What Volkswagen Golf SportWagen owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Volkswagen Golf SportWagen safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 |
| 2019 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 479 |
| 2018 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 528 |
| 2017 | 38 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 571 |
| 2016 | 51 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 671 |
| 2015 | 59 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 780 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 276 |
| 2013 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 254 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Volkswagen Golf SportWagen complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
Rear coil spring defective. Recall included on my car and model, but noy my VIN.
The rear axle coil spring coil spring is defective. Safety recall Code: 42J5 VW did not contain the suspect parts since I have the same failure mode as recall. VW Sport wagon is on recall, but not my VIN number. I hope you can hold VW responsible for defective coil springs, I'm sure I am not the only one.
SRS/airbag warning light illuminated. A diagnostic scan (VCDS) confirmed stored fault codes for both front airbag crash sensors: driver's side 'short to ground' and passenger's side 'open or short to plus.' Upon further inspection, water was found pooled at the airbag control module connector, located under the center dash. The AC condensate drain line is routed directly above this module, and appears to be the source of the water intrusion â water drained from the connector itself when disconnected, and dampness was present at both the upper and lower AC drain hose connections near the module. After drying and reconnecting all components, an attempt was made to clear the fault codes via V…
2017 Golf has been nothing but a nightmare. [1] 2018-2021, it was Infotainment system that I had to repair 3 times; once under warranty, twice out of pocket. Stupid navigation system malfunctions every time they upgrade the map or something and caused another visit to the dealer for replacing the entire radio and that little disk in the glove box. How many times would anyone do this during ownership, every year? I gave up fixing that dumbest navigation infotainment whatever, after paying thousands of $$ twice. Apparently, nobody at VW could care less if their driver could have an accident while driving with phone in hand to navigate while the navigation screen is on forever uploading loop. […
The shifter grip has a plastic or Chrome pice that is delaminating and a extremely sharp edge is parroting up and has sliced open my Wifeâs finger more than 5 times we have a bandaid over it know the dealership states it is a known issue But VW will not take responsibility for it
Rear spring broke just like VW Campaign Code: 42J2 / 42J3 / 42J5, but I am being told my VIN isn't covered.
My vehicle was serviced at an authorized VW dealer on Dec 12 for recall-related work & a diagnostic water test (fee waived; $0 paid). Before leaving the dealership, while still on property, I observed extensive interior damage not present prior to service: widespread staining/saturation of headliner, sunroof shade, interior pillars (AâD), plus damage to interior trim. Substance was not colorless or odorless; damage was systemic, not localized. I documented immediately w/ photos taken on dealership property. I requested help/loaner; denied; required to take vehicle. After leaving, additional wet areas appeared & later dried w/ visible staining, indicating prolonged saturation following serv…
Junction between thermostat and water pump failed leading to total loss of coolant. At the time I was driving north on I-75 in heavy morning traffic at 65 MPH. I was able to steer the vehicle off the road without hitting anyone or coming to a complete stop. Had the vehicle towed to Jim Ellis VW of Kennesaw where they diagnosed the problem and replaced the water pump. The car had 18,762 miles on it at the time. Mechanic stated that the problem was oil from cam covers leaking onto water pump and was frequently seen. Vehicle had low coolant warning lights twice and I added several ounces of distilled water each time. Car had an engine warning light and was being taken to dealer for service tha…
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Repair or Replace Information
Replacement instruction
Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
Differences between a leak and seepage
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) â No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.
Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
Inquiries
Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the error message ERP0204E could occur during perform initial operation, software configuration, SVM updates for any control module(s) etc.
Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2013–2020, owners most often name: air bags, electrical system, unknown or other. 172 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
