2018 Volkswagen Golf

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Golf.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf is a passenger car that represents a generation of compact hatchbacks built on Volkswagen's established compact car platform, and it offers a range of efficient powertrain options suited to everyday driving; among its notable figures, the model carries a total of 6 recalls across its production run, with owner complaints totaling 37 instances, the majority of which center on the fuel and propulsion system. When placed within the Golf's broader complaint history spanning 1990 to 2023, the 2018 model year sits notably lower than the peak experienced in 2017—which recorded 187 complaints as the highest on record—while remaining elevated above the model's lowest complaint year of 2008, which saw just one reported issue. This positioning suggests that while the 2018 Golf benefits from improvements relative to the particularly troubled 2017 model, it does not achieve the exemplary reliability standards set during the model's most problem-free years, indicating that prospective owners should be aware of potential fuel system concerns while recognizing the model's relative improvement from its recent peak complaint period.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 06L115562B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06L115562B
Engine air filter	5QM129620
Spark plug	06K905601D
Battery	5K0915105G
Front wiper blades	5G1998002
Serpentine belt	06L903137A
Cabin air filter	5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	167.3 in
Overall width	70.9 in
Overall height	57.1 in
Wheelbase	103.5 in
Curb weight	3424 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Golf of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.8–7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.80 sec — 2018 R 5-door Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2018	R 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-4	4.80 sec	13.40 sec	292 hp	AWD
2018	R 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-4	5.70 sec	14.10 sec	292 hp	AWD
2018	Alltrack TSI SE 4MOTION Wagon 1.8L Turbo I-4	6.70 sec	15.30 sec	170 hp	AWD
2018	Alltrack TSI SEL 4MOTION Wagon 1.8L Turbo I-4	7.10 sec	15.50 sec	170 hp	AWD
2018	TSI SE 5-door Hatchback 1.8L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	15.90 sec	170 hp	FWD
2017	TSI Wolfsburg 5-door Hatchback 1.8L Turbo I-4	6.60 sec	15.30 sec	170 hp	FWD
2017	SportWagen TSI S 4MOTION 1.8L Turbo I-4	7.00 sec	15.50 sec	170 hp	AWD
2017	TSI Wolfsburg 5-door Hatchback 1.8L Turbo I-4	7.30 sec	15.60 sec	170 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Spark Plug Gap	.028-.031 in
Spark Plug Torque	22 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.07-1.13 lbs.
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	58.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	101.0
Residual Pressure	43.5 Minimum pressure after 10 minutes. psi

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

1

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°

148 ft. lbs

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

1

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°

148 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	Turn 90 degrees	90 degrees
3	Turn 90 degrees	90 degrees
4	3 ft. bls.
5	Turn 90

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
3	90.0

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	48.0 ft. lbs.	48 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi.

Every 10,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
At 40,000 mi	Sunroof Assembly (lubricate)
Every 40,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Sunroof Assembly (lubricate)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Timing Belt (inspect)

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V464000Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft DeviceReported 11/07/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen…

18V369000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:CaliperReported 01/06/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on… Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 627 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT 10-18-02_2	2026-06-18	Engine	Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_3	2026-06-18	Engine	Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_17	2026-06-11	Air Bags	Inquiries
V1719012012855_81	2026-06-04	Engine	Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
V0026012081638_1	2026-05-19	Unknown Or Other	Difference between Component fluid leakage and seepage

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Golf. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Engine oil filter 06L115562B Engine air filter 5QM129620 Spark plug 06K905601D Battery 5K0915105G

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Related vehicles

Same model, other engines and model years.

Other years

2021 2020 2019 2017 1994 1993 1992 1991

Frequently asked

Does the 2018 Golf have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.