Volkswagen Golf — YEARS TO AVOID

Data updated 2026-08-02. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

Best bets: 1994, 2013, 1995, 2012, 2019, 1999

COMPLAINT HISTORY

2023: 11 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	41
1995	43
1996	3
1997	7
1998	18
1999	64
2000	88
2001	116
2002	73
2003	26
2004	28
2005	19
2006	12
2007	2
2008	1
2009	3
2010	69
2011	110
2012	48
2013	43
2014	11
2015	129
2016	85
2017	115
2018	29
2019	62
2020	6
2021	6
2022	81
2023	11

EVERY YEAR, RANKED

Year	Ranking	Complaints	Why
2023	Not enough data	11	Only 11 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2022	Recommended	81	This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2021	Not enough data	6	Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2020	Not enough data	6	Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2019	Recommended	62	This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2018	Not enough data	29	Only 29 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2017	Caution	115	This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2016	Recommended	85	This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2015	Caution	129	This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2014	Not enough data	11	Only 11 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2013	Recommended	43	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2012	Recommended	48	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2011	Caution	110	This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2010	Recommended	69	This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2009	Not enough data	3	Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2008	Not enough data	1	Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2007	Not enough data	2	Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2006	Not enough data	12	Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2005	Not enough data	19	Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2004	Not enough data	28	Only 28 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2003	Not enough data	26	Only 26 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2002	Recommended	73	This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2001	Caution	116	This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2000	Recommended	88	This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1999	Recommended	64	This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1998	Not enough data	18	Only 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1997	Not enough data	7	Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1996	Not enough data	3	Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1995	Recommended	43	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1994	Recommended	41	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1993	Not enough data	7	Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1992	Not enough data	6	Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1991	Not enough data	8	Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1990	Not enough data	10	Only 10 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1989	Not enough data	17	Only 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1988	Not enough data	9	Only 9 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1987	Not enough data	4	Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1986	Not enough data	13	Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1985	Not enough data	10	Only 10 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.