The 2019 Volkswagen Golf is associated with 87 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 7 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 19 reports (22% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 11 certified vehicle configurations spanning all-electric, 1.4l 4-cyl, 2l 4-cyl, and 1.8l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 24 to 32 MPG combined. All-electric variants deliver up to 119 MPGe with an estimated range of 125 miles. The 2019 Volkswagen Golf belongs to the 7th generation (Mk7 / Typ 5G) Golf platform spanning model years 2015–2021.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 87 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 7 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (19 / 22%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 4 crash / 0 fire / 0 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 24–32 MPG (11 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| e-Golf 100% Electric | Electric Motor | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (A1) | 126 MPGe | 111 MPGe | 119 MPGe | 125 mi | $650 / yr |
| Golf | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 29 MPG | 37 MPG | 32 MPG | — | $1,900 / yr |
| Golf | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 29 MPG | 37 MPG | 32 MPG | — | $1,900 / yr |
| Golf SportWagen | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 29 MPG | 37 MPG | 32 MPG | — | $1,900 / yr |
| Golf SportWagen | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 27 MPG | 36 MPG | 31 MPG | — | $2,000 / yr |
| Golf R | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 23 MPG | 30 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,900 / yr |
| Golf Alltrack | 1.8L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Golf SportWagen 4motion | 1.8L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Golf R | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 21 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| Golf SportWagen 4motion | 1.8L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| Golf Alltrack | 1.8L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 21 MPG | 30 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2019 Volkswagen Golf provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 125 miles on a single battery charge.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 13.4% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2019 Volkswagen Golf models.
View complete 2019 Volkswagen Golf crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2019 Volkswagen Golf problems & component breakdown (31 categories) →
Affected Component: WHEELS
Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta GLI, Golf Alltrack, and Golf GTI vehicles. The front wheel bearings may have been improperly machined, potentially causing excessive stress on the wheel, wheel bolts, or wheel bearings.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the wheel bearing assemblies, wheels, and wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40P1. Note: The affected owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repairs have been made.
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.
View all 2019 Volkswagen Golf recalls & campaign history (7 campaigns) →