31 of the
1,949 complaints filed about the Volkswagen GTI
are about the wheels —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2002.
[XXX] I hit a pothole at night which punctured the right front tire. Luckily, I was close to a friend’s house and pulled into his driveway with a flat tire. Two safety issues; 1. The warning notification that there was damage to the right front tire appeared for about 10 seconds then disappeared. Only the tire icon continued illuminated. The warning notification should stay lit. Continuing to drive could have been a safety issue. This is a software issue that should be corrected. 2. I was completely unable to change the tire because I could not figure out how to remove the damaged wheel and tire. If this had happened on a deserted back road it could have been very dangerous. The car has a spare, a jack, and a lug wrench, but there are no visible lug nuts on the wheel. After complaining to VW Legal and numerous ineffective communications with VW Customer Care I now understand that there are plastic covers over the lug nuts that must be pried off to reveal the lug nuts. Unfortunately, these covers look like they should be unscrewed with a TORX wrench. I called VW roadside assistance that night; they did not understand what I was asking. The Owners Manual did not have a single section explaining how to change a tire. Later, after reading multiple sections of the Manual I did determine there is a wire loop tool to pull off these covers. Neither I nor my VW Dealer could remove it with just finger strength. VW Customer care referred me to the online Owner’s Manual. Not useful, it shows only the lug nuts, no mention of plastic covers. This is a specific example of a general problem NHTSA should look into. Namely that the Owner’s Manuals for today’s cars are written to cover many models. Finding something specific is difficult at best. In my case it could have been dangerous. What to do? Make the manufacturers publish online manuals that can be downloaded by the dealer for each specific vehicle. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11589035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2018 VOLKSWAGEN GTI S. WAS ACTUALLY LEAVING MY HOUSE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE. AS I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE, DRIVING AT LIKE 10-15 MPH ON MY STREET. MY TPMS LIGHT COMES ON SAYING I HAVE LOW PRESSURE. I STOP IMMEDIATELY TO CHECK TO SEE. MY REAR DRIVER TIRE HAD A HUGE SIDEWALL BULGE AND YOU COULD SEE THE BEAD SITTING ON THE RIM LIP. THIS WAS WITHIN LESS THE 400 MILES OF THE VEHICLE BEING ON THE ROAD. I HAD NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES OR ANYTHING JUST SMOOTH PAVEMENT WENT IT HAPPENED(OR EVER). I PUT THE SPARE AND CONTINUED TO THE DEALER. IT WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW TIRE. BUT I FEEL THIS TIRE BRAND IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE THE SAME TIRES ON MY 2017 FORD EXPLORER AND THEY ARE ALREADY WORN DOWN AT 15000 MILES. HANKOOK VENTUS TIRES ARE GARBAGE AND DEF A SAFETY CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #11149644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTO "HEADLIGHT.JPG"): THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME THE DAY WE BOUGHT THE CAR, RIGHT AFTER WE PULLED OUT OF YOUR LOT. WE PULLED RIGHT BACK IN AFTER CIRCLING THE BLOCK, BUT AFTER LEORE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND ON AGAIN EVERYTHING WAS FINE THEN. I HAVE NOT FOUND A WAY TO DUPLICATE THIS. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN RANDOMLY, BUT USUALLY WITHIN THE FIRST MINUTE OR SO OF DRIVING. THERE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BUT BE A BRIGHT FLASH FROM WHICH ONE OF THE LIGHTS DOES NOT RECOVER. DASHBOARD MESSAGE: THIS ONE LOOKS LIKE IT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FIRST ISSUE (AGAIN, PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTO NAMED "MESSAGE.JPG"): THE MESSAGE READING "FRONT RIGHT DIPPED BEAM NOT WORKING!" USUALLY DISPLAYS WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A WAY TO DUPLICATE THIS AT WILL. IT ALSO SEEMS TO RANDOMLY HAPPEN, BUT A LOT MORE OFTEN THAN THE FAILING HEADLIGHT UNDER ISSUE #1 DOES. THE PASSENGER DOOR POWER LOCK SEEMS TO WORK ONLY ON AND OFF. ALL OTHER LOCKS (I'M NOT POSITIVE ABOUT THE TRUNK ACTUALLY) SEEM TO WORK FINE. ALIGNMENT: THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT ON THE FREEWAY. I BOUGHT A USED VEHICLE FROM STEVENS CREEK VOLKLSWAGEN THAT WAS UNSAFE WHICH WAS MY UNDERSTANDING IT WAS SAFE. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET IT RESOLVED THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER BUT MAJORITY OF THE ABOVE LISTED ITEMS IN FIRST PARAGRAPH (I.E., TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR, SPEED, HEADLIGHT) ARE STILL UNRESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10788488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DEALERSHIP LEFT THE SHIPPING BLOCKS/PUCKS/DISCS ON THE STRUTS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AS EVIDENCED THROUGH MANY ONLINE FORUMS. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANY OTHERS CLAIM THAT THIS DOES NOT CAUSE A PROBLEM; HOWEVER, THE BLOCKS PREVENT THE SUSPENSION FROM DOING ITS JOB, WHICH IS ABSORBING IMPACT, IMPROVING BRAKING, AND HELPING THE WHEELS MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. I DROVE OVER 18000 MILES NOT REALIZING THAT THEY WERE ON (I JUST THOUGHT I HAVE A TIGHT SUSPENSION). I HAVE NOW LOST 4 TIRES (PREMATURE WEAR AND BUBBLES/PUNCTURES) AND HAVE DAMAGE TO THE STRUT AND STEERING KNUCKLE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MISTAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10766672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 34 FROM GREELEY CO TOWARDS LOVELAND CO AT SPEED LIMIT OF 65. I APPLIED THE BREAKS TO ADJUST MY SPEED FOR TRAFFIC, AS I APPLIED THE BREAKS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING WHEELS TO LOCK UP CAUSING THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. AFTER A MOMENT I WAS IN A DITCH WITH BENT WHEELS AND BODY DAMAGE TO MY GTI FROM THE SPEED LIMIT AND MILE MARKERS SIGNED I STUCK. MOST LIKELY THESE TWO POST WERE PROBABLY WHAT KEPT THE CAR FROM ROLLING AND KILLING ME. POLICE AND INSURANCE HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10725005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE WHEELS/RIMS ON MY VW GTI 25TH YEAR EDITION (ONLY 1500 BUILT IN THE US) IS CORRODING BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST BRAKE STICKING TO THE WALLS AND SURFACES OF THE "SPECIAL" OEM BBS WHEELS. THERE ARE AT LEAST 200+ CARS AFFECTED BY THIS DEFAULT. (SOURCE: HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=569321 ) VWOA DOESN'T OFFER ANY SOLUTION TO THAT PROBLEM AND "RECOMMENDS" TO CLEAR THE WHEELS MORE OFTEN. I CLEAR MY WHEELS EACH WEEK!
NHTSA complaint #10038657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 GTI-337 25 ANNIV MODEL ALLOY WHEELS DEFFECTIVE EXCESSIVE CORROSION FORMING AROUND SPOKES ON THE WHEELS. THE CLEAR COATING IS PEELING OFF AT CENTER HUB. BLACK SPOTS FROM EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST IS IMBEDDED INTO THE FINISH, DESPITE WEEKLY CLEANING BY HAND.
NHTSA complaint #10033293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS ON MY 337 GTI ARE CORRODING MUCH LIKE OTHERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ALREADY. PITTING/ ROUGHNESS/ SPOTTING--ALL PROBLEMS ON THE BBS OEM WHEELS. MINE AREN'T AS SEVERE A CASE AS OTHERS, BUT I FEAR THEY WILL ONLY GET WORSE SINCE THE CAR IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD.
NHTSA complaint #10033138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2002 VW GTI SPECIAL EDITION 337, WHICH CAME WITH 18"X7.5" BBS RC WHEELS. WITH IN A FEW MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR, I AND 200+ OWNERS HAVE NOTICED SOME CORROSION AND PITTING AROUND THE WHEEL. EITHER DUE TO THE CLEAR COATING OR THE BRAKE PADS. WE HAVE CONTACTED VWOA TO HAVE THE WHEELS REPLACED BY WARRANTY, THEY DENIED ANY ISSUES. OFFERED A $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO A CERTAIN FEW, NOW A FEW MONTHS BACK THEY DO ADMIT TO THE ISSUES AND ALSO ADMITTED TO REPLACING ALL1750 OWNERS BBS RC WHEELS. WE FILED WITH THE BBB TO EXPEDITE THE ISSUE AND VWOA REQUESTED FOR 30 DAYS TO FINALIZE THE DECISION. IT HAS BEEN WELL OVER 30DAYS AND NOW ARE ASKING FOR 30 MORE DAYS. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS RESOLVED AND HAVE THE WHEELS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10033007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 GTI-337 25 ANNIV MODEL ALLOY WHEELS DEFFECTIVE EXCESSIVE CORROSION FORMING AROUND SPOKES ON THE WHEELS. THE CLEAR COATING IS PEELING. BLACK SPOTS FROM EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST IS IMBEDDED INTO THE FINISH, DESPITE WEEKLY CLEANING BY HAND. CONTACTED VWOA WITH NO AVAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10033015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EACH WHEEL OF MY 2002 VW GTI 337 HAS BEEN IMPREGNATED W/ WHEEL BRAKE DUST. THE DUST HAS NOT BEEN REMOVABLE SINCE IT HAS EMBEDDED ITSELF IN THE CLEAR COAT. THE FINISH ON EACH OF THE WHEELS HAS ALSO GOTTEN ROUGHER OVER TIME, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A RESULT OF THE BRAKE DUST EATING AWAY AT THE CLEAR COAT FINISH.
NHTSA complaint #10032975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 GTI-337 25 ANNIV MODEL ALLOY WHEELS DEFFECTIVE EXCESSIVE CORROSION FORMING AROUND SPOKES ON THE WHEELS. BLACK SPOTS FROM EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST IS IMBEDDED INTO THE FINISH, DESPITE WEEKLY CLEANING BY HAND.RE:HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=569321 .
NHTSA complaint #10032983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ROUGHNESS,CORROSION, WHITE SPOTS ON MY CAR'S RIMS.THE BRAKE PADS ARE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. I AM LOOKING TO HAVE THE STOCK RIMS REPLACED. ALONG WITH THE STOCK BRAKE PADS THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. I KNOW OF ALL MOST 200 CARS THAT HAVE THESE ISSUES WITH THEIR RIMS. THE PROBLEM IS THE STOCK BRAKE PADS ARE EATING AWAY AT THE SPECIAL FINISH THAT IS ON THE RIM. VWOA DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MORE INFO HERE: HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=569321.
NHTSA complaint #10032915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OVER 200 2002 VW GTI 337 EDITION OWNERS HAVE ALSO CLAIMED TO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS OF PITTING, BLACK SPOTS, CORROSION, ROUGHNESS, AND/OR WHITE SPOTS ON THEIR WHEELS AS WELL AND HAVE SUPPLIED PICTURES FOR ALL TO VIEW PUBLICLY ON ONLINE FORUMS TO PROVE THEIR CASE. AS A GROUP WE HAVE APPROACHED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VWOA) ABOUT THE PROBLEM USING MY CAR AS THE TEST CAR. WE ALL OPENED CASE NUMBERS WITH VWOA EXPRESSING OUR CONCERNS AND MY WHEELS WERE SENT TO VWS TESTING CENTER IN WOLFSBURG, GERMANY WHERE THE WHEELS WERE DETERMINED NOT TO BE DEFECTIVE, LEAVING MANY ANGRY AND CONFUSED ENTHUSIASTS OUT TO DRY. INSTEAD OF FIXING THE PROBLEM, VWOA CONTACTED A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THOSE WHO HAD OPENED CASE NUMBERS TO OFFER THEM A $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE, GOOD TOWARD VW MERCHANDISE OR SERVICE. THIS ACTION ONLY SERVED TO DOUSE FUEL ON AN ALREADY RAGING FIRE. ONCE VWOA LEARNED OF OUR REACTION TO THIS INSULT, THEY DECIDED TO STOP CALLING, LEAVING THE REST OF US WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER AS PROMISED. WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SEEK LEGAL ACTION IN ORDER TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. SOME FACTS: - 1,500 GTI 337 EDITIONS WERE MANUFACTURED FOR THE U.S. IN 2002 AS A LIMITED EDITION CAR AND 250 FOR CANADA - ALL CAME EQUIPPED WITH 18 X7.5 CUSTOM BBS RC WHEELS IN A SPECIAL VW-ONLY SHOT PEENED AND CLEAR COATED FINISH DESIGN (BBS DOES NOT NORMALLY CLEAR COAT THEIR WHEELS) - THE SAME WHEELS ARE FOUND ON THE EUROPEAN 337S CALLED THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION - THE BRAKE PADS FOUND ON THE U.S. 337S ARE NOT THE SAME AS FOUND ON THE EUROPEAN 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITIONS - MORE THAN 200 337 OWNERS HAVE COME FORTH TO CLAIM ISSUES WITH THEIR WHEELS FINISH BEING DEGRADED BY THEIR STOCK BRAKE PADS - TO OUR COLLECTIVE KNOWLEDGE NO EUROPEAN 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION HAS THE SAME ISSUES APPROXIMATE RETAIL REPLACEMENT COSTS:1) VW EDITION 18X7.5 BBS RC W/CENTER CAPS= $605.70. SET OF FOUR = $2,422.80.CONTACT THE BBB FOR MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10032916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 GTI-337 25 ANNIV MODEL ALLOY WHEELS DEFFECTIVE EXCESSIVE CORROSION FORMING AROUND SPOKES ON THE WHEELS. THE CLEAR COATING IS PEELING OFF AT CENTER HUB. BLACK SPOTS FROM EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST IS IMBEDDED INTO THE FINISH, DESPITE WEEKLY CLEANING BY HAND.
NHTSA complaint #10032923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.