2012 Volkswagen GTI Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 13%of 40 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,817miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Volkswagen GTI, 13% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,817 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Cruise control & disengaging from the cruise control by applying the brake pedal. On tuesday, march 27th, 2018 I was driving south on I-15 coming from mesquite, nevada and headed back into the las vegas valley. As I passed the exit to take the great basin highway west towards the town of pioche, nevada there was a long semi truck in the #2 lane and I was in the #1 lane on this two lane highway. The semi truck made a lane change into my lane because he wanted to get around the vehicle in front of him, after the truck came into my lane I had to adjust my speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11081932, filed 2018-03, 93,634 miles“While driving, I pressed the brakes one time and they worked, the next time they didn't. No slow degradation, they just went from working fine to not working at all. The vacuum booster failed catastrophically such that there was no assist and when more pressure was applied brake fluid squirted onto the engine resulting in basically no stopping of any kind. No warning light came on. When contacting vw about this, I was informed that the vehicle wasn't even equipped with a sensor capable of detecting that the brakes had completely failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10883458, filed 2016-07, 40,000 miles“Vehicle is a manual 6 speed. Two incidents - first, the car wouldn't engage into reverse from a stop until the vehicle ignition was turned off and on several times. Car operated normally for about 2 weeks. Second incident, car wouldn't engage into any gear while moving 10-15 MPH uphill while in first gear. During loss of power train, the engine revved in the 4000-5000 RPM range, smoke was visibly coming out of the engine bay and there was complete loss of brakes, including the emergency brake. …”
NHTSA complaint #10475406, filed 2012-09, 19,000 miles“ABS Control Module short and failure occurred. Trouble codes generated include 01325 - Tire Pressure Monitoring Control Module No signal/communication and 01130 - ABS Operation Implausible signal static. Upon visiting an Authorized Volkswagen dealer service center was charged $200 for ABS diagnostic fee and told the ABS Control Module has failed and I will need to pay >$2900 to replace. ABS, ESP/ASR, airbag, and parking brake lights are now permanently active as a result and not certain these systems are functioning.”
NHTSA complaint #11605256, filed 2024-07Related service bulletins
- 10186589Jan 26, 2021A/C requirements, update to title.
- 10181413Oct 2, 2020Mandatory fastener.
- 10180603Sep 25, 2020Antilock brake function test direction.
- 10180101Sep 4, 2020Antilock brake function test direction.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 24% |
| 2023 | 1 | 17% |
| 2022 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 6 | 35% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 3% |
| 2015 | 7 | 7% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2013 | 2 | 6% |
| 2012 | 5 | 13% |
| 2011 | 1 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 6% |
| 2009 | 98 | 59% |
| 2006 | 2 | 5% |
| 2003 | 2 | 4% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 4 | 5% |
| 2000 | 3 | 7% |
| 1998 | 3 | 30% |
| 1996 | 1 | 11% |
| 1995 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen GTI
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Volkswagen GTI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology