2020 Volkswagen Golf Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#14 most-complained of 14 Golf years
The 2020 Volkswagen Golf ranks 14th of 14 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 0 and only 6 complaints logged. It carries a Best verdict among Golf years, with 2 recalls and no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 31.5
- 28.5 city / 35.5 hwy
Top 2020 Volkswagen Golf problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System2 (33%)
- Engine2 (33%)
- Brakes1 (17%)
- Fuel System1 (17%)
- Other1 (17%)
What owners report
- Owners report the automatic emergency braking system triggering a hard stop with no obstacle present, nearly causing a rear-end collision.
- Some drivers saw a "SOS Emergency Call Function Not Available" warning appear on the dashboard, with the issue confirmed by a dealer inspection.
- One owner described the cruise control target speed jumping on its own from 55 mph to 95 mph, causing uncommanded acceleration.
- A fuel system complaint involved a persistent check engine light traced to an evaporative emissions leak flagged by trouble code P0456.
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?
- Compared to other Golf model years, the 2020 has the lowest complaint index (0) and ranks 14th out of 14 years for reported problems, earning a Best verdict.
- What problems does the 2020 Golf have?
- NHTSA lists 6 complaints for the 2020 Golf, split across Electrical System and Engine (33% each), plus Brakes and Fuel System (17% each). No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths were reported.
- Does the 2020 Golf have any recalls?
- Yes, two recalls affect the 2020 Golf: one for a Fuel System suction pump replacement (campaign 24V110000) and one for a Suspension, Wheels & Tires TPMS software update (campaign 22V815000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- What year Volkswagen Golf should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2015 (100), 2017 (85), 2011 (77), and 2022 (92) carry Avoid verdicts, while 2020 and 2021 rank as Best.
- How is the 2020 Golf's fuel economy?
- The 2020 Golf is EPA-rated at 31.5 mpg combined (28.5 city / 35.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,075.