2018 Volkswagen Golf: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2018 / volkswagen / golf
known issues7 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-30)
complaints37 on file (2018-07-10 → 2026-05-31)
recalls6
investigations1
fars11 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Sunroof glass shatters without impactSTRUCTURE4 complaints2019-11 → 2025-12golf-2018-sunroof-glass-shatter
  • 11704994 Sunroof Glass Implosion While Driving (2018 Volkswagen Golf) While driving my 2018 Volkswagen Golf at normal highway speed, my sunroof suddenly and violently imploded without any warning or external impact. The sound was extremely loud—similar to a gunshot or an explosion—and
  • 11508588 We were driving on the highway when the sunroof exploded. There were 4 of us in the car and none of us recalls anything striking the sunroof. Glass exploded wverywhere
  • 11469462 I was driving west on I-80 and my sunroof exploded/shattered. There was no rock to be found anywhere
Panoramic roof leaks and stains headlinerSTRUCTURE3 complaints2019-03 → 2019-10golf-2018-panoramic-roof-leak
  • 11265296 PANORAMIC MOONROOF LEAKING AROUND EDGES AND STAINING HEADLINER AND UPHOLESTRY
  • 11269976 WATER LEAK FROM THE PANORAMIC ROOF. HEADLINER AND A PILLAR IS WET AND WILL BE REPLACED. WINDSHIELD FOGGED AND HAD CONDENSATION
  • 11183961 LESS THAN ONE YEAR INTO OWNERSHIP, THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCED A PANORAMIC SUNROOF LEAK ON BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AREA NEAR THE A-PILLAR AND THE SUNVISOR. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPORTED INCIDENTS ALL OVER VARIOUS SOURCES ON THE INTERNET. THE SUNROOF, VISOR
Peeling interior trim edge cuts fingersSTRUCTURE3 complaints2021-04 → 2024-11golf-2018-sharp-interior-trim-cuts
  • 11625316 There is an issue with the gear shift cover trim. The piece that goes around the gear shift has a chrome coating that has been pealing off. Over multiple occasions that pealed off piece of metal has cut my finger causing bleeding. There seems to be a recall on the DSG GTI for
  • 11570664 There is a peeling plastic/metal chrome trim piece on the steering wheel that cause a finger laceration
  • 11413606 TRIM ON CENTER CONSOLE ABOVE SHIFTER AND BELOW CENTER CUBBY IS RAZOR SHARP AND HAS CUT MY HAND DEEPLY TWICE WHILE PARKED AND CLEANING INTERIOR SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR
Thermostat housing leaks coolantPOWER TRAIN2 complaints2020-12 → 2022-10golf-2018-thermostat-coolant-leak
  • 11490647 Received a low coolant warning and then checked the coolant level. Coolant was low and was topped off. One week later the issue recurred as the coolant level and dropped below minimum levels again. Thermostat housing had a slow leak which was discovered by the dealer. This seems
  • 11384548 COOLANT LEAK NOTICED UNDERNEAT THE ENGINE. IT RUN DOWN TO THE OIL PAN DRIPPING ON THE DRIVE WAY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THEY SAID LEAK IS COMING FROM THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. MILEAGE IS NOW 73700. VW POWERTRAIN WARRANTY COVERS UP TO 72000
Fuel suction jet pump leaks, gas odor in cabinFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM9 complaints2019-03 → 2026-05golf-2018-fuel-jet-pump-leak-odor
  • 11538196 During refueling after low fuel indicator, fuel tank was not able to accept any fuel. During a second attempt, vehicle accepted 0.25 gallons but all of this fuel came gushing out of the tank from the inlet and from the passenger side rear wheel well. Fuel kept leaking for
  • 11600571 I have a recall for the jet pump in the fuel tank of my vehicle. I have had fuel leaking from my charcoal canister. The vehicle is at the dealership right now, and they have confirmed this. Yet they will not make a repair on it and have been without my vehicle for over a week
  • 11476551 Fuel leaking from charcoal canister next to exhaust can lead to fire. Fuel leaking on to ground by passenger side rear wheel. Strong smell of gasoline outside and inside car. Caused dizziness while driving can harm children. No warning or any lights other then strong odour of
Forward collision assist brakes without causeFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE4 complaints2019-03 → 2024-01golf-2018-forward-collision-false-brake
  • 11395424 AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGES WITHOUT CAUSE OR WARNING. AT BOTH SLOW AND MODERATE SPEEDS WITH NO OBSTACLE IN FRONT OF CAR. RISK OF CAUSING A REAR-END ACCIDENT VERY HIGH. DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND NOTHING. RECOMMENDS DISABLING SYSTEM IF ISSUE PERSISTS
  • 11459292 Had forward collision assist (turned on by default at engine start) turned on. When entering an intersection, vehicle stopped short to a full stop right in front of a metal plate on the road in the intersection. Had there been a vehicle behind me, the system may have needlessly
  • 11565501 Second occurrence of this issue approximately two years apart, unresolved and unaddressed by manufacturer. Driving during evening on lit city street at night traveling in lane of traffic. In normal course of driving (~25 mph) vehicle applied full brakes with no advance notice in
Engine stalls or hesitates on restartENGINE2 complaints2018-07 → 2022-09golf-2018-engine-stall-hesitation
  • 11484494 Vehicle intermittently stalls when coming to a stop in traffic while in gear. Has occurred on multiple separate occasions, but cannot be easily re-produced. When vehicle stalls it can be difficult to restart while in traffic and occurs without warning creating safety hazard
  • 11110481 AFTER RESTARTING HOT ENGINE AFTER A BRIEF STOP, CAR MIGHT STUMBLE DURING FIRST ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE, FOR EXAMPLE TRYING TO ENTER TRAFFIC FROM A PARKING LOT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS BEEN CAUSE FOR ALARM. THE ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT FEELS AS IF IT IS NOT. THIS IS

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
372018-07-102026-05-3100FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM:10; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:7; STRUCTURE:5; ENGINE:4; POWER TRAIN:4

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
18V46400011/07/2018STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICEVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.
18V36900001/06/2018SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPERVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
19V18800006/03/2019SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGSVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.
19V61500022/08/2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULEVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
20V37200024/06/2020EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling two 2018 Golf GTI vehicles. The VIN printed on the Federal Certification label may not match the actual VIN on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."If the stamped vehicle identification number (VIN) does not match the VIN on the Vehicle Certification Label, owners may be unable to tell if their vehicle is under an important safety recall, possibly exposing them to an increased risk of a crash, fire or injury.Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct certification label, free of charge. This recall began July 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E7.
24V11000014/02/2024FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. 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.A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. 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 VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
RQ23007closedFuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER2023-12-122024-07-0124V110On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emiss

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202411legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2018 Volkswagen Golf vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2018/volkswagen/golf
@misc{wrenchpro_2018_volkswagen_golf_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2018 Volkswagen Golf},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2018/volkswagen/golf}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

hub · known-issues · methodology · license · research (interpretation)