NHTSA vehicle safety data
2012 Volkswagen GTI Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2012 Volkswagen GTI has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Volkswagen GTI, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2012 Volkswagen GTI owner complaints
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volkswagen GTI, describing incidents dated September 26, 2011 to April 6, 2024.
Most-cited components
- Engine 13 complaints
- Power Train 7 complaints
- Air Bags 5 complaints
- Service Brakes 5 complaints
- Electrical System 4 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints
Of the 40 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11605256 · Filed
ABS Control Module short and failure occurred. Trouble codes generated include 01325 - Tire Pressure Monitoring Control Module No signal/communication and 01130 - ABS Operation Implausible signal static. Upon visiting an Authorized Volkswagen dealer service center was charged $200 for ABS diagnostic…
ODI #11562435 · Filed
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…
ODI #11482092 · Filed
My Air bag light came on. Plus all the controls on my steering column do not work, including the horn. I called the VW dealer. They knew exactly what it was. The Clock Spring. This happened in early May. I was told the part has been on back order for 6 months. The dealer does not have any cars to…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Volkswagen GTI in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA18-003: Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Open since April 18, 2018
- Recall Query RQ17-009: Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Closed May 4, 2018
- Preliminary Evaluation PE15-010: Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Closed September 28, 2015
Modifications to Vehicles Made them Noncompliant
NHTSA #18V329000 · Unknown or Other · NHTSA notice
Reported May 16, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 252 vehicles
Repair completion: 78.09% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Volkswagen campaign 01C5/01C6 · Owners notified November 29, 2018 · Vehicles built February 25, 2011 – April 17, 2013 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Air Bag Clock Spring may Fail
NHTSA #15V483000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice
Reported August 4, 2015 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 415,825 vehicles
Repair completion: 76.45% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Volkswagen campaign 69L2 · Owners notified January 15, 2016 · Vehicles built May 26, 2010 – September 30, 2013 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Volkswagen GTI model years
Check your 2012 Volkswagen GTI VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volkswagen GTI at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Volkswagen VIN