Model year record
2013 Volkswagen Golf R recalls & problems
The 2013 Volkswagen Golf R has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 4 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is air bags (3 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2013 Volkswagen Golf R.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2013 Volkswagen Golf R 4 DR AWD
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
2013 Volkswagen Golf R 2 DR AWD
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Golf R
| City / highway | 19 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 3 | — |
| Suspension | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Air bags
Failed click-spring in the steering wheel- the airbags and horn are out of commission.
- Air bags
Clock spring failure with airbag error light on, and steering controls & horn not functioning. Car previously had clock spring fixed under recall in Aug 2016 (car mileage 55,619), and now had the exact same issue occur in Nov 2021 at 79,596 mi. Original recall did not fix issue, service records available.
- Air bags
7 times now, I have heard a âpopâ while turning the steering wheel & the airbag light has come on. The horn will not work after this happens. Each time, it has occurred at low speed, whilst making a turn or merely backing out of my driveway. 6 times of the 7 times, I have taken it to the Hansel VW dealership in Santa Rosa, CA & they have told me it was the clockspring in the steering column & they have replaced it. The 1st time, it was replaced under the vehicleâs warranty, 4 of the other times it was replaced under the parts warranty. On 3/18/20, the part was out of warranty & I had to pay for it, but was not charged for labor. On 9/25/21, I was backing out of my driveway, when it…
- Suspension
REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURED RESULTING IN A SHARP LOOSE PIECE OF STEEL. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, AND THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE AN UNEXPECTED METALLIC NOISE. THIS LOOSE PIECE COULD HAVE RUPTURED THE TIRE AND CAUSED A SAFETY ISSUE OR ACCIDENT. THE REPAIR SHOP DEEMED THE CAR NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO SAFETY. I PAID TO HAVE BOTH REAR SPRINGS AND SPRING PADS REPLACED. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 51K MILES. THIS IS A SURPRISING FAILURE AND I WAS CONCERNED FOR MY AND OTHER OWNER'S SAFETY. THIS SAME EXACT FAILURE IS THE SUBJECT OF AN NHTSA RECALL FOR 2015 AND LATER VW GOLFS, THE SAME MODEL I HAVE. I CONTACTED VW AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.