There are 5 owner-reported air bags & restraints complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen GTIin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
WHEN BUCKLING THE DRIVERSIDE SEATBELT BEFORE BACKING UP, IT WOULD NOT LATCH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE DRIVER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES AFTER HITTING HER HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TR
DAILY USAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR CAUSED MY VEHICLE'S SEATBELT TO NO LONGER LOCK IN. *TR
CAR WAS INVOLVED IN FRONTAL CRASH, HITTING ANOTHER THAT WAS STOPPED IN THE ROAD. CAR WAS GOING BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT NOSE ON STEERING WHEEL. NOT BROKEN BUT SEVERELY BRUISED. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026