Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 5 of 9 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
9 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2024
Power Train
After starting the car and then beginning to drive, the transmission falls into neutral when it should have shifted from 1st to 2nd gear. In order to recover, the driver has to stop applying the accelerator and then wait a second or two for the rpm’s to approach idle rates before the transmission will re-engage. It is not repeat…
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After starting the car and then beginning to drive, the transmission falls into neutral when it should have shifted from 1st to 2nd gear. In order to recover, the driver has to stop applying the accelerator and then wait a second or two for the rpm’s to approach idle rates before the transmission will re-engage. It is not repeatable, and is sporadic but always when first driving the car after it has been recently started. This has occurred about 5times in 35k and is happening more often. I have taken it to the dealer multiple times but they dismiss the concern because they haven’t yet been able to repeat it. This bad shift / loss of power is dangerous when trying to initially accelerate and merge into traffic.
NHTSA ODI #11579064
62,000 miles · Jan 23, 2024
Exterior Lighting
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Golf R. The contact stated that the headlights had become significantly dim while driving due to moisture accumulation inside the headlights housing. The contact stated that the failure had reduced the visibility of the roadway while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who in…
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The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Golf R. The contact stated that the headlights had become significantly dim while driving due to moisture accumulation inside the headlights housing. The contact stated that the failure had reduced the visibility of the roadway while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the manufacturer had advised to drive 30 minutes after starting the vehicle to allow the moisture to evaporate, as per TSB Number: 94-19-01. The dealer and the manufacturer informed the contact that the headlights were designed to collect condensation. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
NHTSA ODI #11567348
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2021
Power Train
When driving the car it occasionally slips into neutral when it should be making the 1st to 2nd shift. Happens rarely; about 12-15 times in 60K miles. More common after filling up with gas, but has happened at other times. Very dangerous as one pulls out to merge into traffic to have the car do this when trying to accelerate…
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When driving the car it occasionally slips into neutral when it should be making the 1st to 2nd shift. Happens rarely; about 12-15 times in 60K miles. More common after filling up with gas, but has happened at other times. Very dangerous as one pulls out to merge into traffic to have the car do this when trying to accelerate. Acceleration is moderate and not flooring it when this happens. I know of 3-4 others on VW forum reporting the same issue. Again, this is potentially DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #11437660
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2021
Power Train
Around 5 times now over the last year or two, most recently yesterday, the (DSG automatic) transmission has dropped out of gear into neutral when pulling away from a stop. Note that the shifter was not moved and did not move - but the transmission pops out of gear. Every time this has been when pulling pretty gently away fro…
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Around 5 times now over the last year or two, most recently yesterday, the (DSG automatic) transmission has dropped out of gear into neutral when pulling away from a stop. Note that the shifter was not moved and did not move - but the transmission pops out of gear. Every time this has been when pulling pretty gently away from a stop sign or intersection.. It has happened both when the car was cold, and also after driving 15 miles. Yesterday was a highly dangerous situation - I was making a left turn out of a gas station across 4 lanes of traffic, and when it dropped to neutral was left rolling across the lanes with revs up and in neutral gear unable to accelerate. This was when it occurred to me that this could cause serious injury or death. I asked about this behavior on a VW owners forum, and so far have one response from another owner saying the same thing has happened to him 15-20 times (also a 2018 R) and his dealer says is "normal". I've not talked to my dealer yet. So does not appear to be unique to me. - No warning indicators - Not taken to dealer yet - Component - dual clutch automatic transmission (DSG) - Safety - Highly dangerous loss of gear/ability to accelerate out of path of oncoming traffic. - Available for inspection on request
NHTSA ODI #11437081
20,000 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
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 MOVING. PARKPILOT SYSTEM WILL …
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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 MOVING. PARKPILOT SYSTEM WILL OFTEN MISREAD THE ROAD AS AN OBSTACLE AND APPLY BRAKES ON ITS OWN, SPECIALLY BELOW THE 3MPH SPEED. IT COULD BE A COMBINATION OF THE RIDE HEIGHT OF THIS VEHICLE AND THE LAYOUT OF REGULAR PARKING LOTS IN THE US.
NHTSA ODI #11278045
8,500 miles · May 28, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
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 DANGEROUS SINCE YOU'RE ENTE…
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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 DANGEROUS SINCE YOU'RE ENTERING A ROAD WAY AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11210352
4,000 miles · May 17, 2019
Electrical System
BACKUP CAMERA MAY NOT DISPLAY UPON SHIFTING TO REVERSE - I HAD AN ANDROID PHONE PROJECTING AN ANDROID AUTO SESSION. WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, STATIONARY AT A PARKING LOT, I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND SHIFTED TO REVERSE. THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM DID NOT SHOW THE BACKUP CAMERA NOR A WARNING POPUP OF AN ERROR - IT JUST DISPLAYED THE ME…
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BACKUP CAMERA MAY NOT DISPLAY UPON SHIFTING TO REVERSE - I HAD AN ANDROID PHONE PROJECTING AN ANDROID AUTO SESSION. WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, STATIONARY AT A PARKING LOT, I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND SHIFTED TO REVERSE. THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM DID NOT SHOW THE BACKUP CAMERA NOR A WARNING POPUP OF AN ERROR - IT JUST DISPLAYED THE MEDIA SCREEN. I TRIED 3 TIMES MORE - THE 2ND TIME THE INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY SHOWED "PARKPILOT IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE". PICTURE IS ATTACHED. VIDEO IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED.
NHTSA ODI #11208209
2,363 miles · Mar 22, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CAR WHILE DRIVING ON A 55MPH DIVIDED HIGHWAY AND 1/2 TANK OF GAS INDICATED. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND BACK ROADS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE IT TO A SERVICE STATION, ~1/8 TANK OF GAS WAS INDICATED BY GAUGE, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AFTER ONLY 1 STUMBLE. HEAVY SMELL OF R…
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STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CAR WHILE DRIVING ON A 55MPH DIVIDED HIGHWAY AND 1/2 TANK OF GAS INDICATED. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND BACK ROADS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE IT TO A SERVICE STATION, ~1/8 TANK OF GAS WAS INDICATED BY GAUGE, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AFTER ONLY 1 STUMBLE. HEAVY SMELL OF RAW GASOLINE INSIDE OF CAR AND UNDER HOOD. NO PUDDLE OF GAS WAS OBSERVED UNDER CAR. THE LOCAL POLICE WERE CALLED OUT AND CONFIRMED NO CURRENTLY LEAKING GAS BEFORE AAA WOULD DISPATCH A TOW TRUCK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SELLING DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND A CLAMP NOT CONNECTED BETWEEN HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL HOSE. I WAS TOLD THIS FAULT WOULD CAUSE AN INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL TO BE SHOWN BUT DEALER WOULD NOT CONFIRM IT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE LOST GASOLINE. THE CAR HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD THE FUEL RECALL PERFORMED BY THE SAME DEALER AND DEALER SAID THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED PROPERLY AND THIS FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED. WHEN CAR WAS RETUNED AFTER PUMP REPLACEMENT, INTERIOR OF CAR AND ENGINE STILL SMELLED OF GASOLINE BUT CAR SEEMED TO BE DRIVING NORMALLY.
NHTSA ODI #11190933
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2018
Service BrakesWheels
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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the engine compartment can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the fuel line connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Bi.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72H8 (VW) and 72H9(Audi).
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
RQ23007 · Fuel Leak Due To Suction Jet Pump Failure Within Fuel Tank (remedy Effectiveness Of Recall 16V647)
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Fuel System, Gasoline
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
2018 Volkswagen Golf R Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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