Most common 2022 Volkswagen Golf problems
Share of the 81 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Golf complaints by model year
Best Golf years: 2020, 2014, 2021. Years to avoid: 2022, 2015, 2017, 2011, 2016. Compare all years →
What 2022 Volkswagen Golf owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 25 →
The manual transmission shift knob has separated from the shift lever multiple times while driving. While shifting between gears, the knob lifts up with the boot off of the actual shift lever and I am unable to complete a shift until reconnecting the knob to the lever. The first time this happened, I was shocked and was nearly hit as I was on a highway entrance ramp and suddenly was not in gear and slowing down in a high traffic situation. Luckily I was able to get it sorted and make a shift with the knob loosely in place and then pull off the road. Firmly pressing the knob down onto the lever seemed to get it solidly attached, but unfortunately this has recurred more than once since then. …
The shift knob pulls off the manual transmission shifter shaft under certain driving conditions, such as a fast shift. I believe that the shifter knob retainer clip is loose or broken. This is a safety problem. I first noticed it when I had to make a quick maneuver during a turn. Experiencing the shift knob pull off the shaft while I was downshifting was dangerous and distracting. I reported the issue to the service department at my local VW dealer. They were not aware of others having the same problem and asked me to bring in the car if I knew how to duplicate it. I can't duplicate it in normal driving. The second time it happened I was braking for a traffic light while downshifting. I was able to push the knob back down without crashing, but it is very unnerving. No warning lights are triggered. I have not taken the car in to the dealer yet for an inspection. …
Engine & cooling all 24 →
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the hill assist engaged the brake longer while the brake pedal was not depressed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled afterwards. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200.
Poor quality of the shifter knob component and installation from the factory for the 6-speed manual transmission variant of the 2022 VW GTI. The shifter knob can come loose and pop out of the metal shaft while shifting gears in the drive. The poor quality of the knob develops a crack in the corner of the component which can cause the knob to detach from the transmission over time and make the car undrivable. Since taking delivery of the car from the dealership, the shifter knob appears to not be installed properly as the component can feel loose and pop out of the metal shaft and get detached from the transmission. This incident of the shift knob popping out occurred a few times while driving. As changing gears with the shifter knob is a crucial aspect of driving the car, the current component poses a serious quality and safety issue for the car that was overlooked by the manufacturer.
Driver assistance all 24 →
Travel Assist is disabled which includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. The warning lights flash on and off, sometimes multiple times a second, sounding a loud beeping each time. It is triggered at engine start and persists through all speeds. I have experienced it 0-70 mph. The flashing lights and associated rapid beeping indicating the failure is extremely distracting while driving. Warning lights and warning sounds are designed to alert the driver to a potential safety issue so ignoring the lights and sounds is dangerous in the event it is a different caution/warning. However, also not ignoring it is dangerous because of the frequency of the warnings which causes the driver to look away from the road. …
Travel Assist is disabled which includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. The warning lights flash on and off, sometimes multiple times a second, sounding a loud beeping each time. It is triggered at engine start and persists through all speeds. I have experienced it 0-70 mph. The flashing lights and associated rapid beeping indicating the failure is extremely distracting while driving. Warning lights and warning sounds are designed to alert the driver to a potential safety issue so ignoring the lights and sounds is dangerous in the event it is a different caution/warning. However, also not ignoring it is dangerous because of the frequency of the warnings which causes the driver to look away from the road. …
2022 Volkswagen Golf engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 7-speed dual-clutch | AWD | 23 / 30 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | AWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2022 Volkswagen Golf a good car?
Based on 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2022 Golf rates avoid: 3.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the Golf at the same age. It is one of the Golf years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2022 Volkswagen Golf?
The transmission & drivetrain — 25 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission › cooler/radiator › hoses and fittings. Next are the engine & cooling (24) and driver assistance (24).
How many recalls does the 2022 Volkswagen Golf have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2022 Volkswagen Golf. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Golf?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2014 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2015, 2017, 2011 and 2016. See the full Volkswagen Golf years comparison.
At what mileage do 2022 Volkswagen Golf problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 0 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.