2013 Volkswagen Golf R Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2013 Volkswagen Golf R has 4 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve air bags and suspension.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 4 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
AIR BAGS
3 75%
SUSPENSION
1 25%
Quick Insights
The top category is AIR BAGS, accounting for 75% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 2 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2013 Volkswagen Golf R
The 2013 Volkswagen Golf R has 4 owner complaints in this dataset. AIR BAGS is the most common complaint category, representing about 75% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2013 Volkswagen Golf R are AIR BAGS (3), SUSPENSION (1).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 4 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2013 Volkswagen Golf R?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 2 of 2 systems
AIR BAGS
3 Reports75% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
7 times now, I have heard a âpopâ while turning the steering wheel & the airbag light has come on. The horn will not work after this happens. Each time, it has occurred at low speed, whilst making a turn or merely backing out of my driveway. 6 times of the 7 times, I have taken it to the Hansel VW dealership in Santa Rosa, CA & they have told me it was the clockspring in the steering column & they have replaced it. The 1st time, it was replaced under the vehicleâs warranty, 4 of the other times it was replaced under the parts warranty. On 3/18/20, the part was out of warranty & I had to pay for it, but was not charged for labor. On 9/25/21, I was backing out of my driveway, when it occurred for a SEVENTH time. As I have recently relocated, I will be taking it to the Niello VW dealership in Sacramento on 10/6/21 for repair. I am in the process of contacting VW of America Dates of clockspring replacement: 01/28/2015 05/05/2017 03/06/2018 05/29/2018 03/18/2020 07/27/2020 10/06/2020 (scheduled)
9/27/2021
Clock spring failure with airbag error light on, and steering controls & horn not functioning. Car previously had clock spring fixed under recall in Aug 2016 (car mileage 55,619), and now had the exact same issue occur in Nov 2021 at 79,596 mi. Original recall did not fix issue, service records available.
12/12/2021
SUSPENSION
1 Report25% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURED RESULTING IN A SHARP LOOSE PIECE OF STEEL. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, AND THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE AN UNEXPECTED METALLIC NOISE. THIS LOOSE PIECE COULD HAVE RUPTURED THE TIRE AND CAUSED A SAFETY ISSUE OR ACCIDENT. THE REPAIR SHOP DEEMED THE CAR NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO SAFETY. I PAID TO HAVE BOTH REAR SPRINGS AND SPRING PADS REPLACED. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 51K MILES. THIS IS A SURPRISING FAILURE AND I WAS CONCERNED FOR MY AND OTHER OWNER'S SAFETY. THIS SAME EXACT FAILURE IS THE SUBJECT OF AN NHTSA RECALL FOR 2015 AND LATER VW GOLFS, THE SAME MODEL I HAVE. I CONTACTED VW AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR.
1/18/2021
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Golf R?
Are complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen Golf R a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2013 Volkswagen Golf R?
Are complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen Golf R severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Volkswagen Golf R: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 4
- Top-topic view
- 2 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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