2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 10 of 45 complaints (22%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more deaths (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 167 in 2017 to 45 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150–3,100 | 2,150–3,100 | 2,150–3,250 | 1,950–3,250 | 1,950–2,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–29 | 25–29 | 24–29 | 24–32 | 27–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–25 / 30–36 | 22–25 / 30–36 | 21–25 / 29–34 | 21–29 / 29–37 | 24–29 / 32–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 305–354 | 305–354 | 309–366 | 274–373 | 280–327 | |
| Complaints filed | 151 | 167 | 45 | 242 | 14 | |
| Recalls issued | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
Fuel System: 10 of 45 NHTSA complaints (22%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI get?
EPA rates it 24–29 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
EPA estimates $2,150–$3,250 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (13)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $3,250 (high) | 366 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 22 mpg | 29 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | $3,100 | 354 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.8L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 22 mpg | 30 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 354 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 320 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg | 32 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 322 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 320 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 24 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 320 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 309 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 9 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 25 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 310 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.8L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 22 mpg | 29 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 | 361 g/mi |
| Configuration 12 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 21 mpg (low) | 30 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 | 362 g/mi |
Show 2 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 11 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Front-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Compact Cars | 126 MPGe | 111 MPGe | 119 MPGe | $650 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 13 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 22 mpg | 31 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 351 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 24V110000 · Feb 15, 2024
Defect: Volkswagen 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 20V372000 · Jun 24, 2020
Defect: Volkswagen 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 19V615000 · Aug 22, 2019
Defect: Volkswagen 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS · Campaign 19V188000 · Mar 12, 2019
Defect: Volkswagen 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 18V464000 · Jul 16, 2018
Defect: Volkswagen 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · Campaign 18V369000 · Jun 7, 2018
Defect: Volkswagen 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.
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.