*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Air bags
My vehicle was serviced at an authorized VW dealer on Dec 12 for recall-related work & a diagnostic water test (fee waived; $0 paid). Before leaving the dealership, while still on property, I observed extensive interior damage not present prior to service: widespread staining/saturation of headliner, sunroof shade, interior pillars (AâD), plus damage to interior trim. Substance was not colorless or odorless; damage was systemic, not localized. I documented immediately w/ photos taken on dealership property. I requested help/loaner; denied; required to take vehicle. After leaving, additional wet areas appeared & later dried w/ visible staining, indicating prolonged saturation following…
Dec 12, 2025Engine
Our VW Sportwagen registered owner [XXX] - my wife, which we purchased new has a coolant leak at 41000 miles. This is the 3rd time. It was repaired twice under warranty at two separate dealers - 10/2024 was the 2nd time - 3 separate leaks including the original repaired seal failing again. The new car warranty has now expired. 7/2025 is is leaking again. Will the engine seize up? VW says we aren't their customer. I wonder who made the VW? They won't tell me where to get it repaired properly. VW says everything is up to the dealer and that they cover their repairs for 12 months. The dealer says there is no warranty on the repair beyond the new car warranty. Who is telling the truth? Lesson…
Jul 31, 2025Power train
The clutch master cylinder failed at less than 37,000 miles and is not covered under the manufacturer's standard (for 2018 models) 72,000 mile warranty. I had to spend $500+ to replace the part at an independent mechanic. Fluid levels were fine and there were no leaks. Just a faulty part. I have owned cars with a manual transmission for almost 40 years and never once had to replace any clutch components, including in cars with well over 100,000 miles on them. It was a potentially dangerous event. I depressed the clutch pedal to put it in gear and the pedal sank to the floor. I couldn't get the car in gear. I couldn't restart the car. Fortunately I was on a side street not too far from home.…
Sep 26, 2024Power train
My wife's Golf Sportwagen has a sort of whop whop noise evident at about 30 -35 MPH that gets a bit more pronounced at 60 MPH. The brakes seem fine. No pulling or pulsations in the brake pedal. They work well. The pads are not worn out and the discs have smooth, shiny surfaces. The car steers straight and feels normal. The tires are original with ~20,000 miles on them. I expect this could be a tire problem. I took the car to Ken Ganley Volkswagen Bedford, Ohio on August 23, 2023 to have this evaluated and to have a coolant leak repaired. The dealer did not write up the noise issue. When I picked the car up, they told me they test drove the car and the noise was tire related. The repair…
Aug 23, 2023Unknown or other1 injury
Chromed metallic trim on center console above shifter and beneath center cubby opening has cracked and lifted creating a small, very sharp raised raw edge that deeply lacerated my right hand while reaching into of cubby to retrieve item while behind the wheel. Normal use, no overt damage to explain de-lamination of trim in this location.
Sep 16, 2022Structure › Body
The U-shaped on the passenger door jamb the the door latch attaches to came loose preventing the door from closing completely. Ganley VW tightened up the fasteners without writing up a service order so it would be reported to VW. They did not use a torgue wrench. I asked them to use thread locker to help prevent this from recurring. They refused and stated VW does not permit them to use thread locker. It took 8 days to get an appointment to repair this.
Nov 8, 2021Power trainCrash
The vehicle went forward in Reverse and backward in Drive, multiple times in one day, observed by driver and passenger. Another vehicle was struck; no one was injured (fortunately). Dealer said they could not recreate the problem and nothing was wrong.
Jun 8, 2021Power train
When coasting with foot off the accelerator at normal road speeds starting at greater than ~30 mph, the vehicle will bleed speed normally until around 25 mph. At that point the transmission will suddenly grab and rapidly decelerate the vehicle down to approximately 15 mph. After reaching around 15 mph the transmission disconnects and the car coasts normally again. This has happened consistently since the car was delivered and after taking the car to two separate dealers for investigation was assured that it's part of the normal operation of the transmission. I believe the rapid deceleration when unexpected can be a safety hazard as cars following behind will not see any brake lights to warn…
May 25, 2021
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
