2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen recalls and problems

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen has 5 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer.

Urgent: recall 18V-369 carries a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

1 / 0

Injuries / deaths

2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen recalls

Recall 24V-110: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Feb 14, 2024 · 261,257 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-615: Electrical System, Steering

Reported Aug 22, 2019 · 679,027 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Recall 19V-188: Suspension

Reported Mar 6, 2019 · 56,173 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

Risk: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.

Recall 18V-464: Electrical System, Steering

Reported Jul 11, 2018 · 33,168 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.

Recall 18V-369: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Do not driveReported Jun 1, 2018 · 10,225 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.

Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	4
Unknown or Other	3
Air Bags	2
Vehicle Speed Control	2
Electrical System	2
Structure	2
Fuel/Propulsion System	1
Fuel System, Gasoline	1
Wheels	1
Engine	1

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 9,550 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Jan 6, 2026

My vehicle was serviced at an authorized VW dealer on Dec 12 for recall-related work & a diagnostic water test (fee waived; $0 paid). Before leaving the dealership, while still on property, I observed extensive interior damage not present prior to service: widespread staining/saturation of headliner, sunroof shade, interior pillars (AâD), plus damage to interior trim. Substance was not colorless or odorless; damage was systemic, not localized. I documented immediately w/ photos taken on dealership property. I requested help/loaner; denied; required to take vehicle. After leaving, additional…

Engine · reported Jul 31, 2025

Our VW Sportwagen registered owner [XXX] - my wife, which we purchased new has a coolant leak at 41000 miles. This is the 3rd time. It was repaired twice under warranty at two separate dealers - 10/2024 was the 2nd time - 3 separate leaks including the original repaired seal failing again. The new car warranty has now expired. 7/2025 is is leaking again. Will the engine seize up? VW says we aren't their customer. I wonder who made the VW? They won't tell me where to get it repaired properly. VW says everything is up to the dealer and that they cover their repairs for 12 months. The dealer says…

Power Train · reported Oct 7, 2024

The clutch master cylinder failed at less than 37,000 miles and is not covered under the manufacturer's standard (for 2018 models) 72,000 mile warranty. I had to spend $500+ to replace the part at an independent mechanic. Fluid levels were fine and there were no leaks. Just a faulty part. I have owned cars with a manual transmission for almost 40 years and never once had to replace any clutch components, including in cars with well over 100,000 miles on them. It was a potentially dangerous event. I depressed the clutch pedal to put it in gear and the pedal sank to the floor. I couldn't get the…

Unknown or Other · reported Sep 16, 2022

Chromed metallic trim on center console above shifter and beneath center cubby opening has cracked and lifted creating a small, very sharp raised raw edge that deeply lacerated my right hand while reaching into of cubby to retrieve item while behind the wheel. Normal use, no overt damage to explain de-lamination of trim in this location.

Structure · reported Nov 17, 2021

The U-shaped on the passenger door jamb the the door latch attaches to came loose preventing the door from closing completely. Ganley VW tightened up the fasteners without writing up a service order so it would be reported to VW. They did not use a torgue wrench. I asked them to use thread locker to help prevent this from recurring. They refused and stated VW does not permit them to use thread locker. It took 8 days to get an appointment to repair this.

Other Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen years

201920182017 2016 2015

Compare all Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen years · All Volkswagen models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen: 24V-110 (fuel system, gasoline), 19V-615 (electrical system, steering), 19V-188 (suspension), 18V-464 (electrical system, steering), 18V-369 (service brakes, hydraulic). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen?

Owners report power train problems most often (4 reports), followed by unknown or other (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 9,550 miles.

Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volkswagen dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.