44 of the
1,949 complaints filed about the Volkswagen GTI
are about the steering —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2009.
Sos travel assist, Warning lights come on with such frequency the are very distracting. they even come on and the emergency braking system starts up This is a know problem that VW refuses to address. They have replace the entire system on future models. leaving current owners left hanging with this safety issue with random sensors going off whenever they dam please I'm on my 3rd steering wheel, yea the thing that controls the whole vehicle. This is a known problem and VW chooses not to help their consumers with this safety issue. When this happens you loose control of our vehicle and have to re=orient yourself after you realize the problem is a VW safety issue Fortunately there has not been any accidents. I believe that is because the VW community is well aware how VW has turned us away from any kind of help even though they have a part change for new models....
NHTSA complaint #11744831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I started my car and drove to a local 7-11 on my way to work and could not turn the key to shut the engine off. I proceeded to work and asked my friend to help me. After a struggle he got the key out,and 3 days later parked my car at a clients only to not be able to start the car. My steering wheel locking was random and was afraid it would lock up while driving. Was told at the dealership there was no recall even after I searched and found this to be problem enough that VW extended their warranty
NHTSA complaint #11740446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving my 2016 Volkswagen GTI MK7 Autobahn Edition with approximately 37,000 miles, the power steering suddenly and without warning failed completely. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn, requiring significant physical force to operate. Simultaneously, both the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) warning light and the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) warning light illuminated on the dashboard. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Volkswagen dealership, Deel Volkswagen in Miami, Florida. The dealership diagnosed the issue as a complete failure of the steering rack and pinion assembly and quoted approximately $6,000 for replacement. This failure occurred at only 37,000 miles — far below any reasonable expectation of component life for a steering rack, which should last well over 100,000 miles under normal use. The failure was sudden, with no prior warning signs or gradual degradation. A sudden and total loss of power steering assist while driving at any speed constitutes a serious and unreasonable safety risk, as it dramatically increases the force required to steer and can cause loss of vehicle control. A review of MK7 GTI owner forums and communities reveals this is a recurring and documented issue among this vehicle population, suggesting a systemic defect in the steering rack assembly used in this model. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether a safety defect exists in the 2016 Volkswagen GTI steering system that warrants a recall and manufacturer-funded remedy.
NHTSA complaint #11721581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At random times, sometimes at first start, sometimes after its parked and started again, vehicle alerts to below errors: Travel Assist is currently not available Park Distance Control Rear Traffic Alert is currently not available VW has replaced one steering wheel and did some software adjustments but errors are back. Its more noticeable in colder weather
NHTSA complaint #11695189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Travel Assist is disabled which includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. The warning lights flash on and off, sometimes multiple times a second, sounding a loud beeping each time. It is triggered at engine start and persists through all speeds. I have experienced it 0-70 mph. The flashing lights and associated rapid beeping indicating the failure is extremely distracting while driving. Warning lights and warning sounds are designed to alert the driver to a potential safety issue so ignoring the lights and sounds is dangerous in the event it is a different caution/warning. However, also not ignoring it is dangerous because of the frequency of the warnings which causes the driver to look away from the road. After speaking with the maintenance department at my VW dealership, they indicated that this is a widely known problem that is remedied only with the replacement of the steering wheel. There are several other sensors that are triggered by the same issue I was told by the maintenance department. They are uncertain at this time if it impacts the airbag system which is another potential safety concern. The steering wheel can only be ordered after inspection by the maintenance department and there is shortage and/or back order of the part to fix the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11642670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact attempted to make a left turn and noticed that the travel assist feature became inoperable. The contact stated that the Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist inadvertently became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel inadvertently made a left turn to ongoing traffic and the contact forcefully turned to the right, making the vehicle difficult to control. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that there was a waiting list for a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
NHTSA complaint #11623719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Travel Assist is disabled which includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. The warning lights flash on and off, sometimes multiple times a second, sounding a loud beeping each time. It is triggered at engine start and persists through all speeds. I have experienced it 0-70 mph. The flashing lights and associated rapid beeping indicating the failure is extremely distracting while driving. Warning lights and warning sounds are designed to alert the driver to a potential safety issue so ignoring the lights and sounds is dangerous in the event it is a different caution/warning. However, also not ignoring it is dangerous because of the frequency of the warnings which causes the driver to look away from the road. After speaking with the maintenance department at my VW dealership, they indicated that this is a widely known problem that is remedied only with the replacement of the steering wheel. There are several other sensors that are triggered by the same issue I was told by the maintenance department. They are uncertain at this time if it impacts the airbag system which is another potential safety concern. The steering wheel can only be ordered after inspection by the maintenance department and there is shortage and/or back order of the part to fix the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11616587 — 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 contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into park, a message displayed reading "Please Place the Vehicle in Park," failing to recognize that the shifter was already in park. The contact also stated that the failure prevented the doors from being locked manually or by using the key fob. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V464000 (Steering, Electrical System) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11556334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weird rattle sounds coming from the steering column. Supposed to be a clock spring issue. This issue is persistent on a lot of VW models, but unfortunately my car is not under recall
NHTSA complaint #11438364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN IN MOTION ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD AFTER 30-40 MINUTES THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES 'HEAVY' AND HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. I HAD THIS ISSUE 'FIXED' BY THE DEALERSHIP TWO YEARS AGO, BUT IT IS OCCURRING AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11399929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR WAS AFFECTED BY THE 2017 RECALL FOR THE ABS MODULE. I WAS DRIVING AROUND A CORNER AND HIT BRAKES TO SLOW A LITTLE, THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/STEERING LIGHT(S) CAME ON AND MY BRAKES LOCKED MOMENTARILY CAUSE ME TO SLIDE. I CALLED LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. THE DEALER STATED(AND VW AMERICA) THAT BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO PULL CODES FROM THE MODULE I WOULD NEED TO PAY TO REPLACE IT MYSELF AND THEN THEY COULD PERFORM THE RECALL. THIS IS COMPLETE AND UTTER STUPIDITY. THE MODULE WAS RECALLED DUE TO FAILURES. THEY SHOULD COVER THE COMPLETE COST TO REPLACE AND RECODE. I WAS QUOTED 2100.00 MY CAR ONLY HAS 88,000 MILES AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF.
NHTSA complaint #11324642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A NUMBER OF WARNING LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AND SOUND ALARMS COME ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES ON ITS OWN AT TIMES AND THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL VW DEALER LOCATED IN COUNTRYSIDE IL (AUTOBARN) KNOWING THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE ABS SYSTEM. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS NOT WORKING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT ($2,400) PARTS AND LABOR AND THAT THE RECALL DID NOT COVER WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE PART.
NHTSA complaint #11309047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOOSE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ,MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE ... SUDDEN LOSS HAPPENS ABOUT 15 MINS INTO DRIVING ... EVERY TIME , IT DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OF AND TURNED BACK ON , THEN REPEATS WITH IN 10 -15 MINS YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING OR WHEN TURNING , MANY VW FORUMS SHOW THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF CARS POSSIBLY 1000S ... WHEN YOU TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND THEY START IT THEY SAY THEIR DIAGNOSTICS ARE SHOWING NO DCT CODES BECAUSE CAR RECYCLES AND LOOKS CLEARLY ALTHOUGH THEY KNOW AS THEY STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM AND I WILL NEED NEW EPAS ( STEERING RACK ) 2900$ BUT VOWA GOT DEARLERSHIP DOWN TO 1900 ... MY PROBLEM IS ON THE FORUMS YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS HAPPENS STILL WITH MANY 2016S AND OTHER YEARS .. AND IT'S SCARY TO LOOSE YOUR POWER STEERING ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE NOT THAT STRONG ... AND VW STATES THEY KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM BUT ARE STILL CHARGING HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR AN ENTIRE NEW RACK WHEN THEY EVEN SAY THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT PROBLEM BUT IT'S CLEARLY THERE AND THEY ARE AWARE OF IT ...BOTH VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND THE DEALERSHIP KNOW OF MANY PROBLEMS OCCURRING WITH ' AN INTERNAL FAILURE ' IN THE ELECTRICAL STEERING RACK ( AS SAID BY VW VER BATEM )
NHTSA complaint #11292284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL, MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND STEERING ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A LOSS OF DRIVE.AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN OFFICIAL VW DEALERSHIP THEY SPENT 2 DAYS DIAGNOSING THE 6 PAGES OF FAULTS THAT CAME UP AND INFORMED ME THAT THE ABS MODULE HAS FAILED AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11290692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABS CODE 16352 PRESENT. CAR LOST CONSISTENT ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSISTANCE MAKING FOR VARYING STEERING WHEEL RESISTANCE DURING TURNING. MOST DASH INFORMATION (SPEED, FUEL GAUGE, ETC.) FLUCTUATED. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR ALL VW VEHICLES WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE ISSUES, NOT JUST SOME. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF VW AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SPECIFIC FAULT I THREW WAS NOT COVERED (UNDER EXISTING RECALLS) EVEN THOUGH ALL ABS CONTROL MODULE ISSUES RESULT IN EVENTUAL FAILURE OF DASH CLUSTER AS WELL AS OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS (WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED RESULTING IN ONGOING COSTLY SHOP VISITS).
NHTSA complaint #11257293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER STEERING TURNS STICK RANDOMLY AT ANY SPEED, REQUIRING ME TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART ONLY TO GET THE STEERING BACK TO NORMAL. VERY SCARY AS MORE EFFORT HAS TO BE INPUT I TO THE STEERING FOR IT TO WORK. ENGINE STALLS AND CUTS OUT RANDOMLY ESPECIALLY ON IDLE. HAS CAUSED SEVERAL ISSUES WHEN DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11253334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE FOR THE STEERING LOCK COLUMN FLASHED. PUGI VOLKSWAGEN (2020 OGDEN AVE, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515, (630) 964-9500) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CLEARED THE CODE, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER DID NOT VERIFY IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11235115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET IN DRY CONDITIONAT A STEADY SPEED THE ESC LIGHT ON MY DASH CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OUT UNTIL I HAD PARKED THE CAR FOR SOME TIME AND RESTARTED IT. THE LIGHT THEN CAME BACK ON AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING, THIS TIME IT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WHICH BEGAN TO FLASH ORANGE, THEN WAS SOLID ORANGE AND THEN FLASHED BETWEEN ORANGE AND RED. WHEN THE ELECTRIC STEERING LIGHT IS ORANGE THE STEERING ASSISTANCE IS REDUCED WHEN STRAIGHTENING AFTER CORNERING, HOWEVER WHEN IT IS RED THERE IS NO POWER ASSISTANCE AND THIS CONDITION CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANYTIME WITHOUT WARNING. NOW YESTERDAY(7/14/2019) WHEN DRIVING AT 40MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE IN THE DRY, THE ENGINE FAIL! WORKSHOP NOW!, ESP,EPC, ELECTRO STEERING, CEL AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ACCOMPANIED BY A CHIME AND THE SPEEDO WENT FROM 40 TO 0 AND BACK UP AGAIN WHILE IN MOTION. QUITE DISCONCERTING TO HAVE ALL THAT HAPPEN AT ONCE. AFTER ALL THE LIGHTS WENT OUT THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE OK UNTIL I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT OF A GAS STATION AT WHICH TIME WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE REVS WENT UP BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE UNTIL THE THIRD ATTEMPT. I HAVE READ ON LINE THAT THIS MAYBE A RESULT OF AN ABS MODULE FAILURE BUT MY VIN DOESN'T PULL UP ANY RECALLS AND MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. NOT ONLY DOES THIS SOUND LIKE IT WILL BE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, IT IS ALSO A HUGH SAFETY ISSUE! UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T HAVE ANY PICTURES AS IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM AND NOT SAFE TO TRY AND TAKE PICTURED WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11232029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.