Verdict
2021 Volkswagen GTI: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2021 Volkswagen GTI — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Not enough federal data to rank this one yet.
NHTSA has no owner complaints on record for this model year — which can mean a quiet car or simply a rare one. 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2021 hatchbacks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
0
Reports to NHTSA, 2021
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
26.5
EPA estimate
Zero reports is not a clean bill of health; rare or lower-volume cars can simply have less owner data.
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 100% of 2021 hatchbacks
The bar is this car's percentile among 2021 hatchbacks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
No component pattern to show: there are no owner complaints in the current data. That is not proof the car is problem-free.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Back Over Prevention · 22V514000Details +Close −
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTI | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 24 | 32 | 27 |
| GTI | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 23 | 30 | 26 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2021 Volkswagen GTI: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2021 Volkswagen GTI?
NHTSA has no owner complaints on record for the 2021 Volkswagen GTI in the current data. That is not a guarantee of reliability, especially for a lower-volume model.
What are the most common problems on the 2021 Volkswagen GTI?
NHTSA has no component pattern to show for the 2021 Volkswagen GTI because there are no owner complaints in the current data. A quiet record is not proof that every car is problem-free.
How many recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen GTI have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2021 Volkswagen GTI, covering components such as back over prevention. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Volkswagen GTI get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Volkswagen GTI between 26 and 27 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.