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2021 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

Gas
Compact Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
94 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA11
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA33 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf / GTI is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Golf, is EPA-rated at 33 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 11 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
GolfGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo293933$1,900
GolfGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo293632$1,950
GTIGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243227$2,300
GTIGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233026$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43251, 43250, 43244, 43245.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf / GTI is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Back Over Prevention

91DV
43,091 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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."RiskA rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V514000reported Jul 20, 2022Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
○minor

Back Over Prevention

91BB / 91BC
32,048 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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."RiskA black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.FixVolkswagen 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V716000reported Nov 18, 2020Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
11complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 3

Most-cited components

Electrical System6
Air Bags2
Unspecified2
Service Brakes2
Power Train1
Engine1

What owners describe

“my car is 5 years old, only has 37291miles. Failed Component: Seat Belts (Right Rear Passenger Buckle) Description of Incident: The right rear passenger seat belt buckle assembly has suffered a complete mechanical latch failure. When attempting to insert the seat belt tongue into the buckle receptacle, the internal lat…”Aug 5, 2026 · Seat Belts · NHTSA owner report
“Since shortly after purchase, the vehicle has experienced intermittent drivability and shifting issues along with repeated EPC and check engine warnings. Diagnostic trouble code P0111 (intake air temperature plausibility) has been present along with other electrical and engine management faults. A Volkswagen dealership…”Apr 27, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“At around 38,000 miles (4 years into my lease), the airbag warning light came on in my 2021 Volkswagen GTI. Pasadena Volkswagen inspected the vehicle and confirmed the airbag control module had failed due to water intrusion from a clogged A/C drain tube, with a repair estimate of $1,974. Because the module is damaged, …”Oct 2, 2025 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆13%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆13%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning.

Other Golf / GTI model years

A

2026 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

0 recalls · 3 complaints

A

2025 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

1 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2024 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2 recalls · 40 complaints

D

2023 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

5 recalls · 23 complaints

F

2022 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

6 recalls · 119 complaints

D

2020 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

3 recalls · 14 complaints

F

2019 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

7 recalls · 283 complaints

F

2018 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

10 recalls · 75 complaints

F

2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

7 recalls · 298 complaints

F

2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

14 recalls · 237 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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