2019 Volkswagen GOLF R

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2019 Volkswagen GOLF R has 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is speed control problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: design defect - impossible to disable active cruise control, and use regular/traditional cruise control. if adaptive cruise control sensor becomes dirty, it does not work, and there’s no option to use regular cruise control. this is a design flaw which vw rectified with new (2021+) models. vw .

3 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

22%

• Design defect - impossible to disable active cruise control, and use regular/traditional cruise control. If adaptive cruise control sensor becomes dirty, it does not work, and there’s no option to use regular cruise control. This is a design flaw which VW rectified with new (2021+) models. VW
• 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 strik

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“Design defect - impossible to disable active cruise control, and use regular/traditional cruise control. If adaptive cruise control sensor becomes dirty, it does not work, and there’s no option to use regular cruise control. This is a design flaw which VW rectified with new (2021+) models. VW ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

2 complaints

22%

• 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 strik
• 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 strik

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“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 strik”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

1 complaints

11%

• FOUR TIMES OVER THE LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH STRAIGHT DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, I EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT COLLISION WARNING, AND ONE OF THOSE FOUR TIMES, 4 DAYS AGO, I ADDITIONALLY EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT ASSIST EMERGENCY BRAKING WHICH CAUSED

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“FOUR TIMES OVER THE LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH STRAIGHT DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, I EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT COLLISION WARNING, AND ONE OF THOSE FOUR TIMES, 4 DAYS AGO, I ADDITIONALLY EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT ASSIST EMERGENCY BRAKING WHICH CAUSED ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

1 complaints

11%

• FOUR TIMES OVER THE LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH STRAIGHT DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, I EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT COLLISION WARNING, AND ONE OF THOSE FOUR TIMES, 4 DAYS AGO, I ADDITIONALLY EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT ASSIST EMERGENCY BRAKING WHICH CAUSED

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

1 complaints

11%

• THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE VEHICLE'S FUSE SYSTEM. THE GOLF R CAME WITH NO SPARE TIRE BUT AN AIR PUMP, WHICH NEEDS TO BE POWERED BY THE 12V DC POWER OF THE VEHICLE. BUT WHEN I USE THIS ORIGINAL AIR PUMP, THE FUSE OF THE 12V DC POWER BURNS OUT. THIS HAPPENED FOR SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I HAD THE CAR IN OCTOB

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE VEHICLE'S FUSE SYSTEM. THE GOLF R CAME WITH NO SPARE TIRE BUT AN AIR PUMP, WHICH NEEDS TO BE POWERED BY THE 12V DC POWER OF THE VEHICLE. BUT WHEN I USE THIS ORIGINAL AIR PUMP, THE FUSE OF THE 12V DC POWER BURNS OUT. THIS HAPPENED FOR SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I HAD THE CAR IN OCTOB”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 9 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
SPEED CONTROL: Design defect - impossible to disable active cruise control, and use regular/traditional cruise control. If adaptive cruise control sensor becomes dirty, it does not work, and there’s no option to use regular cruise control. This is a design flaw which VW rectified with new (2021+) models. VW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: 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 strik
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: FOUR TIMES OVER THE LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH STRAIGHT DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, I EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT COLLISION WARNING, AND ONE OF THOSE FOUR TIMES, 4 DAYS AGO, I ADDITIONALLY EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT ASSIST EMERGENCY BRAKING WHICH CAUSED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: FOUR TIMES OVER THE LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH STRAIGHT DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, I EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT COLLISION WARNING, AND ONE OF THOSE FOUR TIMES, 4 DAYS AGO, I ADDITIONALLY EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT ASSIST EMERGENCY BRAKING WHICH CAUSED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)