The Lemon Index
2020
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 9,253 in the U.S. in 2021 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 32–33 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Honda Civic 322021 Toyota Corolla 422021 Hyundai Elantra 105
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 22V514000 (back over prevention) and 20V716000 (back over prevention) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done? (8 owners named a airbags repair bill; the middle one was $712.)
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work? (8 owners named a fuel system repair bill; the middle one was $3,300.)
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Volkswagen's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 7 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
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.
Transmission problems in every Volkswagen Golf year →
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the Volkswagen Golf (2019–2023) name most: P050A Cold Start Idle Air Control System Performance · P0171 System Too Lean (Bank 1) · P0190 Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor A Circuit · P0456 Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (Very Small Leak). Look up any code →
In owners' words
I was almost rear ended because Hill hold assist did not disengage quickly. I’ve driven manual transmission for over 40 years and find this hill hold dangerous!
2021 Volkswagen Golf owner · NHTSA complaint 11569730
More owner reports
Faulty door wiring harness leading driver side blinkers to stop working, windows randomly rolling down, rear collision detector errors, engine start/stop errors.
NHTSA complaint 11502342
What repairs cost
Repair bills owners named in their complaints to the government (NHTSA), 2015–2021 Volkswagen Golf, in U.S. dollars.
- Airbagsone repair bill$599–$1,200middle $712 · 8 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 11352975, 11477257, 11218152
- Fuel systemone repair bill$1,900–$4,100middle $3,300 · 8 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 11323021, 11689572, 11533709
- Coolingone repair bill$985–$1,600middle $1,200 · 6 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 11374194, 11509371, 11324986
- Engineone repair bill$906–$10,000middle $3,500 · 5 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 11231962, 11322437, 11618461
Not enough reports yet for a number: Electrical (2), Steering (2), Brakes (1), Suspension (1), Transmission (1). We show a range once 5 owners name a bill.
Each range is the middle half of the bills owners wrote down (one repair, parts and labor as they said it), not a yearly or total cost. Owners who complain often had expensive repairs, so typical bills can be lower. Prices depend on the shop, the miles and where you live.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 198 YouTube videos · 154.1M views · 2015–2021 Volkswagen Golf
Prices people quote
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical4.3M views
2015 VW Volkswagen Golf MK7 KEY FOB Battery ReplacementMy Mate VINCE · 3.8M views · 2 videos - Timing chain & engine1.8M views
Dead Misfire MK7 GTI, Another Shop Said Engine is TOASTHumbleMechanic · 1.5M views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service821K views
Volkswagen Reset Inspection Now Error on MK7 Golf (GTI, Sportwagen, R)Adam Chandler · 645K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors707K views
VW Golf MK7 stuck fuel doorGraham McDonald · 461K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system466K views
How to Replace Your MK7 GTI Water Pump (and why you should)HumbleMechanic · 466K views - Gauges, lights & wiring445K views
VW Golf Service Reset MK7 Oil and Inspection Reset service light reset Mark 7 2012 to 2019redram52 · 248K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter258K views
Volkswagen GTI Clutch Replacement DIY (VW Mk7 GTI & Mk7 Golf R)FCP Euro · 258K views - Death wobble & steering182K views
VW Golf MK7 (5G) Steering Angle Sensor basic settings (ESC ACC TPMS error fix)mr-fix · 182K views
Before you buy, watch
Audi A3 vs Volkswagen Golf 2018 review - which should you buy? | Head-to-Headcarwow · 1.7M views
Volkswagen Golf MK7 (2012-2019) review - Carbuyer / Mat WatsonCarbuyer · 1.7M views
MK7 VW GOLF R BUYERS GUIDE : DO NOT BUY Without Watching This!Scottish Car Clan · 329K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2021 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 2
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2022
The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2020
The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Volkswagen Golf recall, all years · All Volkswagen recalls
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,950–$2,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl.
Every Volkswagen Golf year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (1999–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 22 Volkswagen Golf years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volkswagen-golf/?y=2021" title="Volkswagen Golf reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="652" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/volkswagen-golf/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Volkswagen Golf reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
We can't score it: only 9,253 were sold in the U.S. in 2021 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2021 Volkswagen Golf problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (43%), brakes (29%) and steering (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf have?
2 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf get?
32 to 33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 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 2021 Volkswagen Golf have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf cost in fuel a year?
About $1,950 to $2,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf have?
1.4L 4-cyl.
What Volkswagen Golf year is better than the 2021?
Nearby, the 2020 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2014 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner 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 years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works