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Research · Compact Cars

2019 Volkswagen GtiRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 179 owner complaints for the 2019 Volkswagen Gti. Most complaints involve engine (133) and power train (62). The EPA rates it 27 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
27mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Feb 2024
Owner complaints
179
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Feb 14, 2024NHTSA 24V110000

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.

Electrical systemReported Aug 30, 2023NHTSA 23V604000

Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

TiresReported Oct 31, 2022NHTSA 22V815000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

179 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2019 – Aug 2026
  1. Engine133
  2. Power train62
  3. Fuel/propulsion system23
  4. Electrical system16
  5. Engine and engine cooling6
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  7. Structure2
  8. Vehicle speed control2
  9. Steering2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Gti model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19998
200045
200174
200777
200867
2009167
201053
201155
201240
201334
201410
201817
2019179
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

133 reports
“Rough idle on start. RPM is not maintaining to keep the engine running. After a few try, it starts ok and drive off the parking lot, but the engine dies after about 10 seconds over 30mph. It feels like gasoline is not igniting corretly. Scanned Error Code P0171: System Too Lean Bank 1 P0190: Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor A Circuit Dealership can't replicate the issue and find the issue. Could be related to Fuel System Recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2024Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11618799

Power train

62 reports
“VEHICLE STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAVE NOTICED MY CAR STALL WHEN LEAVING A PARKING SPOT WHERE I WILL GET HALFWAY OUT OF THE PARK, AND THEN THE RPM GOES TO 0 AND I HAVE TO PUT IT INTO PARK, TURN THE KEY, AND AFTER A LONGER THAN NORMAL STARTUP TIME, IT GOES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 21, 2021Power trainODI 11397180

Fuel/propulsion system

23 reports
“I own a vehicle built from two salvage vehicles: a 2019 VW Golf Sportwagen (VIN [XXX] - the body) and a 2019 VW GTI (VIN [XXX] - the engine, suspension, fuel tank/system, etc). The vehicle is registered and titled under the Sportwagen VIN. Safety Recall 20UF requires replacement of the suction jet pump to prevent risk of fire. The recall was performed on the Sportwagen prior to its crash, but not on the GTI. Since the Sportwagen no longer has it's original engine/fuel tank, but that from the GTI, this means my vehicle has the defective, unsafe part. Because the dealer service department goes by the registered body VIN, they refused to perform the recall. I called VWoA Customer Care, who advised me that they could not do anything, and that the dealer service department must request an exception from VWoA and inspect the vehicle. I have attempted reaching out to my two nearest VW dealers, including my regular dealer, and they have either refused to perform the recall, or refused to get back to me. One dealer even said I should perform the repair myself, and when I pressed for VW to perform the recall, he said he'd have to call his regional manager and call me…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11754905
All 2019 Gti problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S7) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
GTI
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253127$2,300325
GTI
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243227$2,300326
  • GTI
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    25 city · 31 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • GTI
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2019 Volkswagen Gti as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 Gti questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen Gti have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Volkswagen Gti problems?

Owners filed 179 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (133), power train (62), fuel/propulsion system (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Volkswagen Gti get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Volkswagen Gti at 27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026