The 4th generation GTI runs from 1997 to 2003. Owners have made 10 complaints about those model years. Most of the complaints are about transmission problems.
Considering those complaints, along with other data – such as average repair costs, age of the vehicle, and recall frequency – we've assigned this generation a PainRank™ score of 0.76.
It ranks 14th out of 45 eligible generations in overall reliability.
The clamps that hold the windows in place for many VW's are made of a very cheap plastic. Sometimes when moisture gets in the door and then freezes, it expands and pushes the windows off the clamps, causing the windows to literally fall int…
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Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.
Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.
Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.
Overall reliability rank out of 45 eligible generations.