Which Volkswagen Golf GTI Years to Avoid and Why? (Explained)
The Volkswagen Golf GTI has just completed its glorious 48 years with its latest brand-new member 2022 model launch. The VW Golf GTI series models represent the perfect combination of an ordinary economy vehicle with a vigorous engine.
However, not all Golf GTI models are built-in the same manner, and released models like 2012, 2015, or 2016 are pretty problematic compared to other years’ models due to their A/C, interior, and engine concerns.
Therefore, keep reading the following article to learn more about those VW Golf GTI models to decide whether you should consider them or not.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Years To Avoid (List of Years)
The first base model of the Volkswagen Golf GTI was developed in 1974 by a group of Volkswagen staff members, but it was officially premiered and publicly launched in 1976 as Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1.
Since then, Volkswagen has offered eight generations of the Golf GTI series, and in each generation, the manufacturer has made significant modifications to enhance the vehicle’s overall quality in performance and driving comfort.
However, flaws or defects are completely natural in the automobile industry, and no manufacturer can claim 100% flawless vehicles.
That’s what happened with some VW Golf GTI models, where consumers noticed and reported A/C or heater, engine, interior, and clutch problems.
Thus, if you are looking for a new or used Golf GTI model, avoid the following released years:
- 2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI
- 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI
- 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI
- 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI
These mentioned Golf GTI years models have common issues such as gauged cylinder due to piston ring failure, vehicle bogs down due to fuel leak on the rear wheel, worn-out clutch, and engine failure.
Due to those troubleshooting issues, VW Golf GTI ranked in 13th position on the CarComplaints.com website’s Least Reliable Volkswagen Models category with a 5.36 score on the PainRank™ scoring system.
However, it will be difficult comparing year-by-year between older generation models for an in-depth analysis due to a lack of proper information, reviews, and consumer reports.
That’s why I have decided to only focus on the last ten years of the Golf GTI models and will be precisely relying on Carcomplaints.com and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
What Makes These Volkswagen Golf GTI Years Worth Avoiding?
Many owners have expressed their dissatisfaction with particular model years after filing many complaints about them. As a result, these years have been placed on the avoid list. Now, let us look more closely at the Volkswagen Golf GTI years-
2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI Problems:
Several engine and clutch-related problems are commonly noticed in 2012 Golf GTI models. Most users reported issues like engine misfiring or stalling, excess carbon build-up in the engine, rattling noises, especially immediately after engine start-up, and complete engine failure.
Several users encountered symptoms like a clutch slipping, the significant pressure loss of the clutch pedal, or sometimes the vehicle clutch completely failing.
Consumers also mentioned cooling systems, brakes, fuel systems, and window/windshield defective issues in 2012 models.
2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI Problems:
The engine issues continued in 2013 models too and most users mentioned common symptoms such as engine misfiring, faulty or broken intake manifold, or blown out engine.
Along with that common trouble area, users also claimed to deal with cooling system and transmission-related problems.
The most commonly reported issues against the 2013 Golf GTI were the water pump leak, which causes potential cooling system failure and the transmission tends to slip. Even sometimes the user notices that the gear computer and sensor are not working due to complete failure.
2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI Problems:
According to the Carcomplaint.com website, most users noticed that their vehicle A/C either works intermittently or stops working, and this problem mostly occurs after the vehicle reaches around 2000 miles.
2015 Golf GTI users also reported interior issues such as the heated seat failing to work accurately, and the navigation screen not working.
Issues like cracked or leaked coolant reservoir, transmission warning light keeps illuminating, leaked water pump, complete transmission failure, engine knocking, rough idling, significant oil leak, premature clutch disk, and flywheel wearing were also mentioned by 2015 VW Golf GTI users.
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Problems:
This year’s Golf GTI seems to have lesser issues than previously mentioned years models and most 2016 model users claimed to notice window or windshield-related problems like headliner noise near the vehicle sunroof frame, substantial distortion, and windshield chips or cracks prematurely.
Other most commonly highlighted 2016 Golf GTI issues were interior trim falling off, tire pressure warning light staying on without reason, the check engine light also staying on, coil pack failure, and issues with the vehicle’s traction control.
Worst Years of Volkswagen Golf GTI
Let’s learn more about the worst VW Golf GTI years that one should avoid-
The 2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI
This year’s Golf GTI models got 78 complaints reported, and Two Recalls were issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Volkswagen also officially issued 649 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS).
Consumers most commonly highlighted issues like theclutch failure (average fixing cost $1,800), Engine failure (average fixing cost $3,000), and the EPC light staying on (average fixing cost $600).
The 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI
A total sum of 52 complaints was reported, including Two Recalls issued by NHTSA and Volkswagen officially issued 681 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS) for the 2013 Golf GTI models.
Blown out engine (typically fixing cost $9,000), leakage on the water pump (typically fixing cost $700), and failed gear computer & sensor (typically fixing cost $2,000) were the most highlighted issues.
The 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI
This particular year’s Golf GTI vehicles got only 17 complaints, including.
Most 2015 Golf GTI consumers highlighted symptoms such asA/C not working, clutch disk & flywheel tend to wear out earlier than expected (average repairing cost $3,200), and A/C working intermittently.
Most Common Problems Of Volkswagen Golf GTI
Let’s find out more details about the most common problems that make some Golf GTI released models worth avoiding-
1. Engine Troubles
Several engine issues were commonly reported by VW 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017 Golf GTI users, but engine problems were relatively severe in the 2012 VW Golf GTI models.
According to VW 2012 Golf GTI users’ experiences, engine misfires due to gummed up intake valves and fuel injector malfunction due to excess carbon build-up, which eventually causes the complete engine failure.
The most common solution to misfiring and fuel injector malfunctioning issues is cleaning the build-up carbon and replacing the timing chains, guides, tensioners, camshaft, and engine (if required).
2012 Golf GTI engine failure commonly occurs at around 55-75,000 miles, and the required servicing on average can cost $3,000.
Some Golf GTI users also mentioned other common symptoms like rattling noise after the engine start-up, knocking, oil leaks, rough idling, and stalling troubles.
Even 2013 Golf GTI users complained about a blown-out engine after only 25,000 miles of operation, and they had to spend around $9,000 to fix it.
Also, one 2015 model user reported an oil leak that commonly arises at 26,900 miles of operation, and he had to spend around $600 to fix it.
2. Clutch Failure
Clutch issues are common in VW 2012, 2015, and 2017 Golf GTI models, where consumers complained about significant pressure loss of clutch pedal, which randomly occurs every now and then.
One particular 2012 VW Golf GTI user claimed that this issue commonly occurs after the vehicle reaches around 48,550 miles of operation.
2012 Golf GTI users also claimed that sometimes vehicles won’t shift into first gear or reverse gear from a stop due to a broken spring inside the pressure plate, and the repair required around $1,300-$2,500 to fix it.
Users also noticed either the clutch erratically slipped or completely went out without warning, which commonly arises at 35,00-51,400 miles of operation.
Even 2017 VW Golf GTI users claimed that complete clutch failure mostly occurs at 25,000 miles of operation, and they had to spend on average $2,750 to fix it.
Which Volkswagen Golf GTI Years are Safe to Buy Used?
According to the VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI MODEL YEAR COMPARISON graphical representation, these are the recent Golf GTI models that are currently available and are considered problem-free to use-
- 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI
- 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI
- 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI five-seater Volkswagen hatchback got 4.7 out of 5 consumer ratings and most consumers have stated that it’s the perfect car with the top-quality interior modification, very responsive and precise wheels, and great handling/acceleration.
2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI comes with automatic emergency braking, Front- or all-wheel drive, and turbo four-cylinder engines. This year’s Golf GTI is available in hatchback and typical wagon body styles as well as performance-oriented GTI and “R” versions.
The 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI versatile four-door compact hatchback is designed to fit with any standard turbo four-cylinder engine, automatic emergency braking, and manual or automatic transmission. Also, offers excellent control over handling and steering.
Which Year’s Volkswagen Golf GTI Have Most Engine-related Problems?
The 2012 VW Golf GTI models have the most engine-related issues based on the Carcomplaints.com website.
Which Year’s Volkswagen Golf GTI Have Most Air Conditioning System Failure Complaints?
According to the Carcomplaints.com website reports, Golf GTI’s 2015 models’ have the most A/C problems reported, which commonly arise after the vehicle reaches around 1,000 to 2,000 miles only.
Conclusion
Volkswagen Golf GTI series relatively has fewer problematic models. But when putting a decent amount of money to purchase a new or used top branded car, most likely people are not keen to choose the problematic one no matter how minor the issues might be.
Therefore, be aware of the VW Golf GTI models that are listed as the worst models in today’s article.
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