YearToAvoid

2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

50/100

#2 most-complained of 3 Golf Alltrack years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack has a complaint index of 50, ranking 2nd worst among 3 model years with data. NHTSA lists 19 complaints, 3 recalls (one do-not-drive), and 1 crash tied to Electrical System, Engine, and Transmission & Powertrain issues.

Complaints
19
Recalls
3
incl. Do Not Drive
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24.5
21.5 city / 30 hwy

Top 2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System6 (32%)
  2. Engine4 (21%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain4 (21%)
  4. Brakes3 (16%)
  5. Structure & Body3 (16%)
  6. Fuel System2 (11%)
  7. Other2 (11%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers2 (11%)
  9. Airbags1 (5%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the parking brake button popping out of the handle, causing the brake to release and in one case leading to a crash.
  • Panoramic sunroofs leaked into the cabin, staining and water-damaging the headliner at low mileage, with median mileage at failure of 855 miles for Structure & Body complaints.
  • The automatic DSG transmission lost power briefly and shifted roughly from 1st to 2nd gear, showing a transmission error message.
  • Owners describe a key fob left on the roof allowing the car to start and roll while the fob fell off during movement.
  • Multiple system failure warnings and repeated engine failure messages occurred despite dealership inspections at three VW locations.
  • Front rims cracked on two separate occasions, causing sudden air loss, tied to a recall for improperly machined front wheel bearings.
2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack complaints: complaints filed per month4Feb 2020May 2020Apr 2021Mar 2022Oct 2022Jul 2023Sep 2023Jan 2025
29 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2020 to Jan 2026; peak Jul 2023 (4).

2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V604000Aug 30, 2023Electrical System62,538 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition:switch

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.

    Risk: Ignition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.

  2. NHTSA 22V815000Oct 31, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires296,044 vehicles

    Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

    Risk: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.

  3. NHTSA 19V879000Dec 11, 2019Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Wheels

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta GLI, Golf Alltrack, and Golf GTI vehicles. The front wheel bearings may have been improperly machined, potentially causing excessive stress on the wheel, wheel bolts, or wheel bearings.

    Risk: The excessive stress can cause steering, traction or other stability issues or breakage relating to the front wheels, and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the wheel bearing assemblies, wheels, and wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40P1. Note: The affected owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repairs have been made.

2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21.5 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
24.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2019 compared with other Golf Alltrack years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017No verdict10073125.5
2018No verdict08024.5
2019No verdict50193 !24.5

All Volkswagen Golf Alltrack years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 Golf Alltrack has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 2nd worst of 3 model years with data, with 19 complaints and 3 recalls, one marked do-not-drive.
What are the most common problems on the 2019 Golf Alltrack?
Electrical System complaints lead at 32% of reports, followed by Engine and Transmission & Powertrain at 21% each, and Brakes at 16%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2019 Golf Alltrack have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Golf Alltrack: an ignition switch replacement, a TPMS software update, and a do-not-drive recall for improperly machined front wheel bearings.
How does the 2019 Golf Alltrack compare to other years?
The 2017 Golf Alltrack has a complaint index of 100 with 73 complaints, the 2018 has an index of 0 with 8 complaints, and the 2019 sits at an index of 50 with 19 complaints.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Golf Alltrack?
EPA rates the 2019 Golf Alltrack at 24.5 mpg combined, 21.5 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, with an annual fuel cost of $2,650.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.