1997 Volkswagen Gti recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
Recalls: check by VIN
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1997 Volkswagen Gti owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (4), Fuel system (4), Gasoline (4), Wheels / tires (3), Body / structure (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/21/2005 · Electrical system
NO PROBLEMS UNTIL MAY 2002. CAR STALLED, RAN ROUGH, FELT LIKE IT WAS GETTING NO GAS, THEN WOULD SURGE, THEN STALL. VW IN CHARLESTON, SC, HAS HAD CAR DOZEN PLUS TIMES, AND NEVER FOUND PROBLEM. MECHANIC CHECKED FUEL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CODES PRESENTED, WENT THROUGH TECHNICAL MANUALS. ALSO MANY ELECTRICAL PARTS, I.E., DISTRIBUTOR, FUEL PUMP, MASS AI…
09/29/2003 · Body / structure
SIDE MOLDINGS CAME OUT REPEATEDLY. THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY 2 YEAR. ONE CAME OUT WITHIN TWO YEAR AND INITIALLY COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BUT WHEN IT CAME OUT AGAIN THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED ANYMORE.
06/11/2003 · Fuel system
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL CAUSING A RIP AND TEAR UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK. *AK
06/11/2003 · Wheels / tires
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
04/07/2003 · Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
09/18/2000 · Electrical system
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE IGNITION IN A PANIC SITUATION BECAUSE OF ALL THE INTERLOCKS. THE ACCESS TO THE SWITCH IS ALSO BLOCKED BY THE AIR BAG. THIS STUPID ARANGEMENT ALMOST CAUSED ME AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.
09/18/2000 · Fuel system
ICE FORMED IN THE GAS FILLER CAP 3 TIMES AND CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. EACH TIME IT COSTS 70 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE DEALER TURN IT OFF.
05/31/2000 · Fuel system · fire
VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THIS DRIVETRAIN HAS HAD KNOWN FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS