2019 Volkswagen Golf Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 37 1 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HARPER VOLKSWAGEN LOCATED AT 9901 KINGSTON PIKE, KNOXVILLE, TN 37922, (865) 691-0393, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THE FIFTH OCCASION OF HAVING THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SHIFTED TO ECONOMY MODE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. ON…”
NHTSA complaint #11243518, 2019 · crash

“When I take my foot off the brake to accelerate, the car jerks backward and shudders. It feels as though it’s about to stall. When pressing the gas pedal, the car also has delayed acceleration. Both of these issues create dangerous driving conditions. The car hesitates when accelerating from a stopped position, nearly causing me to be rear-ended at traffic lights on multiple occasions. I’ve also experienced a couple of close calls while making right turns on red, as the car hesitates and won’t accelerate immediately. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle. Have had the car to one independent mecha…”
NHTSA complaint #11636066, 2024

“While driving, all vehicle gauges and HVAC suddenly stopped working. Car beeped, and screen said "pull over safely" (or something like that), and then said "Check starter system". Turned car off, and then eventually it turned back on. Same thing happened again, but I was able to continue driving (engine kept running), with no HVAC, no speedometer, no tachometer, nothing. I don't know if turn signals or exterior lights were working.”
NHTSA complaint #11539008, 2023

Power Train 17

“The transmission lurches and studders at stops with roughly 60K miles on it. The dealer believes it to be the mechatronic unit. I am put at risk because the car begins to move, stops, and then begins again moving. Cars behind me may believe I am accelerating from a stop and rear end me. There are no warning lamps, messages, or anything whatsoever, the issue generates no codes for dealer techs to diagnose.”
NHTSA complaint #11709174, 2025

“When I take my foot off the brake to accelerate, the car jerks backward and shudders. It feels as though it’s about to stall. When pressing the gas pedal, the car also has delayed acceleration. Both of these issues create dangerous driving conditions. The car hesitates when accelerating from a stopped position, nearly causing me to be rear-ended at traffic lights on multiple occasions. I’ve also experienced a couple of close calls while making right turns on red, as the car hesitates and won’t accelerate immediately. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle. Have had the car to one independent mecha…”
NHTSA complaint #11636066, 2024

“COOLANT LEAKING FROM THERMOSTAT HOUSING WATERPUMP MODULE CAUSING ENGINE ISSUES. COMMON ISSUE ON THE VW EA888 GEN 3 ENGINE.”
NHTSA complaint #11407230, 2021

Unknown Or Other 13 1 crash

“AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK IN EMERGENCY SITUATION - DID NOT DEPLOY IN A REAR-END COLLISION SITUATION.”
NHTSA complaint #11341069, 2020 · crash

“I am currently stationed in the United Kingdom and the VW dealership is stating that they are unable to complete the needed recall because it is an imported vehicle?! Not sure how something that important can just be shrugged off because I am in a different country.”
NHTSA complaint #11677470, 2025

“Driving on the interstate with no cars near me and my sunroof exploded and showered me with glass. VW is claiming that it was hit and it was not. The car is my daily driver, and I inspect it daily. The plastic insert was cracked (also an issue with this model)and mentioned by me on a previous service visit at Baxter Volkswagen of Omaha, but it was not investigated by Baxter and then the service advisor gave no explanation as to why it was not looked at. A month a half later the sunroof exploded.”
NHTSA complaint #11549494, 2023

Electrical System 11

“The contact owns a 2019 VW Golf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V604000(Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. The VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11562500, 2023

“Several times now, my 2019 VW Golf Alltrack S while driving has flashed a warning saying "ignition switched off" and then "check starter system". I can still apply the brakes, steer, and accelerate, but various electrical systems stopped working, including the speedometer. I've brought it to a VW dealer, but they said they couldn't find an issue. Several places online say that this is an ignition switch issue and that it was fixed once they replaced the ignition switch.”
NHTSA complaint #11545891, 2023

“While driving, all vehicle gauges and HVAC suddenly stopped working. Car beeped, and screen said "pull over safely" (or something like that), and then said "Check starter system". Turned car off, and then eventually it turned back on. Same thing happened again, but I was able to continue driving (engine kept running), with no HVAC, no speedometer, no tachometer, nothing. I don't know if turn signals or exterior lights were working.”
NHTSA complaint #11539008, 2023

Fuel/Propulsion System 9

“When I take my foot off the brake to accelerate, the car jerks backward and shudders. It feels as though it’s about to stall. When pressing the gas pedal, the car also has delayed acceleration. Both of these issues create dangerous driving conditions. The car hesitates when accelerating from a stopped position, nearly causing me to be rear-ended at traffic lights on multiple occasions. I’ve also experienced a couple of close calls while making right turns on red, as the car hesitates and won’t accelerate immediately. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle. Have had the car to one independent mecha…”
NHTSA complaint #11636066, 2024

“This has been an open recall for 5 years and the manufacturer will not fix it. This could lead to vehicle fires and injuries.. It is not acceptable that Volkswagen can just ignore these safety recalls!”
NHTSA complaint #11609117, 2024

“While driving, all vehicle gauges and HVAC suddenly stopped working. Car beeped, and screen said "pull over safely" (or something like that), and then said "Check starter system". Turned car off, and then eventually it turned back on. Same thing happened again, but I was able to continue driving (engine kept running), with no HVAC, no speedometer, no tachometer, nothing. I don't know if turn signals or exterior lights were working.”
NHTSA complaint #11539008, 2023

Forward Collision Avoidance 4

“When driving down the road doing about 35 mph with no car close in front of me my forward collision sensor went off without warning and initiated sharp braking which almost caused the car behind me to run into me. My car jolted like I’d been hit (I hadn’t) and the red warning light lit up the dashboard. The person behind me was able to brake in time and didn’t hit me. I don’t think my brake lights engaged. It was terrifying and incredibly unsafe and I’m lucky I wasn’t on a highway or there wasn’t anyone following too closely behind. Very, very dangerous situation.”
NHTSA complaint #11587310, 2024

“When driving over train tracks the automatic emergency brakes engaged and the forward collision detection beeping alarm sounded. This has happened over 5 times since I have owned the car. Many times the forward collision alarm will go off without engaging the brakes, seemingly without cause. Only when passing over train tracks do the emergency brakes bring the vehicle to a stop or to an extreme slowdown. I have a video of the incident if you would like it, but no way to upload on this website. You can hear the emergency brake and alarm going off with nothing in front of my car.”
NHTSA complaint #11584895, 2024

“I was driving during the afternoon on a local road at approximately 30 mph. When I approached a traffic light with car brake lights showing ahead of me, I gently tapped my brakes in anticipation of possibly needing to slow down or stop. Instead of an expected gradual slowing of the vehicle, I was surprised when the brakes seemed to grab and the car stopped abruptly as if I had stepped down hard on the brake pedal. Fortunately, the situation appeared to return to normal in an instant when I let up on the brakes. The incident has not reoccurred.”
NHTSA complaint #11489503, 2022

Service Brakes 4 1 crash

“The plastic button for the hand brake/ parking brake pops out of the handle which then causes the brake to release. VW has replaced the part under warranty 2 times since I purchased the vehicle. In my case the second time it happened the car popped out of gear and struck 2 cars across the street from my driveway. Dealer states its a common issue. But Volkswagen has done nothing to correct the issue other than replacing the hand brake repeatedly on the cars. It's a major safety issue in my opinion. And I feel they need to come up with a permanent solution rather than replacing with a new faulty…”
NHTSA complaint #11455944, 2021 · crash

“Purchased vehicle brand new from Seacoast VW in Greenland, NH in March of 2020. In February of 2022 with just 12804 miles on this vehicle I had them check a problem with noisy rear brakes. I was informed that the rear brakes were delaminating and needed replacement for around $800. As this was beyond the 12 month warranty that this charge was not to be covered. After much negotiation I agreed to pay 20% of the parts & labor charge and they would pick up the remaining 80% as a one time goodwill because I was a loyal VW customer. The excuse that was given to me at that time is that I didn't driv…”
NHTSA complaint #11581354, 2024

“I was making my final trip of my move from Minneapolis to the Denver area and was on [XXX] traveling West in the right lane. The truck ahead was moving from the right lane to the left to give room to a car stopped on the right shoulder. There was another car in the left lane so I couldn’t move to the left. The truck was soon blocking much of the left lane so the car in the left lane was slowing as I slowed. I then applied my brakes and the pedal went all the way to the floor without actuating the brakes! Fortunately, by then there was room between the truck and the car on the shoulder and I wa…”
NHTSA complaint #11573196, 2023

Air Bags 3

“The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle and the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to contact the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was scheduled to be taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,038.”
NHTSA complaint #11653958, 2025

“The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light and the air bags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V892000 (Visibility, Air Bags) however, neither the VIN nor the model vehicle was included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11541513, 2023

“Multi-system failure - multi incidents; Dealership has confirm and 'corrected' but several electrical/engine issues persist. Vehicle has been inspected by three VW dealerships (Royal Motor Sales in San Francisco, Serramonte, CA and Kalispell VW in Montana). Several issues were observed while driving - multiple system failure warnings, and also engine failure multiple times. The last time the engine failed while driving 75 miles an hour and there was no where to pull off nor shoulders.”
NHTSA complaint #11464370, 2019

Structure 3

“SUNROOF LEAKS INTO CABIN CAUSING HEADLINER STAINS AND WATER DAMAGE TO HEADLINER. VW IS NOT TAKING CARE OF THE ISSUE PROPERLY AND I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 29 DAYS NOW.”
NHTSA complaint #11322344, 2020

“HELLO. I PURCHASED A NEW VW GOLF ALLTRACK SE FROM OPEN ROAD VW MANHATTAN ON 2/3/2020. THE NEXT DAY, I STARTED NOTICING RATTLING NOISES FROM THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLINER WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION OVER BUMPS AND CORNING AROUND SOFT SHOULDERS. THE DEALERSHIP NOTICED THE SOUND AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE ON 2/17/2020 WITH LUBRICATION. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME AND UNFORTUNATELY THE RATTLING SOUNDS PERSISTS.”
NHTSA complaint #11310540, 2020

“VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED BRAND NEW WITH A LEAKING PANORAMIC SUNROOF. THE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR IT BY GRINDING DOWN BAD WELDS, REPLACING THE SUNROOF ASSEMBLY AND HEADLINER TO NO AVAIL. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BACK BY VOLKSWAGEN USA. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A FIX THAT'S FREE TO OWNERS REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY BEING ACTIVE, IN OTHER WORDS AN OFFICIAL RECALL, UNTIL THEN DO NOT GET STUCK WITH ONE OF THESE CARS.”
NHTSA complaint #11308999, 2019

Vehicle Speed Control 3

“On July 5, 2023 the electronics in our 2019 VW Golf Alltrack S, stopped working, while that car was been driven on a highway. The following was no longer operational, (while the car was still in motion): gauges such as speedometer, tachometer, fuel indicator and engine temperature; controls such as turn signals, wipers, dashboard and car indicator lights, also the infotainment system, used at that time for driving directions, was no longer operating. The car engine was still running; however, safely pulling to the side of the road was hardly possible, as the turn signals and lights no longer w…”
NHTSA complaint #11530947, 2023

“The car idles rough during initial cold start up, intermittently hesitates during acceleration and feels like it misfires during cruising. My dealer found that the ignition timing was retarded by 5º and told me to use better gas, citing a VW field service action (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10176770-0001.pdf). The problem persisted after they treated the fuel. The car has never thrown a code causing the check engine light to turn on, and so the dealer has declined to investigate further. My records show the car was only filled with premium fuel, using VW recommended brands (BP, E…”
NHTSA complaint #11431238, 2021

“Intermittent warning light on dash indicating, "Cruise control system malfunction".The owner's manual says to have the system checked by Volkswagen. The dealer said the vehicle is operating normally. I first noticed this the day after service action code 24FX was completed on 4/8/21. I noticed this four more times since.”
NHTSA complaint #11428235, 2021

Visibility/Wiper 3

“Windshield cracked while it was parked. Four people were in the car on a trip from Reno to San Francisco. No one heard or saw anything hit the windshield before they stopped for breakfast. When they came back to the car they found that the windshield had a crack about 12 inches long. There was no sign of a stone or other object that might have caused the crack. there was no chip in the glass either.”
NHTSA complaint #11531201, 2023

“On July 5, 2023 the electronics in our 2019 VW Golf Alltrack S, stopped working, while that car was been driven on a highway. The following was no longer operational, (while the car was still in motion): gauges such as speedometer, tachometer, fuel indicator and engine temperature; controls such as turn signals, wipers, dashboard and car indicator lights, also the infotainment system, used at that time for driving directions, was no longer operating. The car engine was still running; however, safely pulling to the side of the road was hardly possible, as the turn signals and lights no longer w…”
NHTSA complaint #11530947, 2023

“THE DRIVER'S SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR DEVELOPED A STRESS CRACK WHICH MAY AFFECT VISIBILITY. THE ISSUE WAS NOT CAUSED BY ROAD DEBRIS. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY.”
NHTSA complaint #11278695, 2019

Steering 2

“2019 GTI 6MT STALLS. THE ISSUE PRESENTS ITSELF SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP, WHERE THE ENGINE WILL SOFT STALL AND REQUIRE RESTARTING. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AS WELL AS WHEN IN MOTION, COASTING TO A STOP. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, AS WELL AS PARKING IN A PARKING SPOT. THE UNSAFE CONDITION IS WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, IN RUSH HOUR ON RT 287 (MAJOR HIGHWAY) COASTING TO A STOP, THE ENGINE DIES AND I LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROL AND ACCELERATION. THE START STOP BUTTON NEEDS TO BE PUSHED TO GET THE CAR TO START UP AGAIN. THE CAR IS BRAND NEW AND…”
NHTSA complaint #11281274, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A STOP SIGN, IT STALLED, SHUT OFF, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. RIVERSIDE VOLKSWAGEN (8330 INDIANA AVE D, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, (951) 509-2100) WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD ATTEMPT TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40.”
NHTSA complaint #11254728, 2019

Lane Departure 1

“Driver seats frame is loose, have been waiting for part since October/2022, they said that I can take over a year. Strong Volkswagen technician told me that is not safe to drive the car because if I get in accident I can get smashed once the seat is not safely locked in place. The strong vw service manager told me that the solution is sale the car for someone who doesn’t know about the problem. The car is under the warranty bumper to bumper.”
NHTSA complaint #11510411, 2022

Seats 1

“Driver seats frame is loose, have been waiting for part since October/2022, they said that I can take over a year. Strong Volkswagen technician told me that is not safe to drive the car because if I get in accident I can get smashed once the seat is not safely locked in place. The strong vw service manager told me that the solution is sale the car for someone who doesn’t know about the problem. The car is under the warranty bumper to bumper.”
NHTSA complaint #11510411, 2022

Suspension 1

“GTI has an overly squeaky front suspension. Suspension is 100% stock and unmodified. Searching online yields many Golf owners experiencing the same issues (in the USA and worldwide). People say to lube up the suspension with grease, but this could cause a safety issue if it gets on the brakes. Volkswagen claims this is normal, but I've owned nine Volkswagen vehicles and this is the first one that's ever had this issue. This sound has been ongoing since the vehicle had 10,000 miles on the odo; the vehicle now has 60,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11491552, 2022

Visibility 1

“The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light and the air bags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V892000 (Visibility, Air Bags) however, neither the VIN nor the model vehicle was included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11541513, 2023

Wheels 1

“This vehicle has experienced cracked front rims on two separate occasions resulting in sudden air pressure loss to the tire and an emergency stop and a ruined tire. Additionally, this car has worn the front tires aggressively ever since new. There is an existing recall on 2019 Alltracks that is the result of improperly machined front wheel bearings and has resulted in a number of incidents surrounding the front wheels and the drivability issues. This recall apparently doesn't impact my vehicle, but seeing that VW recommends not driving the vehicle until the repairs are made and with the iss…”
NHTSA complaint #11504407, 2023