Vehicle report

2021 Volkswagen Golf

Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2021 Volkswagen Golf, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf has 1 NHTSA recall on record and 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 5 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.

1

Open recalls

6

Complaints

5

Overall safety

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2021 Volkswagen Golf recalls (1)

  • BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.

2021 Volkswagen Golf safety ratings

5

Overall

4

Front

5

Side

4

Rollover

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2021 Volkswagen Golf owner complaints (6)

  • POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

    Since shortly after purchase, the vehicle has experienced intermittent drivability and shifting issues along with repeated EPC and check engine warnings. Diagnostic trouble code P0111 (intake air temperature plausibility) has been present along with other electrical and engine management faults. A Volkswagen dealership diagnosis indicated that the intake air temperature sensor and an additional engine insulation “hood blanket” component (not originally installed on the vehicle) are required to address the issue. These components were presented as necessary to correct the fault and resolve intermittent shifting behavior. The shifting issue is intermittent but occurs during normal driving and raises safety concerns due to unpredictable drivability and transmission behavior. The vehicle continues to exhibit warning lights and unresolved performance issues despite multiple repair attempts. The dealership has not identified a clear root cause, and prior repairs including sensor and EVAP-related components have not resolved the condition. Given the involvement of transmission-related drivability concerns and repeated unresolved electronic faults affecting engine performance, I am filing this complaint as a potential safety-related defect affecting normal vehicle operation.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    Headlight lens assembly of both headlights is cracking excessively. Upon review of online forums, this is happening frequently to many consumers. This impacts headlight output and looks to be manufacturing defect. Recently reported to dealer who indicated they have seen many of these recently and so far most have been handled by warranty but they would take pictures and submit. If this is known mfg defect why are their not proactive remedy/replacement?

  • SERVICE BRAKES

    I was almost rear ended because Hill hold assist did not disengage quickly. I’ve driven manual transmission for over 40 years and find this hill hold dangerous!

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    The last few months my schedule changed and I'm driving in the dark now. The auto dimming mirror does not function as expected, it is too slow in response to prevent glare and blinding from vehicles behind me. By the time the mirror decides to dim I'm already blinded from the glare and can no longer see what is in front of me. Also, since it does not dim to the edge I still get blinded from the glare around the perimeter of the mirror (there is no way to adjust this to prevent it). Since this mirror is also "rimless" (no plastic cover on the edge) the polished edge causes light refraction thereby blinding me in daylight. Currently the only way to prevent glare from the mirror is point it down to the floor rendering useless and dangerous.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES

    Faulty door wiring harness leading driver side blinkers to stop working, windows randomly rolling down, rear collision detector errors, engine start/stop errors.

  • STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    red power steering system light turned on and flashed/beeped 3X. steering wheel locked up and I could not turn. I was on the freeway in the far right lane and managed to force push the steering wheel to the right and slowly merge over to the shoulder. Volks in Kearny Mesa confirmed issue with steering gear after inspection on 6/21/2022. The steering gear needs to be replaced as the first step. No symptoms prior to malfunction. I could have died if I was in any other lane as there was a lot of cars on the freeway. I got lucky.

Checking a used Volkswagen Golf before you buy

The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2021 Golf in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular Golf's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.

Before you buy a 2021 Volkswagen Golf in Alberta:

See other model years of the Volkswagen Golf, or browse more Volkswagen models.

2021 Volkswagen Golf — questions and answers

Does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf have any recalls?+

Our check found 1 NHTSA recall associated with the 2021 Volkswagen Golf. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

How many complaints does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf have?+

NHTSA lists 6 owner complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Golf in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Golf safe?+

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 5. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.

How do I check a 2021 Volkswagen Golf VIN?+

Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.

Are recall repairs on a Volkswagen free?+

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Volkswagen dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.

Get the full vehicle history report

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Accident & damage records, liens, title brands, ownership history, and odometer verification.

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