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11 recalls covering model years 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024. To check whether your vehicle is affected, look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall may apply only to some vehicles of a given year.
When you shift into reverse, the picture from the backup camera may come up late or not at all. That means the screen may not show you what is directly behind the car while you are backing up. Because of this, these vehicles do not meet the federal rule for rear visibility. The fix is a software update to the infotainment system, which is the screen system in the dash. Dealers do this free.
On some Volkswagen Golf R and Golf GTI cars, a part at the top of the front suspension called the strut mount may be bent out of shape. When that part is deformed, the bolts holding the suspension together can work loose. The suspension is what connects your wheels to the car and keeps your steering predictable. If those connections loosen, the car can feel unstable and harder to control. Dealers will check both the right and left strut mountings and replace whichever ones need it.
When you shift into reverse, the picture from the backup camera may not appear at all, or may freeze and stop responding. The same thing can happen if you turn the parking view on yourself. Without that image you cannot see small children, pets, or objects directly behind the vehicle while backing up, and federal rules require the camera to work. The dealer replaces the camera itself, not just the software.
The tire pressure warning system may be slow to catch a problem in one situation: when all four tires are losing air at the same time. The system compares the tires to each other, so if they all go down together it may not warn you quickly enough. Driving on badly underinflated tires raises the chance of a crash. Dealers will update the system's software for free.
The radiator may not have been bolted to the intercooler correctly when the car was built. A radiator that is not held properly can rub or damage a coolant hose, and coolant can leak out. Without enough coolant, the engine can overheat, and that can lead to a fire. A large amount of coolant spilling onto the road can also create a hazard for other drivers behind you. A dealer will inspect it and replace any damaged parts.
On certain 2022 Golf R and Golf GTI models, the touch-sensitive button that opens and closes the sunroof reacts too easily. It can be pressed by accident — a brush of a hand or an object is enough — and the sunroof may then close on its own when nobody meant it to. That fails the federal safety rule for power windows and roofs, and someone could get hurt. Dealers replace the roof switch free of charge.
On certain 2022 Golf GTI and Golf R cars, the decorative plastic cover that sits on top of the engine can work loose, especially during hard acceleration. If it shifts, it can touch hot parts under the hood and melt. Melting plastic against hot engine parts raises the chance of a fire. Volkswagen's fix is for a dealer to take the cover off entirely. A redesigned cover will be offered later at no cost.
These were Volkswagen's own internal-use vehicles that were later sold to the public. Volkswagen never confirmed they were built to all the federal safety rules that apply, and they may have been changed or modified before they were sold. Because of that, Volkswagen cannot say these vehicles meet the standards every new vehicle has to meet. Rather than fixing anything, Volkswagen is buying the vehicles back from their owners.
A small number of Volkswagens that the company had been using internally were sold to customers without confirming they were built to all federal safety rules, and they may have been changed in some way before being sold. Because nobody verified them, Volkswagen cannot say they meet the safety standards every new car must meet. Rather than repair them, Volkswagen is buying these vehicles back from the people who own them.
On certain 2018 Golf R cars, the quick-connect fitting that joins a fuel hose to the fuel supply line under the hood can come apart. If it does, gasoline can leak out into the engine compartment while you drive. The engine bay gets hot, so leaking fuel there can catch fire. A dealer will check the connection and secure it properly at no cost to you. This recall began January 11, 2019, so the fix has been available for a long time.
Volkswagen is recalling certain 2018 e-Golf and Golf R cars, along with some Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 models. The metal sleeves that hold the back-seat head restraints in place may have been welded to the seat frame incorrectly at the factory. If those welds are wrong, the head restraints for the rear seats may not stay firmly in position. In a crash, they could shift or give way instead of supporting the heads of people riding in back.
Complaints owners have filed with NHTSA about the Volkswagen Golf R. These are unverified reports; better-selling years collect more.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: