VehicleVerdict

2018 Volkswagen Golf problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf sits mid-pack among Golf years: 38 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 33, with 6 recalls and one closed investigation.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

38

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Golf years?

See all Golf years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Volkswagen Golf problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System1026%
Other513%
Transmission411%
Body & Structure38%
Engine38%
Lighting25%
Steering25%
Brakes25%
Electrical System25%
Suspension25%
Driver Assistance13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Speed Control13%

Does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?

6 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.

20V372000OtherJune 24, 2020 · 2 units

Defect

Volkswagen 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."

Consequence

If the stamped vehicle identification number (VIN) does not match the VIN on the Vehicle Certification Label, owners may be unable to tell if their vehicle is under an important safety recall, possibly exposing them to an increased risk of a crash, fire or injury.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct certification label, free of charge. This recall began July 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E7.

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.

RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) SIDE HAS A VERY LOUD CONSISTENT RATTLING NOISE AT AROUND 2000-3500 ENGINE RPM RANGE. READING ALONE AND CONFIRMING WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE, IT IS A LOOSE FUEL LINE GOING UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RATTLING AGAINST THE CHASSIS. COULD BE A HIGH RISK, NOT SURE,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 3, 2020

TRIM ON CENTER CONSOLE ABOVE SHIFTER AND BELOW CENTER CUBBY IS RAZOR SHARP AND HAS CUT MY HAND DEEPLY TWICE WHILE PARKED AND CLEANING INTERIOR SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 22, 2021

Received a low coolant warning and then checked the coolant level. Coolant was low and was topped off. One week later the issue recurred as the coolant level and dropped below minimum levels again. Thermostat housing had a slow leak which was discovered by the dealer. This seems to be a flaw in the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 24, 2022

COOLANT LEAK NOTICED UNDERNEAT THE ENGINE. IT RUN DOWN TO THE OIL PAN DRIPPING ON THE DRIVE WAY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THEY SAID LEAK IS COMING FROM THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. MILEAGE IS NOW 73700. VW POWERTRAIN WARRANTY COVERS UP TO 72000.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 21, 2020

There is an issue with the gear shift cover trim. The piece that goes around the gear shift has a chrome coating that has been pealing off. Over multiple occasions that pealed off piece of metal has cut my finger causing bleeding. There seems to be a recall on the DSG GTI for this, but not the MT.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 14, 2024

2018 Volkswagen Golf — common questions

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

It is close to typical for the Golf: 38 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2018 Golf problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (10 complaints), other (5 complaints), transmission (4 complaints).

Does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Volkswagen Golf. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Volkswagen Golf years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Golf years to avoid are 2015, 2001, 2011, 2017, 2022, 2000, 2016, 2002, 2010, 2019, 1995, 1999, 1996, 2012, 2013, 1994, 2014. The cleanest record among Golf years belongs to 2008.

How safe is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf 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.