Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Volkswagen Golf, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2017 Volkswagen Golf - 113 complaints in its first 8 years (117 to date)
- 2015 Volkswagen Golf - 112 complaints in its first 8 years (131 to date)
- 2001 Volkswagen Golf - 104 complaints in its first 8 years (116 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2004 Volkswagen Golf - 26 complaints in its first 8 years (28 to date)
- 2018 Volkswagen Golf - 29 complaints in its first 8 years (29 to date)
- 2013 Volkswagen Golf - 37 complaints in its first 8 years (43 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Volkswagen Golf | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2022 Volkswagen Golf | 81 | 81 | 0 |
| 2021 Volkswagen Golf | 7 | 7 | 1 |
| 2020 Volkswagen Golf | 6 | 6 | 2 |
| 2019 Volkswagen Golf | 63 | 63 | 6 |
| 2018 Volkswagen Golf | 29 | 29 | 6 |
| 2017 Volkswagen Golf | 117 | 113 | 5 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Golf | 85 | 82 | 9 |
| 2015 Volkswagen Golf | 131 | 112 | 12 |
| 2014 Volkswagen Golf | 11 | 10 | 5 |
| 2013 Volkswagen Golf | 43 | 37 | 5 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Golf | 48 | 44 | 6 |
| 2011 Volkswagen Golf | 110 | 102 | 6 |
| 2010 Volkswagen Golf | 69 | 63 | 4 |
| 2009 Volkswagen Golf | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2008 Volkswagen Golf | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 Volkswagen Golf | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 Volkswagen Golf | 12 | 8 | 1 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Golf | 19 | 14 | 2 |
| 2004 Volkswagen Golf | 28 | 26 | 2 |
| 2003 Volkswagen Golf | 26 | 20 | 2 |
| 2002 Volkswagen Golf | 74 | 69 | 3 |
| 2001 Volkswagen Golf | 116 | 104 | 5 |
| 2000 Volkswagen Golf | 88 | 81 | 5 |
| 1999 Volkswagen Golf | 64 | 59 | 4 |
| 1998 Volkswagen Golf | 18 | 18 | 1 |
| 1997 Volkswagen Golf | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| 1996 Volkswagen Golf | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 Volkswagen Golf | 43 | 41 | 4 |
| 1994 Volkswagen Golf | 41 | 40 | 4 |
| 1993 Volkswagen Golf | 7 | 7 | 4 |
| 1992 Volkswagen Golf | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| 1991 Volkswagen Golf | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| 1990 Volkswagen Golf | 10 | 5 | 4 |
| 1989 Volkswagen Golf | 17 | 8 | 3 |
| 1988 Volkswagen Golf | 9 | 3 | 5 |
| 1987 Volkswagen Golf | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 1986 Volkswagen Golf | 13 | 0 | 4 |
| 1985 Volkswagen Golf | 10 | 0 | 5 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V110000 | 2015-2020 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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... |
| 23V604000 | 2019 | Electrical System | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional... |
| 22V815000 | 2019-2020 | Tires | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet,... |
| 22V543000 | 2016 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen,... |
| 21V321000 | 2017 | Unknown Or Other | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas... |
| 20V716000 | 2021 | Back Over Prevention | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. |
| 20V372000 | 2018 | Equipment | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling two 2018 Golf GTI vehicles. |
| 19V879000DO NOT DRIVE | 2019 | Wheels | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta GLI, Golf Alltrack, and Golf GTI vehicles. |
| 19V862000 | 2011-2014 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously... |
| 19V615000 | 2015-2019 | Steering | 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... |
| 19V188000 | 2015-2019 | Suspension | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. |
| 18V904000 | 2015 | Suspension | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. |
| 18V464000 | 2015-2018 | Steering | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. |
| 18V406000 | 2003 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2003 Volkswagen Passat sedan, Jetta, Jetta wagon, Golf, EuroVan, EuroVan Camper Van and EuroVan Chassis... |
| 18V369000DO NOT DRIVE | 2018 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 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... |
| 18V329000 | 2011-2016 | Unknown Or Other | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and... |
| 18V148000 | 2010-2014 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat... |
| 16V955000 | 2017 | Seat Belts | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for... |
| 16V913000 | 2010 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3... |
| 16V647000 | 2015-2016 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. |
| 16V403000 | 2016 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles,... |
| 16V078000 | 2010-2014 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC,... |
| 15V705000 | 2015-2016 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. |
| 15V627000 | 2015 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured September 8, 2014, to November 28, 2014, Golf vehicles manufactured... |
| 15V483000 | 2011-2014 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and... |
| 15V229000 | 2015 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Golf, and GTI manufactured on February 17, 2014, to May 22, 2014, and Audi A3... |
| 15V028000 | 2015 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat... |
| 14V412000 | 2015 | Steering | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured January 27, 2014, to May 12, 2014. |
| 11V490000 | 2010-2012 | Fuel System, Diesel | VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF... |
| 07V063000 | 1999-2006 | Exterior Lighting | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. |