The Lemon Index
Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.
What owners describe
Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.
Transmission and power train recalls
- 2010 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In owners' words
The car stalls when coming to a stop- 0 mph and at idle with clutch in or in neutral. This is happening more often and seems to happen more when the car is warmed up.
2019 Volkswagen Golf owner · NHTSA complaint
Engine stalling when slowing or coming to a stop at city speeds with transmission in neutral. Engine shuts off smoothly (similar to ignition switch off) and restarts easily.
2019 Volkswagen Golf owner · NHTSA complaint
Quick answers
Which Volkswagen Golf years have transmission problems?
By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Volkswagen Golf years are 2019, 2008, 2007.
What are common Volkswagen Golf transmission problems?
Owners most often describe lost power while driving, hard or jerky shifting, delay or hesitation.
Which Volkswagen Golf years have the fewest transmission complaints?
Since 2010, the Volkswagen Golf years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2020, 2016, 2014.
See every problem, not just the transmission: Volkswagen Golf reliability by year. How we count