According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2015-2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI has 1 documented issue. No issues are rated critical, indicating generally reliable ownership. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $60 to $250. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the MK7 Golf GTI and its EA888 Gen3 2.0T siblings, the intake manifold carries a set of runner/tumble flaps driven by an electric actuator, and a small separate potentiometer-type position sensor (VW designation G336, commonly part number 06K907386D) reports where those flaps actually are. On this engine family the sensor is a separately available plug-in unit rather than a component you can only get with the manifold, and it sits low on the manifold in a hot, oil-misted area of the engine bay. That location is part of the problem: oil mist, road spray and heat cycling attack the connector pins and the sensor's internal wiper track, and the signal starts dropping out. Owners describe a textbook intermittent pattern rather than a hard failure - the MIL comes on, the code stores as P2014 (VW freeze-frame often shows it as P2014 00 [172], 'electrical malfunction'), the light clears itself after a week or two of driving, then returns after the next cold start. Because the ECU is only losing the feedback signal, not the ability to command the flaps, drivability stays close to normal: the car still pulls, but the ECU parks the flaps in a default position, so owners typically notice only a mild loss of low-RPM crispness and a small drop in fuel economy. The real consequence is emissions inspection - a stored P2014 with an illuminated MIL is an automatic fail. The important diagnostic point on this engine is that P2014 here is usually the cheap failure, not the expensive one: the well-known VW/Audi intake manifold replacement is associated with P2015 and P2004 (flap or carrier plate mechanically broken), whereas a clean P2014 with no P2015 and no P2004 alongside it points at the sensor or its connector. The same sensor and the same fault appear across the platform - Leon Cupra, Golf R, Jetta/GLI and Audi 8V/B8.5/B9 cars share part 06K907386D.
Check engine light that comes on, clears itself after days or weeks, then returns after a cold start
Slightly worse fuel economy
Soft or lazy throttle response at low RPM
Otherwise normal driving performance
Emissions/inspection failure with a stored P2014
How to Fix
Diagnose before buying anything. With a VCDS, OBDeleven or equivalent VAG-capable scan tool, put the ignition on with the engine off and watch the intake manifold flap position measuring block while the flap arm is swept through its travel. A healthy sensor produces a smooth, continuous 0-100% sweep; a failing one shows a flat line, a dead spot mid-travel, or an instant drop to zero. Wiggle-test the connector while watching live data - a reading that glitches when you move the harness confirms the connector rather than the sensor. Before replacing anything, unplug the connector, inspect for green corrosion or oil intrusion on the pins, clean it with electrical contact cleaner, and re-seat it; forum consensus is that a meaningful share of these are fixed at that step for nothing. If live data confirms the sensor itself, the repair is genuinely small: the G336 sensor is sold separately (06K907386D and supersessions) for roughly $30-100 (about GBP 80 for a genuine unit), and access is from below after removing the belly pan, with the oil filter housing area cleared for hand clearance on most cars. Budget about half an hour to an hour of labor. Buy an OEM or reputable-brand sensor - cheap aftermarket units are reported to fail to clear the fault. Clear the code and drive at least one full drive cycle including a cold start and highway load before assuming success, because the fault is intermittent and will not reappear immediately. If P2014 returns with a companion P2015 or P2004, stop chasing the sensor: at that point the flap linkage or carrier plate inside the manifold is mechanically failing and the manifold assembly itself needs to come off.
What are the most common Volkswagen Golf GTI problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2015-2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI has 1 documented issue. The documented issue is: Intake Manifold Flap Position Sensor (G336) Fails Intermittently on EA888 Gen3. None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.
Is the Volkswagen Golf GTI reliable?
The 2015-2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI has 1 known issue compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. No issues are rated critical, suggesting generally good reliability. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Volkswagen Golf GTI problems?
Repair costs for known Volkswagen Golf GTI issues range from $60 to $250, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What year Volkswagen Golf GTI is the most reliable?
Reliability varies across model years of the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2015-2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI with 1 documented issue compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.
What is the 2015-2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Intake Manifold Flap Position Sensor (G336) Fails Intermittently on EA888 Gen3?
On the MK7 Golf GTI and its EA888 Gen3 2.0T siblings, the intake manifold carries a set of runner/tumble flaps driven by an electric actuator, and a small separate potentiometer-type position sensor (VW designation G336, commonly part number 06K907386D) reports where those flaps… Repairs typically run $60-$250. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
