THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT HAS FAILED TO WORK AND WHILE THERE IS POWER TO THE POWER MODULE THERE IS NO WAY TO ACCESS THE LED BRAKE LIGHT PANEL WITHOUT REMOVING THE REAR SPOILER AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ONE WITH A COST OF $500 TO CHANGE THE LIGHT FOR INSPECTION. *TR
2007 Volkswagen Gti
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Gti years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
62 reports with mileage · 15 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
7 reportsTHERE WERE NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE, ONLY TIME. THE HIGH MOUNTED 3RD BRAKELIGHT ON MY 2007 VW GTI IS FAILING. IT'S FULL OF CONDENSATION, AND THAT'S CAUSING THE BULBS INSIDE IT TO FAIL. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THEM, THE OWNERS MANUAL INFORMED ME THAT ONLY THE DEALER COULD DO SO. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER,…
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THERE WERE NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE, ONLY TIME. THE HIGH MOUNTED 3RD BRAKELIGHT ON MY 2007 VW GTI IS FAILING. IT'S FULL OF CONDENSATION, AND THAT'S CAUSING THE BULBS INSIDE IT TO FAIL. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THEM, THE OWNERS MANUAL INFORMED ME THAT ONLY THE DEALER COULD DO SO. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THE CAR SEVERAL DAYS AS THEY HAD TO DISMOUNT SEVERAL BODY PANELS, CUT THEM OPEN, THEN REPLACE THE BULBS AND GLUE EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER. I WAS ALSO WARNED TO ESSENTIALLY EXPECT BODY DAMAGE, AND THAT THE BILL FOR ALL THIS WOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL. ALL THIS TO REPLACE A BULB? THAT'S INSANE, AND I FELT LIKE THAT WAS A POOR ENOUGH RESULT THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD DEAL WITH THE SAFETY ISSUES INSTEAD OF REPLACING IT. *TR
I WANT TO COMPLAINT ABOUT THE 3RD HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT ON MY 07 VOLKSWAGEN GTI THAT I HAVE ONE OF THE LIGHT OUT AMONG THE LIGHT AND I TRY TO REPLACE THE LIGHT IN A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE ONE LIGHT OUT UNLESS I NEED FOUR LIGHT OUT WHICH I THINK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO …
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I WANT TO COMPLAINT ABOUT THE 3RD HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT ON MY 07 VOLKSWAGEN GTI THAT I HAVE ONE OF THE LIGHT OUT AMONG THE LIGHT AND I TRY TO REPLACE THE LIGHT IN A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE ONE LIGHT OUT UNLESS I NEED FOUR LIGHT OUT WHICH I THINK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE ALL LIGHTS ARE OUT WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I THINK THINK HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH ONE LIGHT IS OUT IT ALREADY NOT OUT OF THE FACTORY CONDITION. I HAVE NO IDEA THAT THEY NEED TO WAIT 4 LIGHTS ARE OUT TO FIXED IT. ALSO I WANT TO COMPLAIN THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE IT BY YOURSELF BECAUSE IT IS MOUNT INSIDE THE SPOILER, THEREFORE I THINK THE DEALERSHIP HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE EVEN THOUGH IT CHARGES. *TR
ON WASHING THE CAR (2007 VW GTI 2.0 2H) THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT CRACKED AND FELL FROM ITS HOUSING IN SEVERAL PIECES. THE MAIN BODY OF THE PART REMAINS ATTACHED BY THE ELECTRIC CABLE. THE FACTORY RESOLUTION IS TO SEND THE CAR TO A BODY SHOP TO REMOVE THE FACTORY SPOILER AND REPLACE THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE FACTORY MANUAL WARNS THA…
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ON WASHING THE CAR (2007 VW GTI 2.0 2H) THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT CRACKED AND FELL FROM ITS HOUSING IN SEVERAL PIECES. THE MAIN BODY OF THE PART REMAINS ATTACHED BY THE ELECTRIC CABLE. THE FACTORY RESOLUTION IS TO SEND THE CAR TO A BODY SHOP TO REMOVE THE FACTORY SPOILER AND REPLACE THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE FACTORY MANUAL WARNS THAT THIS IS A MULTI-DAY JOB AND MAY RESULT IN A BROKEN SPOILER AND POSSIBLE BODY DAMAGE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VIOLATION OF FMVSS 108 WHICH REQUIRES THAT REPLACING THE BULBS BE SIMPLE AND REQUIRE ONLY COMMON TOOLS. THE ADDED COSTS ARE BEYOND REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS AND WERE NOT SET FORTH AS PART OF THE PURCHASING DECISION. *TR
REAR HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY FAILED( LED'S BURNED OUT) DUE TO MOISTURE GETTING IN. WHEN ASKED ABOUT REPLACING THE LAMP, VW'S RESPONSE IS THAT THE OLD SPOILER CONTAINING THE STOP LAMP HAS TO BE CUT OFF OF THE HATCH. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF FMVSS 108 WHICH REQUIRES THAT REPLACING THE BULBS BE SIMPLE AND REQUIRE ONLY COMM…
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REAR HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY FAILED( LED'S BURNED OUT) DUE TO MOISTURE GETTING IN. WHEN ASKED ABOUT REPLACING THE LAMP, VW'S RESPONSE IS THAT THE OLD SPOILER CONTAINING THE STOP LAMP HAS TO BE CUT OFF OF THE HATCH. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF FMVSS 108 WHICH REQUIRES THAT REPLACING THE BULBS BE SIMPLE AND REQUIRE ONLY COMMON TOOLS. THE CAR IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY 700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE A BRAKE LAMP. *TR
THE 3RD BRAKE LIKE ON MY 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI FORMED CONDENSATION AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE DEALER BY CUTTING OFF THE SPOILER SINCE IT WAS NOT REMOVABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE SURFACE. THE PROCESS OUTLINED BY VW WARNS OF POSSIBLE BODY DAMAGE DURING THIS PROCESS, WHICH I ALSO FOUND AFTER THE REPAIR. THIS PART IS NOT USER SERVICEABLE…
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THE 3RD BRAKE LIKE ON MY 2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI FORMED CONDENSATION AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE DEALER BY CUTTING OFF THE SPOILER SINCE IT WAS NOT REMOVABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE SURFACE. THE PROCESS OUTLINED BY VW WARNS OF POSSIBLE BODY DAMAGE DURING THIS PROCESS, WHICH I ALSO FOUND AFTER THE REPAIR. THIS PART IS NOT USER SERVICEABLE, AND IS VERY COSTLY IF IT HAS TO BE DONE OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. *TR
VOLKSWAGEN GTI FAHRENHEIT 3RD BRAKE LIGHT NOT FUNCTIONING. TOOK THE CARE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANNOT FIX IT . THEY NEED TO CUT THE SPOILER AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE SPOILER FOR JUST A LED. I ALSO FOUND THIS: S5.1.1.27 (A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION, EACH PASSENGER CAR MANUFACTURED ON OR AFTER SEPT…
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VOLKSWAGEN GTI FAHRENHEIT 3RD BRAKE LIGHT NOT FUNCTIONING. TOOK THE CARE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANNOT FIX IT . THEY NEED TO CUT THE SPOILER AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE SPOILER FOR JUST A LED. I ALSO FOUND THIS: S5.1.1.27 (A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION, EACH PASSENGER CAR MANUFACTURED ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1985, AND EACH MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE, TRUCK, AND BUS, WHOSE OVERALL WIDTH IS LESS THAN 80 INCHES, WHOSE GVWR IS 10,000 POUNDS OR LESS, MANUFACTURED ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1993, SHALL BE EQUIPPED WITH A HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP WHICH:... (5) SHALL PROVIDE ACCESS FOR CONVENIENT REPLACEMENT OF THE BULB WITHOUT THE USE OF SPECIAL TOOLS. REMOVING THE REAR SPOILER REQUIRES SPECIAL TOOLS..." *TR
Official recalls
107V442000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Sep 24, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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