2018 Volkswagen Golf R Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
40/100
#7 most-complained of 11 Golf R years
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf R has 9 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 40, ranking 7th worst out of 11 model years — a Good result compared to other Golf R years.
- Complaints
- 9
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
Top 2018 Volkswagen Golf R problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes3 (33%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (33%)
- Electrical System2 (22%)
- Engine1 (11%)
- Fuel System1 (11%)
- Other1 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (11%)
What owners report
- Brake pads reportedly stick to the outboard rotor after rain, causing the brakes to bind while backing out of a space.
- Front collision warning and automatic braking activate on small dips or inclines when exiting parking lots, sometimes stalling the engine.
- A fuel hose quick connector can detach from the supply line, letting owners smell raw gasoline inside the car and under the hood, in one case followed by the engine stumbling and stopping.
- The DSG automatic transmission has been reported to drop into neutral when pulling away from a stop or shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, even without the driver moving the shifter.
- Backup camera feed reportedly fails to display when shifting into reverse while a phone is mirrored through the infotainment system.
- Headlights have been reported to dim significantly due to moisture buildup inside the headlight housing, reducing nighttime visibility.
2018 Volkswagen Golf R recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V321000May 5, 2021Other46 vehicles
Unknown or other
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
- NHTSA 20V561000Sep 16, 2020Other23 vehicles
Unknown or other
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.
- NHTSA 18V864000Dec 5, 2018Fuel System516 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R vehicles. The fuel hose quick connector may detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the engine compartment can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the fuel line connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Bi.
2018 Volkswagen Golf R fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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.
2018 compared with other Golf R years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R reliable?
- NHTSA lists 9 complaints and 4 recalls for the 2018 Golf R, giving it a Complaint Index of 40. That ranks 7th worst of 11 model years, making it a Good year relative to other Golf R years.
- What are the main problems with the 2018 Golf R?
- The top problem area is Brakes, accounting for 33% of complaints, tied with Transmission & Powertrain issues also at 33%. Electrical System complaints make up 22% of reports.
- Does the 2018 Golf R have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2018 Golf R, covering a fuel hose quick connector that could leak fuel, incorrectly welded rear seat head restraint guide sleeves, and two vehicle repurchase actions tied to sales-process issues.
- How does the 2018 Golf R compare to other years?
- The 2018 model's Complaint Index of 40 is lower than the 2016 (80), 2017 (90), and 2024 (100) model years, all rated Avoid, making 2018 a relatively better choice.
- At what mileage do 2018 Golf R brake problems occur?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 8,500 for reported failures overall, with individual brake-related complaints ranging from 14,250 median mileage down to lower figures in sample reports.