RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR
2018 Volkswagen Golf R recalls
14 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.
- Canadian recalls
- 10
- U.S. recalls
- 04
- Total campaigns
- 14
Transport Canada recalls
10- Fuel System#2024095
86,308 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, a seal for the suction jet pump inside the fuel tank could fail. As a result, fuel may flow directly into the evaporative emission control system (EVAP). If this happens, fuel could leak from the charcoal canister. Note: This problem could cause a fuel odor, the fuel nozzle to stop early and/or fuel to spill when refueling. Safety Risk: A fuel leak can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the suction jet pump.
- Fabrics#2021326
96,497 units affected
Issue: On certain models, the chrome layer could peel off of the trim located around the gear shift cover. If this happens, sharp edges can be created. Safety Risk: Exposed sharp edges can create the risk of a cut. Corrective Actions: Volkswagen will contact owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the gear shift cover trim frame.
- Label#2020353
132,432 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the warning label for the engine block heater cable is written in English only. As a result, a French user may not receive important safety information about how to use the engine block heater. A label that is not provided in both official languages could create confusion. Safety Risk: User confusion could increase the risk of injury when trying to use the block heater. Corrective Actions: The company will mail each owner a new label for the block heater cable. If you would like help installing the label, you can contact a dealer for assistance.
- Powertrain#2019423
117,306 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, a build-up of silicate on the shift lever switch could cause the transmission to detect that it is in the Park position when it isn't. This could allow the ignition key to be removed when the transmission is not in the Park position. If the parking brake is not applied, this could allow the car to roll away. Safety Risk: If the transmission position is not displayed correctly, a user may not know that the vehicle is not in the PARK position. If the parking brake is not applied, this could create a risk of a vehicle roll-away and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have a new shift lever micro switch and control unit installed.
- Suspension#2019116
15,579 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the rear suspension coil springs may not have been properly manufactured and could break over time. This could cause damage to a rear tire, resulting in rapid air loss and/or tire failure. Safety Risk: A rear tire failure could affect vehicle control. Additionally, a broken coil spring could also create a road hazard for other motorists. Both of these conditions may increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have both of the rear axle coil springs replaced. If a broken coil spring is found, the rear tires should be inspected for damage and replaced as required.
- Fuel System#2018679
1,436 units affected
On certain vehicles, an underhood fuel connector may not have been securely attached to the fuel supply line and could result in a fuel leak into the engine compartment. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, could create the risk of a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the fuel line connection and ensure it is securely attached.
- Structure#2018626
305 units affected
On certain vehicles, the rear seat head restraint guides may not have been properly welded to the seat frame. In a crash, the rear seat head restraints may not remain in place, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will inspect the rear seat frame, and if the head restraint guide sleeve welds are found to be insufficient, it will be replaced.
- Powertrain#2018371
24,123 units affected
On certain vehicles, the park position switch may malfunction due to a problem with the electrical contacts. This could allow for removal of the ignition key without the shift lever being in the Park (P) position. If the parking brake is not applied, this could result in unintended vehicle movement, which could increase the risk of crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will install an additional park position switch and circuit board.
- Brakes#2018292
5,120 units affected
On certain vehicles, a problem with the brake system may cause gas bubbles to form in the brake fluid. This could cause a soft brake pedal feel and a reduction in brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will bleed the front or rear brakes as necessary. Note: In the interim, owners are advised to stop driving their vehicle until the defect has been repaired. Affected owners should call Volkswagen's Roadside Assistance number at 1-800-411-6688.
- Seats And Restraints#2018191
112 units affected
Certain vehicles may have been built with defective front seat head rest guide sleeves. This could result in the head rest(s) not locking properly which, in the event of a crash, could cause a head rest to come loose and increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will replace the head rest guide sleeves on both front seats.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
U.S. NHTSA recalls
04- UNKNOWN OR OTHER#21V321000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER#20V561000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS#18V864000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R vehicles. The fuel hose quick connector may detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the engine compartment can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the fuel line connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Bi.
- SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY#18V803000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
Risk: If the guide sleeves are incorrectly welded, in the event of a crash, the rear seat head restraints may have reduced stability, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72H8 (VW) and 72H9(Audi).
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada
Check a 2018 Volkswagen Golf R VIN
A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.