*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking
While driving a 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI at approximately 75mph on a busy highway under clear/sunny conditions, the Emergency Assist Braking system suddenly malfunctioned. The vehicle abruptly initiated SEVERE emergency braking all by itself without any forward obstacles, vehicles, or pedestrians present. This unexpected phantom braking caused an immediate hazard to surrounding traffic and nearly resulted in a high-speed rear-end collision. No warning indicators preceded the braking event. This happened on October 1st, 2026.
Oct 1, 2026Power train
The "Hill Start Assist" function does not behave as-stated in the owner's manual and I believe the way it's implemented is a potential safety issue. The manual states: "To start driving, take your foot off the brake pedal and press the accelerator pedal immediately. The brakes will release gradually as you start driving. The holding function of the Hill Start Assist remains active only for a short time. Drive off within approx. two seconds." I owned a 2010 and a 2016 GTI prior to this one and on those vehicles the feature functioned exactly as it's described above. However, on the 2024 model I own now, the assist does NOT release when I press the accelerator, it only does so after two…
Apr 13, 2026Electrical systemCrash
The component that is failing is the infotainment center. Cruise control fails. Yes available for inspection. The safety of my car is compromised and puts myself and others at risk. The backup camera fails - the infotainment center is glitchy, the infotainment center will disconnect from phone calls while driving handsfree while plugged in via wired CarPlay (the car cannot do bluetooth for CarPlay). The infotainment center sometimes is completely unusable - including radio- directions for CarPlay are not usable - no sound from the radio - no ability to adjust car settings when its in failure mode - including parking controls - driving modes - temputratre controls. The lights are hit and…
Oct 10, 2023Back over prevention › Rearview system braking
I am reporting a recurring safety-related malfunction involving the backup camera, proximity sensors, and infotainment system on my 2024 Volkswagen GTI. These components are still installed on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. I purchased the vehicle on August 5, 2024, from King Volkswagen in Gaithersburg, MD. The following day, the system began failing repeatedly. When the issue occurs, there is a loud popping sound from the speakers, the infotainment screen shuts off and reboots, and a warning light appears on the dashboard indicating a system fault. This has happened more than 80 times so far, sometimes multiple times per day. This malfunction creates a safety risk…
Mar 22, 2026Electrical system
I believe the malfunction exists within the car's electronic system. The vehicle could potentially be up for inspection. When the issue I am describing occurs, it prevents the user from being able to use the backup camera, change the climate controls, and utilize the rear traffic alert and the park distance control. I have taken my vehicle to the dealership multiple times since purchase for them to say they are unable to replicate the issue I describe. However, one time I took my vehicle in, the issue that would occur became slightly different. To me, this demonstrates something was changed, but as a temporary fix. Additionally, a quick Google search indicates this is a common issue. Prior…
Apr 8, 2024Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control
Travel Assist is disabled which includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. The warning lights flash on and off, sometimes multiple times a second, sounding a loud beeping each time. It is triggered at engine start and persists through all speeds. I have experienced it 0-70 mph. The flashing lights and associated rapid beeping indicating the failure is extremely distracting while driving. Warning lights and warning sounds are designed to alert the driver to a potential safety issue so ignoring the lights and sounds is dangerous in the event it is a different caution/warning. However, also not ignoring it is dangerous because of the frequency of the warnings which causes the…
Nov 28, 2025Service brakes
Automatic Hill assist uses excessive brake force and for too long of a duration. This causes the vehicle to stall. Road inclination activation point of Hill assist is too sensitive. Brakes hold when it shouldn't. This is a factory default setting. Vehicle has stalled several times in traffic. This could potentially be a hazard of it happens in an emergency your situation when you need to move quickly and the vehicle stalls. Volkswagen should update the software controls to either be able to disable the feature or make the release point dependant on the clutch activation instead of a period of time after the brake pedal is released.
Oct 25, 2025Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking
On Wednesday October 15th, 2025 something occurred either via an update or on the back-end of VW's connected services platforms that started causing infotainment system crashes on various VW-brand vehicles across the United States. At this time, 3 days later, the infotainment system will boot up, freeze, reboot again, freeze again, do this 2-3 more times before fully crashing and not turning back on. With this offline access to the following features becomes inaccessible: forward collision avoidance, forward and rear cross traffic avoidance, adaptive cruise control, reversing camera, emergency SOS function, road sign detection, emergency notifications, blind spot monitoring, HVAC controls…
Oct 15, 2025
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.