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Volkswagen Golf Reliability by Model Generation
Results are for year ending June 30, 2018. Only successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year and Model | % of Average Repair Frequency | |
 2015 - 2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI |
Best
122%
Worst
|
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 2010 - 2014 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI |
Best
118%
Worst
|
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 2007 - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI |
Best
144%
Worst
|
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| 2000 - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI |
Best
118%
Worst
|
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TrueDelta Reviews the Reliability And Durability of the Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI
| Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI Reliability And Durability: Cons | |
| Year | Comment |
| 2015 | I'm coming up short on reasons not to buy the new Golf. Sure, Volkswagens don't have the best reputations for reliability, but the horror stories generally involve those from the early 2000s, manufactured over a decade ago. In our stats more recent VWs tend to hold up reasonably well for the first four to six years, and the 2012s and 2013s have been quite reliable, at least so far. Will the all-new 2015s further improve on the 2012-2014 cars, or will there be some first-year glitches? We'll likely have our first fairly precise reliability stats for the new Golf and GTI in February 2015. For now, they're a bit of a gamble. Update: Our earliest data suggests that the new GTI has had a glitch-free launch. But it's early, so stay tuned for quarterly updates from February 2015 onwards. full 2015 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2015 | Range is the most obvious reason not to buy a Volkswagen e-Golf, or any EV with the possible exception of the Tesla. If you drive more than 100 miles in a day more than a few times a year, the e-Golf isn't a viable option. Most of the other reasons not to buy an e-Golf (including all of the non-obvious ones) are far less compelling than the reasons to buy one. Some people will figure that, since VW has had trouble with relatively simple electrical components in the past, a VW EV might not be a good idea. The latest Golf has been pretty good in our car reliability survey so far, but the cars are still very young. At this point the e-Golf's long-term reliability is unknown--as is the Soul EV's. full 2015 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2016 | You might have heard horror stories from Volkswagen owners. Most such stories involved cars from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Volkswagens have become considerably more reliable since then, with the cars from the late 2000s onward about average or even a bit better for the first four to six years of ownership (after which they do tend to take a turn for the worse). This said, Golfs with the 1.8T engine have been a little troublesome during the first year of ownership. Looking at the repairs behind the stats, most don't involve the engine, so it's not clear why they affect cars with the 2.0T engine less often. The glitches seem to pop up early in the cars' ownership, then taper off, as the 2015s have looked much better than earlier in recent updates. The 2016s, in the red zone as I write this, could similarly improve. (If you're reading this after November 2016, check the latest stats.) At the moment I don't see much cause for concern with the Golf. But Mazdas in general and the CX-5 in particular have had less variable records, so for those who are especially risk-averse they're more comfortable bets. full 2016 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
What Our Members Are Saying about the Reliability And Durability of the Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI
| Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI Reliability And Durability: Pros | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2012 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD |
The car is not old, but so far, so good. Oil changes are required only every 10K miles at first, and the first three are taken care of - not a high-price incentive, certainly, but a nice touch. I haven't had a single cause for alarm so far, and the car operates as it did on the day I bought it. VW has an iffy reputation in the US right now, but it's also said that quality control is best in Wolfsburg, where this car is assembled, and for what its worth, Consumer Reports ranked the MK6 Golf well above average for projected reliability. full 2012 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2011 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
I've never had any problems whatsoever. Regular oil changes with good-quality products, premium gas, the occasional bottle of techron and she's been good to go for almost 60k now. full 2011 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2009 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD |
No problems so far, the car feels durable and does not creak or make funny noises full 2009 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2009 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
No complaints once we sorted out a few initial problems. Car is reliable and I would drive it anywhere. full 2009 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2008 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
very safe car, rated well in crash ratings, better warrenty than most, full 2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2008 | 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD |
Rated by Edmunds as a "least cost" vehicle, coming in at a rate below the comparable vehicle costs of operation and ownership full 2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2008 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
The 2008 VW GTI is a car that you can't depend on. It has tons of issues that affect a high percentage of owners, which include: Diverter valve failure PCV faliure Cam wear Fuel pump failure Air conditioning failure Misfires Carbon build up Avoid this car at all costs. Don't make the same mistake I did. full 2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2006 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD |
The diesel engine is built to last. full 2006 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2006 | 4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
We had a very high recommendation from a close friend regarding Golf and we are finding it to be exactly as stated. Solid and reliable, plus easy to drive. We are aware of expensive parts and service but we have not had any repairs to date other than tire full 2006 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2005 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD |
Engine has 150K+ miles, and I should be able to get another 150K full 2005 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI Reliability And Durability: Cons | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2016 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Suspect durability of new tech TSI full 2016 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2013 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD |
There is a major potential problem with the Golf TDI in the form of the high pressure fuel pump. The concern is that the Bosch unit does not like American low sulfur diesel fuel because of its relatively lower lubricity compared to Euro diesel fuels available where the car was designed. When the pump fails, it can send metal shavings throughout the fuel system, and require major replacements to the tune of $8-10,000. This is a sword of Damocles hanging over the head of any TDI owner. Three or more design revisions have been implemented, but the problem still shows up. Are you willing to take a chance they finally got it right in your car? full 2013 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2012 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
My GTI had a water pump failure inside of 20k miles. Other than that, all was good. full 2012 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2010 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Do not trust VW to be well built or have dealers that will honor the warranty. full 2010 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2008 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
The 2008 VW GTI is a car that you can't depend on. It has tons of issues that affect a high percentage of owners, which include: Diverter valve failure PCV faliure Cam wear Fuel pump failure Air conditioning failure Misfires Carbon build up Avoid this car at all costs. Don't make the same mistake I did. full 2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
OK, everything comes with a price, right? Rattles, bad tranny, warpped timing belt cover, cracked tail light lens. Did I mention the rattles? Know what? I STILL like it. Thank God for warranties. full 2007 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
VW needs to address reliability concerns with bulletprood reliability and a good service network. full 2007 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
In a year of ownership I have had far more dealership experiences than I care to remember. Lots of check engine lights, parts acting funny, and several parts that have questionable long-term durability. full 2007 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Averaging 2 to 3 shop visits per year. Concerns about how much it will cost to own this vehicle over the long haul. full 2007 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
| 2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
I have had to return to the dealership three times for "Airbag Fault" warnings. full 2007 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
