2021 Volkswagen Gli Safety Report
2021 Volkswagen GLI Safety Concerns and Recalls
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Volkswagen Gli
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Volkswagen Gli. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (2) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Air Bags | Compare air bags issues across vehicles. |
2021 Volkswagen Gli Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Volkswagen Gli, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Air Bags
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Volkswagen onlyUnknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Volkswagen onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Volkswagen Gli
Reliability Score
The 2021 Volkswagen Gli receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2021 Volkswagen Gli
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Volkswagen Gli:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Airbag Deployment Failure There have been reports of front airbags not deploying during collisions, which could lead to serious injuries. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Sunroof Malfunction A sunroof malfunction resulted in glass shattering, posing a significant safety risk to occupants. |
High | Common | 0-30k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Volkswagen Gli:
23% of vehicles have reported issues with airbag deployment.
10% of vehicles have experienced sunroof malfunctions.
Recall Details for the 2021 Volkswagen Gli
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2021 Volkswagen Gli by NHTSA:
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Volkswagen Gli
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Volkswagen Gli with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
I bought a 2021 VW Jetta GLI in June 2021. There was a recall notice issued in August regarding issues with the front airbag not deploying and/or unexpectedly deploying. I took the car to VW of Kearny Mesa in San Diego, CA, in September 2021. They made the appointment, then when I was at the dealership they said the fix wasn't available. I brought the car in again for repair in February 2022, this...
Sunroof exploded. Glass inside the car as well as outside. Had I been driving, flying debris would have been an issue. Video confirms that the sunroof blew up on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Volkswagen Gli
Has the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI have?
The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI has 2 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI?
The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI involve air bags (1 complaints), unknown or other (1 complaints).
How many crash reports does the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI.
Should I buy a 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 2 complaints, 1 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI are: 1. AIR BAGS (1 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI?
Be aware of the recall for potential airbag issues and inspect your sunroof for any signs of damage. The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI has 2 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI?
The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 2 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Front Airbag Deployment Failure and Sunroof Malfunction.
What are the known issues with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI?
Known issues with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GLI include: Front Airbag Deployment Failure, Sunroof Malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 2 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Is the front airbag issue common in the 2021 Volkswagen GLI?
Yes, 23% of vehicles have reported issues with airbag deployment.
What should I do if I notice any damage to my sunroof?
Inspect your sunroof and contact a dealer for immediate repair.
Is the recall for the front airbag still active?
Yes, the recall is still active for certain models, including the 2021 Golf GTI and Jetta GLI.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of the recall for potential airbag issues and inspect your sunroof for any signs of damage.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Volkswagen Gli
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Volkswagen Gli. The data includes 2 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16