What Volkswagen Golf owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Volkswagen Golf 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 57 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 120 |
| 2024 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 200 |
| 2023 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 256 |
| 2022 | 91 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 332 |
| 2021 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 421 |
| 2020 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 480 |
| 2019 | 99 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 559 |
| 2018 | 58 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 620 |
| 2017 | 247 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 686 |
| 2016 | 153 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 858 |
| 2015 | 196 | 8 | 4 | 20 | 0 | 1,147 |
| 2014 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,216 |
| 2013 | 48 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1,298 |
| 2012 | 49 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1,285 |
| 2011 | 110 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1,212 |
| 2010 | 69 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,105 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Volkswagen Golf complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The contact owns a 2026 Volkswagen Golf R. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The parking brake engaged with an audible alert. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who changed the vehicle settings, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 900.
2017 VW Golf Alltrack SEL, purchased XXX CPO. DEFECT: The panoramic sunroof frame's wind-deflector storage channel is separate from the primary, drained water channel and has no drain of its own. During rain, with the vehicle parked nose-up (uphill), water bypasses the inner glass-to-frame perimeter seal and collects in this undrained channel, then overflows into the headliner cavity, wetting the headliner, front pillar trim, and interior. HISTORY: XXX, VW of Kirkland (Invoice XXX, 40,044 mi) replaced the headliner, both front pillar trim panels, exterior perimeter gasket, and all drain lines for water leakage - the only failure points VW had documented for this platform at the time. The le…
Rear coil spring defective. Recall included on my car and model, but noy my VIN.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the messages "Service Vehicle - Place Vehicle in Park" and "Transmission Error" were displayed, with an audible chime. The âGearbox Overheatingâ warning light was illuminated. The vehicle felt as if the transmission was in neutral(N), and the RPM became elevated, and the A/C stopped blowing cool air. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and independently reset. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and DTC: U0103, P0914, and B1162-29 were retrieved. The contact referenced a repair under TSB: 2047609. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed…
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that the turbocharger failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the mechanic informed the contact that during the inspection, the rear coil spring fractured. The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V188000 (Suspension), which was associated with the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The contact stated that the dealer had replaced the turbocharger assembly after the original failure with the vehicle. The dealer also replaced the rear coil springs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
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.
Numerous engine fault errors. After Kuhn VW replaced the defective caliper, they failed to secure it properly. The caliper cover which is the integral part of the braking system (serving cooling and air-dynamic function, preventing debris) fell off and got lodged in between the wheel and the caliper. The car started shuddering. Kuhn WV refuses to replace the caliper (the cover is not a separate component but the assembly) stating that: discovered customer caliper missing. but vehicle is working as designed. cover has no negative reaction towards vehicle operation. Wolkswagen is aware of caliper cover is missing and warranty does not cover caliper replacement and vehicke still works as desig…
While driving at approx 65 mph on a highway, I heard a loud thunk from the left rear side of my 2015 VW Golf and the car swerved a little bit. I was thankfully able to control the car and get myself to safety. A family member looked under the car and the broken coil spring was clearly visible, with a very sharp end at the point it broke, right next to the tire... could have been a disaster. I had the car towed to a local VW dealership where they confirmed the broken spring and replaced both rear coil springs.There was no warning about this issue in the form of symptoms, messages, or warning lights; it just happened suddenly. I've read that there was a recall for precisely this issue in 2019 …
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
Brake rotor resurfacing
Resurfacing Rotors during Perfect Delivery Inspection
Steering wheel sensor mat (hands on detection) and software deviation in the steering wheel detection control module -1158-.
Battery Checking Procedure before replacement
Warranty Alignment Worksheet
Replacement instruction
Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
Differences between a leak and seepage
Clean and install an additional plastic "ring" to prevent ingress of dirt,hair. Foreign bodies into the clock spring.
The sporadic event entries âU112200 data bus, implausible message (with symptom 1842, 1884 and 1885) â under diagnostic address (0013_ indicates that the view of the front camera for driver assist systems diagnostic address (00A5) is/was temporarily restricted.
MIB3 Recovery Solution
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to te
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
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-spe
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a defect petition received on 14 August 2019 requesting an investigation of an alleged defect of the manual transmissions in Model Year (MY) 2019 Volkswagen (VW) GTI, Golf GTI and Jetta GLI vehicles. The stalling incidents cited occurred without warning as the vehicle slows to a stop or prepares to make a turn across traffic with the clutch pressed in and the vehicle in neutral.The hazard posed by a vehicle stalling event is m
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to te
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while allowing for the turning of the steering wheel.Complainants alleged that that the cl
By letter dated October 3, 2011, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address a defect in approximately 168,275 model year (MY) 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Golf, and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with the 2.0L TDI Common Rail Clean Diesel engine (NHTSA Recall No. 11V-490).The recalled Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen vehicles were built from May 2008 through September 2011, the G
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and To
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 2010–2026, owners most often name: engine, fuel/propulsion system, electrical system. 1,177 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.
