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Buying a used 2018 Volkswagen GTI? Check these 3 recalls first
Three recalls: brake calipers that can reduce braking power, which carried a do-not-drive warning until fixed; a fuel leak risk; and a key that can be removed with the car not in Park. Notably, service brakes is also the largest owner complaint area — 6 of 16 unverified reports filed with NHTSA for this year, which logged two crashes and two injuries overall. Brake condition and proof of recall completion are the natural focus here.
Before you buy
- Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
- Require written confirmation the brake caliper recall was completed before driving it far.
- Test braking hard from speed and note pedal feel, pull or vibration; ask when pads and fluid were last done.
- Ask for the fuel leak recall record and try removing the key with the shifter out of Park.
- Open recalls are repaired free at any Volkswagen dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.
Recalls covering the 2018 Volkswagen GTI
| Recall | Area | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen and Audi brake calipers can reduce braking power · do not drive | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | critical |
| Volkswagen Golf, Jetta and Audi A3 fuel leak risk | Fuel System, Gasoline | critical |
| Volkswagen key can come out when not in Park | Electrical System | high |
What owners have reported to NHTSA
16 complaints filed for this model year, including 2 mentioning a crash, 0 a fire and 2 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.
| Problem area | Complaints | Recall in this area? |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 6 | Yes |
| Power Train | 3 | None found |
| Engine | 3 | None found |
| Electrical System | 2 | Yes |
| Structure | 2 | None found |
| Visibility And Wipers | 1 | None found |