2021 Volkswagen GTI

Routine

Owners filed 4 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Unknown or Other1
000
Power Train1
000
Electrical System1
001
Air Bags1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Software22V514000
Filed Jul 20, 202243,091 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 29, 2026FL

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Component: The MIB3 Infotainment Head Unit (specifically the internal eMMC memory chip) and the motorized rearview camera trunk emblem assembly.Inspection: Yes, the vehicle and all malfunctioning components are fully available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?Risk: The backup camera screen completely freezes or goes black when reversing, causing a total loss of rear visibility that violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111 and creates an immediate pedestrian strike hazard. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?Confirmation: Yes. The authorized Volkswagen dealership confirmed the system defect, performed the factory safety recall software update, and witnessed the failure continue immediately after the service. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?Inspection: Yes, it was inspected and worked on by the authorized Volkswagen dealership service technicians. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?Symptoms: The infotainment screen repeatedly freezes or turns black, and the motorized rear camera cover physically sticks wide open. Timeline/Details: These issues began during routine operation. The dealership attempted a

Air Bags
Filed Oct 2, 2025CA

At around 38,000 miles (4 years into my lease), the airbag warning light came on in my 2021 Volkswagen GTI. Pasadena Volkswagen inspected the vehicle and confirmed the airbag control module had failed due to water intrusion from a clogged A/C drain tube, with a repair estimate of $1,974. Because the module is damaged, the airbag system is disabled and will not deploy in a crash, which puts my safety and the safety of passengers at risk. Volkswagen Customer Care (Case #07065500) reviewed the issue but declined assistance, stating my VIN is not part of Recall 21V-892, even though the defect matches the recall description exactly. The failed part remains in the vehicle and can be inspected upon request.

Electrical System1 injured
Filed Aug 28, 2021WA

My car has, on several occasions, slammed the breaks on while I’m reversing, while suggesting that I am about to hit something, even though there is nothing there. It is very scary because I have no way of knowing when this will happen. Also it turns off the head unit and goes black while I am in reverse or trying to follow the directions. And finally the key sensor keeps saying my keys are not in the car while they are right there (had the battery replaced and that wasn’t the problem) additionally the wipers are dangerous and go off for no reason constantly.

Power Train
Filed Feb 5, 2021300 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD AND ROLLED INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER TOMS RIVERS VOLKSWAGEN LOCATED AT 256 NJ-37, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.

4 of 4 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2019
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20250100Routine
202428200Routine
20236500Routine
202228600Routine
2021 — this page4100Routine
20208300Routine
2019179400Routine
201817302Do not drive
201752200Routine
201666400Routine
201597610Routine
201410110Routine
201334211Fatalities reported
201240210Routine
201155210Routine
201053100Routine
2009167220Routine
200867100Routine
200777101Fatalities reported
200643230Routine
20058100Routine
20047100Routine
200353111Fatalities reported
2002124200Routine
200174230Routine
200045310Routine
19998200Routine
199810000Routine
199710010Routine
19969110Routine
199518200Routine
19940200Routine
19930200Routine
19920100Routine
19911100Routine
19900200Routine

Compare every GTI year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 20, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.