Golf (Mk7)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
1.4-I4-Gas
1.4L 4-cyl / 147 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
TDI
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 150 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
1.8 TSI
1.8L 4-cyl Turbo / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
1.8-I4-Gas
1.8L 4-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
2.0 TSI
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 211 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
2.0-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cyl / 220 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Volkswagen Golf Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
2.0-I4-Diesel
2.0L 4-cyl / 150 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
1.4 TSI
1.4L 4-cyl Turbo / 147 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Battery Electric (BEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2015-2021 Volkswagen Golf
That's near the typical rate for BEVs in this dataset (median 5.5 per year). Within the normal range for the category.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 23 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Battery & propulsion recalls (1)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 e-Golf vehicles manufactured May 21, 2014, to March 1, 2016. Oversensitive diagnostics for the high-voltage battery management system may falsely detect an electrical surge resulting in the vehicle's electric drive motor shutting down unexpectedly.
Consequence: An unexpected vehicle shutdown can increase the risk of a crash.
Sample complaint excerpts
Charging System
- [2015] WHEN I WENT TO UNPLUG MY CAR IN MY GARAGE, THE CHARGING PORT WOULD NOT RELEASE THE CHARGER. WHEN I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE, I FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO OWNED 2015 E-GOLFS HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THAT NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL RESETS WOULD WORK TO GET THE CHARGING PORT TO RELEASE THE CHARGING CABLE. (HTTPS://WWW.MYVWEGOLF.COM/FORUM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=12&T=839&START=60) I TRIED ALL THE ELECTRICAL RES
- [2015] THE 2015 EGOLF LOCKS THE CHARGING CONNECTOR ONTO THE VEHICLE DURING CHARGING. THIS FUNCTIONALITY HAS TWO (AT LEAST) BENEFITS TO THE VEHICLE OPERATOR. ONE BENEFIT IS THAT THE (VERY EXPENSEIVE) CAR CHARGER'S POWER SUPPLY CAN'T EASILY BE STOLEN DURING CHARGING. A SECOND, SAFETY-CENTRIC, FUNCTION IS DERIVED BY NOT ALLOWING THE CHARGING PORT TO SEPARATE WHILE A CHARGE IS UNDERWAY PREVENTING POSSIBLE E
- [2015] CHARGE PORT LOCK WOULD NOT RELEASE CHARGING CABLE AFTER CHARGING IS DONE. RESULTS IN STUCK CHARGING CABLES AT PUBLIC CHARGING STATIONS.
Electric Propulsion
- [2015] VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING ~40 MPH ON PUBLIC ROAD. REACHED DOWN TO PRESS "MODE" BUTTON TO LEFT OF SHIFTER TWICE TO SWITCH TO ECO MODE. PRESSED "POWER" BUTTON BY MISTAKE. TWO PRESSES OF POWER BUTTON CAUSES VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF, EVEN WHILE MOVING. VEHICLE SUFFERED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. WAS ABLE TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP THANKS TO LIMITED TRAFFIC, ENGAGED PARK, AND PRESSED POWER BUTTON TO RESTART VEHICLE.
- [2015] WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR CAME UP WITH AN ALERT OF ELECTRICAL FAULT STOP NOW AND THE POWERTRAIN SHUT DOWN WITH ZERO THROTTLE RESPONSE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND PARTY INTO A DRIVEWAY OF A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE CAR, I GOT OUT AND PUSHED IT INTO THE PARKING LOT. EVENTUALLY THE CAR TURNED OFF AND AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS I WAS A
- [2015] I LEASED THE E-GOLF FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND SUDDENLY CAR SHUT DOWN. AN ERROR "ERROR:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. STOP!" APPEARED. CAR STOPPED AND BLOCKED THE LANE. I CALLED VW SOS AND THEY CONNECTED ME TO 911. POLICE OFFICER CAME AND HELPED ME PULLING THE CAR TO THE ROADSIDE. THE WINDOWS AND MULTIMEDIA WORKED. TRIED TO PRESS THE POWER BUTTON OFF AND TURNED IT ON BUT SAME ERROR
High-Voltage Battery
- [2019] Car would not start and gave a "Error: Electrical system. Stop!" Warning in the dash. Volkswagen tells me it needs a battery replacement.
- [2016] VW E-GOLF ELECTRICAL VEHICLE DIED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP (AS IF THE BREAKS HAD BEEN FULLY APPLIED) WHILE ENTERING SINGLE LANE HIGHWAY ON-RAMP DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. UNABLE TO ROLL THE CAR TO THE SIDE TO AVOID TRAFFIC. UNABLE TO EXIT THE CAR AS OTHER VEHICLES WERE SWERVING ON BOTH SIDES TO AVOID A COLLISION. TOOK OVER 20 MINUTES TO GET ASSISTANCE TO PULL THE CAR TO THE S
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2016] VW E-GOLF ELECTRICAL VEHICLE DIED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP (AS IF THE BREAKS HAD BEEN FULLY APPLIED) WHILE ENTERING SINGLE LANE HIGHWAY ON-RAMP DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. UNABLE TO ROLL THE CAR TO THE SIDE TO AVOID TRAFFIC. UNABLE TO EXIT THE CAR AS OTHER VEHICLES WERE SWERVING ON BOTH SIDES TO AVOID A COLLISION. TOOK OVER 20 MINUTES TO GET ASSISTANCE TO PULL THE CAR TO THE S
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Volkswagen Golf regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (30)
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.
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.
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."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Golf R vehicles. Incorrect front windshield wiper software was installed which may prevent the wipers from activating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling two 2018 Golf GTI vehicles. The VIN printed on the Federal Certification label may not match the actual VIN on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
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."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
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."
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.
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R vehicles. The fuel hose quick connector may detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, resulting in a fuel leak.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door while inside the vehicle.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Golf R vehicles manufactured March 17, 2016 to March 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a Federal Certification Label that lists an incorrect rear axle weight limit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 e-Golf vehicles manufactured May 21, 2014, to March 1, 2016. Oversensitive diagnostics for the high-voltage battery management system may falsely detect an electrical surge resulting in the vehicle's electric drive motor shutting down unexpectedly.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Golf, and GTI manufactured on February 17, 2014, to May 22, 2014, and Audi A3 manufactured on February 16, 2013, to April 23, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured September 8, 2014, to November 28, 2014, Golf vehicles manufactured April 2, 2014, to December 3, 2014, and E-Golf vehicles manufactured July 26, 2014, to October 18, 2014. The affected vehicles are equipped a Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) that may have been manufactured improperly. As a result, the front passenger seat occupant may be improperly classified or may not be detected.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured January 27, 2014, to May 12, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the stabilizer link fasteners may come loose and possibly interfere with the steering of the vehicle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2015-2021 Volkswagen Golf problems?
The 2015-2021 Volkswagen Golf has accumulated 1,213 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Fuel System, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Volkswagen Golf engine is most reliable?
The 2015-2021 Volkswagen Golf was offered with 9 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 1.4L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2015-2021 Volkswagen Golf a good used car?
The 2015-2021 Volkswagen Golf can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,213 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015-2021 Volkswagen Golf have?
The 2015-2021 Volkswagen Golf has 1,213 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2015-2021 Volkswagen Golf?
There are 30 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2015-2021 Volkswagen Golf vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Volkswagen Golf?
Before buying a used Volkswagen Golf, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Fuel System, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Golf?
The 2021 Volkswagen Golf received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (13.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,213 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.