2018 Volkswagen Golf R: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R: 4 recalls, 9 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #18V803000 · 2018 · 169 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-golf and golf r vehicles, and Audi a3 sedan and rs3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves May be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
Why it matters: If the guide sleeves are incorrectly welded, in the event of a crash, the rear seat head restraints May have reduced stability, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #18V864000 · 2018 · 516 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen golf r vehicles. The fuel hose quick connector May detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, resulting in a fuel leak.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the engine compartment can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the fuel line connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2019.
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #20V561000 · 2020 · 23 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen golf r and atlas, 2017 golf alltrack and e-golf and 2016-2018 passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and May have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles May fail to comply with the requirements of various federal motor…
Why it matters: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements May have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020.
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #21V321000 · 2021 · 46 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 touareg gp, tiguan, golf a6, e-golf gp, ccf, 2016-2017 passat gp, 2018-2019 golf r gp, and 2018 atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and May have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles May fail to comply with the requirements of…
Why it matters: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements May have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
The fix: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (3).
- Wheels (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Fuel & propulsion (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf R has 9 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 12 Golf R model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 7). Complaints peaked in 2019 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 8,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (15 complaints, 0 recalls), 2019 (6 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Volkswagen Golf R problems?
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (3), transmission & drivetrain (3), wheels (1).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (AM-S7)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Volkswagen Golf R repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.