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2018 Volkswagen Golf: common problems and reliability
· 7th generationAn average Golf year.
49 owner complaints, most about fuel/propulsion system. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2018 Golf?The 2018 Volkswagen Golf has 49 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are fuel/propulsion system and power train. Owners most often flag charge port door latch failure.
Safety record for the 2018 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Volkswagen Golf vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Golf years only. How we score it
Is 2018 a good year for the Golf?
Across the 27 Golf model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2008) to 317 (2015). With 49 complaints, the 2018 Golf sits about the same as the model's median of 44.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2018 Golf
steering:column locking:anti-theft device
Campaign 18V464000Volkswagen 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 Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Campaign 18V369000Volkswagen 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.
suspension:rear:springs:coil springs
Campaign 19V188000Volkswagen 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.
electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module
Campaign 19V615000Volkswagen 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."
Show 2 more recalls
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 20V372000Volkswagen 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."
fuel system, gasoline
Campaign 24V110000Volkswagen 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.
What owners report on the 7th generation Golf
Owners of the 7th generation Golf generally express strong satisfaction, praising it as one of the best-driving hatches available and a significant step up from previous vehicles.
- IsolatedCharge port door latch failure
- IsolatedRadiator failure
- IsolatedIntake manifold failure
- IsolatedIgnition coil and spark plug failures
- IsolatedHeadlight ballast failure
Owner insights for the 7th generation Golf. Read the full 7th generation owner report.
Other Golf model years
Compare every Golf year side by side to see how 2018 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Golf against its rivals
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