The Lemon Index2020 Volkswagen Golf.
The 2020 Volkswagen Golf is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 9 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 34, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 31 to 32 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Golf year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 14 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Volkswagen Golf year. 2020 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 0K to 3K miles on the car (8 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 3
- 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.
- electrical 2023
The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.
- tires 2022
The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously.
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 496 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Under certain conditions, the engine may stall at very low speeds (such as while the vehicle…
- Customer states MIL-on with P0133 No Crank/No Start with P06EF and/or P06E9 Customer states…
- Customer states MIL-on with P0496 Customer states oil leak from the engine Customer states oil…
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 $2000–2050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
I have bought the new 6 speed manual gti this week and put 150 miles on it so far. Only 4 days after purchase, the car stalled while stopping with the clutch depressed during shifting to neutral, with no warning signs or errors.
2020 Volkswagen Golf owner · NHTSA complaint 11366189
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 34; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Golf year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2020 Volkswagen Golf problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (56%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and electrical (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Volkswagen Golf have?
3 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 2020 Volkswagen Golf get?
31 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 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.
Does the 2020 Volkswagen Golf have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Volkswagen Golf cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $2050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Volkswagen Golf have?
1.4L 4-cyl.
What Volkswagen Golf year is better than the 2020?
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