2018 Chevrolet Cruze vs 2018 Volkswagen Golf
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2018 Chevrolet Cruze | 2018 Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 109 | 29 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 989 | 616 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 17 | 0 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 32–37 | 28–29 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 24,600 mi | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Cruze | Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 3 |
| Power Train | 23 | 4 |
| Electrical System | 14 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 12 | 2 |
| Steering | 9 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 8 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 2 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 12 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 10 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 7 | 0 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 6 | 0 |
2018 Chevrolet Cruze
2018 Volkswagen Golf
Compare all Chevrolet Cruze vs Volkswagen Golf years →
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.