2020 Volkswagen Golf Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2020 Volkswagen Golf ranks 16th out of 19 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 17 and only 6 complaints logged, earning a Best verdict. It has 2 recalls covering the fuel system and TPMS software, with no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 17/100
- #16 of 19 Golf years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 6
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 31.5
- 28.5 city / 35.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 Volkswagen Golf problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System2 (33%)
- Engine2 (33%)
- Brakes1 (17%)
- Fuel System1 (17%)
- Other1 (17%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some drivers report the automatic emergency braking system triggering a hard stop with no obstacle present, in one case at 180 miles.
- Owners describe the dashboard showing an SOS Emergency Call system failure message, confirmed by the dealer as defective.
- One owner reported the cruise control accelerating on its own, with the target speed climbing well beyond the set 55 mph.
- A fuel system complaint at 17,000 miles involved a persistent check engine light traced to an evaporative emissions leak.
2020 Volkswagen Golf recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V110000Feb 14, 2024Fuel System261,257 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Risk: 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.
- 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 AudiÂs customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
2020 Volkswagen Golf fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 28.5 MPG
- Highway
- 35.5 MPG
- Combined
- 31.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,075
- 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.
2020 compared with other Golf years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
- Among 19 model years of the Golf, 2020 has the second-lowest complaint index at 17 and ranks 16th of 19 for reported problems, earning a Best verdict.
- What problems does the 2020 Volkswagen Golf have?
- NHTSA lists only 6 complaints for the 2020 Golf, split evenly between the electrical system and engine (2 each, 33% share), with one brake complaint and one fuel system complaint.
- Does the 2020 Volkswagen Golf have any recalls?
- Yes, two recalls: one for a fuel system suction pump (campaign 24V110000) and one for a TPMS software update (campaign 22V815000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2020 Golf compare to other years?
- The 2020 Golf has far fewer complaints than years like 2015 (131 complaints, index 100, Avoid) or 2017 (116 complaints, index 94, Avoid), placing it among the better Golf model years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Volkswagen Golf?
- EPA rates it at 31.5 mpg combined (28.5 city, 35.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,075.