Volkswagen Golf R Recalls

The Volkswagen Golf R has 19 recalls spanning 2016 through 2025, with the most serious recent issue affecting 2023 models where a deformed front strut mount can loosen the suspension connections, causing steering instability and raising the risk of a crash.

The 2025 Golf R has a recall covering front seat belt retractors where a damaged torsion bar can cause the belt to fail to hold an occupant in a crash. On 2022-2024 models, the rearview camera can display a delayed or blank image when shifting into reverse, reducing visibility behind the vehicle. The 2022-2023 models share a radiator attachment issue where a coolant hose can be damaged by contact with the serpentine belt pulley, leaking coolant onto the road and potentially causing the engine to overheat and catch fire. The 2022 model year also has a separate concern where a loose engine cover can contact hot engine surfaces and melt, raising the risk of fire. A sunroof touch switch on 2022 models can be too sensitive and trigger unintended auto-closure, which can injure an occupant.

Going back to 2019, those vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system that can fail to detect a sudden loss of pressure in all four tires simultaneously, leaving the driver without warning of a dangerous condition. The 2018 Golf R has a fuel hose quick connector that can detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, leaking fuel near potential ignition sources. That same model year also has rear seat head restraint guide sleeves that may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame, reducing head restraint stability in a crash.

On 2016 models, the front passenger airbag inflator can rupture during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, a defect with potential for serious injury or death. The 2016 model also has a rear child safety lock that can fail to prevent a door from being opened from inside, and a windshield wiper software issue that can prevent the wipers from activating at all. A small number of 2016 vehicles built in a narrow production window carry a federal certification label listing an incorrect rear axle weight limit.