2018 Volkswagen Golf
Only 29 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 29 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 29
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 2018
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2018: 29 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1987 | 4 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1989 | 17 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1994 | 43 |
| 1995 | 43 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1998 | 18 |
| 1999 | 64 |
| 2000 | 88 |
| 2001 | 116 |
| 2002 | 74 |
| 2003 | 26 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 70 |
| 2011 | 110 |
| 2012 | 48 |
| 2013 | 43 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 131 |
| 2016 | 85 |
| 2017 | 117 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 62 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 81 |
| 2023 | 11 |
Known problem areas
Only 29 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Fuel/propulsion system
10 of 29 total reports mention: fuel/propulsion system.
Power train
4 of 29 total reports mention: power train.
Structure
3 of 29 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing body.
Show complaint excerpts
There is an issue with the gear shift cover trim. The piece that goes around the gear shift has a chrome coating that has been pealing off. Over multiple occasions that pealed off piece of metal has cut my finger causing bleeding.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-11-14
Engine
3 of 29 total reports mention: engine.
Show complaint excerpts
After restarting hot engine after a brief stop, car might stumble during first attempt to accelerate, for example trying to enter traffic from a parking lot. This has happened several times and has been cause for alarm.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-10
Suspension
2 of 29 total reports mention: suspension.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2018-06-29Service brakes, hydraulic18V369000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked.
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2019-03-19Electrical system, steering18V464000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
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2019-04-12Suspension19V188000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.
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2019-11-19Electrical system, steering19V615000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
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2020-07-09Equipment20V372000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling two 2018 Golf GTI vehicles. The VIN printed on the Federal Certification label may not match the actual VIN on the vehicle.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct certification label, free of charge. This recall began July 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E7.
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2023-12-12Recall queryClosed 2024-07-01 Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
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2024-07-25Fuel system, gasoline24V110000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024.
Buy-smart checklist
2018 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Fuel/propulsion system: 10 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 4 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 3 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 18V369000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 18V464000 · Electrical system, steering
- Recall 19V188000 · Suspension
- Recall 19V615000 · Electrical system, steering
- Recall 20V372000 · Equipment
- Recall 24V110000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Golf?
- The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.