⌘K
Home›Volkswagen›Golf / GTI›2019
Volkswagen · Compact car

2019 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

ElectricGas
Compact Cars
13 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls3 critical7
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA283
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
EV rangebest configuration, EPA125 mi
Fuel economybest combined, EPA32 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Active NHTSA advisory: do not drive. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf / GTI is sold in the U.S. as a electric and gas compact car with 13 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the e-Golf, is EPA-rated at 125 miles with 119 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 283 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
e-GolfElectricFWD100 kW AC PMSM126111119 MPGe125 mi28.45.3 h$650
GolfGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo293732———$1,950
GolfGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo293732———$1,950
Golf SportWagenGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo293732———$1,950
Golf SportWagenGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo273631———$2,000
GTIGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243227———$2,300
GTIGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo253127———$2,300
Golf RGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233026———$3,000
Golf AlltrackGasAWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo223025———$2,500
Golf SportWagen 4motionGasAWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo223125———$2,500
Golf AlltrackGasAWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo213024———$2,600
Golf RGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212924———$3,250
Golf SportWagen 4motionGasAWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo222924———$2,600

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 40769, 41004, 41005, 41014, 41013, 41006, 41083, 41085, 41205, 41206.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf / GTI is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

Compare coverage →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (7)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

VW: 20UF/AUDI:20YF
261,257 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.FixDealers 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 re
NHTSA campaign 24V110000reported Feb 14, 2024Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Electrical System

28H7
62,538 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskIgnition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 23V604000reported Aug 30, 2023Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Tires

AU:45J7,VW:45J6,45J8
296,044 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."RiskAn undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or AudiÂ’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
NHTSA campaign 22V815000reported Oct 31, 2022Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
!critical

Unknown Or Other

01F1
46 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.RiskVehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.FixVolkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
NHTSA campaign 21V321000reported May 5, 2021Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
!critical

Wheels

40P1
Do not drive8 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskThe excessive stress can cause steering, traction or other stability issues or breakage relating to the front wheels, and increase the risk of a crash.FixVolkswagen 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V879000reported Dec 11, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Steering

37M2
679,027 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."RiskRemoving the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.FixVolkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
NHTSA campaign 19V615000reported Aug 22, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Suspension

42J5
56,173 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.RiskIf a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixVolkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.
NHTSA campaign 19V188000reported Mar 6, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Fuel System, Gasoline — Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647) closed

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which

Opened Dec 12, 2023 · closed Jul 1, 2024 · action RQ23007

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Power Train:Manual Transmission — Vehicle Stalling - Manual Transmission closed

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a defect petition received on 14 August 2019 requesting an investigation of an alleged defect of the manual transmissions in Model Year (MY) 2019 Volkswagen (VW) GTI, Golf GTI and Jetta GLI vehicles. The stalling incidents cited occurred without warning as the vehicle slows to a stop or prepares to make a turn across traffic with the clutch pressed in and the vehicle in neutral.The hazard posed by a vehicle stalling event is manifested in the inability of the vehicle to move with the flow of surrounding traffic. Two factors have a major impact on the potential hazard to the vehicle, its occupants and surrounding vehicles:

Opened Sep 3, 2019 · closed Jun 30, 2020 · action DP19003

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
283complaints filed

4 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 194 · 2020: 28 · 2021: 8 · 2022: 7 · 2023: 20 · 2024: 12 · 2025: 7 · 2026: 7

Most-cited components

Engine173
Power Train80
Unspecified54
Electrical System33
Fuel/Propulsion System31
Forward Collision Avoidance8

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that the turbocharger failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the mechanic informed the contact that during the inspection, the rear coil spring fractured. The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V18800…”Sep 3, 2026 · Suspension · NHTSA owner report
“The rear axle coil spring coil spring is defective. Safety recall Code: 42J5 VW did not contain the suspect parts since I have the same failure mode as recall. VW Sport wagon is on recall, but not my VIN number. I hope you can hold VW responsible for defective coil springs, I'm sure I am not the only one.”Sep 1, 2026 · Suspension · NHTSA owner report
“I own a vehicle built from two salvage vehicles: a 2019 VW Golf Sportwagen (VIN [XXX] - the body) and a 2019 VW GTI (VIN [XXX] - the engine, suspension, fuel tank/system, etc). The vehicle is registered and titled under the Sportwagen VIN. Safety Recall 20UF requires replacement of the suction jet pump to prevent risk …”Aug 5, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆13%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆13%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆13%
SW FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆13%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning.

Other Golf / GTI model years

A

2026 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

0 recalls · 3 complaints

A

2025 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

1 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2024 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2 recalls · 40 complaints

D

2023 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

5 recalls · 23 complaints

F

2022 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

6 recalls · 119 complaints

A

2021 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2 recalls · 11 complaints

D

2020 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

3 recalls · 14 complaints

F

2018 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

10 recalls · 75 complaints

F

2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

7 recalls · 298 complaints

F

2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

14 recalls · 237 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

JSON for this page · API