VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
All Model Years — Complaints, Recalls & Reliability
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF Reliability Overview
The VOLKSWAGEN GOLF has been produced from 1985 to 2023. Over 39 model years, NHTSA has received 1,991 complaints and issued 169 recall campaigns for this model.
39
Model Years
1,991
Complaints
169
Recalls
1985–2023
Year Range
Complaints by Model Year
2023 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 22
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-system
2022 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 132
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: power-train
2021 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 8
Recalls: 1
★★★★★
Top Issue: electrical-system
2020 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 8
Recalls: 2
★★★★★
Top Issue: electrical-system
2019 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 88
Recalls: 6
★★★★★
Top Issue: engine
2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 33
Recalls: 6
★★★★★
Top Issue: fuelpropulsion-system
2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 143
Recalls: 5
★★★★★
Top Issue: fuelpropulsion-system
2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 114
Recalls: 9
★★★★★
Top Issue: fuelpropulsion-system
2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 181
Recalls: 12
★★★★★
Top Issue: engine
2014 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 14
Recalls: 5
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 67
Recalls: 5
No rating
Top Issue: engine
2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 66
Recalls: 6
No rating
Top Issue: engine
2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 151
Recalls: 6
No rating
Top Issue: fuelpropulsion-system
2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 97
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: fuel-system-diesel
2009 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 5
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: service-brakes
2008 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 1
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: fuelpropulsion-system
2007 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 2
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: engine-and-engine-cooling
2006 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 16
Recalls: 3
No rating
Top Issue: vehicle-speed-control
2005 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 27
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 33
Recalls: 6
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-system
2003 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 32
Recalls: 6
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 98
Recalls: 7
No rating
Top Issue: air-bagssidewindow
2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 152
Recalls: 9
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 118
Recalls: 8
No rating
Top Issue: visibilitypower-window-devices-and-controls
1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 76
Recalls: 7
No rating
Top Issue: engine-and-engine-coolingenginegasoline
1998 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 28
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-systemignitionswitch
1997 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 7
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: power-trainautomatic-transmission
1996 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 4
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch
1995 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 84
Recalls: 5
No rating
Top Issue: air-bagsfrontal
1994 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 57
Recalls: 5
No rating
Top Issue: equipmentmechanicalaccessory-scissorscrewbottle-jacklift
1993 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 11
Recalls: 5
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-systemignitionmodule
1992 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 6
Recalls: 2
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-systemignition
1991 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 11
Recalls: 3
No rating
Top Issue: visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac-systemheater-core
1990 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 10
Recalls: 5
No rating
Top Issue: seat-beltsfront
1989 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 41
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: engine-and-engine-coolingengine
1988 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 9
Recalls: 6
No rating
Top Issue: steeringhydraulic-power-assist-system
1987 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 4
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: engine-and-engine-coolingenginegasoline
1986 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 20
Recalls: 5
No rating
Top Issue: fuel-system-gasolinedeliveryfuel-pump
1985 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Complaints: 15
Recalls: 6
No rating
Top Issue: visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac-systemheater-core
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Rating | Top Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 22 | 0 | N/A | electrical-system |
| 2022 | 132 | 0 | N/A | power-train |
| 2021 | 8 | 1 | ★★★★★ | electrical-system |
| 2020 | 8 | 2 | ★★★★★ | electrical-system |
| 2019 | 88 | 6 | ★★★★★ | engine |
| 2018 | 33 | 6 | ★★★★★ | fuelpropulsion-system |
| 2017 | 143 | 5 | ★★★★★ | fuelpropulsion-system |
| 2016 | 114 | 9 | ★★★★★ | fuelpropulsion-system |
| 2015 | 181 | 12 | ★★★★★ | engine |
| 2014 | 14 | 5 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2013 | 67 | 5 | N/A | engine |
| 2012 | 66 | 6 | N/A | engine |
| 2011 | 151 | 6 | N/A | fuelpropulsion-system |
| 2010 | 97 | 4 | N/A | fuel-system-diesel |
| 2009 | 5 | 0 | N/A | service-brakes |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | N/A | fuelpropulsion-system |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | N/A | engine-and-engine-cooling |
| 2006 | 16 | 3 | N/A | vehicle-speed-control |
| 2005 | 27 | 4 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2004 | 33 | 6 | N/A | electrical-system |
| 2003 | 32 | 6 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2002 | 98 | 7 | N/A | air-bagssidewindow |
| 2001 | 152 | 9 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2000 | 118 | 8 | N/A | visibilitypower-window-devices-and-controls |
| 1999 | 76 | 7 | N/A | engine-and-engine-coolingenginegasoline |
| 1998 | 28 | 1 | N/A | electrical-systemignitionswitch |
| 1997 | 7 | 0 | N/A | power-trainautomatic-transmission |
| 1996 | 4 | 1 | N/A | latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch |
| 1995 | 84 | 5 | N/A | air-bagsfrontal |
| 1994 | 57 | 5 | N/A | equipmentmechanicalaccessory-scissorscrewbottle-jacklift |
| 1993 | 11 | 5 | N/A | electrical-systemignitionmodule |
| 1992 | 6 | 2 | N/A | electrical-systemignition |
| 1991 | 11 | 3 | N/A | visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac-systemheater-core |
| 1990 | 10 | 5 | N/A | seat-beltsfront |
| 1989 | 41 | 4 | N/A | engine-and-engine-coolingengine |
| 1988 | 9 | 6 | N/A | steeringhydraulic-power-assist-system |
| 1987 | 4 | 4 | N/A | engine-and-engine-coolingenginegasoline |
| 1986 | 20 | 5 | N/A | fuel-system-gasolinedeliveryfuel-pump |
| 1985 | 15 | 6 | N/A | visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac-systemheater-core |