VehicleVerdict

2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

19

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Golf SportWagen years?

Golf SportWagen NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted85 complaints2013: 3 complaints2015: 85 complaints2016: 72 complaints2017: 51 complaints2018: 19 complaints2019: 12 complaints
Golf SportWagen NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Golf SportWagen years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission421%
Other316%
Speed Control211%
Fuel System211%
Airbags211%
Body & Structure211%
Electrical System211%
Engine15%
Tires & Wheels15%

Does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V110000Fuel SystemFebruary 14, 2024 · 261,257 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

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.

19V615000Electrical SystemAugust 22, 2019 · 679,027 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

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.

19V188000SuspensionMarch 6, 2019 · 56,173 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

18V464000Electrical SystemJuly 11, 2018 · 33,168 units

Defect

Volkswagen 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."

Consequence

Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.

18V369000BrakesJune 1, 2018 · 10,225 units

Defect

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 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.

Consequence

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The vehicle went forward in Reverse and backward in Drive, multiple times in one day, observed by driver and passenger. Another vehicle was struck; no one was injured (fortunately). Dealer said they could not recreate the problem and nothing was wrong.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 8, 2021 · crash

“Chromed metallic trim on center console above shifter and beneath center cubby opening has cracked and lifted creating a small, very sharp raised raw edge that deeply lacerated my right hand while reaching into of cubby to retrieve item while behind the wheel. Normal use, no overt damage to explain…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 16, 2022

“The vehicle went forward in Reverse and backward in Drive, multiple times in one day, observed by driver and passenger. Another vehicle was struck; no one was injured (fortunately). Dealer said they could not recreate the problem and nothing was wrong.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 8, 2021 · crash

“WARNING LIGHT INDICATING ERROR IN PASSENGER AIR BAG. REQUESTED IMMEDIATE SERVICING AS AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY ACCIDENTALLY OR NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 5, 2019

“The vehicle went forward in Reverse and backward in Drive, multiple times in one day, observed by driver and passenger. Another vehicle was struck; no one was injured (fortunately). Dealer said they could not recreate the problem and nothing was wrong.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 8, 2021 · crash

2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen — common questions

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen reliable?

The record is thin — 19 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2018 Golf SportWagen problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (4 complaints), other (3 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints).

Does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Golf SportWagen years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Golf SportWagen years to avoid are 2015, 2016. The cleanest record among Golf SportWagen years belongs to 2013.

How safe is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.