Volkswagen Golf years to avoid
Every Volkswagen Golf model year on file (2012-2019), ranked worst to best by severity index - the share of owner complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or fatality.
2015
Worst year on file
94.8
Severity index
Engine
Most-reported system
2019
Cleanest year on file
Ranked worst to best
| # | Model year | Severity | Complaints | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015 Volkswagen Golf | 94.8 High | 131 | Engine |
| 2 | 2012 Volkswagen Golf | 73.6 Medium | 48 | Engine |
| 3 | 2013 Volkswagen Golf | 58.0 Medium | 43 | Engine |
| 4 | 2014 Volkswagen Golf | 58.0 Medium | 12 | Air Bags |
| 5 | 2018 Volkswagen Golf | 56.2 Medium | 37 | Fuel/Propulsion System |
| 6 | 2017 Volkswagen Golf | 47.2 Medium | 190 | Fuel/Propulsion System |
| 7 | 2016 Volkswagen Golf | 43.8 Low | 85 | Fuel/Propulsion System |
| 8 | 2019 Volkswagen Golf | 40.1 Low | 82 | Engine |
A high rank here means a larger share of this year's complaints described a crash, fire or injury - not that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and not a reliability or repair-cost rating. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold.
Volkswagen Golf complaints and recalls by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crashes | Fires | Severity | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 48 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 73.6 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2013 | 43 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 58.0 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2014 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 58.0 Medium | AIR BAGS |
| 2015 | 131 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 94.8 High | ENGINE |
| 2016 | 85 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 43.8 Low | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM |
| 2017 | 190 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 47.2 Medium | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM |
| 2018 | 37 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 56.2 Medium | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM |
| 2019 | 82 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 40.1 Low | ENGINE |
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold; a high-volume seller will attract more filings than a rare trim.