Volkswagen Golf Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 121 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Volkswagen Golf across 17 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (23). The words owners use most often: “water pump” (6% of reports).
- 121engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 32%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Water pump: mentioned in 7 of 121 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 63 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 121 complaints, 1 mention a crash.
Volkswagen Golf engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Golf | 14 | 17% | — |
| 2019 Golf | 1 | 2% | 59,000 |
| 2016 Golf | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2015 Golf | 3 | 2% | 114,750 |
| 2011 Golf | 11 | 10% | 12,100 |
| 2010 Golf | 9 | 13% | 5,491 |
| 2007 Golf | 1 | 50% | — |
| 2006 Golf | 2 | 17% | 15,250 |
| 2005 Golf | 2 | 11% | 49,000 |
| 2004 Golf | 4 | 14% | 899 |
| 2003 Golf | 1 | 4% | 73,888 |
| 2002 Golf | 13 | 18% | 29,429 |
| 2001 Golf | 23 | 20% | 68,500 |
| 2000 Golf | 13 | 15% | 60,013 |
| 1999 Golf | 16 | 25% | 57,411 |
| 1998 Golf | 3 | 17% | — |
| 1995 Golf | 4 | 9% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Fuel system, gasoline; engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control
Model years: 2015, 2016
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.
Risk: As fuel accumulates in the EVAP system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 20Y6 and 20Y5. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 24V-110.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum; engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2015, 2016
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Risk: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Model years: 1995
Problem: Improper material was used in manufacturing the radiator fan motor shaft causing the shaft to wear and become noisy.
Risk: A worn and noisy fan motor shaft can seize renderingthe fan motor inoperative, eventually causing the engine to overheat and stall. A stalled vehicle in traffic can increase the potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: Dealers will replace the complete cooling fan assembly on vehicle having the potential shaft material problem. Dealers will install a new fan blade including a new lock nut on vehicle with loose fan blade lock nuts.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that the turbocharger failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the mechanic informed the contact that during the inspection, the rear coil spring fractured. The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA…
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that the vehicle jumped the curb while driving, but he was able to regain control. The driver turned off the vehicle and restarted it. Recently, while reversing out of a parking spot and placing the vehicle into drive, there was sudden…
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact noticed that the fuel pump would frequent stop while fueling the vehicle. The contact then stated that while his vehicle was being driven by a valet, fuel began to pour out of the fuel tank while on an incline. The valet attendant managed to…
The radiator fell out of it's harness, which cause the coolant hose to rub against a belt. The cooling hose broke, causing all coolant to leak out of the car. The car is now unable to be driven. This is a prevalent issue I heard about throughout the community, but has not been addressed by…
Radiator hose hit the serpentine belt and caused full loss of coolant. I currently have 1,483 miles on my car bought new from the dealership. I havenât even opened my hood until today when I was alerted to low coolant levels and had them all spilling out on my driveway.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volkswagen Golfs have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 121 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Volkswagen Golf. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Volkswagen Golf engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Volkswagen Golf?
The most frequent phrase is “water pump”, in 7 of 121 complaints.
Other Volkswagen Golf problems
- Air Bags problems (187)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (181)
- Electrical System problems (172)
- Engine problems (165)
- Power Train problems (145)
See all Volkswagen Golf problems.