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1995 Volkswagen GTIProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 1995 Volkswagen GTI, most often about the structure. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints183 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem5Structure

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 11, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1995 Volkswagen GTI has problems

18 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
Structure51
Electrical system30
Engine and engine cooling31
Visibility20
Equipment20
Latches/locks/linkages20
Vehicle speed control20
Service brakes, air10
Service brakes, hydraulic11
3 other systems30

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

2 recalls

1995 Volkswagen GTI 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.

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 98V-195 · Aug 17, 1998 · 153,000 vehicles

Risk. REPEATED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LEAKING BRAKE LINE CAUSING DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT INCREASING THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hood: latch

Recall 98V-160 · Jul 16, 1998 · 238,000 vehicles

Risk. UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD COULD OCCUR OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, 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

1995 vs. every other GTI 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 GTI median. How we score

'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1995 Volkswagen GTI, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HOOD FLY-UPDP98006 · closed Jul 1, 1998
    No recall
  2. HOOD LATCH FAILUREPE98037 · closed Jul 20, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-160
In owners' words

What GTI owners report

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

THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY WHICH CONNECTS TO THE AIR SYSTEM CONTINUES TO BREAK, I'VE REPLACED THIS THREE TIMES, EVEN WITH THEIR BEEFED UP REPLACEMENT PART.*AK
Complaint 753763 · Oct 27, 2001
DOOR HINGERS DO NOT HOLD THE DOOR OPEN, CAUSING UNEXPECTED CLOSURE ON EXITING OR ENTERING PASSENGERS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. *AK
Complaint 513012 · Dec 19, 1996

Own a 1995 GTI?

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