Volkswagen Golf years to avoid and best years
Newer Volkswagen Golf years have more owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2017 has the most complaints per year, at 19 (189 complaints). Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2014 at 0 (from 11 complaints), 2020 at 1 (from 6 complaints), and 2021 at 1 (from 7 complaints). On the 2017 Volkswagen Golf, 44 of 189 complaints name Fuel and propulsion system.
Data as of .
Volkswagen Golf reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Volkswagen Golf. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 → Fewest | 1 | 7 | 1 | Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakes | 32.5 |
| 2020 → Fewest | 1 | 6 | 2 | Electrical system | 31.5 |
| 2019 → | 18 | 82 | 6 | Engine | 27.5 |
| 2018 → | 4 | 37 | 6 | Fuel and propulsion system | 26.1 |
| 2017 → Most | 19 | 189 | 5 | Fuel and propulsion system | 26.7 |
| 2016 → | 7 | 85 | 9 | Fuel and propulsion system | 27.5 |
| 2015 → | 16 | 131 | 12 | Fuel and propulsion system | 31.2 |
| 2014 → Fewest | 0 | 11 | 5 | Air bags | 30 |
| 2013 → | 5 | 43 | 5 | Air bags | 27.6 |
| 2012 → | 8 | 48 | 6 | Air bags | 27.6 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Hatchback
- Oil
- VW 502.00 5W-30 or 5W-40 (engine dependent) · 4.8 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 225/45R17
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA safety recall 18V329000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that 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 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements. If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury. Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
- Body styles
- Hatchback
- Oil
- VW 502.00/504.00 5W-30 or 0W-20 (engine dependent) · 4.8 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 225/40R18
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA safety recall 22V815000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that 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, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems.". An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash. Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Golf years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2014 at 0 (from 11 complaints), 2020 at 1 (from 6 complaints), and 2021 at 1 (from 7 complaints).
Which Volkswagen Golf year has the most owner complaints?
2017 has the most complaints per year, at 19 (189 complaints). On the 2017 Volkswagen Golf, 44 of 189 complaints name Fuel and propulsion system.
How do Volkswagen Golf owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Volkswagen Golf years have more owner complaints per year than the older ones.
What engine oil does a Volkswagen Golf use?
US Golf manuals list the approved VW oil standard and viscosity for your engine in the maintenance chapter.
What generation is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf?
Mk7 (US, 2015-2021).
What tire sizes does a Volkswagen Golf use?
Mk6 US pages often list 225/45R17; Mk7 pages commonly list 225/40R18.