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10 recalls covering model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. 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.
A seal on a small pump inside the fuel tank can fail. Gasoline then flows into the system that is supposed to catch only fuel vapors, and it can leak out of the charcoal canister under the car. Leaking gasoline near anything hot or sparking can catch fire. Dealers will replace that pump for free. If your car was already fixed under the earlier 2016 recall, it still needs this newer repair.
The ignition switch is the part behind the key that turns the car's power on. On these cars it can fail, and hot weather makes that more likely. If it fails while you are driving, the electrical system can shut down and the engine can stall, leaving you without power in traffic. Dealers will replace the ignition switch at no charge. Letters went out in early 2024, so the repair may already be waiting for your car.
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.
When you start one of these Volkswagens, the backup camera may not work right. The screen can go black, or the whole infotainment display can freeze, so you see nothing behind you when you shift into reverse. Federal rules require a working rear view image, and these vehicles do not meet them. The fix is a software update for the infotainment system, and the dealer does it at no cost.
Only two 2018 Golf GTIs are involved. The sticker that certifies the car meets federal safety rules shows a vehicle identification number that does not match the number actually stamped on the car. Nothing mechanical is wrong. The problem is that the wrong number can stop you from finding out whether your car is included in a future safety recall, which could leave a real defect unrepaired. The dealer puts on a corrected label for free.
The bearings that let your front wheels spin were not machined properly at the factory. That puts too much strain on the wheels, the wheel bolts and the bearings themselves. The result can be trouble with steering, grip or general stability — or a front wheel part actually breaking while you are driving. Volkswagen is telling owners not to drive these cars until the fix is done. Dealers replace the bearings, the wheels and the bolts free.
⚠ NHTSA advises: do not drive this vehicle until repaired.
On these cars a small switch by the gear lever can get a mineral build-up on its contacts. When that happens, you can pull the key out of the ignition even though the lever is not in "Park." If the handbrake is not set, the car can roll away on its own after you get out, and someone could be hurt or the car could crash. Dealers will add an extra switch and circuit board free of charge.
The rear coil springs — the thick metal springs that hold up the back of the vehicle — can crack sooner than they should. If a spring snaps while you are driving, a broken piece can cut into a rear tire. A damaged tire can make the vehicle hard to steer or control, and that can cause a crash. A spring usually gives no warning before it breaks, so you cannot count on noticing a problem first.
A buildup of residue on a small switch by the gear lever can let you pull the key out of the ignition even when the car is not in Park. If that happens and the parking brake is not set, the car can roll away on its own after you walk away, hitting someone or something. The dealer will add an extra switch and circuit board at no charge.
The brake calipers — the parts that squeeze the brake pads against the wheels — were built with pistons that did not get enough protective coating. Over time that can make the brakes work less well than they should, so the car may not slow down or stop the way you expect. Volkswagen and Audi say owners should not drive these vehicles until the brake system has been checked. Dealers bleed the brake lines to fix it.
⚠ NHTSA advises: do not drive this vehicle until repaired.
Complaints owners have filed with NHTSA about the Volkswagen Golf. These are unverified reports; better-selling years collect more.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 | 82 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: