45 of the
1,949 complaints filed about the Volkswagen GTI
are about the body and structure —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
I am reporting a water intrusion issue involving the rear hatch area of my 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn. Water leaks into the vehicle through the hatch wiring boot area and travels into the interior of the car, causing the headliner to become saturated with water. During periods of rain or after washing the vehicle, water enters near the rubber hatch wiring boots and leaks into the interior roof area. The vehicle has two rubber hatch boots (left and right) that route wiring harnesses from the body to the liftgate. These harnesses carry wiring for several rear hatch components including the backup camera, center high-mount brake light, rear wiper motor, hatch release switch, rear defroster, license plate lights, and other electrical systems located in the liftgate. Water intrusion in this area can allow moisture to travel along the wiring harnesses and into the vehicle interior, resulting in a soaked headliner and moisture accumulation inside the cabin. Because these wiring boots contain electrical harnesses for important components such as the center brake light and backup camera, continued water exposure could potentially lead to electrical faults, corrosion, or failure of these systems. The vehicle has approximately 23,000 miles. The leak occurs during normal weather conditions such as rain. Numerous owners of similar Volkswagen Golf and GTI/R vehicles have reported similar rear hatch water intrusion issues. I have been scared to drive the car in the rain and wash my car after the incident. The hatch boots have been replaced twice per side and are still causing issues. I request that this issue be investigated as a potential design or sealing defect allowing water to enter the passenger compartment and electrical harness areas.
NHTSA complaint #11722115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While simply driving 75mph (speed limit during time of incident) on the highway, i heard a loud explosion sound and the sunroof had completely shattered and was blown upwards. Glass began and continued to fly off, creating a large hole, while trying to get to a stopping point. The was only very little shards of debris that had gotten inside the vehicle while driving, but had potential to put me and a passenger at risk of serious injury. No vehicles were close to mine that could have caused debris to hit the area and no other vehicles were affected. There was no cracks or chips in the glass prior to the incident. There is reason to believe that it is a manufacturing error or installation error prior to purchasing the vehicle in 2020. Supporting that, i have researched reports of other Volkswagen Golf GTI models dealing with the same or similar issues with the sunroof exploding upwards with zero cause or explanation. There has not been an inspection or investigation of the damage as is happened around 3:00pm on this date ( January 30th, 2026).
NHTSA complaint #11714588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAS BEGUN TO BECOME UNADHERED TO THE BODY CAUSING IT TO RAISE UP AND CREATE A GAP BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE ROOF CAUSING EXCESS NOISE WHILE DRIVING. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DENIED MY CLAIM DESPITE HAVING A PENDING CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MANY MODELS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11378489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VW CORPORATION DID NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY ON MY 2018 VW, GTI. MY 2018 VW, GTI WAS PARKED, AND I WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHEN THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTER. THE SUNROOF WAS NOT HIT BY ANY DEBRIS. THE 2018 VW GTI IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO I TOOK THE DAMAGED VEHICLE TO OURISMAN VW OF LAUREL. OURISMAN VW STATED THAT VW DECLINED TO HONOR WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS IT BY A ROCK. THE ROOF WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING. VW STATED THAT AS A GESTURE OF GOOD FAITH BECAUSE I HAD BEEN A LOYAL CUSTOMER, THEY WOULD PICKED UP 40% OF THE REPAIR COST. I PICKED UP 60% OF THE COST, $3,239.38. I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE VW SHOULD HAD PICKED UP THE ENTIRE REPAIR COST BECAUSE THE SUNROOF WAS NOT HIT BY ANY OBJECTS. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO OTHER VW CUSTOMERS AS WELL, CLASS ACTION FILED AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN ALLEGING EXPLODING SUNROOFS. VOLKSWAGEN EXPLODING SUNROOF CLASS ACTION UPDATE: A FEDERAL COURT RULED ON FEBRUARY 26, 2019, THAT CONSUMER PROTECTION CLAIMS AND CLAIMS OF FRAUDULENT CONCEALMENT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN CAN MOVE FORWARD.
NHTSA complaint #11320753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. IT WAS A CLEAR DAY (ABOUT 70 DEGREES F), VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC, NO OTHER CARS WERE IN MY IMMEDIATE VICINITY. I WAS NOT DRIVING UNDER ANY OVERPASS NOR DID I SEE OR HEAR ANY ROCKS HIT MY CAR. OUT OF NOWHERE, I HEARD A VERY LOUD POP WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. I LOOKED UP AND MY SUNROOF WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED UPWARDS AND SOME SMALL SHARDS OF GLASS FELL ONTO MY PASSENGER SEAT, MY CONSOLE, AND ME. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF MY CAR ALTHOUGH IT WAS VERY ALARMING TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO REALIZE WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #11319399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2016 GOLF GTI SE HAS A LEAKING PANAORMIC SUNROOF, IT LEAKS INTO THE INTERIOR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CEILING, THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE OVERHEAD LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND THE PASSENGER VISOR LIGHT. THIS HAPPENS EVEN WHEN THERE IS A MINOR AMOUNT OF RAIN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING OR STATIONARY. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT VW SHOULD BE ISSUING A RECALL TO FIX IT. I HAVE A VIDEO SHOWING WHAT IS HAPPENING BUT, YOU GUYS ONLY ACCEPT PICTURES.
NHTSA complaint #11316769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD TAKING MY 2019 VOLKSWAGEN GTI TO THE DEALER ABOUT NOW 4 TIMES REGARDING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TWO FRONT DOORS THEY MAKE A SQUEAK NOISE AND DOORS RATTLING WHEN ENTERING EXITING DRIVEWAYS AND WELL DRIVING ON FREEWAYS AND STREETS THE DEALERS SOLUTION WAS TO ADD A LUBRICANT AROUND MY DOORS AND THAT DIDN'T WORK. SECOND SOLUTION THEY DID WAS TO ADD A VINYL AROUND THE DOORS AND THAT DO NOT WORK. CAR IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY NEED TO WAIT FOR A VOLKSWAGEN SPECIALIST TO SEE WHAT ELSE THEY CAN DO TO MINIMIZE THE PROBLEM. SO NOW I'M WAITING FOR THAT PERSON TO BE AVAILABLE AND SEE WHAT ELSE THEY COULD DO TO THE CAR. I ASKED VOLKSWAGEN TO BUY THE CAR BACK BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID NO YEAH THEY'RE GOING BY THE MANUFACTURING WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #11287839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRIM PEELING FROM SHIFTER PRODUCES A RAZOR SHARP EDGE. CUT MY FINGER ON IT, PRETTY DEEP CUT, BLEEDING PROFUSELY. CUT FROM RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM FRONT CUBBY.
NHTSA complaint #11277810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NUMEROUS CRACKS APPEARED IN THE SUNROOF FRAME OF THE 2017 VW GTI CAUSING LEAKING AND INSTABILITY OF PANORAMIC SUNROOF. VW ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO PREVENT CRACKING IN PANORAMIC SUNROOFS. THIS SERVICE BULLETIN WAS PERFORMED WITHIN THE FIRST 1000 MILES AND NOT ONLY FAILED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM, BUT THE CRACKS ACTUALLY FORMED IN THE VERY PLACES WHERE THE TAPE AND SEALANT WERE APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #11217100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT EDGE OF THE DECORATIVE METAL TRIM AROUND THE GEAR SELECTOR SLICED MY FINGER OPEN. THIS OCCURRED ON 3/12/2019 WHILE REACHING INTO THE BIN IN FRONT OF THE TRIM. THE METAL IS EXTREMELY SHARP AND CAUSED PANIC WHILE DRIVING AS MY FINGER BLED.
NHTSA complaint #11186048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN THE SUN BEATS DOWN ON MY PASSENGER DOOR OR ON A VERY HOT DAY, AND THE DOOR IS THEN OPENED, IT WILL NOT LATCH.IT WILL SWING OPEN WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE TO HOLD SHUT WITH A ROPE. IF THE CAR IS PARKED WITH SUN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN. APPARENTLY THE CABLE STRETCHES WHEN IT GETS HOT PREVENTING THE LATCH FROM OPERATING. IT WILL RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION WHEN PARTS COOL DOWN EITHER DURING THE RIDE OR ONCE AT HOME IN DARK GARAGE. AT THAT POINT THE LATCH WILL WORK AND DOOR WILL CLOSE. THIS HAS PREVIOUSLY HAPPENED ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM NOW PAST MY MAXIMUM MILEAGE WARRANTY SO IT WILL NOT BE COVERED.
NHTSA complaint #11174238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAR WAS DRIVEN IN A NEIGHBORHOOD. FIRST NOTICED SOME SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD, STOPPED THE CAR, MORE AND MORE SMOKE CAME OUT AND COULDN'T EVEN SEE ANYTHING IF ANYONE WERE TO BE IN THE CAR. NOTICE SOME FIRE START TO APPEAR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, CALLED 911. THE ENTIRE HOOD WAS ON FIRE BY THE TIME FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED. IT SEEMED THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN EXPLOSION IF FIREFIGHTERS WERE TO ARRIVE A MINUTE LATER.
NHTSA complaint #11151280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON MY USUAL HIGHWAY ROUTE WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE WERE NOT CARS IN PROXIMITY TO MINE, NONE IN FRONT, TO THE SIDE OR REAR. I WAS ON A BRIDGE, ABOUT MID-SECTION WHEN THE IT HAPPENED. IT WAS LOUD AND SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. LUCKILY MINIMAL GLASS DROPPED INTO THE INTERIOR. I HAVE NO EXPLANATION FOR WHY IT HAPPENED, IT SEEMED SPONTANEOUS.
NHTSA complaint #11056719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE MAKES LOUD CREAKING NOISES FROM BODY-VW CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL BUT MY PREVIOUS GTI DID NOT DO THAT. THE WHEELS AND SUSPENSION ALSO MAKE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #11032573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HOOD LATCH DOESN'T LINE UP AND SUBSEQUENTLY HOOD LATCH FAILED AT 40 M.P.H. HOOD THEN IMMEDIATELY FLEW UP, HITTING FRONT WINDOW, CRACKING IT AND BLOCKING VISION. HOOD WAS DESTROYED, ALMOST CRASHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND IT COMPLETELY KNOCKED SUNROOF OFF OF IT'S TRACKS. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE HOOD LATCHES ARE DEFECTIVE FROM FACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #11024709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DRIVERS SIDE B-PILLAR IS NOT WELDED TOGETHER CORRECTLY AND CAUSES POPPING AND TAPPING SOUNDS AS VEHICLE FLEXES WITH MOVEMENT. VOLKSWAGEN REPLACED MY PREVIOUS 2016 GTI WITH SAME ISSUE. NO KNOWN CRASH TESTING HAS BEEN DONE ON VEHICLES WITH MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT APPEARS TO BE EXTREMELY WIDESPREAD. DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN VEHICLE AND VALUE OF VEHICLE IS LIKELY EFFECTED.
NHTSA complaint #11000692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.