Volkswagen Golf Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Volkswagen Golf across 24 model years. The 2022 model year has the most (25). The words owners use most often: “manual transmission” (13% of reports).
- 145power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 20%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.
- Manual transmission: mentioned in 19 of 145 complaints (13%)
- Shift knob: mentioned in 18 of 145 complaints (12%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 87 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 145 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury.
Volkswagen Golf power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Golf | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2022 Golf | 25 | 31% | — |
| 2021 Golf | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2019 Golf | 13 | 21% | 250 |
| 2018 Golf | 4 | 14% | 37,100 |
| 2017 Golf | 5 | 4% | 79,100 |
| 2016 Golf | 5 | 6% | 49,500 |
| 2015 Golf | 14 | 11% | 12,940 |
| 2014 Golf | 2 | 17% | 34,272 |
| 2013 Golf | 1 | 2% | 91,000 |
| 2012 Golf | 9 | 19% | 12,693 |
| 2011 Golf | 21 | 19% | 6,555 |
| 2010 Golf | 7 | 10% | 4,996 |
| 2007 Golf | 1 | 50% | 160,000 |
| 2005 Golf | 2 | 11% | 35,500 |
| 2004 Golf | 3 | 11% | 71,000 |
| 2003 Golf | 2 | 8% | 127,500 |
| 2002 Golf | 4 | 5% | 61,470 |
| 2001 Golf | 7 | 6% | 52,000 |
| 2000 Golf | 5 | 6% | 56,014 |
| 1999 Golf | 4 | 6% | 91,000 |
| 1998 Golf | 4 | 22% | 24,000 |
| 1997 Golf | 3 | 43% | 80,000 |
| 1995 Golf | 2 | 5% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists power train for the Volkswagen Golf. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the messages "Service Vehicle - Place Vehicle in Park" and "Transmission Error" were displayed, with an audible chime. The âGearbox Overheatingâ warning light was illuminated…
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 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…
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the stick shift was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed rear axle and coil springs. The contact was informed that the rear axle and coil springs…
The vehicle has a manual transmission and is equipped with a hill start assist feature. This holds the brake on a hill so the clutch and gear may be engaged and keep the car from rolling back. The feature in this vehicle does not release the brake when the vehicle starts moving forward and holds it…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volkswagen Golfs have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 145 owner complaints about power train 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 power train?
No recall currently lists power train for this vehicle.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Volkswagen Golf?
The most frequent phrase is “manual transmission”, in 19 of 145 complaints, followed by “shift knob” (18).
Other Volkswagen Golf problems
See all Volkswagen Golf problems.