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2021 Volkswagen GLIProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 2021 Volkswagen GLI, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 22V-514 the manufacturer reports only 87% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 87%Owner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Air bags

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 20, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2021 Volkswagen GLI has problems

2 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2021 Volkswagen GLI recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

87%repaired · 2024 Q2

Sensing system: camera

Recall 22V-514 · Jul 20, 2022 · 43,091 vehicles · 37,479 repaired

Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Best & worst years

2021 vs. every other GLI year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the GLI median. How we score

'90'08'09'21
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What GLI owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I bought a 2021 VW Jetta GLI in June 2021. There was a recall notice issued in August regarding issues with the front airbag not deploying and/or unexpectedly deploying. I took the car to VW of Kearny Mesa in San Diego, CA, in September 2021. They made the appointment, then when I was at the…
Complaint 11455105 · Mar 3, 2022

Own a 2021 GLI?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.