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Volkswagen Golf R
Model Overview
The Volkswagen Golf R is not a car named to appeal to pirates. Rather, it's VW's speediest model, which builds on the GTI by adding more power and AWD traction. The Golf R stands apart from many sports cars for understated styling, a practical shape, and a roomy interior. Taken together, those traits make the Golf R easy to live with day-to-day, while AWD makes this sport compact a Canadian winter hero.
Photos
Reviews and News
Owner Scores
Comfort
9
Performance
9
Fuel Economy
8
Interior Design
10
Exterior Styling
9
Reliability
9
Owner Reviews
ParkerM
The perfect blend between sensible and fun
December 18, 2020
Manual
Overall Score
This makes a great daily driver. It's pretty quick and fun, it looks good, it has a great sound system, android auto/apple car play, the interior is nice, the suspension is sporty but not super stiff and uncomfortable. It's good on gas for a sports car, and has lots of room for cargo. My 6'7" friend sat in the back for 8 hours pretty comfortably.
There is tons of aftermarket support for this car. You can make it look and drive however you want relatively easily.
The only complaint I have is the clutch is garbage. If you plan on adding any power at all you'll need an upgraded clutch first.
Comfort
8
Performance
8
Fuel Economy
8
Interior Design
10
Exterior Styling
8
Reliability
8
Recall Information
* Data provided by Transport Canada
Recall number
Recall date
System affected
Model year(s) affected
Recall number
2023-352
Recall date
2023-06-22
System affected
Suspension
Model year(s) affected
2023
Manufacturer Recall Number:
40T3
Units Affected:
14
Notification Type:
Safety Mfr
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the front strut mounts may have been damaged during strut assembly. As a result, the strut mount bolts may not have been tightened properly. Over time, the bolts could loosen and cause a loss of vehicle stability.
Safety Risk:
A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
Volkswagen will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the front right and/or left strut mounts.
Recall number
2022-642
Recall date
2022-11-09
System affected
Visual System
Model year(s) affected
2016
Manufacturer Recall Number:
91EN
Units Affected:
3
Notification Type:
Compliance Mfr
Issue:
On a small number of Golf R models, the incorrect windshield wiper software may have been installed during production. As a result, the windshield wipers may not work.
Safety Risk:
Windshield wipers that don't work could affect a driver's visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
Volkswagen will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the body control module (BCM) software.
Recall number
2022-630
Recall date
2022-11-02
System affected
Visual System
Model year(s) affected
2022
Manufacturer Recall Number:
91EK / 91EL
Units Affected:
705
Notification Type:
Compliance Mfr
Issue:
On certain vehicles, after shifting into reverse or manually activating the parking function, the rearview camera image may not display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse.
Safety Risk:
A rearview camera image that does not display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the rearview camera.
Recall number
2022-533
Recall date
2022-09-21
System affected
Engine
Model year(s) affected
2022
Manufacturer Recall Number:
19Q8
Units Affected:
2,477
Notification Type:
Safety Mfr
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the radiator may not be attached correctly. As a result, a coolant hose could be damaged by contact with the serpentine belt pulley and create a coolant leak. If this happens, coolant could spill onto the road and cause a red warning light to turn on in the instrument cluster. If you ignore the warning light and continue driving, the engine could overheat.
Safety Risk:
A coolant leak could create a hazard for other road users. Additionally, an engine that overheats could create the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:
Volkswagen will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to ensure that the radiator is attached correctly. If it is loose, the coolant hose and serpentine belt will also be checked for damage, and replaced if necessary.
Recall number
2022-403
Recall date
2022-07-27
System affected
Airbag
Model year(s) affected
2016
Manufacturer Recall Number:
61C1 & 69DY
Units Affected:
202
Notification Type:
Safety Mfr
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the passenger-front airbag inflator could rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. If this happens, the airbag may not inflate properly and small pieces of metal could be propelled toward vehicle occupants.
Safety Risk:
An airbag inflator that ruptures can create a risk of injury or death.
Corrective Actions:
Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the passenger-front airbag module.
Recall number
2022-402
Recall date
2022-07-27
System affected
Visual System
Model year(s) affected
2022
Manufacturer Recall Number:
60F6
Units Affected:
927
Notification Type:
Compliance Mfr
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the touch switch that controls the sunroof may be too sensitive. As a result, the sunroof switch does not pass certain tests under Canadian safety regulations.
Safety Risk:
A sunroof that closes accidentally could create a risk of injury.
Corrective Actions:
Volkswagen will notify owners by mail and advise you to contact a dealership to make an appointment to replace the sunroof switch.
Recall number
2021-326
Recall date
2021-05-26
System affected
Fabrics
Model year(s) affected
2018 2019
Manufacturer Recall Number:
34K4/34L8
Units Affected:
77,066
Notification Type:
Safety TC
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.
Recall number
2018-679
Recall date
2018-12-05
System affected
Fuel Supply
Model year(s) affected
2018
Manufacturer Recall Number:
20Bi
Units Affected:
1,436
Notification Type:
Safety Mfr
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.
Recall number
2018-626
Recall date
2018-11-14
System affected
Structure
Model year(s) affected
2018
Manufacturer Recall Number:
72H8 / 72H9
Units Affected:
305
Notification Type:
Safety Mfr
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.
Recall number
2018-191
Recall date
2018-04-18
System affected
Seats And Restraints
Model year(s) affected
2018
Manufacturer Recall Number:
72H5
Units Affected:
112
Notification Type:
Safety Mfr
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.
Recall number
2016-662
Recall date
2016-12-30
System affected
Airbag
Model year(s) affected
2017
Manufacturer Recall Number:
69P4 / 69P2
Units Affected:
1,028
Notification Type:
Safety Mfr
Certain vehicles may have been equipped with airbag and/or pretensioner igniters that do not meet specifications. This could cause affected airbags and/or pretentioners to fail to deploy properly in the event of a crash, which could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will replace affected airbag and/or pretentioner.
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