Volkswagen Golf R Reliability Problems

Golf R owners have made 1 complaint over 5 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 3rd in overall reliability out of 25 VW models, with plenty of interior concerns.

The Most Common Golf R Problem

A list of some of the most common issues Golf R owners have to deal with.

  1. Front Assist Problems

    VW's collision avoidance technology is detecting objects that don't exist. When that happens it slams on the brakes and ends up putting unsuspecting occupants in harm's way. A lawsuit wants the automaker to do more than simply suggest that …

    Continue reading article "Front Assist Problems" Red warning light of VW's collision avoidance technology

  2. What Are We Missing?

    We know there's more problems than this. Let us know which one you'd like to see us cover next.

    Continue Red warning light of VW's collision avoidance technology

What Golf R Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Golf R Generations

Generations are groups of model years where few, if any, changes were made to the vehicle which means their model years tend to break in similar ways. The Golf R has 1 generation available in North American markets.

Golf R Key Numbers

  1. 1 complaint

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 408 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 4 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Recent Golf R News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. A new class-action says VW's front assist technology applies the brakes randomly and without warning.

    Customers who complain are typically given two not-so-great options, live with it and document the malfunctions or disable the feature entirely.

    The Missouri-based class-action says that's unacceptable and wants VW to take ownership of the problem. That includes covering any related repairs or costs associated with the system malfunctioning under warranty.

    keep reading article "Volkswagen's Front-Assist Emergency Braking Can Activate For No Reason, Says Lawsuit"

  2. A defective quick connector might allow fuel supply lines to detatch from the engine of over 500 Golf R cars.

    Volkswagen is recalling the cars because when detached, the lines stop supplying fuel to the crankshaft (very important) and start depositing it onto hot engine surfaces (very dangerous).

    The same connectors are being recalled in the Audi A3 and TT. Maybe it’s time to go back to the drawing board on this quick connector design?

    keep reading article "Quick Connecters Are Allowing Fuel Lines to Detach"

  3. The head restraint guide that keeps it attached to the seat frame may not have been properly welded in 169 VW vehicles.

    This is the second welding-related recall this year. They also recalled the Tiguan’s shock absorbers back in May. What in the weld is going on at these factories?

    About the Recall ∞

    • Recalled are 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf, Golf R, Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles that need the rear seat frames replaced._
    • In the last couple months a petition was handed to safety regulators because of weld concerns in the Jeep Wrangler, Subaru had to recall the brand new Ascent for missing welds, and even Maserati’s sub-frames are breaking because of welding mistakes.
    keep reading article "Head Restraint Weld Might Not Hold it to the Seat Frame"

  5. Volkswagen just can't seem to catch a break. Well, unless you count their child door locks. Those are breaking all over the place.

    Simple vibrations are disengaging the rear door child locks in many 2016 VWs, prompting a recall.

    "A molding problem caused the locking mechanism to be improperly manufactured causing the position retaining mechanism inside the door lock to break"

    That's a problem, especially for my toddler where her seat-kicking-snack-throwing-booster-seat-bouncing routine creates much more than a simple vibration.

    The 2016 CC, Golf R, Tiguan, and eGolf are all involved. For specific build dates, visit CarComplaints.com.

    keep reading article "Vibrations Opening Child Door Locks in 2016 Volkswagens"

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