag warning lamp illuminated on the dashboard, indicating the airbag system may not be functional. Apparently Volkswagen has issued a recall/extended the warranty on many VW models in light of the high failure rate of the clockspring mechanism, however my 2017 GTI is not currently covered. Perhaps the recall/extended warranty should be expanded in scope.
NHTSA complaint #11635244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owned a 2015 Volkswagen GTI A7. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, while accelerating from a stop the vehicle was involved in a front collision caused by loose gravel on the road. The contact stated she lost control and drove into a ditch that struck a concrete culvert. The contact sustained minor injuries such as bruises on her elbows, knees, and head but did not require medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot which was then towed to the insurance lot for further investigation. A police report was filed. The insurance provider deemed the vehicle totaled and took it to a tow lot. Upon further investigation the contact related the failure to an unidentified recall however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11615479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I noticed a common problem among MK6 GTI owners of the steering wheel messing up, causing many issues such as broken airbags, the horn not work, cruise control stopped, etc., and since I have the issue (air bag symbol, horn, no cruise control) as well I was wondering what could be done. This happened after a near-accident/close call and when I tried to honk it didnt work. It could've been for any situation and a car horn is very important. That on top of the fact that if I did crash there was a risk of me not even having an air bag. Not to mention the countless inconvenient long drices with no cruise control. I checked the wiring and the wheel/horn is connected properly, and everything else on the dasg works fine.The car has been in a minor accident before and I did take it to a VW dealership for mechanical and body work, so the car should've been fine had they fixed the issue, but the problem is I had zero idea about the recall and I'm assuming they didnt bother to check since I didnt mention, and so the issue was hidden away. I did in fact however call the dealership and call to ask if they perhaps incorrectly ordered a wrong oart or something, but they assured me that the car was handled to their best extent. I doubt fixing the issue would have been a bother, so they wouldve done it had they know. I'm 99% sure this is the recall affecting my car, and I sure would like some help. Thank you
NHTSA complaint #11559334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The front passenger airbag has been verified by a service centre to have some kind of issue, is a safety hazard and they confirmed other of the same type airbags have had faults as well (in their experience).
NHTSA complaint #11500914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen GTI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V543000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11499865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11482092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that he lost the function of the steering wheel, horn, controls, and air bag. The air bag warning indicator light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts required were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #11478572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There are many cases of clock spring failure in my model as well as many others. The problem here is that this failure has caused my to lose the use of all my steering wheel controls, horn and airbag and shifters. VW has obliged about the problem and is willing to repair it under warranty. The problem is, is that there are no parts available for the repair. I have no choice but to drive a car with many safety issues. Someone needs to look into allowing aftermarket parts to be used by dealer or expedite the manufacturer. This is putting many people in danger on the road, I am sure it's not only me. Thank You
NHTSA complaint #11448621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT MY CAR WITH 29,000 MILES AND NOW HAS 41,000.. MY AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON AND FLASHES AND ON PASSENGER SEAT... EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS IN SEAT ... VOLKSWAGEN WON'T FIX IT EVEN THOUGH I FIRST COMPLAINED TO THEM CAR ONLY HAD 31,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 35,000 MILES...
NHTSA complaint #11301522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CLOCK SPRING IN MY STEERING WHEEL HAS BROKEN/QUIT WORKING, VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO REPLACE IT UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT FLAGGED DURING THE RECALL, THE AIRBAG LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ARE ALL ON, MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT TO BE THE CLOCK SPRING CAUSING THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11287820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL MY VOLKSWAGEN HAS MANY PROBLEMS THAT I BELIEVE ARE FACTORY DEFECTS. STARTING WITH THE AIRBAG FAULT WARNING THAT COMES ON AS SOON AS I START THE VEHICLE. THEN ITSTARTED LOOSING COOLANT TO TBE POINT THAT K WAS HAVING TO PULL OVER EVERY 30-50 MILES TO PUT MORE. AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGIN HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. THEN THE CHECK COOLANT COMES ON AND SHORTLY AFTER IT SAYS CHECK OIL PRESSURE TURN OFF ENGINE. IVE HAD TO PUT MORE WORK INTO THIS CAR THAN WHAT ITS WORTH. THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF RANDOMLY THE BRIGHTS DONT WORK OR WHILE IM DRIVING ONE WILL TURN OFF OR BOTH AT THE SAME TIME AND THIS HAPPENS ANYWHERE IF MY CAR IS IN MOTION. . THE IMAGE BELOW THAT SHOWS THE RADIATOR CONNECTOR THAT HAS KB WELD ON IT BECAUSE MY ENGINE GOT SO HOT THAT THE TOP HOSE BROKE OFF CAUSING A DOMINO EFFECT OF PROBLEMS ANLONG WITH COSTLY REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #11231751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAG FAILURE FOR CAR, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THERE IS A TSB 69-11-01 FOR UPDATING THE SEAT OCCUPANT MODULE J706 BUT FAULTS WOULD NOT CLEAR SO RECOMMEND REPLACE J706 WITH SEAT OCVUONAT SENSOR BUT VOLKSWAGEN SAYS THE PART IS OBSOLETE AND THEY DON'T MAKE IT ANYMORE AND THERE ARE NO AFTER MARKET MODULE AVAILABLE! THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND WON'T WORK WITH OUT THIS MODULE AND NOW NO ONE CAN RIDE IN THE FAR!!
NHTSA complaint #11184947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO VOLKSWAGEN NORTH SCOTTSDALE (LOCATED AT 7001 E CHAUNCEY LANE, PHOENIX, AZ 85054) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11160754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.