VolkswagenGTI2021Overview/volkswagen/gti/2021/base/

2021 Volkswagen GTI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 GTI.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2021 Volkswagen GTI is defined by its AM-S7 automatic transmission and EPA ratings of 24/32/27 mpg, which establish its mechanical profile within the model range. Owner-reported data records only 9 complaints across Power Train, Electrical System, and Engine categories, alongside 2 recalls, pointing to a contained defect footprint for this year. Set against the model’s 1990–2025 complaint history—a spectrum that spans from a high of 178 complaints in 2019 to a low of 1 in 1991—the 2021 model sits near the bottom of that range, providing researchers with one of the more stable reference points in the GTI’s long-term reliability record.

Model year20262025202420232022202120202017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy24/32/27 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI The OEM uses various batteries during production based on vehicle options. PR codes will denote factory installed options for this vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 06L115562B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI The OEM uses various batteries during production based on vehicle options. PR codes will denote factory installed options for this vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size225/40R18/XL 92YOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06L115562B
Engine air filter5QM129620 alt 5Q0129620B
Spark plug06K905601K
Battery5TA915105B alt 1S0915105A
Front wiper blades5G1998002
Serpentine belt06L903137A
Cabin air filter5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length167.3 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3038 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 32 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the GTI of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.6–7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.60 sec — 2015 5-door Hatchback (Euro Spec)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Rabbit Edition 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.80 sec14.40 sec228 hpFWD
2019Rabbit Edition 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.90 sec14.50 sec228 hpFWD
2019Rabbit Edition 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec228 hpFWD
2019Rabbit Edition 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-47.00 sec15.40 sec228 hpFWD
2018SE 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.70 sec14.30 sec220 hpFWD
2018Autobahn 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.50 sec220 hpFWD
2018Autobahn 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.50 sec220 hpFWD
2018Autobahn 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.70 sec220 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidAudi/VW P/N G 055 529 A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.2 qt
Engine CoolantVolkswagen Coolant G13 TL-VW-774J
Engine Coolant Capacity10.6 qt
Manual Transmission FluidAudi/VW P/N G 052 527 A2
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity2.43 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsDiesel Engines: 84.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque22.0 ft-lbs

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumUse diagnostic tester: 58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumUse diagnostic tester: 101.0 psi
Residual Pressure43.5 minimum after 10 minutes. psi

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect Ball Joint by pulling down on lower control arm then forcing it upward. The joint should also be inspected by moving the lower portion of the tire and wheel in an in and out motion. During inspections allow for normal upper strut mount and wheel bearing wear but no ball joint play should be observed. Step 3: The ball joint should also be replaced if the boot is torn, stud is worn or joint shows any play.
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
129.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°, Step 4: Bolt 11: 3.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: Bolt 11: 90°29.5 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°44 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 80,000 mi; coolant every 20,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 20,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 80,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record reveals a volatile history for this model line, characterized by significant complaint spikes in 2001, 2009, and 2019, interspersed with quieter periods like 2014 and 2023. While the year-by-year list omits a specific 2021 entry, the target year data indicates minimal friction, with only one complaint recorded each for four distinct categories including Power Train, Electrical System, and Service Brakes. This low volume contrasts sharply with the preceding 2019 model year, which logged 178 complaints and four recalls, and aligns more closely with the subsequent 2023 data showing only six complaints. Furthermore, the target year reports zero crash or fire complaints, suggesting no critical safety patterns emerged during this production cycle. The data implies that the 2021 model falls into a stabilization phase following the high-activity 2019 year, benefiting from reduced reported issues across major systems. Given the significantly lower complaint count compared to immediate predecessors and the absence of safety-related incidents, the 2021 Volkswagen GTI represents a statistically sound choice for a used purchase.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
438
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
9
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 9 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train,Electrical System,Engine1
Electrical System,Air Bags1
Exterior Lighting1
Service Brakes1
Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System,Air Bags,Service Brakes1
Steering,Electrical System1
Electrical System,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 438 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
Customer email_91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherYour vehicle is currently eligible for the 91UB software update designed to:
Dealer 91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherThis OTA update addresses a potential issue with special characters being broadcast over…
V6919012010479_172026-06-11Air BagsInquiries

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific GTI. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 GTI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the GTI get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined mpg.