There are 2 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Golfin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
THE "FRONT ASSIST" SYSTEM ON A 2018 VW GOLF R IS PRONE TO MAKING UNSAFE ABRUPT STOPS IN TRAFFIC. IF A LEADING CAR MAKES AN ABRUPT STOP, THE FRONT ASSIST SYSTEM APPLIES INSTANT HEAVY BRAKING EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER IS ALREADY BRINGING THE CAR TO A SMOOTH STOP AT A SAFE DISTANCE. THIS DOUBLE-BRAKING RESULTS IN UNEXPECTED SKIDDING AND RISKS A REAR-END COLLISION WITH FOLLOWING CARS. THE MANUAL OVERRIDE TO FRONT ASSIST IS PRESSING HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS ACTION CAN'T BE PERFORMED WHEN THE DRIVER IS ALREADY BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP.
I HAD TO BRAKE HARD AS THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME ON THE OFFRAMP STOPPED SHORT. I THINK SOMEONE CUT THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME OFF, OR PEOPLE WERE JUST HAVING TROUBLE MERGING. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT WORK, THE CAR FISH-TAILED FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. I LET UP ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STRAIGHTENED OUT AND I DIDN'T GET KILLED BUT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BAD ACCIDENT. THANKFULLY THE GUY BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO STOP. THIS IS A CAR I BOUGHT LAST WEEK. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. EVEN MY 10 YEAR OLD CAR WOULD HAVE ACTIVATED ANTI-LOCK.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026