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Volkswagen Gli — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Volkswagen Gli model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
32
Years to Avoid
2021, 2009, 2008, 1990
Best Years
2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991
2021Avoid
2 complaints1 recalls13 TSBs
2020Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2019Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2018Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2017Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2016Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2015Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2014Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2013Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2012Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2011Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2010Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2009Avoid
19 complaints0 recalls6 TSBs
2008Avoid
1 complaints0 recalls6 TSBs
2007Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2002Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2001Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2000Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1999Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1998Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990Avoid
1 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Volkswagen Gli Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2021, 2009, 2008, 1990 Volkswagen Gli are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Volkswagen Gli, consider the 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

32 model years analyzed