The 2012 VW GTI has a known problem with the timing tensioner. I am aware of at least 3 class-action lawsuits brought against Volkswagen over this issue. Unfortunately, I did not realize this until after buying the car.

I made the decision to have my timing tensioner replaced preemptively, as the belt needed to be replaced anyway. I went to an independent mechanic who specializes in VWs. He told me after swapping out the tensioner that it wasn't operating correctly and it probably would have failed down the line.

While swapping the tensioner has probably saved my engine from destruction, this car has constantly burned through oil. I first realized this while on an out-of-state road trip: I got a warning light about my camshaft and figured out my oil was dangerously low. Now I have to add 1L of oil every week (approximately 400-500 miles), which makes long stretches of driving impossible.

I have had two independent mechanics try to troubleshoot the oil issue to no avail. One found absolutely nothing wrong. The other, who specializes in Volkswagens, was skeptical of it burning oil (you could not smell it whatsoever) but tested it anyway and found trace amounts in the exhaust. Unfortunately he had no real solution for the problem, so it is now something to live with. The car has leaked oil once or twice (all in one spurt) over a period of 3 years, but it does not leak anything at all on a regular basis.

If anyone has a suggestion for fixing this oil problem, please reach out.