2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
33
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
23
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
The 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF has received a total of 33 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE. 23 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuelpropulsion System (7 complaints), Power Train (4 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF, potentially affecting up to 1,752,047 vehicles.
Recall 24V110000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 261,257 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into...
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service...
View full details →Recall 20V372000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 2 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling two 2018 Golf GTI vehicles. The VIN printed on the Federal Certification label may not match the actual VIN on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Consequence: If the stamped vehicle identification number (VIN) does not match the VIN on the Vehicle Certification Label, owners may be unable to tell if their vehicle is under an important safety recall, possibly exposing them to an increased risk of a crash, fire or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct certification label, free of charge. This recall began July 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E7.
View full details →Recall 19V615000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
| 679,027 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the...
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
View full details →Recall 19V615000 — STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
| 679,027 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the...
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
View full details →Recall 19V188000 — SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
| 56,173 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Consequence: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.
View full details →Recall 18V464000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
| 33,168 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle...
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.
View full details →Recall 18V464000 — STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
| 33,168 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle...
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.
View full details →Recall 18V369000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
| 10,225 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked....
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
33 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuelpropulsion System | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Assist | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Sunroof Glass Implosion While Driving (2018 Volkswagen Golf) While driving my 2018 Volkswagen Golf at normal highway speed, my sunroof suddenly and violently imploded without any warning or external impact. The sound was extremely loud—similar to a gunshot or an explosion—and initially I believed something had struck the vehicle or that a large object had landed on the sunroof.Glass shattered and fell into the interior of the vehicle, sending shards throughout the cabin. The incident was extremely frightening and caused me to momentarily lose focus while driving. I narrowly avoided a potential car accident due to the sudden noise, falling glass, and shock of the event. There were no visible objects, debris, or overpasses that could explain the breakage, and no other vehicles were involved. This appears to be a spontaneous sunroof glass failure. The incident poses a serious safety risk, as it could easily lead to a crash or cause injury to occupants. I am reporting this issue to raise awareness and request investigation, as spontaneous sunroof implosions while driving are dangerous and should not occur under normal driving conditions.
There is an issue with the gear shift cover trim. The piece that goes around the gear shift has a chrome coating that has been pealing off. Over multiple occasions that pealed off piece of metal has cut my finger causing bleeding. There seems to be a recall on the DSG GTI for this, but not the MT. I am having the same exact issue as the DSG and the replacement part is the exact same (likely same original part). The safety issue is that this has cut my finger multiple times with bleeding and can be quite painful. I called VW and was told my car was not part of the DSG recall 34J7/34L9, but clearly it has the same issue. Here is the case number from that call: VW Customer CARE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Cannot fill gas tank. Recall issued February 2024 no remedy available still. 24V110
I have a recall for the jet pump in the fuel tank of my vehicle. I have had fuel leaking from my charcoal canister. The vehicle is at the dealership right now, and they have confirmed this. Yet they will not make a repair on it and have been without my vehicle for over a week now. I am stuck in limbo with no date when anything will be done. I am unable to drive my vehicle due to he leak as it is unsafe and a fire hazard. The vehicle will also cut off while driving and will not start, even though it says there is still fuel in it. This should be due to the leak, and the dealer will do nothing to fix my problem until they are notified by Volkswagen themselves. This is ridiculous as i am without a vehicle, which i am still paying a loan on and insurance every month. Yet i have called Volkswagen and have been offered no solution on this matter. I have been told to wait for the recall, but this issue has been known about since February. Am i just supposed to wait indefinitely for a solution while i can't work or drive anywhere, while i continue to pay for this vehicle? I need a solution and Volkswagen to fix my issue and to be help responsible.
There is a peeling plastic/metal chrome trim piece on the steering wheel that cause a finger laceration.
Safety Rating for the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
The 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 23 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
VOS-23-08 — EQUIPMENT
This document outlines updates to the ODIS diagnostic software. Updates include corrected diagnostic test plans for the stated vehicles.
VWP-22-12 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This Document informs dealers on VWP-22-12
VIN4APIN20220831 — AIR BAGS
Customer states rattle noise from the underbody heat shields Customer states MIL-on, fault P0442 and/or P0456 stored in ECM memory Customer states rattle noise under vehicle Customer states MIL-on, fault P0463 stored in ECM memory Customer states coolant light on, coolant level low Customer states MIL-on, fault P19F7 P3081 P0116...
V871812200556627 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
Cleaning of Heating and Ventilation system, Updated to include additional model year applicability and cost of cleaning solution in warranty table.
TT 60 18 02_4 — STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:SUN VISOR
Manual sunshade does not stay closed or open slightly while driving, Update to model year applicability.
V9119022056014_4 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT
Update to infotainment programming
VIN4APIN20210324 — SUSPENSION
Customer states MIL-on P0087, P0148 and/or P053F Customer states front suspension noise while driving MFI in cluster warning U0199 Rear tailgate strut broken/loose/detached Customer states fuel odor/leak in the rear part of the vehicle (without a punctured fuel tank, hoses or pipes) or difficulty fueling fuel tank or fuel coming...
VIN4APIN20210223 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Customer states MIL-on with Misfire code Customer states fuel odor/leak in the rear part of the vehicle (without a punctured fuel tank, hoses or pipes) or difficulty fueling fuel tank or fuel coming back up filler neck
TT 69 18 01ss1 — SEAT BELTS
Seat belt igniter location information.
VOS-19-17 — EQUIPMENT
This document outlines updates to the diagnostic software (ODIS).
Showing 10 of 23 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
- 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 67 complaints
- 2014 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 14 complaints
- 2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 181 complaints
- 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 114 complaints
- 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 143 complaints
- 2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF (current)
- 2019 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 88 complaints
- 2020 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 8 complaints
- 2021 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 8 complaints
- 2022 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 132 complaints
- 2023 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 22 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 13,715 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 10,288 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 3,613 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN — 3,104 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — 2,635 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 1,916 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 — 1,568 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN CC — 1,356 total complaints