Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Volkswagen GTI owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a vehicle built from two salvage vehicles: a 2019 VW Golf Sportwagen (VIN [redacted] - the body) and a 2019 VW GTI (VIN [redacted] - the engine, suspension, fuel tank/system, etc). The vehicle is registered and titled under the Sportwagen VIN. Safety Recall 20UF requires replacement of the suction jet pump to prevent risk of fire. The recall was performed on the Sportwagen prior to its crash, but not on the GTI. Since the Sportwagen no longer has it's original engine/fuel tank, but that from the GTI, this means my vehicle has the defective, unsafe part. Because the dealer service department goes by the registered body VIN, they refused to perform the recall. I called VWoA Customer Care, who advised me that they could not do anything, and that the dealer service department must request an exception from VWoA and inspect the vehicle. …
Rough idle on start. RPM is not maintaining to keep the engine running. After a few try, it starts ok and drive off the parking lot, but the engine dies after about 10 seconds over 30mph. It feels like gasoline is not igniting corretly. Scanned Error Code P0171: System Too Lean Bank 1 P0190: Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor A Circuit Dealership can't replicate the issue and find the issue. Could be related to Fuel System Recall.
I have the 6-speed manual transmission. While commuting home on surface streets and stopped at a stoplight with the car in neutral and the clutch out, the car randomly stalls. This only has happened while idling at a stoplight/stop sign. I have plenty of gas and no CEL comes up. The engine is warm. It happens within 1-2 seconds after coming to a complete stop with the car in neutral. It has happened many times but then easily starts again. It's a very gentle stall and almost feels like the car has auto stop/start, which my car does not. Fortunately, the dealership was able to recreate the stalling. They even contacted and worked with vwoa but were not able to determine exactly what the problem was. They had the car for close to 2 weeks tried several different fixes, but none worked. …
This car was purchased new from crestmont vw in nj one month ago. It has a manual transmission and when the clutch is engaged and I'm coming to a halt, the car has stalled multiple times. This first happened within the first week of owning the car, and now occurs at least once every other day or so (sometimes more frequently). It has happened when in neutral and when in second gear, though the clutch is always in. The car is at the dealer right now. I explained the situation and they could not reproduce the problem and the car's computer wasn't producing any diagnostic codes. Initially they told me that there was nothing they could do. I then spoke to a manager, showed him online forums where customers were reporting the exact same problem, and to his credit he agreed to keep the car to investigate further.
The problem started less than 24 hours from taking delivery of the vehicle with 16 miles on the odometer. The first incident happened at 111 miles on the odometer, 90 degrees ambient temp, oil temp 210. The engine dies when approaching a stop with the clutch depressed. Does it in neutral and when in first or second gear. Gauges remain on with lighting, tach at zero. After stalling the car starts with a push of the starter button, foot on brake and clutch depressed. If the car stalls when parking the gauges remain on with lighting, tach at zero. The car must be restarted and then shut off with the started button for the gauges and the rest of the cars electrics to power down. Not safe to drive.
Vehicle was purchased on 5/27/19. Vehicle has just over 1000 miles. Issue first started day after the purchase. The vehicle's engine will intermittently stall after coming to a stop. The nature of the stall is subtle, not jerky. Almost like a auto start/stop feature on a vehicle with an auto transmission (my GTI has a 6-speed manual). This has happened 10 times now. Ive had it happen with the clutch pedal pressed (clutch disengaged) and the vehicle gear shifter in neutral and also in gear. Ive also had it happen with the clutch pedal not pressed (clutch engaged) and the gear shifter in neutral. Car restarts fine, but this is definitely a safety issue that can lead to accidents.
Bought a new 2019 vw GTI 's' in 6 speed manual. The vehicle stalls and has stalled at least 10 times and I've had it for about a week. Its very concerning. I've made an appointment to take it in tomorrow, and I've called vw customer care to let them know. It happens while coming to a stop, has happened in the middle of the intersection. I see many others are having the exact same issue but vw is currently unwilling to acknowledge the problem. Sounds like many different parts have been replaced for various consumers to no avail. Most stories I've read have ended in vw buying back the lemons...
The car stalls when either driving very slowly or stopped. I bought it Wednesday, July 10th. It first stalled yesterday, while I was in neutral at a stop light. Today it stalled four more times. Three times in a parking lot and once at a stop light. The car had normal engine temperature. When it stalls it's so quiet and subtle that it's difficult to notice. Each time the vehicle was stationary and in neutral. I entered several issues, as I'm unsure what is actually affected.
I am concerned when coming to a stop unexpectedly my car will start to idle rough and then stall. I'm concerned it will happen while driving and that I could be hit. Currently it happens at low speed when stopping and I cannot keep the car running when I start it up again. I am having to rev the engine to keep it running and move off the road. My car has a manual transmission and the clutch is fully pressed down when this happens. I have more than 3/4 tank of gas when this happened.
I purchased a 2019 GTI s on March 30th 2019 and in one week's time I stalled out 7 times. 3 of those 7 times were when I was at a complete stop, in neutral with my foot on the brake only (not on the clutch). The other 4 times were in 2nd gear at low speeds between 8 and 10 MPH when I was either pulling into a driveway or going over a long but low and not aggressive speed bump. The stall would happen when I would depress the clutch, not on the release.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle.
Fuel System complaints in other GTI years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2019 Volkswagen GTI?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2019 Volkswagen GTI, 13% of the model year's 179 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2019 Volkswagen GTI fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-110 (fuel system, gasoline, Feb 14, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2019 Volkswagen GTI fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 0 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.