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2012 Volkswagen GTI Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volkswagen GTI, most often about the engine (33% of complaints, typically around 58,500 miles). It is 15th of 25 GTI model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2012 Volkswagen GTI problems
Engine
13 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles.
This morning on the way to work, I experienced shaking and hesitation upon accelerating. I turned around and went back home and immediately got the car into the dealer. I was told that the number 2 ignition coil was failing, which was causing the problem. I looked up the problem and found this link…
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low coolant level warning light illuminated. The contact stopped and refilled the coolant reservoir bottle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed water pump. The contact was…
Transmission
7 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 14,500 miles.
I was driving down the road and was coming to a stop sign. I had the clutch all of the way in and shifted into neutral while slowing down I put it into 1st gear with the clutch all the way in and the clutch engaged, causing the car to jerk violently. It went from 2200 RPM to over 6000 immediately. After getting…
Vehicle is a manual 6 speed. Two incidents - first, the car wouldn't engage into reverse from a stop until the vehicle ignition was turned off and on several times. Car operated normally for about 2 weeks. Second incident, car wouldn't engage into any gear while moving 10-15 MPH uphill while in first gear. During loss…
Brakes
5 complaints · 13%Vehicle is a manual 6 speed. Two incidents - first, the car wouldn't engage into reverse from a stop until the vehicle ignition was turned off and on several times. Car operated normally for about 2 weeks. Second incident, car wouldn't engage into any gear while moving 10-15 MPH uphill while in first gear. During loss…
While driving, I pressed the brakes one time and they worked, the next time they didn't. No slow degradation, they just went from working fine to not working at all. The vacuum booster failed catastrophically such that there was no assist and when more pressure was applied brake fluid squirted onto the engine…
Air bags
5 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: frontal.
Today, while buying a new car I was informed of an open pending recall on the steering wheel clock spring. I have had no notification on this and, as a result I lost about $2000 on my trade-in. Aren't companies required to resolve issues quickly? I understand that the part affects release of the air bag and therefore…
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…
Speed control
4 complaints · 10%While pulling away from a full stop (light) the engine RPM surged to approximately 4000 and the transmission indicator light flashed (a "wrench" icon). The engine continued to rev but there was no movement of the car as if the car was in neutral. I turned off the car and restarted it. The car then shifted properly and…
In slowing to pass through heavy traffic I disengaged cruise control (which had been set to 70mph) by hitting the brakes. Several minutes later while traveling approximately 15mph - the cruise control re-engaged spontaneously causing the car to accelerate forward. I slammed the brakes again - which caused the cruise…
Fuel system
4 complaints · 10%Within seconds of starting, the engine stalls (making a sputtering sound) and dies. This seems to happen on warm starts, not hot, not cold. I'm typically able to move the car (only a few feet) before the stall out occurs. The temperature gage seems to be around the 11 o' clock mark when this occurs. Specifically, it's…
Water pump failed on 3 separate occasions. Had the fuel pump fail, air intake, excess carbon build up on valves, and now total engine failure. The rocker arm for number 3 cylinder broke in half causing total engine failure. Vehicle was in motion during all of the events. Vw won't assist in repairs even though the 2.0…
Electrical
4 complaints · 10%This morning on the way to work, I experienced shaking and hesitation upon accelerating. I turned around and went back home and immediately got the car into the dealer. I was told that the number 2 ignition coil was failing, which was causing the problem. I looked up the problem and found this link…
Engine started shaking / running rough. Significant power loss during acceleration / takeoff. I was not far from the dealer when it happened - I drove it in right away and the diagnosis was bad ignition coil. Since then, over the next 6 months, I replaced (on my own) the remaining 3 ignition coils as the originals…
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 8%In the first incident dated 1/27/2014, the blade holder broke off the ignition key. My vw dealer replaced the ignition key under warranty. In the second incident dated 7/23/2015 (62800 miles), the key blade holder broke off again, all of a sudden, while I was driving. Obviously, the key blade remained inside the…
Sunroof exploded like a gun shot while traveling on the freeway 60 MPH. Had just entered express lane and found it very disorienting and distracting since I thought I had been shot at. Had to check all the windows and my person for glass or injury before I looked up and saw the large hole in the sunroof. Sunroof glass…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Volkswagen GTI recalls
Other: unknown or other
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began november 29, 2018. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 eos, 2012 passat, 2012-2016 cc, 2015-2016 e-golf, 2011-2015 touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 tiguan, and 2011-2016 golf and 2011-2013 gti vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on january 15, 2016. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 volkswagen cc, and passat, 2010-2013 eos, 2011-2014 golf, gti, jetta, and tiguan, and 2012-2014 jetta sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air bag clockspring failure
Summary
In august 2015, volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) launched safety recall 15v-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 model year (my) cc, passat, eos, golf, gti, tiguan, jetta and jetta sportwagen models.contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.the loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in i
Air bag clockspring failure
Summary
In august 2015, volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) launched safety recall 15v-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 model year (my) cc, passat, eos, golf, gti, tiguan, jetta and jetta sportwagen models.contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.the loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in i
Air bag clockspring failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (sccm) failures in model year (my) 2012 volkswagen passat and cc models.the sccm is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while allowing for the turning of the steering wheel.complainants alleged that that the clock spring failed while driving and without warning.when the sccm fails electrically, an air bag warning light is illuminated on the dash of the vehicle.if a vehicle with a failed sccm were to be invo
Questions about the 2012 Volkswagen GTI
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen GTI?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (13 complaints, typically around 58,500 miles); transmission (7 complaints, typically around 14,500 miles); brakes (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen GTI have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 16, 2018 (other). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Volkswagen GTI?
- It is 15th of 25 GTI model years by number of complaints, with 40 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.