2021 Volkswagen Golf/GTI
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 6 of 11 complaints (55%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 14 in 2020 to 11 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–3,250 | 1,950–2,300 | 1,900–2,400 | 2,250–3,350 | 2,250–3,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–32 | 27–32 | 26–33 | 23–28 | 23–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–29 / 29–37 | 24–29 / 32–36 | 23–29 / 30–39 | 20–25 / 28–34 | 20–24 / 28–34 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 274–373 | 280–327 | 267–343 | 312–382 | 319–382 | |
| Complaints filed | 242 | 14 | 11 | 109 | 17 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf/GTI have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
Electrical: 6 of 11 NHTSA complaints (55%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf/GTI get?
EPA rates it 26–33 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
EPA estimates $1,900–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg | 32 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 324 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 343 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 29 mpg (high) | 36 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 279 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 29 mpg (high) | 39 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | $1,900 (low) | 267 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:SOFTWARE · Campaign 22V514000 · Jul 21, 2022
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 20V716000 · Nov 19, 2020
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.