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Volkswagen Golf RModel year report

2019 Volkswagen Golf R Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
8,950miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
26 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 23 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R. The part named most often is forward collision avoidance, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by back-over prevention (1) and brakes (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 8,950 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 398 technical service bulletins for this model year. Forward collision avoidance complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Back-over prevention complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Forward collision avoidance: “While turning (right hand turn) slowly into parking space, vehicle engine unexpectedly reved and accelerated causing vehicle to jump curb and strike fixed object (tree). Foot was not/not on the accelerator but rather on brake yet acceleration was so rapid vehicle could not be stopped prior to striking curb and fixed object. Filing HHTSA report due to research indicating similar incidents of unanticipated rapid acceleration at slow speeds for VW Golf models.”

NHTSA complaint #11745563, filed 2026-06

Brakes: “Four times over the last week while driving 35 MPH straight down a residential road, I experienced an unexpected engagement of the front collision warning, and one of those four times, 4 days ago, I additionally experienced an unexpected engagement of the front assist emergency braking which caused me alarm, as the speed dropped dramatically from 35 MPH to 20 MPH, and I had to be sure no cars were behind me to cause a rear-end collision. In none of these situations were there any hazards on the road to avoid: cars, pedestrians, objects. …”

NHTSA complaint #11361705, filed 2020-09, 9,900 miles

Electrical system: “The problem is with the vehicle's fuse system. The Golf R came with no spare tire but an air pump, which needs to be powered by the 12v dc power of the vehicle. But when I use this original air pump, the fuse of the 12v dc power burns out. This happened for several times since I had the car in october, 2019. The dealer can only give me new fuse to replace the broken one. Many Golf R's owners met this similar problems. I think there is some issues with their fuse system design.”

NHTSA complaint #11415660, filed 2021-05, 8,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 8,000 and 9,900 miles.

100%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 8,950 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

202020212022202322026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Golf R · sedan AWD★★★★★5 / 4554 · 13.4% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2019 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2018: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2019 Volkswagen Golf R version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Golf R AWD2.0L 4-cyl7-speed automatic233026$3,150
Golf R AWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual212924$3,400

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 398 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 398 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen Golf R

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202659000—25—Too new
202412—1—25—Too new
20236203—26—Too new
202210—5—26—Not enough data
201968,9502526—Not enough data
201898,5004525—Not enough data
20171520,5000525—Falling
20161218,0004525—Not enough data

All Volkswagen Golf R model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R is reported most often?

Forward collision avoidance is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by back-over prevention with 1.

Has the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R (Golf R, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 8,950 miles and the middle half falls between 8,000 and 9,900 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.