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2021 Volkswagen Golf problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2021 Volkswagen Golf has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 1safety recall
- 7owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 8%fail the UK MOT
7 complaints, against an average of 64 for the other 10 Volkswagen Golf model years.
Every Volkswagen Golf model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2021 Volkswagen Golf?
The components named most often in the 7 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2021 Volkswagen Golf been recalled?
1 U.S. safety recall. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Golf recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSASteering rack bolt replacement
Risk: On vehicles of a limited production period corrosion can cause a tear of a bolt head on the steering rack. This can result in a loss of steering functionality.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the affected bolted connection of the steering rack is replaced on the right-hand side of the subframe.
UK DVSAOn certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a…On certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment.
Risk: On certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment.
Fix: A check of the installation of the heat protection mat on affected vehicles will be conducted. If necessary the correct heat shield condition will be restored and in a damage case the damaged components will be replaced.
UK DVSAThe fuse in the high-voltage system of plug-in hybrid vehicles was in some cases produced with too little so-called fire sand
Risk: The fuse in the high-voltage system of plug-in hybrid vehicles was in some cases produced with too little so-called fire sand.
Fix: An additional protective insulating mat is to be fitted to the switching unit for high-voltage battery.
UK DVSAEngine compartment covers could come loose from their attachment
Risk: On affected vehicles engine compartment covers were fitted that regardless of use (very sporty driving style or poor road condition) and operating period could come loose from their attachment.
Fix: On all affected vehicles the engine compartment cover has to be removed.
UK DVSAThe bolted connection of the pull rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal could come loose
Risk: The bolted connection of the pull rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal may come loose resulting in a loss of all service braking ability.
Fix: Vehicles are not to be driven and the bolted connection of the input rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal must be checked and if necessary retightened
UK DVSAFaulty crash sensors for air bag and restraint systems may have been fitted in the front doors
Risk: Faulty crash sensors for airbag and restraint systems may have been fitted in the front doors.
Fix: The crash sensors in the front doors are to be checked and if necessary replaced.
EU Safety GateThe thermal protection between the brake force booster and the emissions control device in front of the coupling support with the brake…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.
Measures: 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
EU Safety GateThe amount of extinguishing sand in the fuse of the high-voltage system is not sufficient in the event of a short circuit to the…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.
Measures: 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
EU Safety GateThe 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.
Measures: 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
EU Safety GateThe luggage net may be incorrectly affixed.As a result, luggage could end up in the passenger compartment, causing injury to the occupants.
Measures: 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
EU Safety GateFaulty 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.
Measures: 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
EU Safety GateDue to a manufacturing error, the brake-pedal plate may not have been adequately welded and could become completely detached when the…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.
Measures: 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
How often does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2021, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2021 Volkswagen Golf owners report?
7 of the 7 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
my car is 5 years old, only has 37291miles. Failed Component: Seat Belts (Right Rear Passenger Buckle) Description of Incident: The right rear passenger seat belt buckle assembly has suffered a complete mechanical latch failure. When attempting to insert the seat belt tongue into the buckle receptacle, the internal latching mechanism fails to engage, catch, or lock. The seat belt cannot be secured under any amount of pressure, rendering the entire passenger seating position completely unusable and unsafe. This is a premature component failure of a core, federally regulated safety restraint…
Since shortly after purchase, the vehicle has experienced intermittent drivability and shifting issues along with repeated EPC and check engine warnings. Diagnostic trouble code P0111 (intake air temperature plausibility) has been present along with other electrical and engine management faults. A Volkswagen dealership diagnosis indicated that the intake air temperature sensor and an additional engine insulation “hood blanket” component (not originally installed on the vehicle) are required to address the issue. These components were presented as necessary to correct the fault and resolve…
Headlight lens assembly of both headlights is cracking excessively. Upon review of online forums, this is happening frequently to many consumers. This impacts headlight output and looks to be manufacturing defect. Recently reported to dealer who indicated they have seen many of these recently and so far most have been handled by warranty but they would take pictures and submit. If this is known mfg defect why are their not proactive remedy/replacement?
I was almost rear ended because Hill hold assist did not disengage quickly. I’ve driven manual transmission for over 40 years and find this hill hold dangerous!
The last few months my schedule changed and I'm driving in the dark now. The auto dimming mirror does not function as expected, it is too slow in response to prevent glare and blinding from vehicles behind me. By the time the mirror decides to dim I'm already blinded from the glare and can no longer see what is in front of me. Also, since it does not dim to the edge I still get blinded from the glare around the perimeter of the mirror (there is no way to adjust this to prevent it). Since this mirror is also "rimless" (no plastic cover on the edge) the polished edge causes light refraction…
Faulty door wiring harness leading driver side blinkers to stop working, windows randomly rolling down, rear collision detector errors, engine start/stop errors.
red power steering system light turned on and flashed/beeped 3X. steering wheel locked up and I could not turn. I was on the freeway in the far right lane and managed to force push the steering wheel to the right and slowly merge over to the shoulder. Volks in Kearny Mesa confirmed issue with steering gear after inspection on 6/21/2022. The steering gear needs to be replaced as the first step. No symptoms prior to malfunction. I could have died if I was in any other lane as there was a lot of cars on the freeway. I got lucky.
Volkswagen guides on CarHooq
2021 Volkswagen Golf: questions owners ask
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volkswagen Golf; the most common categories were electrical system (3, 42.9%), service brakes (2, 28.6%), air bags (1, 14.3%). There is 1 safety recall.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Golf?
Across 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (42.9% of complaints), service brakes (28.6% of complaints), air bags (14.3% of complaints), engine (14.3% of complaints), exterior lighting (14.3% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2021 Volkswagen Golf; the most recent (campaign 20V716000, 2020-11-18) concerns Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own Golf
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2021 only.