1996 Volkswagen GTI
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Volkswagen › GTI › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Volkswagen GTI. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1996 Volkswagen GTI. Newest first.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. the bolts securing the front hood latch can loosen over time. the latch would move causing disengagement of the hood striker from the latch.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Unexpected opening of the hood could occur obstructing the driver's view of the road while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the hood latch and securing bolts and replace them if necessary.
Owner complaints
9 complaints1 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
TL* the contact owns a 1996 volswagen GTI. he stated while driving 60 mph the vehicle was significantly losing speed to 30 mph and then re-gain normal speed after 10 seconds. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the camshaft was inoperable and needed to be replaced. the vehicle…
TL* the contact owns a 1996 volswagen GTI. he stated while driving 60 mph the vehicle was significantly losing speed to 30 mph and then re-gain normal speed after 10 seconds. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the camshaft was inoperable and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was being repaired at the owner's expense. the vin was unavailable. the manufacturer was contacted who advised that the vehicle was out of warranty. the failure and current mileages were 118,000. The vin was unavailable.
- Service brakes, hydraulic
ABS module failure. *tr
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Car alarm would go off when exiting the vehicle and the horn would go off. the failure occured while driving on a main road, the alarm horn engaged and would not shut off. After approximately 10 minutes of continuous honking the wires to the alarm horn started to melt. I attempted to disconnect…
Car alarm would go off when exiting the vehicle and the horn would go off. the failure occured while driving on a main road, the alarm horn engaged and would not shut off. After approximately 10 minutes of continuous honking the wires to the alarm horn started to melt. I attempted to disconnect the power to the horn and was burned by the wires. Eventually the horn died but smoke continued to pour out from underneath the cowling.
- Power train › Manual transmission
The reverse gear IS very weak in standard transmissions.the gear chips then breaks off and falls into the differential causing an explosion of the housing and the loss of all the gear fluid. Replacement of complete unit IS then necessary. This will be my third transmission in 56000 miles. Local…
The reverse gear IS very weak in standard transmissions.the gear chips then breaks off and falls into the differential causing an explosion of the housing and the loss of all the gear fluid. Replacement of complete unit IS then necessary. This will be my third transmission in 56000 miles. Local dealers just point fingers to the driver of the car. I also know of three other people that have had the same problem. This has to be more than a mere coincidence. Furthermore, all these incidences occur on volkswagen gti's, jettas and gulfs between the years of 1993-1998. It IS not the fault of the driver. Something needs to be done. These transmissions are not safe nor reliable.
- Structure › Body › Door
The vehicles door handle came off in the consumers hand. *nlm
- Electrical system · Electrical system › Ignition · Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Electicalcomponents keep going, now sun roof won't close
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
The consumer has been experiencing problems with computer system. the computer module has failed to operate 8 times. vehicle has stalled on several occasions because of the problem. vehicle IS then towed because it will not restart. the manufacturer has been contacted. *ak
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Lugs:nuts:bolts, one on each tire, cannot be removed. dealer wanted to charge extra for a special drill to remove lugs nuts and bolts. Dealer informed consumer this problem was pertaining to lugs: nuts:bolts manufacturer. (1-800/669-8788). *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle stalls while in motion and when foot IS on the gas pedal. Dealer couldn't find anything wrong. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Hood latch failure
Odi has received three reports, including the petitioners, regarding alleged hood latch failures.all of the odi reports indicate the hood flew up while driving.following a telephone inquiry, volkswagen provided odi with some limited information regarding six additional reports of hood fly-up for model years 1995 and…
Odi has received three reports, including the petitioners, regarding alleged hood latch failures.all of the odi reports indicate the hood flew up while driving.following a telephone inquiry, volkswagen provided odi with some limited information regarding six additional reports of hood fly-up for model years 1995 and 1996.this investigation was opened to further study this issue.defect description:it IS possible that on some of the affected vehicles the bolts securing the front hood latch may lose their specified fastening torque over time.should this happen, the latch could move out of its design position and cause disengagement of the hood striker from the latch.in some vehicles the latch may not have been properly aligned during production.repeated opening and closing of the hood with an improperly aligned latch could result in damage to the latch.either condition could result in unexpected opening of the hood and could obstruct a portion of the driver's view of the road while driving, and result in an accident.remedy: volkswagen of america, inc. Will initiate a voluntary safety recall instructing its authorized dealers to check the hood latch and securing bolts and replace them if necessary.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10241266Squeaks, Rattles, Noise, Repair Materials
- 10241265Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10239789To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine running and heated rear window switched on. Switch OFF the ignition and visually locate the damage. Proceed with checking any other lines as necessary. Once the damaged line is identified, repair utilizing the Repair kit by Permatex ITEM 09117.
- 10239592Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239591Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239590Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10213836Airbag Issues.
- 10174476Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10159010The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10158533Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10157383VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
- 10155644This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10128105This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions.
- 10128104This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, ElsaPro infomedia icons grayed out, workshop equipment tool storage application, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions.
- 10128055This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
- 10127969Data Link connector pin assignment chart that is applicable to all models. Update model year applicability.
- 10126785Update model year applicability to include 2017.
- 10125850Golf Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections: A checklist to insure a customer receives a wonderful delivery of a vehicle that looks, feels, and meets the expectations of a new vehicle that he/she has purchased
- 10125765Golf Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections: A checklist to insure a customer receives a wonderful delivery of a vehicle that looks, feels, and meets the expectations of a new vehicle that he/she has purchased
- 10122255Golf/GTI Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections:
- 10026848Volkswagen: exhaust heat shield, replacement guidelines. Heat shields are to be inspected after completion o any type of repair to the underbody (exhaust system transmission, etc.), and if damaged, replaced.
- 621613Subject regarding latch system lower anchors and tethers for children, installing / retrofitting.
- 53644Conditions regarding exterior door locks cannot be locked or unlocked with key when ambient temperature IS below freezing.
- 53643Procedure for obtaining door lock key code if a new key must be cut.
- 53608Subject on the automatic transmission control module can additionally recognize two diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) not currently shown in the repair manual.
- 53606Difficulties with shift lever and transmission IS hard to shift into reverse gear.
- 53605Transmission pops out of gear/shifter feels like it has a double detent when shifting into gear, and will not maintain shift adjustment.
Every Volkswagen GTI model year
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