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Buying a used 2018 Volkswagen Golf? Check these 6 recalls first
Six recalls, including two critical ones: brake calipers that can lose braking power, which carried a do-not-drive warning, and a fuel leak risk. Also covered are rear springs that may break, two separate key-removal recalls, and a wrong VIN label on some GTIs. Of 37 unverified owner complaints to NHTSA — two involving injuries, none a crash or fire — fuel and propulsion is the largest single area, with structure and engine behind it.
Before you buy
- Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
- Confirm in writing that the do-not-drive brake caliper recall was completed.
- Ask about the fuel leak recall and check for fuel smell, stains or drips under the car.
- Compare the VIN on the door label with the dash and title, and test key removal out of Park.
- Open recalls are repaired free at any Volkswagen dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.
Recalls covering the 2018 Volkswagen Golf
| Recall | Area | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen and Audi brake calipers can reduce braking power · do not drive | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | critical |
| Volkswagen Golf, Jetta and Audi A3 fuel leak risk | Fuel System, Gasoline | critical |
| Volkswagen Golf key can come out when not in Park | Steering | high |
| Volkswagen Golf, Jetta and Tiguan rear springs may break | Suspension | high |
| Volkswagen key can come out when not in Park | Electrical System | high |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI Has Wrong VIN on Label | Equipment | low |
What owners have reported to NHTSA
37 complaints filed for this model year, including 0 mentioning a crash, 0 a fire and 2 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.
| Problem area | Complaints | Recall in this area? |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel System | 10 | Yes |
| Structure | 5 | None found |
| Engine | 4 | None found |
| Power Train | 4 | None found |
| Driver Assistance | 3 | None found |
| Steering | 2 | Yes |