Reliable Auto DB

2019 Volkswagen Golf reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf has 82 complaints with NHTSA after 8 years, or 18 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Golf years here — over the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Fuel system, gasoline, Switch, and Tire pressure monitoring.

2012 Volkswagen Golf
Photo by Vauxford, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

82

Per year

18

Recalls

6

Years on the road

8

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (37 of 82), then Powertrain (17) and Electrical system (11). The most filings arrived in 2019 (39 of 82). Those filings include 3 that report a crash.

Next to 2018 and 2020

The 2018 Golf has 37 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2020 has 6 complaints, 1 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2019 Volkswagen Golf. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (6)

Recall Fuel system, gasoline 2024-02-14 · NHTSA campaign 24V110000
Summary 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 the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
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 at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
Recall electrical system, ignition, switch 2023-08-30 · NHTSA campaign 23V604000
Summary 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 ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.
Remedy Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.
Recall tires, tire pressure monitoring 2022-10-31 · NHTSA campaign 22V815000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall Wheels 2019-12-11 · NHTSA campaign 19V879000
Summary Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta GLI, Golf Alltrack, and Golf GTI vehicles. The front wheel bearings may have been improperly machined, potentially causing excessive stress on the wheel, wheel bolts, or wheel bearings.
Remedy Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the wheel bearing assemblies, wheels, and wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40P1. Note: The affected owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repairs have been made.
Recall electrical system, ignition, anti-theft, control module 2019-08-22 · NHTSA campaign 19V615000
Summary 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 transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
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.
Recall suspension, rear, springs, coil springs 2019-03-06 · NHTSA campaign 19V188000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (82 total)

Engine
37
Powertrain
17
Electrical system
11
Fuel and propulsion system
9
Forward collision avoidance
4
Service brakes
4
Air bags
3
Speed control
3
Structure
3
Visibility and wipers
3
Steering
2
Suspension
2
Engine and engine cooling
1
Lane departure
1
Seats
1
Visibility
1
Wheels
1
Show 9 more Show less
Crash-flagged

3

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

392019820206202142022152023520243202522026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that the turbocharger failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the mechanic informed the contact that during the inspection, the…"
    Suspension, Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-09-03
  • "The transmission lurches and studders at stops with roughly 60K miles on it. The dealer believes it to be the mechatronic unit. I am put at risk because the car begins to move, stops, and then begins again moving. Cars…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-01-06
  • "I am currently stationed in the United Kingdom and the VW dealership is stating that they are unable to complete the needed recall because it is an imported vehicle?! Not sure how something that important can just be…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2025-07-31
  • "The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle and the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to contact the…"
    Air bags · filed 2025-04-10
  • "When I take my foot off the brake to accelerate, the car jerks backward and shudders. It feels as though it’s about to stall. When pressing the gas pedal, the car also has delayed acceleration. Both of these issues…"
    Powertrain, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-01-15

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Golf 1.4L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 29 37 32 MPG $2050
Golf 1.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Front-wheel drive 29 37 32 MPG $2050
Golf Alltrack 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic (AM-S6) All-wheel drive 22 30 25 MPG $2600
Golf Alltrack 1.8L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed All-wheel drive 21 30 24 MPG $2700
Golf R 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed All-wheel drive 21 29 24 MPG $3300
Golf R 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AM-S7) All-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $3050
Golf SportWagen 1.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 36 31 MPG $2100
Golf SportWagen 1.4L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 29 37 32 MPG $2050
Golf SportWagen 4motion 1.8L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed All-wheel drive 22 31 25 MPG $2600
Golf SportWagen 4motion 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic (AM-S6) All-wheel drive 22 29 24 MPG $2700

Specs and fitment

Mk7 (US), 2015–2021
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.

Compare

Previous year 2018 Volkswagen Golf Next year 2020 Volkswagen Golf See every Volkswagen Golf model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf has 82 complaints with NHTSA after 8 years, or 18 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Golf years here — over the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Fuel system, gasoline, Switch, and Tire pressure monitoring.

What are common problems with a 2019 Volkswagen Golf?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (37 of 82), then Powertrain (17) and Electrical system (11). The most filings arrived in 2019 (39 of 82). Those filings include 3 that report a crash.

Is the 2019 Volkswagen Golf more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2018 Golf has 37 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2020 has 6 complaints, 1 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

Has the 2019 Volkswagen Golf been recalled?

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf has 6 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Volkswagen Golf?

Owners have filed 82 complaints about the 2019 Volkswagen Golf with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2019 Volkswagen Golf get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2019 Volkswagen Golf is 27.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

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.