NHTSA Data Explorer

Volkswagen Golf R

Data refreshed July 19, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Volkswagen Golf R.

Complaints

1,637

Active records

Recalls

16

Active records

TSBs

1,320

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

1

Injuries

69

Crashes

58

Fires

29

Top reported issues — Volkswagen Golf R

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

501

Condition issue

457

Reporting mechanism

289

Engine behavior

268

Fluid issue

234

Safety restraint issue

216

Performance issue

190

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

182

Driver assistance issue

133

Noise

111

Access/entry issue

90

Safety restraint behavior

90

Vibration/harshness

85

Thermal issue

82

Braking behavior

62

Lighting behavior

62

Electrical issue

53

Starting behavior

46

Smell

45

Infotainment behavior

36

Powering on/off behavior

26

Steering behavior

26

HVAC behavior

15

Recent change

14

Ride/handling behavior

9

Wiper/washer behavior

9

Electrified system issue

3

Communication/network issue

2

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed Jul 16, 2026


15V483000 (VW Recall Code 69L2) was issued for 2014 Volkswagen Golf's indicating a clock spring affecting a cable that powers the air bag. This is indicated also by the airbag emergency light coming on. I believe a similar, if not the same, issue is occurring in my 2015 VW Golf. Furthermore, the issue has affected all mechanical buttons on the steering wheel. I had taken my vehicle to a VW mechanic that indicated a recall had been issued for this problem. However, upon my own further…

2026 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R

Filed Jul 16, 2026


Emergency braking system has applied itself on four different occasions where nothing was in front of me and one time was it highway speeds doing 70 mph The brakes completely locked up on the highway making people behind me have to take evasive action and not hit me while I'm stopped on the highway with my car parked and the emergency brake on The other time it happened just rolling through an intersection nobody in front of me just locked them up at about 45 mph The other two times were fairly…

2019 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R

Filed Jun 22, 2026


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.

2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed Jun 17, 2026


Rear strut completely broke

2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed Jun 8, 2026


1 injured
Crash

I am reporting a severe safety system failure regarding the airbag deployment force on a 2016 Volkswagen Golf SE. The vehicle was involved in a collision where the frontal/side air bag safety systems engaged. While the impact speed was moderate, the airbag deployment was violently disproportionate, resulting in severe, direct injuries to the occupant rather than providing the intended safety cushioning or protection. The force of the deployment appeared heavily uncalibrated, acting as a primary…

2026 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R

Filed Jun 6, 2026


3 occasions, the car went into emergency brake mode. once on hiway at 70mph warning came up and told me to grab the wheel and take control and prepare for impact. Nothing was in front of me to trigger this scenario. On hiway I was nearly rear ended but driver slid around me and didn't hit. This could have been a serious accident or death. The other two times it was at 45 mph and locked them up for no reason. Third was in a parking lot at 5 mph and it locked em up impending traffic and upsetting…

2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed May 31, 2026


Vehicle brought in for Recall 20UF (fuel tank suction pump fire risk) on 04/15/2026. Upon pickup after approximately one week of dealer service, a strong chemical odor was present in the cabin that did not exist prior to service. Odor persists despite cabin air filter replacement with activated charcoal filter, professional carpet shampooing, and extended airing out over several weeks. Dealer dismissed concerns and suggested owner pay for cabin filter replacement which had no effect. VW's own…

2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed May 26, 2026


SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION OF ODI COMPLAINT NUMBER 11740201. I am submitting critical supplemental information to my active safety complaint regarding a 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen (1.8T engine). My primary safety issues are a severe drop in fuel efficiency (cut completely in half), heavy vehicle hesitation/jerking during acceleration, and a powerful raw gasoline smell inside the cabin immediately after fueling. These symptoms heavily align with the known physical failures covered under…

2018 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed May 26, 2026


Took my car into VW in Johnson City TN because my millage has been dropping drastically. Went from about 420 miles to a tank, down to less than 300. There is hesitation and jerking when I accelerate as well as a gasoline odor in the cab of the vehicle after refueling. Service manager said there was no code thrown and when he took it for a drive her drove “conservatively” and the mpg was normal. They did not physically inspect the fuel pump jet and gaslit me saying it was how I’m driving.…

2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Filed May 22, 2026


The right rear coil spring on my 2015 Volkswagen Golf fractured suddenly while the vehicle was completely stationary in a parking lot. There was no collision, pothole impact, curb strike, road hazard, or other external event that could reasonably explain the failure. The incident was captured on dash cam video. The failed component is the right rear suspension coil spring. I will retain the broken component and make it available for inspection upon request, although the vehicle must be…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated July 19, 2026. Refreshed nightly.