Volkswagen GOLF — Years to Avoid
Which model years have the most problems and which are safe to buy.
Avoid These Years
2015 Volkswagen GOLF
183 complaints (229% of segment average)
Main issue: WHEN I'M IN TRAFFIC STOP AND GO BETWEEN 11MPH TO 18 MPH AT LOW RPM (1,100 TO 1,800 RPM) THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE SHAKING IN THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION LIKE I'M DRIVING A MANUAL CAR BUT MY CAR IS AUTOMATIC. NOW WHEN GOING UP A INCLINE AT 30 TO 33 MPH VEHICLE DOES THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
2011 Volkswagen GOLF
151 complaints (189% of segment average)
Main issue: 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HPFP INVESTIGATION *TGW
2017 Volkswagen GOLF
145 complaints (181% of segment average)
Main issue: WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE FLASHED THE EPC WARNING LIGHT AND SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND RAPIDLY DECELERATED. THE CAR HAD TO COAST OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUT ONCE STOPPED. CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND ON WHICH RESULTED IN "LIMP" MODE BUT CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DR
2022 Volkswagen GOLF
132 complaints (165% of segment average)
Main issue: 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
2016 Volkswagen GOLF
115 complaints (144% of segment average)
Main issue: SAFETY ISSUE - 2016 EGOLF WOULD NOT MOVE AFTER A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP WITH "MAIN CHARGING FAILED" ERROR. DURING A NORMAL COMMUTE AFTER 3, 4 MILES OF DRIVING 30 - 40 MPH, CAR WOULDN'T MOVE AFTER A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP RIGHT AFTER A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS IS EVENING 6PM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, CAR JUST STOPPE
2010 Volkswagen GOLF
97 complaints (121% of segment average)
Main issue: AFTER LEASING A BRAND NEW CAR FOR 2 DAYS (WITH ONLY 221 MILES ON THE ODOMETER) THE CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT START, LEADING TO VERY DANGEROUS FOR LIFE AND STRESSFUL(I HAD TWO FINAL EXAMS COMING UP WITHIN 2 DAYS COMING GOT)SITUATION. AFTER THE CAR GOT TOWED TO T
Safe to Buy
2020 Volkswagen GOLF
8 complaints — well below segment average
2021 Volkswagen GOLF
11 complaints — well below segment average
2014 Volkswagen GOLF
14 complaints — well below segment average
2023 Volkswagen GOLF
22 complaints — well below segment average
2018 Volkswagen GOLF
38 complaints — well below segment average