2018 Volkswagen Golf R: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 9 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Golf R. The contact stated that the headlights had become significantly dim while driving due to moisture accumulation inside the headlights housing. The contact stated that the failure had reduced the visibility of the roadway while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the manufacturer had advised to drive 30 minutes after starting the vehicle to allow the moisture to evaporate, as per TSB Number: 94-19-01. The dealer and the manufacturer informed the contact that the headlights were designed to collect condensation. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2023
“When driving the car it occasionally slips into neutral when it should be making the 1st to 2nd shift. Happens rarely; about 12-15 times in 60K miles. More common after filling up with gas, but has happened at other times. Very dangerous as one pulls out to merge into traffic to have the car do this when trying to accelerate. Acceleration is moderate and not flooring it when this happens. I know of 3-4 others on VW forum reporting the same issue. Again, this is potentially DANGEROUS.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2021
“Exiting a parking lot with a 15% incline @3mph merging into the road, the front park assist sensors beeped and the vehicle automatically applied brakes instead of accelerating. The engine stalled since I had the clutch fully released, incoming traffic had to stop when they noticed the vehicle not moving. Parkpilot system will often misread the road as an obstacle and apply brakes on its own, specially below the 3mph speed. It could be a combination of the ride height of this vehicle and the layout of regular parking lots in the us.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2019
Show 3 more owner reports
“Front collision warning sounds when leaving parking lots with small dip where the road meets the exit. 25% of the time my emergency brakes activate stopping the car when I want to exit. The car thinks the road is an obstacle because of the dip. This happen often and in different parking lots. Very dangerous since you're entering a road way and could cause an accident.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · May 2019
“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.”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2018
“Backup camera may not display upon shifting to reverse - I had an android phone projecting an android auto session. With the engine running, stationary at a parking lot, I depressed the clutch and shifted to reverse. The infotainment system did not show the backup camera nor a warning popup of an error - it just displayed the media screen. I tried 3 times more - the 2nd time the infotainment display showed "parkpilot is currently not available". Picture is attached. Video is available if needed.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2018
Recalls - 4 campaigns
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. 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 72H8 (VW) and 72H9(Audi).
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Remedy: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R vehicles. The fuel hose quick connector may detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, resulting in a fuel leak.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the fuel line connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Bi.
How other years compare
Check your exact Golf R by VIN
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Is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R reliable?
NHTSA has 9 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning unknown or other. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.