repaired · 2023 Q1
Unknown or other
Risk. Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
2018 Volkswagen Golf RProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 9 owner complaints about the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R, most often about the service brakes. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-321 the manufacturer reports only 26% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 23, 2024. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R has problems
9 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
3Service brakes
3Power train
1Exterior lighting
1Fuel/propulsion system
1Vehicle speed control
1Electrical system
1Wheels
1Electronic stability control (ESC)
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2018 Volkswagen Golf R recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Unknown or other
Risk. Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. A fuel leak in the engine compartment can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2020 Q1
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk. If the guide sleeves are incorrectly welded, in the event of a crash, the rear seat head restraints may have reduced stability, increasing the risk of injury.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.
Best & worst years
2018 vs. every other Golf R year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Golf R median. How we score
'12'13'15'16'17'18'19'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2018 Volkswagen Golf R safety ratings
2018 Volkswagen Golf R 4 DR AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (13.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R, and the recalls they led to.
- Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)Led to recall 24V-110
In owners' words
What Golf R owners report
Recent service brakes complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
EXITING A PARKING LOT WITH A 15% INCLINE @3MPH MERGING INTO THE ROAD, THE FRONT PARK ASSIST SENSORS BEEPED AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED BRAKES INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE STALLED SINCE I HAD THE CLUTCH FULLY RELEASED, INCOMING TRAFFIC HAD TO STOP WHEN THEY NOTICED THE VEHICLE NOT…
FRONT COLLISION WARNING SOUNDS WHEN LEAVING PARKING LOTS WITH SMALL DIP WHERE THE ROAD MEETS THE EXIT. 25% OF THE TIME MY EMERGENCY BRAKES ACTIVATE STOPPING THE CAR WHEN I WANT TO EXIT. THE CAR THINKS THE ROAD IS AN OBSTACLE BECAUSE OF THE DIP. THIS HAPPEN OFTEN AND IN DIFFERENT PARKING LOTS. VERY…
AFTER A RAIN THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PAD STICKS TO THE OUTBOARD ROTOR. THE PAD BINDS TO THE ROTOR CAUSING THE BRAKE TL SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE BACKING OUT.OF PARK.
Own a 2018 Golf R?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.