Volkswagen GTI wipers problems

Filed Mar 4, 2026 · Body, Electrical · MD

I am reporting a water intrusion issue involving the rear hatch area of my 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn. Water leaks into the vehicle through the hatch wiring boot area and travels into the interior of the car, causing the headliner to become saturated with water. During periods of rain or after washing the vehicle, water enters near the rubber hatch wiring boots and leaks into the interior roof area. The vehicle has two rubber hatch boots (left and right) that route wiring harnesses from the body to the liftgate. These harnesses carry wiring for several rear hatch components including the backup camera, center high-mount brake light, rear wiper motor, hatch release switch, rear defroster, license plate lights, and other electrical systems located in the liftgate. Water intrusion in this area can allow moisture to travel along the wiring harnesses and into the vehicle interior, resulting in a soaked headliner and moisture accumulation inside the cabin. Because these wiring boots contain electrical harnesses for important components such as the center brake light and backup camera, continued water exposure could potentially lead to electrical faults, corrosion, or failure of these systems. The vehicle has approximately 23,000 miles. The leak occurs during normal weather conditions such as rain. Numerous owners of similar Volkswagen Golf and GTI/R vehicles have reported similar rear hatch water intrusion issues. I have been scared to drive the car in the rain and wash my car after the incident. The hatch boots have been replaced twice per side and are still causing issues. I request that this issue be investigated as a potential design or sealing defect allowing water to enter the passenger compartment and electrical harness areas.

Filed Aug 12, 2024 · Visibility · 5,200 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving in a rainstorm, the windshield wiper speed remained at a moderate level while set to the highest setting. Due to the failure, the contact was forced to pull over and wait until the rainstorm had subsided before being able to resume normal driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where a mechanic confirmed the failure. The mechanic tested other model vehicles and determined that the failure was present with the windshield wiper. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,200.

Filed Aug 28, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · WA · 1 injury

My car has, on several occasions, slammed the breaks on while I’m reversing, while suggesting that I am about to hit something, even though there is nothing there. It is very scary because I have no way of knowing when this will happen. Also it turns off the head unit and goes black while I am in reverse or trying to follow the directions. And finally the key sensor keeps saying my keys are not in the car while they are right there (had the battery replaced and that wasn’t the problem) additionally the wipers are dangerous and go off for no reason constantly.

Filed Jul 19, 2020 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 10 miles · OH

The rpms only go to 4000 the headlights are constantly blown, one of the fans does not work ....there are a lot of electrical problems, the mass air intake flow issues with that there's just a lot of issues. It's affected the electrical, speed control, airbags, visibility and wiper,lighting, fuel system mass air intake sensor

Filed Dec 6, 2019 · Visibility · 40,000 miles · NC

My windshield has heavy pitting and small chipping after just 50,000 miles. Looking online in the various vw forums (vwvortex, mk7golf, etc), I discovered this is a common problem with vw now. The glass is thin and cheap. The pitting is very visible when driving into the sun and is visible at night with oncoming traffic. It also causes wiper blades to wear out quickly. This is a real safety issue as it is hard to see under the right conditions.

Filed Feb 7, 2019 · Visibility · 22,750 miles · NY

Every time I use the rear windshield wiper, a cascade of washer fluid seeps on the front passenger side on the floor mat. I've only had the vehicle for 1 month. Also, I've notice every time it rains, the ceiling on my gti gets very wet due to a leak possibly because of the sunroof. I'll provide a picture when it rains next time. This video shows the same exact thing what I'm experiencing. On the passenger side as well. The vehicle in the video is a 2016, mine is a 2015, but same issue and same location of the leak. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlggydhfzcc

Filed Dec 18, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 29,000 miles · CT

While adjusting steering column , the high beams turn on and wiper & washer fluid turn on ...can not turn off until steering column is readjusted ....

Filed May 15, 2014 · Visibility · 15 miles · WV

Tl* the contact own a 2012 volkswagen gti. The contact stated that when it rained hard, the windshield retained water after the windshield wipers were engaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician was unable to diagnose a failure. The windshield wipers were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15 and the current mileage was 13,000.

Filed Aug 12, 2009 · Visibility · 10 miles · TX

When the front windshield wipers are on in the slow constant (aka 'low' or in the vw owners manual "position 2") and I come to a complete stop, the wipers stop and go to a long delay interval. Once I start moving again, they go back to 'normal'. I find this to be a safety hazard when it is raining hard as it becomes difficult to see out of the windshield when at stoplight, intersection etc. If I turn the wipers on to "high" lever position 3 they will wipe constantly, albeit slowly. This occurs all the time. I have contacted my dealer who says they do not know how to correct this and I have contacted vw who says it is normal and cannot be changed. I find it difficult to understand how semi-functional wipers for a windshield even while the vehicle isn't moving could be considered normal. How else am I to make sure there isn't anything, or anyone in front of me before I move forward.

Filed May 8, 2008 · Visibility · 43,000 miles · NY

2003 volkswagen gti. During a rain storm, my wipers stopped working and were stuck mid way. The next day I discovered the nut slipped off the bolt connecting the wiper assembly to the wiper motor causing the wipers to stop working while the motor still works.