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Volkswagen Golf VIII common faults.

2020–2024. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

Volkswagen Golf VIII

Alexander-93 / CC BY-SA 4.0

What to watch for

What can go wrong on this car?

The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.

critical4

In these engines the oil pump is adjustable, and the factory setting deliberately keeps the oil pressure low at low revs to reduce the drag of driving it.

Applies to the engine DNFC.

Repair: 800–3,500 EUR

expensive4

10 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.

Official recall10 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.

Most recent: 7 October 2026

SR/02935/26Safety recallInjuries7 October 2026 · EU Safety Gate

Moisture ingress could lead to corrosion of a steering rack bolt, which may result in a fracture of the bolt and a loss of steering capability, increasing the risk of accidents. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 07/10/2026

The authority's notice

A12/00188/24Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The thermal protection between the brake force booster and the emissions control device in front of the coupling support with the brake fluid reservoir may not have been correctly fitted. The coupling support could melt, leading to a leak of brake fluid, which could ignite if it comes into contact with hot components. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00262/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to a manufacturing error, the brake-pedal plate may not have been adequately welded and could become completely detached when the brake pedal is suddenly applied. As a result, the application of the brakes will be impaired, increasing the risk of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00565/22Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The amount of extinguishing sand in the fuse of the high-voltage system is not sufficient in the event of a short circuit to the high-voltage safety system. This may cause it to burst, increasing the risk of injuries. Furthermore, the blown fuse can interrupt electrical flow of current leading to a voltage drop inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00584/22Safety recallBurns, Fireno date · EU Safety Gate

The engine covers installed on affected vehicles could detach from their fixings depending on the conditions of use (e.g. very sporty driving, or poor road surfaces) and their age. A loose engine cover could come into contact with the hot area of the exhaust gas turbocharger, increasing the risk of burns or fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicle.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01007/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The emergency call service may not be functioning. As a result, the system may not assist the car occupants by contacting the call centre/rescue coordination centre in the event of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01322/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The luggage net may be incorrectly affixed. As a result, luggage could end up in the passenger compartment, causing injury to the occupants.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

INFO/00090/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Faulty crash sensors for the airbag restraint systems may have been installed in the doors. This could impair the protective effect of the side airbags, head airbags and/or belt tensioners, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

SR/02758/25Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The safety belt on the front passenger side may not be correctly secured to the lower anchorage point, compromising the restraining effect of the safety-belt. In the event of an accident, this may result injuries to the person sitting in the passenger seat. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

SR/02762/25Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The front-seat belt assemblies may not be correctly secured to the anchorage point near the bottom of the B-pillar. If the lower anchorage point of the belt assembly is not secured, the restraining effect of the safety-belt is severely compromised. In the event of an accident, this may result in injuries to the persons sitting in the driver’s seat and/or the passenger seat. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

VIII · 2020–2024

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

47 versions

Neighbouring generations

VIII · 2020–2024

Golf VIII (MK8). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

VII.5 · 2017–2020

This generation

VIII · 2020–2024

Next generation

VIII.5 · 2024–

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2020–2024. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.

Does the fault apply to every car like this?

No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.

Is it free?

The fault list is.

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms