Problems · NHTSA complaints
2019 Volkswagen Golf R problems
Owners filed 6 complaints about the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R with NHTSA between Sep 2020 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is forward collision avoidance (2).
Complaints
6
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Forward collision avoidance2
- Back over prevention1
- Wheels1
- Electrical system1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Service brakes1
- Other / unknown1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
1
1
2
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
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).”
Electrical system
1 report
“THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE VEHICLE'S FUSE SYSTEM. THE GOLF R CAME WITH NO SPARE TIRE BUT AN AIR PUMP, WHICH NEEDS TO BE POWERED BY THE 12V DC POWER OF THE VEHICLE. BUT WHEN I USE THIS ORIGINAL AIR PUMP, THE FUSE OF THE 12V DC POWER BURNS OUT. THIS HAPPENED FOR SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I HAD THE CAR IN OCTOBER, 2019. THE DEALER CAN ONLY GIVE ME NEW FUSE TO REPLACE THE BROKEN ONE. MANY GOLF R'S OWNERS MET THIS SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I THINK THERE IS SOME ISSUES WITH THEIR FUSE SYSTEM DESIGN.”
Electronic stability control (esc)
1 report
“FOUR TIMES OVER THE LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH STRAIGHT DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, I EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT COLLISION WARNING, AND ONE OF THOSE FOUR TIMES, 4 DAYS AGO, I ADDITIONALLY EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT ASSIST EMERGENCY BRAKING WHICH CAUSED ME ALARM, AS THE SPEED DROPPED DRAMATICALLY FROM 35 MPH TO 20 MPH, AND I HAD TO BE SURE NO CARS WERE BEHIND ME TO CAUSE A REAR-END COLLISION. IN NONE OF THESE SITUATIONS WERE THERE ANY HAZARDS ON THE ROAD TO AVOID: CARS, PEDESTRIANS, OBJECTS. IN ALL OF THESE SITUATIONS, CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AT 35 MPH. THE SENSOR IS NOT DIRTY. THE ERROR IS NOT CONSISTENT IN THE TIMING OF WHEN IT HAPPENS. WHEN THE FRONT ASSIST EMERGENCY BRAKING ENGAGED, THE FRONT COLLISION WARNING DID NOT APPEAR UNTIL ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER, WHEN THE ROAD WAS ALSO CLEAR AND MY SPEED WAS 35 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FROM AUGUST 2020 THAT DESCRIBES MY SITUATION ALMOST EXACTLY: HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2020/VW-FRONT-ASSIST-CLASS-ACTION-LAWSUIT-BRAKING.SHTML I HAVE NOT TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AS OF YET, BUT BASED UPON SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS…”
Service brakes
1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.