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2012 Volkswagen GTI Autobahn 2dr 6M

The 2012 Volkswagen GTI Autobahn 2dr 6M is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with a 6-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $29,995 MSRP and is rated at 25 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway (25 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$29,995 ($42,458 *)
MSRP with Destination$30,765 ($43,548 *)
Destination Charge$770
Engine
Engine Type2.0L Inline-4 turbocharged TSI
Displacement2 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission6-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City21 MPG
Highway31 MPG
Combined25 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium unleaded
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (12.1 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Volkswagen GTI 4 DR FWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2012 Volkswagen GTI 2 DR FWD: overall not rated

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen GTI. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

May 16, 2018 · UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

NHTSA campaign 18V329000

Aug 4, 2015 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.

Consequence: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

NHTSA campaign 15V483000

40 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen GTI

Owner Complaints

40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen GTI (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine13
Power Train7
Air Bags5
Service Brakes5
Electrical System4
Fuel/Propulsion System4
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jul 29, 2024 · Service Brakes
“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…”
Dec 28, 2023 · Engine, Engine And Engine Cooling
“The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low coolant level warning light illuminated. The contact stopped and refilled the coolant…”
Aug 30, 2022 · Air Bags
“My Air bag light came on. Plus all the controls on my steering column do not work, including the horn. I called the VW dealer. They knew exactly what it was. The Clock Spring. This happened in early…”
Aug 14, 2020 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“A MONTH AGO I NOTICED MY GTI WAS STALLING WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AFTER A STOP. WENT ON A DRIVE WITH A LOT OF HILL CLIMBING AND THE CAR STARTING TO STALL ON THE UPHILL PORTIONS. THE PROBLEM WAS…”
Dec 9, 2019 · Air Bags
“THE CLOCK SPRING IN MY STEERING WHEEL HAS BROKEN/QUIT WORKING, VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO REPLACE IT UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT FLAGGED DURING THE RECALL, THE AIRBAG LIGHT, ABS LIGHT…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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