2022 Volkswagen GOLF

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2022 Volkswagen GOLF has 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (30% of all complaints), specifically: i am reporting this same issue for two separate vehicles (same make, model and year): all of the sensors relating to parking, rear cross traffic, acc, etc. fail intermittently. (they all fail as simultaneously and resolve simultaneously.) this has now occurred on two separate cars that i have owned.

132

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

39 complaints

30%

• I am reporting this same issue for two separate vehicles (same make, model and year): All of the sensors relating to parking, rear cross traffic, ACC, etc. fail intermittently. (They all fail as simultaneously and resolve simultaneously.) This has now occurred on two separate cars that I have owned
• I am reporting this same issue for two separate vehicles (same make, model and year): All of the sensors relating to parking, rear cross traffic, ACC, etc. fail intermittently. (They all fail as simultaneously and resolve simultaneously.) This has now occurred on two separate cars that I have owned
• I am reporting this same issue for two separate vehicles (same make, model and year): All of the sensors relating to parking, rear cross traffic, ACC, etc. fail intermittently. (They all fail as simultaneously and resolve simultaneously.) This has now occurred on two separate cars that I have owned

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

“I am reporting this same issue for two separate vehicles (same make, model and year): All of the sensors relating to parking, rear cross traffic, ACC, etc. fail intermittently. (They all fail as simultaneously and resolve simultaneously.) This has now occurred on two separate cars that I have owned”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

25 complaints

19%

• After hearing reports that some 2022 VW GTIs were suffer total coolant loss due to a loose radiator I checked my own new GTI. I found that my GTI’s radiator was unsecured at the top on the passenger side and it could freely move back and forth approximately 1.25 inches. This could allow the radiat
• Radiator was loose from the factory where it clips to intercooler allowing movement of radiator within engine bay. Lower radiator hose then hit crank pulley from movement in radiator causing loss of coolant. Dealer replacing radiator hose, radiator and intercooler. Factory defect, happened with less
• The gear shift knob for the manual transmission became loose during driving. This made it difficult to shift gears while driving, which makes it difficult to drive the vehicle safely. I was able to pop it back into place when I was stopped, but it has happened 2 times already in 2 weeks so I am conc

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

“After hearing reports that some 2022 VW GTIs were suffer total coolant loss due to a loose radiator I checked my own new GTI. I found that my GTI’s radiator was unsecured at the top on the passenger side and it could freely move back and forth approximately 1.25 inches. This could allow the radiat”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

24 complaints

18%

• The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the hill assist engaged the brake longer while the brake pedal was not depressed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled afterwards. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer was not cont
• Radiator not firmly attached to the car. Radiator freely moves back and forth about one inch at the top on passenger side. Radiator, fan and shroud at risk of hitting other engine parts. I investigated this after seeing reports on internet and found that my vehicle has this problem.
• After hearing reports that some 2022 VW GTIs were suffer total coolant loss due to a loose radiator I checked my own new GTI. I found that my GTI’s radiator was unsecured at the top on the passenger side and it could freely move back and forth approximately 1.25 inches. This could allow the radiat

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

“The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the hill assist engaged the brake longer while the brake pedal was not depressed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled afterwards. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer was not cont”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

14 complaints

11%

• The car has a manual transmission. The car has roughly 100 miles on it (brand new). The shift knob (gear knob, gear lever, etc) comes loose periodically and pops off of the gear selector, which is very dangerous as it makes it impossible to shift the car into gear. This has happened at least 3 times
• While shifting the manual transmission, the shift knob and boot came up and off the shifter. Being totally unexpected, I was temporarily shocked, surprised and confused. Luckily, I was on a country road with no other traffic around me and coasted to a stop. I realized what happened and was able to
• Rear view camera not working, no image on dashboard screen it seems it is an electrical connection issue more than a software issue

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

“The car has a manual transmission. The car has roughly 100 miles on it (brand new). The shift knob (gear knob, gear lever, etc) comes loose periodically and pops off of the gear selector, which is very dangerous as it makes it impossible to shift the car into gear. This has happened at least 3 times”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

12 complaints

• Various software glitches that can lead to anything from cruise control being disabled for no reason to the buttons on the steering wheel becoming not responsive. Audio glitch can sometimes happen where no audio can be heard from the cars speakers, even parking assist sensor sounds. Backup camera fl
• Each time the vehicle is started its throwing a safety warning alarm and malfunction. I’ve called VW America to file a complaint as well as the dealer and it seems like they just do care to take these software issue’s seriously. I’m truly nervous when I drive the car that in the event of a emergency
• Manual shifter knob has popped off while driving a number of times with virtually no effort (I'm not a hard shifter at all) and primarily when at speed and other dangerous times. Seems to be a poorly crafted plastic clip that is being reported by numerous manual transmission owners.

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

“Various software glitches that can lead to anything from cruise control being disabled for no reason to the buttons on the steering wheel becoming not responsive. Audio glitch can sometimes happen where no audio can be heard from the cars speakers, even parking assist sensor sounds. Backup camera fl”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~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 132 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: I am reporting this same issue for two separate vehicles (same make, model and year): All of the sensors relating to parking, rear cross traffic, ACC, etc. fail intermittently. (They all fail as simultaneously and resolve simultaneously.) This has now occurred on two separate cars that I have owned
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: After hearing reports that some 2022 VW GTIs were suffer total coolant loss due to a loose radiator I checked my own new GTI. I found that my GTI’s radiator was unsecured at the top on the passenger side and it could freely move back and forth approximately 1.25 inches. This could allow the radiat
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the hill assist engaged the brake longer while the brake pedal was not depressed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled afterwards. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer was not cont
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: The car has a manual transmission. The car has roughly 100 miles on it (brand new). The shift knob (gear knob, gear lever, etc) comes loose periodically and pops off of the gear selector, which is very dangerous as it makes it impossible to shift the car into gear. This has happened at least 3 times
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)