RecallMyCar

2018 Volkswagen Golf Recalls, Complaints & Specs

6 safety recalls list the 2018 Volkswagen Golf, and owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.

6
safety recalls
29
owner complaints to NHTSA
24–119
MPGe combined (EPA)

6 safety recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Fuel system, gasoline

    NHTSA 24V110000 Reported 261,257 vehicles potentially affected Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact…

  2. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 20V372000 Reported 2 vehicles potentially affected Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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."

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct certification label, free of charge. This recall began July 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's…

  3. Anti-theft device (steering) and electrical system: control module

    NHTSA 19V615000 Reported 679,027 vehicles potentially affected Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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…

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.…

  4. Coil springs (suspension)

    NHTSA 19V188000 Reported 56,173 vehicles potentially affected Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number…

  5. Electrical system: control module and anti-theft device (steering)

    NHTSA 18V464000 Reported 33,168 vehicles potentially affected Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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…

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.…

  6. Caliper (service brakes) Do not drive

    NHTSA 18V369000 Reported 10,225 vehicles potentially affected Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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.

    Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the…

29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. Reports cite 2 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 14,409 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019 with 6 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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 di”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 31, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system

“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 a”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 26, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (GTI, Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf R, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined24–119 MPGe
City / Highway21–126 / 29–111
FuelElectricity, Premium, Regular
EPA classCompact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engine4 cyl, 1.8/2 L
TransmissionAutomatic (A1); Automatic (AM-S6); Automatic (AM-S7); Automatic (S6); Manual 5-spd

Compare Volkswagen Golf model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Volkswagen Golf model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1985 Volkswagen Golf510
1986 Volkswagen Golf413
1987 Volkswagen Golf34
1988 Volkswagen Golf59
1989 Volkswagen Golf317
1990 Volkswagen Golf410
1991 Volkswagen Golf28
1992 Volkswagen Golf16
1993 Volkswagen Golf47
1994 Volkswagen Golf441
1995 Volkswagen Golf443
1996 Volkswagen Golf13
1997 Volkswagen Golf07
1998 Volkswagen Golf118
1999 Volkswagen Golf464
2000 Volkswagen Golf588
2001 Volkswagen Golf5116
2002 Volkswagen Golf374
2003 Volkswagen Golf226
2004 Volkswagen Golf228
2005 Volkswagen Golf219
2006 Volkswagen Golf112
2007 Volkswagen Golf02
2008 Volkswagen Golf01
2009 Volkswagen Golf03
2010 Volkswagen Golf469
2011 Volkswagen Golf6110
2012 Volkswagen Golf648
2013 Volkswagen Golf543
2014 Volkswagen Golf511
2015 Volkswagen Golf12131
2016 Volkswagen Golf985
2017 Volkswagen Golf5116
2018 Volkswagen Golf629
2019 Volkswagen Golf663
2020 Volkswagen Golf26
2021 Volkswagen Golf17
2022 Volkswagen Golf081
2023 Volkswagen Golf011

Checking a specific 2018 Volkswagen Golf

How do I know if my 2018 Volkswagen Golf has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 6 campaigns currently list the 2018 Volkswagen Golf; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volkswagen dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 18V369000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Volkswagen models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.