2012 Volkswagen Golf vs 2013 Volkswagen Golf
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Volkswagen Golf | 2013 Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 48 | 43 |
| Recall campaigns | 6 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,284 | 1,296 |
| Investigations | 5 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 4 | 2 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–32 | 26–32 |
| Median reported mileage | 17,775 mi | 50,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Volkswagen Golf | Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 14 |
| Air Bags | 10 | 9 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 11 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 7 |
| Power Train | 9 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 7 | 3 |
| Steering | 2 | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 3 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 6 | 5 |
| Stalling | 5 | 5 |
2012 Volkswagen Golf
2013 Volkswagen Golf
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Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.