2023 Volkswagen Golf

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Electrical system6
2. Back over prevention5
3. Forward collision avoidance3
4. Engine2
5. Service brakes1
6. Unknown or other1
7. Visibility/wiper1
8. Exterior lighting1
9. Fuel/propulsion system1
10. Power train1

Latest complaints

• Mar 27, 2024ME
  Electrical system · Exterior lighting

  Back up camera not working due to infotainment system not working. Dealer is aware, says they are waiting for a software update.

• Feb 5, 2024NY
  Electrical system · Engine · Fuel/propulsion system

  While driving, Front Safety System Light came on. Additionally, Drive System light came on and car would not go over 25-30 mph.

• Dec 10, 2023FL
  Electrical system · Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking · Forward collision avoidance › Warnings
  Infotainment system fails to start/load. Infotainment screen provides multiple error messages such and “component protection active” and/ or “you can activate this function at dealer” and subsequently becomes inoperable, including multiple safety related features: Back up/ rear view camera…

  Infotainment system fails to start/load. Infotainment screen provides multiple error messages such and “component protection active” and/ or “you can activate this function at dealer” and subsequently becomes inoperable, including multiple safety related features: Back up/ rear view camera freezes image or does not turn on at all. Autonomous emergency braking (front assist) fail light comes on. Park distance control fail light comes on. Have been to the VW dealer on two different occasions for these issues specifically and the systems and problems not resolved. They reset/ updated the infotainment system at 1st visit. System failed again/ unresolved. Took back to dealer and they called VW corporate for help. Picked up from 2nd visit and systems promptly failed again. Online search suggests common, unresolved problem. Thank you for aiding consumers in resolving these safety issues

• Oct 27, 2023CA
  Unknown or other

  The infotainment of the car with the navigation gave wrong directions and almost drove me into a canyon rather than the street. I took it to the dealership and left it there for two days and the problem was still there.

• Oct 3, 2023NY
  Electrical system · Forward collision avoidance › Warnings
  Having consistent issues with safety features and infotainment system that locks up with errors. Since new my VW Gti has been experiencing drivers' assistants' issues. At times the backup camera does not work. At times the the whole infotainment system will have various different errors that…

  Having consistent issues with safety features and infotainment system that locks up with errors. Since new my VW Gti has been experiencing drivers' assistants' issues. At times the backup camera does not work. At times the the whole infotainment system will have various different errors that prevent any of the safety features to be turned on. The errors don't easily go away unless turning off the car and trying to restart it all.

• Sep 5, 2023IL
  Power train
  The vehicle has a manual transmission and is equipped with a hill start assist feature. This holds the brake on a hill so the clutch and gear may be engaged and keep the car from rolling back. The feature in this vehicle does not release the brake when the vehicle starts moving forward and holds it…

  The vehicle has a manual transmission and is equipped with a hill start assist feature. This holds the brake on a hill so the clutch and gear may be engaged and keep the car from rolling back. The feature in this vehicle does not release the brake when the vehicle starts moving forward and holds it for a set amount of time based on hill gradient. This had led to stalling of the vehicle, as the clutch and gear engagement process is completed before the brakes are released. This can be dangerous in traffic situations, especially in intersections.

• Aug 25, 2023WA
  Service brakes
  All 2022 & 2023 Volkswagen GTI & R models with manual transmissions are impacted by this safety issue. When making a stop on any amount of road grade/hill, the vehicle brakes fully engage and will not disengage when removing your foot from the brake pedal, or by engaging or disengaging the clutch…

  All 2022 & 2023 Volkswagen GTI & R models with manual transmissions are impacted by this safety issue. When making a stop on any amount of road grade/hill, the vehicle brakes fully engage and will not disengage when removing your foot from the brake pedal, or by engaging or disengaging the clutch, or by applying throttle. Upon releasing the brake pedal, there is a programmed waiting period of 2-3 seconds where the brakes remain fully engaged, and the vehicle is unable to move regardless of the driver input. Once the waiting period expires, the vehicle begins an uncontrolled roll-back and the driver is able to engage or release the clutch and apply throttle for forward movement. During this waiting period, after the brake pedal is released, any vehicle input will cause a stall. During this waiting period the vehicle brake lights have turned off so drivers behind you believe you have begun forward movement, and they are likely to rearend your vehicle. If you re-apply the brake pedal, the waiting period resets, and you must go through the 2-3 second waiting period again. This feature creates a danger of entering or crossing traffic because the driver cannot 'time' when they will have the ability to move the vehicle, it also creates a danger of stalling the vehicle on a hill or while entering traffic. While in traffic on an uphill gradient, the feature continually engages the brakes and creates waiting periods; this is the case even on an uphill gradient while on an interstate causing continual extended stops. The feature cannot be turned off by the driver. VW Dealerships are unable to turn off the feature. Aftermarket tuning companies are unable to disable this feature. Please cross check your records as this is not an isolated safety complaint regarding these vehicles. Previous model years had an option to turn on a hill-assist feature that held the vehicle from a roll back. The 2022-2023 model year feature creates a roll back and prevents driver inputs.

• May 26, 2023TX
  Back over prevention › Rearview system braking · Electrical system · Visibility/wiper

  The problem is Component Protection, When the car goes into Component Protection you lose A/C and defrost, crash protection, It has been see by a Volkswagen dealer.

• Dec 26, 2022CT
  Back over prevention › Rearview system braking · Back over prevention › Warnings · Electrical system
  Vehicles infotainment system does not turn on at startup - several error messages for safety features by most importantly, rear camera does not work when infotainment system screen is down and requires the dealer to activate it or fully black screen. Took to VW three times and they cannot determine…

  Vehicles infotainment system does not turn on at startup - several error messages for safety features by most importantly, rear camera does not work when infotainment system screen is down and requires the dealer to activate it or fully black screen. Took to VW three times and they cannot determine the issue. Says it’s a software issue, but also showing “low voltage” warnings in computer diagnostics. Audi, owned by Volkswagen, just issued a recall for infotainment systems disabling rear cameras due to low voltage issues. The symptoms are identical to the VW issues. This is Audi recall internally coded 91Ei and it impacted many makes and models. I believe the components are possibly shared and the recall needs to extend to the GTI as well. Contacted VW and they have been unresponsive to me. I have video of the issue that shows the issue in more detail. Also attached the work order from VW that noted “low voltage”.

• Dec 24, 2022CT
  Back over prevention › Rearview system braking · Back over prevention › Warnings
  2023 GTI’s rear camera, cross traffic sensors and parking sensors not functioning as Infotainment system controls these systems, and is consistently blacking out and showing errors. Had VW in for several services and dealer told me it’s a VW Software issue. Hence, this issue is likely systemic.…

  2023 GTI’s rear camera, cross traffic sensors and parking sensors not functioning as Infotainment system controls these systems, and is consistently blacking out and showing errors. Had VW in for several services and dealer told me it’s a VW Software issue. Hence, this issue is likely systemic. Considering it renders the backup camera intermittently non functional I consider this a big safety problem. VW needs to address this issue immediately and issue a TSB or a fix. Many owners having same issue. Taken vehicle to two dealer and they have told me it is a Volkswagen technology issue and is unsolvable unless VW fixes the software. Contacted Volkswagen - no response.

• Nov 16, 2022MD
  Engine

  This car should be under an active recall for 2022/2023 Volkswagen GTI/R due to insecurely installed radiator. But it's not listed somehow. The radiator was loose and caused rupture in coolant hose, and loss of coolant.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10249136Addressing Cybersecurity or Vehicle Hack concerns
• 10243932In certain vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, the shift knob could become detached during use. If this happens, the shift knob can be replaced immediately and this issue does not affect the drivability of the vehicle. The gears can continue to be selected as normal.
• 10243931In certain vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, the shift knob could become detached during use. If this happens, the shift knob can be replaced immediately and this issue does not affect the drivability of the vehicle. The gears can continue to be selected as normal.
• 10243299VW Engine oil quality standards
• 10242898Flushing an R1234YF A/C circuit using a flush machine
• 10242897Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS Charger. Update Tool terminology
• 10242894Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
• 10241709Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
• 10241708Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
• 10241707Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
• 10241706Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
• 10241705Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
• 10241704Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
• 10241198Helpline & Parts Dept. contact information.
• 10241177Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
• 10239663This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
• 10239659Brake Disc (rotor) instruction for resurfacing following Volkswagen Warranty Policy & Procedure Manual.
• 10239657How to handle Brake noise or Pulsation during Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI)
• 10239655Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
• 10239654Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
• 10239653Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
• 10239637Brake repair or replacement instruction.
• 10238310Automatic Transmission Fluid Requirements
• 10238309Noise Diagnostic for Manual Transmission vehicles.
• 10238308Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
• 10238307Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards, updated to include model year 2024.
• 10238306Engine Oil Consumption Measurement Instruction and Work sheet.
• 10238305Correct engine oil level during Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI)
• 10238302Notifying customers they can take advantage of complimentary safe and secure after their complimentary software update
• 10238301Software Version Management (SVM) instruction.
• 10238300Gasoline quality information in regards to gasoline engine performance.
• 10238298Gasoline fuel additive
• 10238297Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
• 10238208Dealer Letter to announce Service Action 40S9 / Suspension Strut Mountings
• 10238204During strut assembly, an issue may have caused a deformation of the strut mount. If the strut mount is deformed, it can lead to improper torque on one of the bolted connections on the right or left suspension strut mounting. Inspect and, if necessary, replace the right and/or left suspension strut mounting(s).
• 10237427Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
• 10237425Handling instruction for accessory pack components during perfect delivery inspection (PDI).
• 10236553This communication contains important information and SAGA claim entry requirements for interim AdBlue refills under the Carefree Maintenance and VW Care Maintenance plans for Model Year 2015 and newer VW models with Diesel Engines.
• 10236549Volkswagen Carefree Maintenance Program ? Diesel Engines Model Year 2015 and Newer
• 10236548Volkswagen Carefree Maintenance Program ? Gasoline Engines Model Year 2015 and Newer

Every Volkswagen Golf model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.