Across the 20 model years we’ve synced, NHTSA lists 117 recall campaigns and 1,510 owner complaints for the Volkswagen Golf. The 2017 model year has the most complaints (242).
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | NCAP overall | MPG comb. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 5 of 5 | 33 | |
| 2020 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 5 of 5 | 32 | |
| 2019 | 6 | 82 | 3 | 5 of 5 | 29 | |
| 2018 | 6 | 37 | 0 | 5 of 5 | 27 | |
| 2017 | 5 | 242 | 4 | 5 of 5 | 28 | |
| 2016 | 9 | 152 | 2 | 5 of 5 | 29 | |
| 2015 | 12 | 228 | 9 | 5 of 5 | 32 | |
| 2014 | 5 | 12 | 1 | Not rated | 32 | |
| 2013 | 5 | 44 | 3 | Not rated | 29 | |
| 2012 | 6 | 48 | 4 | Not rated | 29 | |
| 2011 | 6 | 110 | 4 | Not rated | 30 | |
| 2010 | 4 | 70 | 3 | Not rated | 29 | |
| 2006 | 3 | 12 | 1 | Not rated | 28 | |
| 2005 | 4 | 19 | 1 | Not rated | 28 | |
| 2004 | 6 | 28 | 3 | Not rated | 28 | |
| 2003 | 6 | 31 | 0 | Not rated | 29 | |
| 2002 | 7 | 81 | 3 | Not rated | 29 | |
| 2001 | 9 | 125 | 5 | Not rated | 24 | |
| 2000 | 8 | 100 | 3 | Not rated | 24 | |
| 1999 | 7 | 64 | 3 | Not rated | 23 |
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 64 |
| 2000 | 100 |
| 2001 | 125 |
| 2002 | 81 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2010 | 70 |
| 2011 | 110 |
| 2012 | 48 |
| 2013 | 44 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 228 |
| 2016 | 152 |
| 2017 | 242 |
| 2018 | 37 |
| 2019 | 82 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 11 |
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
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."