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Research · Compact Cars

2019 Volkswagen Golf RRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (2) and back over prevention (1). The EPA rates it 24–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
24–26mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Oct 2022
Owner complaints
6
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$3,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

Free remedy

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."

TiresReported Oct 31, 2022NHTSA 22V815000

Unknown or other

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Unknown or otherReported May 5, 2021NHTSA 21V321000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

6 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2020 – Jun 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance2
  2. Back over prevention1
  3. Wheels1
  4. Electrical system1
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  6. Service brakes1
  7. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Golf R model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20121
20134
2015123
201612
2017195
20189
20196
202210
20236
202412
20265
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Forward collision avoidance

2 reports1 crash
“While turning (right hand turn) slowly into parking space, vehicle engine unexpectedly reved and accelerated causing vehicle to jump curb and strike fixed object (tree). Foot was not/not on the accelerator but rather on brake yet acceleration was so rapid vehicle could not be stopped prior to striking curb and fixed object. Filing HHTSA report due to research indicating similar incidents of unanticipated rapid acceleration at slow speeds for VW Golf models.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2026Forward collision avoidance, Back over preventionCrash reportedODI 11745563

Back over prevention

1 report1 crash

Wheels

1 report
“During annual state inspection on 7/8/22, tech found that the right rear wheel (19" VW Pretoria Gloss Black Alloy Wheels) was bent on both the inside and outside. Unsafe to drive. Wheel had to be replaced. Do not recall hitting any pothole or road hazard that might have caused this damage to the wheel. Apparently, other owners of this model car have also experienced bent rims. This may be a manufacturing defect or a design flaw, in that the wheels cannot withstand the forces transmitted from stock low profile tires (235/35ZR-19).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2022WheelsODI 11473392
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S7) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Golf R
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
233026$3,000343
Golf R
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200373
  • Golf R
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 30 hwy · $3,000/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Golf R
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Volkswagen Golf R 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 13681
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 Golf R questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Volkswagen Golf R problems?

Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (2), back over prevention (1), wheels (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R at 24–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026