2018 Volkswagen GTI Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 35%of 17 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,426miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Volkswagen GTI, 35% of the 17 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,426 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“I have/ had a 2018 Volkswagen golf GTI. At the time of the collision my car had just barely north of 7000 miles on it. I was driving down the road at night and I saw deer about 30-50 yards away. I was going 25-30mph, as soon as I saw the deer I applied the brakes but the pedal felt spongy and the vehicle failed to stop resulting in a collision.”
NHTSA complaint #11184757, filed 2019-03, 7,000 miles“6/1/20 brakes good measured 8 (in the green) this is when I received a new water pump (I know! Under warranty issue also imo). Milage 25490. September got new tires. Anti lock brakes went off right a way x2. 10/10/20 took car in for 30,000 mile check at 29,053 miles. Brakes measured at 3. Mckenna suggested new brakes(pads, rotors) $700.00. What would cause brakes going from 8 to 3 in 4 months? I have concerns with antilocking brakes. I believe they are too sensitive and caused brake issues”
NHTSA complaint #11365285, filed 2020-10, 28,675 miles“I was driving my car and the brakes failed to slow down/stop the car at 50 yards out going 30 miles per hour resulting in a collision. My car has been at the dealership since june 2018 and its currently march 2019.”
NHTSA complaint #11184755, filed 2019-03, 7,000 miles“On 3 occasions the manual parking brake has release fully when the car has been parked uphill on a side street with a steep incline. Twice this was after I had gotten out of the car, and once while in the car it happened immediately after the hill-holder brake released. Each time, the car was in gear and did not roll more than a few inches; and an adult passenger was in the front and witnessed it and reapplied the brake. The parking brake was applied tightly, and fully released with a big noise 2-20 seconds later. …”
NHTSA complaint #11307211, filed 2020-02, 26,000 miles“The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the emergency brake assist activated independently. The contact stated there was a warning message stating an object was in front of the vehicle however, there was nothing in front of the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate millage was 14,426.”
NHTSA complaint #11316109, filed 2020-03, 14,426 milesRelated recalls
- 18V369000Jun 1, 2018DO NOT DRIVEVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI…Covers: Volkswagen GTI 2018, Audi SQ5 2018, Volkswagen Atlas 2018 +6 more
Related service bulletins
- 11016584Mar 12, 2025Brake Repair or Replacement Information
- 10239637Jul 13, 2023Brake repair or replacement instruction.
- 10214795Jun 22, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
- 10214771Jun 22, 2022Vibration / Pulsation or Noise when Braking. Update to include model year and worksheet.
- 10214748Jun 22, 2022Brake repair or replace worksheet.
- 10207832Feb 3, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation Instruction (U.S. Only)
- 10205519Dec 8, 2021Bake Vibration, Pulsation, Noise when braking during PDI
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 2018 Volkswagen GTI
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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