Recalls: Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf GTi
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf GTi
2016 model year Volkswagen Golf GTi: child lock could switch off
In June 2016, a recall was issued for certain 2016 ‘model year’ Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf GTi vehicles because the detent lever of the child lock was damaged during the production process and could break. As a result, an active child lock could be unnoticeably switched off – this could enable a child to open a rear door from the inside when the child lock appeared to be on. As such, this condition could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants (PRA 2016/15463PRA 2016/15463).
2016 and 2017 model year Volkswagen Golf: incorrect tyre placard labels
In March 2017, a recall was issued for 2016 and 2017 model year Volkswagen Golf vehicles because they may have tyre placard labels that displayed the wrong wheel and tyre specifications. If the wrong wheel and tyre combination were fitted to the vehicle, the handling of the vehicle could be adversely affected – this could pose a hazard to vehicle occupants and road users. For the VINs of the recalled Volkswagen Golf vehicles, please see PRA 2017/15955.
2017 model year Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf GTi: airbag and/or belt tensioner may not deploy
In April 2017, a recall was issued for 2017 Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf GTi vehicles. In the event of a collision, variations in the mixture ratio of propellant for the airbag and belt tensioner may prevent them from deploying; failure to deploy would increase the risk of injury to occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2017/16019.
2013-14 Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf GTi: Takata airbag recall
In June 2019, recall campaign 69Q7 was issued for Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf GTi vehicles. These vehicles had Takata driver’s airbags and propellant wafers inside these airbags could absorb moisture over time. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive pressure in the airbag inflator housing could cause it to rupture and metal fragments could be projected through the airbag cushion and into the vehicle’s cabin. These metal fragments posed a risk of serious injury and fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17582.
Problems and faults: Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf GTi
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf GTi: turbocharger failure
For Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf GTi and GTi Performance vehicles manufactured in 2013 and 2014, the turbocharger was susceptible to failure. Specifically, operation of the stop/start system could cause a lack of lubrication such that the bearings could overheat; the axial shaft could then snap and turbine blades could break and enter the engine. If the turbocharger failed, the driver would experience a sudden loss of power. The turbochargers that were susceptible to failure had the following part numbers:
- 06K 145 702 K (first revision);
- 06K 145 702 Q (second revision); and,
- 06K 145 702 R (third revision).
The part number for the fourth revision turbocharger that was developed to overcome these failures was 06K 145 702 T; it is understood that this turbocharger was introduced in production around mid-2014.
Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf GTi: knocking/rattling noise from rear suspension
In Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf GTi vehicles that have independent rear suspension, there have been reports of a loud rattling or knocking noise from the rear suspension when the vehicle is being driven at speeds up to 50 km/h; the noise has also been described as a ‘hollow popping’ noise and akin to ‘logs rolling around in the boot‘.
The rear suspension noise has been attributed to excessive play in the rear Sachs shock absorbers where the piston rod enters the shock absorber barrel. Although Volkswagen claimed to have introduced a ‘revised’ shock absorber in 2013, suspension noise has continued to occur in post-2013 Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf vehicles. To fix the noise, it has been recommended that the standard Sachs shock absorbers be replaced with Bilstein shock absorbers (part number BLS19-230559).
In a complaint with the UK Financial Ombudsman Service (Decision Reference DRN4049309), Volkswagen Financial Services UK admitted that there was a ‘known issue’ with rear suspension noise. Furthermore, the Financial Ombudsman concluded that the rear suspension noise was a ‘recognised manufacturing fault’ which had been present in the vehicle since its sale.
