2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen

Do not drive

Owners filed 12 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train4
100
Unknown or Other2
002
Air Bags2
000
Structure › Body1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline1
000
Engine1
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline24V110000
Filed Feb 14, 2024261,257 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. 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 VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module19V615000
Filed Aug 22, 2019679,027 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Risk. Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs19V188000
Filed Mar 6, 201956,173 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

Risk. If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module18V464000
Filed Jul 11, 201833,168 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Risk. Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper18V369000Do not drive
Filed Jun 1, 201810,225 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.

Risk. A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jan 6, 2026KS

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, sunroof shade, interior pillars (A–D), plus damage to interior trim. Substance was not colorless or odorless; damage was systemic, not localized. I documented immediately w/ photos taken on dealership property. I requested help/loaner; denied; required to take vehicle. After leaving, additional wet areas appeared & later dried w/ visible staining, indicating prolonged saturation following service. Dealer service documentation states rear sunroof drains were leaking; however damage was present throughout interior, including areas inconsistent w/ a rear-only drain issue. Based on the location (headliner + pillars), this raises concern for potential impact to electrical components/wiring & airbag-related areas, plus latent issues due to moisture/chemical exposure. I requested confirmation of procedures/substances used during testing; info not provided. I requested a garage liability claim; declined. Dealer offered cleaning & later proposed replacing only the headliner. This issue occurred during recall-related service, raising concern about whether OEM-approved procedures were followed during diagnostic testing. The dealer declined to confirm what liquids or methods were used. Becau

Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2025OH

Our VW Sportwagen registered owner [XXX] - my wife, which we purchased new has a coolant leak at 41000 miles. This is the 3rd time. It was repaired twice under warranty at two separate dealers - 10/2024 was the 2nd time - 3 separate leaks including the original repaired seal failing again. The new car warranty has now expired. 7/2025 is is leaking again. Will the engine seize up? VW says we aren't their customer. I wonder who made the VW? They won't tell me where to get it repaired properly. VW says everything is up to the dealer and that they cover their repairs for 12 months. The dealer says there is no warranty on the repair beyond the new car warranty. Who is telling the truth? Lesson learned. VW doesn't want us to buy their defective cars. We won't again. I hope we don't cause an accident because of this leaking engine cooling system before we are able to replace the car. Wish there was a way to fix the issue but the manufacturer - Volkswagen - isn't willing to share the needed guidance. Apparently they don't know which of there dealerships has competent technicians. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Power Train
Filed Oct 7, 2024IL

The clutch master cylinder failed at less than 37,000 miles and is not covered under the manufacturer's standard (for 2018 models) 72,000 mile warranty. I had to spend $500+ to replace the part at an independent mechanic. Fluid levels were fine and there were no leaks. Just a faulty part. I have owned cars with a manual transmission for almost 40 years and never once had to replace any clutch components, including in cars with well over 100,000 miles on them. It was a potentially dangerous event. I depressed the clutch pedal to put it in gear and the pedal sank to the floor. I couldn't get the car in gear. I couldn't restart the car. Fortunately I was on a side street not too far from home. I was able to pull up the clutch pedal and pump some pressure back into the system and drive home. I can only imagine how scary and unsafe this would have been if I had been stopped on a highway.

Power Train
Filed Oct 30, 2023OH

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 straight and feels normal. The tires are original with ~20,000 miles on them. I expect this could be a tire problem. I took the car to Ken Ganley Volkswagen Bedford, Ohio on August 23, 2023 to have this evaluated and to have a coolant leak repaired. The dealer did not write up the noise issue. When I picked the car up, they told me they test drove the car and the noise was tire related. The repair order stated they took the car on a 5 mile test drive. They lied. They returned the car with exactly the same mileage on the odometer as it had when I brought the car in for repair. I called the service manager and his response was "We do the best we can". Nothing more. There is a noise in the drive train, possibly tires, that Volkswagen hasn't yet evaluated even though the car is still covered under it's new car warranty. I don't know if this is going to turn out to be a safety issue or not. I called VW but the rep only wanted to know what our phone numbers are even though I told her multiple times that they are the same as the day we purchased the car. Then they wanted to know if they had financed the car even though I paid cash. The lies I was told and lack of evaluation by their dealer didn

Unknown or Other1 injured
Filed Sep 16, 2022VA

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 de-lamination of trim in this location.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 17, 2021OH

The U-shaped on the passenger door jamb the the door latch attaches to came loose preventing the door from closing completely. Ganley VW tightened up the fasteners without writing up a service order so it would be reported to VW. They did not use a torgue wrench. I asked them to use thread locker to help prevent this from recurring. They refused and stated VW does not permit them to use thread locker. It took 8 days to get an appointment to repair this.

Power TrainCrash
Filed Aug 17, 2021VA

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.

Power Train
Filed May 25, 2021CA

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 mph the transmission disconnects and the car coasts normally again. This has happened consistently since the car was delivered and after taking the car to two separate dealers for investigation was assured that it's part of the normal operation of the transmission. I believe the rapid deceleration when unexpected can be a safety hazard as cars following behind will not see any brake lights to warn them that my vehicle is slowing.

Unknown or Other1 injured
Filed Sep 1, 202016,800 milesMA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 5, 20199,550 milesNY

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

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 10, 20191,000 milesWI

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 DEALER SEVEN TIMES, MULTIPLE PARTS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 3, 201860 milesNY

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 EVALUATED.

12 of 12 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2015
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201911500Routine
2018 — this page12500Do not drive
201738400Routine
201651300Routine
201559310Routine
20131000Routine

Compare every Golf Sportwagen year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 14, 2024. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.