CarRecallWatchThe 1996 Volkswagen GTI has 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 fire, 1 injury.
The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (4 reports).
1Recalls
9Owner complaints
0Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your GTI?
1996 Volkswagen GTI recalls
Most common 1996 Volkswagen GTI problems
Problem areas named in the 9 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Wheels | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
What owners report
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLSWAGEN GTI. HE STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOSING SPEED TO 30 MPH AND THEN RE-GAIN NORMAL SPEED AFTER 10 SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE CAMSHAFT WAS INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 118,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
ABS MODULE FAILURE. *TR
CAR ALARM WOULD GO OFF WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE AND THE HORN WOULD GO OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD, THE ALARM HORN ENGAGED AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES OF CONTINUOUS HONKING THE WIRES TO THE ALARM HORN STARTED TO MELT. I ATTEMPTED TO DISCONNECT THE POWER TO THE HORN AND WAS BURNED BY THE WIRES. EVENTUALLY THE HORN DIED BUT SMOKE CONTINUED TO POUR OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE COWLING.
THE REVERSE GEAR IS VERY WEAK IN STANDARD TRANSMISSIONS.THE GEAR CHIPS THEN BREAKS OFF AND FALLS INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL CAUSING AN EXPLOSION OF THE HOUSING AND THE LOSS OF ALL THE GEAR FLUID. REPLACEMENT OF COMPLETE UNIT IS THEN NECESSARY. THIS WILL BE MY THIRD TRANSMISSION IN 56000 MILES. LOCAL DEALERS JUST POINT FINGERS TO THE DRIVER OF THE CAR. I ALSO KNOW OF THREE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS HAS TO BE MORE THAN A MERE COINCIDENCE. FURTHERMORE, ALL THESE INCIDENCES OCCUR ON VOLKSWAGEN GTI'S, JETTAS AND GULFS BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 1993-1998. IT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE DRIVER. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT SAFE NOR RELIABLE.
THE VEHICLES DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN THE CONSUMERS HAND. *NLM
1996 Volkswagen GTI questions
Does the 1996 Volkswagen GTI have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1996 Volkswagen GTI: Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Volkswagen GTI?
Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (4), Engine And Engine Cooling (2), Wheels (1).
How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Volkswagen GTI has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
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