VehicleVerdict

2019 Volkswagen Golf problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 88 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median Golf year — the 2019 model ranks #10 of 39 Golf years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 34 reports (39% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

88

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Golf years?

See all Golf years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Volkswagen Golf problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine3439%
Transmission1315%
Other1113%
Driver Assistance78%
Fuel System78%
Electrical System56%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Speed Control22%
Steering22%
Airbags22%
Seats11%
Suspension11%
Brakes11%

Does the 2019 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.

23V604000Electrical SystemAugust 30, 2023 · 62,538 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Ignition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

22V815000Tires & WheelsOctober 31, 2022 · 296,044 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

19V879000Tires & WheelsDecember 11, 2019 · 8 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

The excessive stress can cause steering, traction or other stability issues or breakage relating to the front wheels, and increase the risk of a crash.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HARPER VOLKSWAGEN LOCATED AT 9901 KINGSTON PIKE, KNOXVILLE, TN 37922, [PHONE],…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 6, 2019 · crash

AS I AM BRAKING TO A STOP WITH THE CLUTCH FULLY DEPRESSED (AT A RED STOP LIGHT OR TO MAKE A LEFT TURN), THE CAR QUIETLY AND COMPLETELY STALLS OUT AND SHUTS DOWN. THE DASH LIGHTS REMAIN ON. I CAN RESTART THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR RANDOMLY BUT OCCURRED 3 TIMES YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. NO ENGINE CHECK…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 7, 2019

AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK IN EMERGENCY SITUATION - DID NOT DEPLOY IN A REAR-END COLLISION SITUATION.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 29, 2020 · crash

Driver seats frame is loose, have been waiting for part since October/2022, they said that I can take over a year. Strong Volkswagen technician told me that is not safe to drive the car because if I get in accident I can get smashed once the seat is not safely locked in place. The strong vw service…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · October 15, 2022

VEHICLE IS STALLING WHILE COMING UP TO A STOP AT LOW SPEEDS. I FULLY ENGAGE THE CLUTCH AND THEN IT STALLS. IT FEELS MORE OF AN ENGINE SHUTDOWN THAN A STALL; I SAY THIS BECAUSE IT IS A VERY QUIET AND GENTLE SHUTDOWN. YOU CANT EVEN TELL IT HAPPENED UNTIL YOU SEE THE RPM'S DROP TO ZERO.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 4, 2019

2019 Volkswagen Golf — common questions

Is the 2019 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 88 complaints put the 2019 model at #10 of 39 Golf years. It is one of the Golf years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 Golf problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (34 complaints), transmission (13 complaints), other (11 complaints).

Does the 2019 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Volkswagen Golf. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2019 Volkswagen Golf under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations 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 2019 Volkswagen Golf?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 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.