Volkswagen Golf Engine Problems
Owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Volkswagen Golf across 17 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (34). The words owners use most often: “thermostat housing” (12% of reports).
- 165engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 23%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.
- Thermostat housing: mentioned in 20 of 165 complaints (12%)
- Water pump: mentioned in 16 of 165 complaints (10%)
- High pressure fuel: mentioned in 9 of 165 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 103 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 165 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 6 a fire.
Volkswagen Golf engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Golf | 2 | 18% | — |
| 2022 Golf | 10 | 12% | 200 |
| 2021 Golf | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2020 Golf | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2019 Golf | 34 | 54% | 500 |
| 2018 Golf | 3 | 10% | 38,250 |
| 2017 Golf | 18 | 15% | 37,400 |
| 2016 Golf | 18 | 21% | 9,829 |
| 2015 Golf | 26 | 20% | 12,800 |
| 2014 Golf | 2 | 17% | 127,000 |
| 2013 Golf | 14 | 33% | 50,000 |
| 2012 Golf | 11 | 23% | 13,693 |
| 2011 Golf | 15 | 14% | 54,000 |
| 2010 Golf | 7 | 10% | 49,000 |
| 2009 Golf | 1 | 33% | 116,000 |
| 2005 Golf | 1 | 5% | 153,753 |
| 2002 Golf | 1 | 1% | 53,000 |
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.
Driving my 2017Golf the check engine light came on. The light was steady. I called my dealer and got it in for service. They report to me that the Thermostat housing needs to be replaced and oxygen sensors need replacing also. I just had the manifold replaced 6 weeks ago. I found on line that this…
Since shortly after purchase, the vehicle has experienced intermittent drivability and shifting issues along with repeated EPC and check engine warnings. Diagnostic trouble code P0111 (intake air temperature plausibility) has been present along with other electrical and engine management faults. A…
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 EPC light has luminated 3 times in the last several months. The vehicle stutters and will not accelerate past 25 MPH. Shutting off the engine and restarting it clears the light and vehicle drives normally. The check engine light does not illuminate and no OBDII codes are stored. Manual states…
My EPC light began to appear randomly in early 2024. I received a recall notice on the gear shift trim around the same time, so called Jack Ingram VW in Montgomery to schedule a time for them to fix it (and also ensure they had the part). I asked them to also check on why the EPC light was coming…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volkswagen Golfs have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 165 owner complaints about engine 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?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Volkswagen Golf?
The most frequent phrase is “thermostat housing”, in 20 of 165 complaints, followed by “water pump” (16).
Other Volkswagen Golf problems
See all Volkswagen Golf problems.