2012 Volkswagen Gti: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Volkswagen Gti: 2 recalls, 40 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V483000 · 2015 · 415,825 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #18V329000 · 2018 · 252 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (13): the most common themes are warning light on (4), stalls / loses power (2), leaks (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (7): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (4), stalls / loses power (3).
- Brakes (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (5): the most common themes are warning light on (3).
The 2012 Volkswagen Gti has 40 owner complaints, ranking #15 of 36 Gti model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 39). Complaints peaked in 2018 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 50,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (55 complaints, 2 recalls), 2013 (34 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 33 | 27 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Volkswagen Gti.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Volkswagen Gti have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Gti. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Volkswagen Gti problems?
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (13), transmission & drivetrain (7), brakes (5).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Gti get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Volkswagen Gti repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.