NHTSA Data Explorer
Volkswagen Golf R
Data refreshed July 24, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Volkswagen Golf R.
Complaints
206
Active records
Recalls
16
Active records
TSBs
1,320
Active records
Filing history
Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.
Reported severity
Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.
Deaths
0
Injuries
4
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Top reported issues — Volkswagen Golf R
Click a category to expand its values.
Operating state
Condition issue
Reporting mechanism
Engine behavior
Fluid issue
Safety restraint issue
Performance issue
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Driver assistance issue
Noise
Access/entry issue
Safety restraint behavior
Vibration/harshness
Thermal issue
Braking behavior
Lighting behavior
Electrical issue
Starting behavior
Smell
Infotainment behavior
Powering on/off behavior
Steering behavior
HVAC behavior
Recent change
Ride/handling behavior
Wiper/washer behavior
Electrified system issue
Communication/network issue
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
2026 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R
Filed Jul 16, 2026
Emergency braking system has applied itself on four different occasions where nothing was in front of me and one time was it highway speeds doing 70 mph The brakes completely locked up on the highway making people behind me have to take evasive action and not hit me while I'm stopped on the highway with my car parked and the emergency brake on The other time it happened just rolling through an intersection nobody in front of me just locked them up at about 45 mph The other two times were fairly…
2019 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R
Filed Jun 22, 2026
While turning (right hand turn) slowly into parking space, vehicle engine unexpectedly reved and accelerated causing vehicle to jump curb and strike fixed object (tree). Foot was not/not on the accelerator but rather on brake yet acceleration was so rapid vehicle could not be stopped prior to striking curb and fixed object. Filing HHTSA report due to research indicating similar incidents of unanticipated rapid acceleration at slow speeds for VW Golf models.
2026 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R
Filed Jun 6, 2026
3 occasions, the car went into emergency brake mode. once on hiway at 70mph warning came up and told me to grab the wheel and take control and prepare for impact. Nothing was in front of me to trigger this scenario. On hiway I was nearly rear ended but driver slid around me and didn't hit. This could have been a serious accident or death. The other two times it was at 45 mph and locked them up for no reason. Third was in a parking lot at 5 mph and it locked em up impending traffic and upsetting…
2024 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R
Filed May 17, 2026
The Hill Hold Assist system on my 2024 Volkswagen GTI (manual transmission) repeatedly holds the brakes too long when starting on an incline. The brakes remain engaged for 1–2 seconds even after I begin releasing the clutch and applying throttle, which causes the car to stall or hesitate before moving. This creates a safety risk when pulling into traffic or when other vehicles are behind me on a hill. This issue has occurred at least four times within the first 1,000 miles of driving. It is…
2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R
Filed Feb 18, 2026
On 04/24, I purchased 4 P235/40ZR18 Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires from Tire Rack. The tires have approx 15000 miles on them. I discovered the tires started to show approx 1/2 in cracks all around the tire where the tread transitions to the sidewall. This appears to be a safety issue because if the cracks worsen, the tread may separate from the tire. I have also spoken to Tire Rack were I`ll be filing a complaint.
2023 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R
Filed Oct 29, 2025
The vehicle has a feature called hill hold that can not be disabled where it holds the brakes when stopped on a hill untill 3 seconds after removing your foot from the brake pedal. This has resulted in many near miss safety hazards because I can not move the vehicle quickly enough to make a safety maneuver in the event of imminent collision from another vehicle when stopped on a hill.
2022 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R
Filed Oct 19, 2025
While stopped at a stoplight, the infotainment system went blank and all sorts of errors showed on dashboard display. The infotainment system continued to turn on and off approximately every 30 seconds. No audio, no backup camera and limited to no functionality via the infotainment system. According to VW Dealership, VW is currently working on a fix. No fix to date!
2024 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R
Filed Mar 9, 2025
I own a manual transmission MK8 Golf R, the ‘hill assist’ system cannot be turned off. The brakes will hold for 2-5 seconds after being released even on very slight inclines. I unfortunately upgraded from a 2017 MK7 Golf R manual that was damaged in an accident (I was not at fault). In that model VW the hill assist or ‘auto hold’ was able to be turned off with a button. The new models ‘assist system’ is an unsafe as is requires heavy clutch/throttle input in order for it to release. I’m [XXX] …
2023 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R
Filed Feb 13, 2025
Hello, The problem that I am having, and that many people have been having with the 8th generation Volkswagen Golf Rs (and GTIs as well) is with the hill hold feature. My car is manual transmission. When on a hill, the hill hold feature automatically holds the brakes after you take your foot off the brake. The way this feature is supposed to work is that the hill hold is supposed to release upon clutch disengagement and throttle input. It does not do that. Rather, it bites really hard on the…
2024 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R
Filed Jan 16, 2025
The infotainment system attempts to call for information or help. It disconnects my cell phone from bluetooth or USB and causes the screen to swap to either of the above call pages and makes a loud 'click' sound. It then cancels the call and attempts them again around a second or two later and gradually speeds up until the car is entirely turned off. The screen flashing and clicking is extremely distracting and there is no way to resolve it short of entirely shutting the vehicle off and letting…