2018 Volkswagen GOLF SPORTWAGEN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2018 Volkswagen GOLF SPORTWAGEN has 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: when coasting with foot off the accelerator at normal road speeds starting at greater than ~30 mph, the vehicle will bleed speed normally until around 25 mph. at that point the transmission will suddenly grab and rapidly decelerate the vehicle down to approximately 15 mph. after reaching around 15.

3 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

4 complaints

21%

• When coasting with foot off the accelerator at normal road speeds starting at greater than ~30 mph, the vehicle will bleed speed normally until around 25 mph. At that point the transmission will suddenly grab and rapidly decelerate the vehicle down to approximately 15 mph. After reaching around 15
• The vehicle went forward in Reverse and backward in Drive, multiple times in one day, observed by driver and passenger. Another vehicle was struck; no one was injured (fortunately). Dealer said they could not recreate the problem and nothing was wrong.
• My wife's Golf Sportwagen has a sort of whop whop noise evident at about 30 -35 MPH that gets a bit more pronounced at 60 MPH. The brakes seem fine. No pulling or pulsations in the brake pedal. They work well. The pads are not worn out and the discs have smooth, shiny surfaces. The car steers straig

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

“When coasting with foot off the accelerator at normal road speeds starting at greater than ~30 mph, the vehicle will bleed speed normally until around 25 mph. At that point the transmission will suddenly grab and rapidly decelerate the vehicle down to approximately 15 mph. After reaching around 15”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

16%

• TRIM SURROUNDING SHIFT CONSOLE IS MADE OF BRITTLE METAL THAT TEARS AT FOLD AND THEN LACERATES DRIVER OR PASSENGER WHEN THEY REACH INTO CENTER CUBBY.
• Chromed metallic trim on center console above shifter and beneath center cubby opening has cracked and lifted creating a small, very sharp raised raw edge that deeply lacerated my right hand while reaching into of cubby to retrieve item while behind the wheel. Normal use, no overt damage to explain
• My wife's Golf Sportwagen has a sort of whop whop noise evident at about 30 -35 MPH that gets a bit more pronounced at 60 MPH. The brakes seem fine. No pulling or pulsations in the brake pedal. They work well. The pads are not worn out and the discs have smooth, shiny surfaces. The car steers straig

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

“TRIM SURROUNDING SHIFT CONSOLE IS MADE OF BRITTLE METAL THAT TEARS AT FOLD AND THEN LACERATES DRIVER OR PASSENGER WHEN THEY REACH INTO CENTER CUBBY.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

2 complaints

11%

• TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON SEP.23,2018 DROVE IT FOR THREE DAYS AND NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WARM AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2017. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE VW DEALER BEING
• TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON AUGUST 13, 2018, AT ABOUT 1000 MILES NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS WARMED UP, STOPPED FOR 45 MINUTES THAN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON JANUARY 18, 2018. HAS BEEN AT THE

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

“TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON SEP.23,2018 DROVE IT FOR THREE DAYS AND NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WARM AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2017. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE VW DEALER BEING”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

11%

• WARNING LIGHT INDICATING ERROR IN PASSENGER AIR BAG. REQUESTED IMMEDIATE SERVICING AS AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY ACCIDENTALLY OR NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED.
• My vehicle was serviced at an authorized VW dealer on Dec 12 for recall-related work & a diagnostic water test (fee waived; $0 paid). Before leaving the dealership, while still on property, I observed extensive interior damage not present prior to service: widespread staining/saturation of headliner

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

“WARNING LIGHT INDICATING ERROR IN PASSENGER AIR BAG. REQUESTED IMMEDIATE SERVICING AS AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY ACCIDENTALLY OR NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

11%

• When coasting with foot off the accelerator at normal road speeds starting at greater than ~30 mph, the vehicle will bleed speed normally until around 25 mph. At that point the transmission will suddenly grab and rapidly decelerate the vehicle down to approximately 15 mph. After reaching around 15
• The vehicle went forward in Reverse and backward in Drive, multiple times in one day, observed by driver and passenger. Another vehicle was struck; no one was injured (fortunately). Dealer said they could not recreate the problem and nothing was wrong.

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 19 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: When coasting with foot off the accelerator at normal road speeds starting at greater than ~30 mph, the vehicle will bleed speed normally until around 25 mph. At that point the transmission will suddenly grab and rapidly decelerate the vehicle down to approximately 15 mph. After reaching around 15
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TRIM SURROUNDING SHIFT CONSOLE IS MADE OF BRITTLE METAL THAT TEARS AT FOLD AND THEN LACERATES DRIVER OR PASSENGER WHEN THEY REACH INTO CENTER CUBBY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON SEP.23,2018 DROVE IT FOR THREE DAYS AND NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WARM AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2017. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE VW DEALER BEING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: WARNING LIGHT INDICATING ERROR IN PASSENGER AIR BAG. REQUESTED IMMEDIATE SERVICING AS AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY ACCIDENTALLY OR NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)