The Lemon Index2018 Volkswagen Golf.
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf is about average by owner complaints: 45 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 87, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 24 to 29 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Golf year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 76 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Volkswagen Golf year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 20K miles on the car (37 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 6
- fuel system, gasoline 2024
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.
- equipment 2020
The VIN printed on the Federal Certification label may not match the actual VIN on the vehicle.
- electrical 2019
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.".
Show all 6 recalls
- suspension 2019
The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
- steering 2018
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 requiremen…
- brakes 2018
The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 643 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Standard Maintenance Section: Moved: "Exterior Lighting" from Extended Maintenance Section
- Standard Maintenance Section: Added "boots" to "Engine and engine compartment components:…
- Water leaks from the sunroof/overhead light console area, Park distance to sensitive to…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel leak due to suction jet pump failure within fuel tank (remedy effectiveness of recall 16v647)2023–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2200–3300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
After a rain the passenger side brake pad sticks to the outboard rotor. The pad binds to the rotor causing the brake tl seize. The vehicle was in reverse backing out.of park.
2018 Volkswagen Golf owner · NHTSA complaint 11154223
More owner reports
I was driving my car and the brakes failed to slow down/stop the car at 50 yards out going 30 miles per hour resulting in a collision. My car has been at the dealership since june 2018 and its currently march 2019.
NHTSA complaint 11184755
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 87; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Golf year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2018 Volkswagen Golf problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (22%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and engine (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf have?
6 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf get?
24 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Volkswagen Golf problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,600 and 20,200 miles. The middle report was at 9,600 miles, from 37 complaints.
Does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 to $3300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volkswagen Golf year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2020 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works