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2018 Volkswagen Golf R

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf R is a passenger car equipped with an automatic AM‑S7 transmission and rated at 22/29/25 mpg; it recorded nine owner complaints, with the power train the top complaint area, and was subject to four recalls. In the model’s 2012‑2026 complaint history — where 2017 peaked at 194 reports and 2012 hit a low of one — the 2018 model year falls near the low‑end, indicating a comparatively clean reliability profile.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2019 2018 2017 2016

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy22/29/25 mpgEPA · 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.

Tire size225/40R18OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5; Optional: 8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06L115562B
Engine air filter	5Q0129620B
Spark plug	06K905601L alt 06K905601B
Front wiper blades	5G1998002
Serpentine belt	06L903137A
Cabin air filter	5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (AM-S7)

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

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	22 / 29 / 25 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

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 Torque	22 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	1.05-1.13 lbs.
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

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

148 ft. lbs

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

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

Prep Gasoline engines · M8 Bolts

1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	90.0 degrees; M9 Bolts	90 degrees
1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	90.0 degrees; Diesel engines	90 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 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	Bolt 11	3 ft. lbs
5	Turn 90

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Gasoline engines · Cap bolts

1	48.0 ft. lbs.	48 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees; Side bolts	90 degrees
1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees

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)
Every 80,000 mi	Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Timing Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record for this generation shows significant volatility, with complaints peaking in 2015 at 123 and 2017 at 194. The 2018 model year represents a sharp downward turn in this arc, recording only 9 complaints and 4 recalls. This trend of improved stability continues into 2019, which saw a further decrease to 6 complaints and 2 recalls. While the most frequent complaints for 2018 involved the power train, the data does not specify the root cause of these issues. With zero reported crash or fire complaints and a substantial reduction in TSBs compared to 2017, the 2018 model is significantly more stable than its immediate predecessors. Given the dramatic decline in reported issues relative to the mid-generation peak, this is a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

462

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’12 ’13 ’15 ’16 ’17’18’19 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 9 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Power Train3

Exterior Lighting1

Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes1

Unknown Or Other,Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Service Brakes1

Electrical System1

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Wheels,Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V803000Seats:Mid/Rear AssemblyReported 14/11/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly… Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The…

18V864000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 05/12/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R vehicles. The fuel hose quick connector may detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, resulting in a fuel leak. Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the fuel line connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 462 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 R. 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 5Q0129620B Spark plug 06K905601L Front wiper blades 5G1998002

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

Frequently asked

Does the 2018 Golf R have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Golf R get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg.