Reliable Auto DB

2021 Volkswagen Golf reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 Volkswagen Golf holds 7 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Golf years here — under the median of the other years, which is 7. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Camera.

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

7

Per year

1

Recalls

1

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (3 of 7), then Service brakes (2) and Air bags (1).

Next to 2020

The 2020 Golf has 6 complaints, 1 per year. The 2021 has about the same number of complaints per year as 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 2021 Volkswagen Golf. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2020-11-18 · NHTSA campaign 20V716000
Summary 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. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.

Complaints by component (7 total)

Electrical system
3
Service brakes
2
Air bags
1
Engine
1
Exterior lighting
1
Powertrain
1
Seat belts
1
Steering
1
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

12022120233202422026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "my car is 5 years old, only has 37291miles. Failed Component: Seat Belts (Right Rear Passenger Buckle) Description of Incident: The right rear passenger seat belt buckle assembly has suffered a complete mechanical latch…"
    Seat belts · filed 2026-08-05
  • "Since shortly after purchase, the vehicle has experienced intermittent drivability and shifting issues along with repeated EPC and check engine warnings. Diagnostic trouble code P0111 (intake air temperature…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-04-27
  • "Headlight lens assembly of both headlights is cracking excessively. Upon review of online forums, this is happening frequently to many consumers. This impacts headlight output and looks to be manufacturing defect.…"
    Exterior lighting · filed 2024-07-18
  • "I was almost rear ended because Hill hold assist did not disengage quickly. I’ve driven manual transmission for over 40 years and find this hill hold dangerous!"
    Service brakes · filed 2024-02-03
  • "The last few months my schedule changed and I'm driving in the dark now. The auto dimming mirror does not function as expected, it is too slow in response to prevent glare and blinding from vehicles behind me. By the…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2024-01-25

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Golf 1.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Front-wheel drive 29 36 32 MPG $2050
Golf 1.4L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 29 39 33 MPG $1950

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 2020 Volkswagen Golf See every Volkswagen Golf model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 Volkswagen Golf holds 7 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Golf years here — under the median of the other years, which is 7. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Camera.

What are common problems with a 2021 Volkswagen Golf?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (3 of 7), then Service brakes (2) and Air bags (1).

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Golf more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Golf has 6 complaints, 1 per year. The 2021 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2020.

Has the 2021 Volkswagen Golf been recalled?

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Volkswagen Golf?

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2021 Volkswagen Golf with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Volkswagen Golf get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Volkswagen Golf is 32.5 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.