US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained
Volkswagen Golf SportWagen recall history
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen,
sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Volkswagen Golf SportWagen. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
AI Assistant
Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 2013–2019 with 20 recall campaigns and 236 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2019 (5), 2018 (5), and 2017 (4).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2015 (83), 2016 (71), and 2017 (51).
Top recall themes: Electrical, Airbags, and Brakes.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Electrical system, Air bags, Suspension.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Electrical
3 campaigns · Years: 2015–2019
These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Volkswagen Golf SportWagen in NHTSA complaint data are
Electrical system, Air bags, Suspension.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2019
5
12
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Electrical system, Suspension.
2018
5
16
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Vehicle speed control, Air bags.
2017
4
51
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system.
2016
3
71
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine, Electrical system.
2015
3
83
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Air bags, Power train.
2013
0
3
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Structure:body.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Electrical system
, Fuel system
and Suspension
Show recall evidence by year
2019
Suspension: Coil springs:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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.
Electrical system: Control module:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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
Tires: Pressure monitoring and regulating systems:
Safety recall involving the tires area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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
Electrical system: Switch:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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 v
2018
Service brakes, hydraulic: Caliper:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake perf
Electrical system: Control module:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, th
Suspension: Coil springs:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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.
Electrical system: Control module:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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 v
2017
Electrical system: Control module:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, th
Suspension: Coil springs:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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.
Electrical system: Control module:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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 v
2016
Electrical system: Control module:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, th
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or de
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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 v
2015
Electrical system: Control module:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, th
Unknown or other:
Safety recall involving the unknown or other area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen 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 v
Other Volkswagen Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Volkswagen models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
