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2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Golf SportWagen.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

Classified as a passenger car, the 2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen pairs an S8 automatic transmission with a powertrain requiring 6.0 quarts of 5W-40 engine oil to deliver an EPA-estimated 27 city and 36 highway mpg. When viewed against the broader 2013-2019 generation—which saw a peak of 186 owner complaints in 2015—this specific model year tells a much more positive story with just 9 total complaints, though researchers should note it carries 5 recalls and a top complaint area categorized simply as "Unknown Or Other." Ultimately, the 2019 SportWagen sits at the quieter end of the model's reliability timeline, meaning it offers a significantly more settled ownership experience than its troubled mid-decade predecessors provided its outstanding recalls are properly addressed.

Model year20192018201720162015

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-40OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy27/36/31 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 04E115561T. 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.

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195/65R15, P205/55R16, P225/45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.0, P205/55R16: 6.5, P225/45R17: 7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04E115561T alt 06L115562B
Engine air filter5QM129620B
Spark plug06K905601D alt 04E905602D
Battery5K0915105G
Front wiper blades5G1998002
Serpentine belt04E145933AL alt 06L903137A
Thermostat04E121119D alt 04E121113G
Cabin air filter5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length167.3 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3424 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 36 / 31 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume30 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-40 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs88 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen
Spark Plug Torque16 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen
Spark Plug Gap.028-.031 in
Spark Plug Torque22 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 15; Rear: 15
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 15
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .863; Rear: .315

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°148 ft. lbs
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°148 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.22 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.33 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
129.5 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90°. Step 3: 90°. Step 4: Repeat Step 3.29.5 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
129.5 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90°. Step 3: 90°. Step 4: Bolt 11: 3 ft. lbs. Step 5: Bolt 11: 90°.29.5 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.44 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 44 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°.22 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.48 ft. lbs

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 80,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
At 40,000 miSunroof Assembly (lubricate)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 80,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

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 2019 Golf SportWagen sits at the tail end of this generation’s lifecycle, and the federal record shows a clear downward trend in complaints and technical service bulletins (TSBs) from the 2015 peak. With only 9 complaints and 474 TSBs—the lowest figures among the high-volume years—the 2019 model benefits from years of incremental fixes. Its recall count (5) is consistent with the 2017–2018 level, and the single ongoing investigation appears to be a legacy issue, not a new problem. The top complaint areas are minor and non-crash-related, with zero fire or collision reports. This suggests the 2019 is a mature, well-refined version of the platform, making it a solid used buy for someone seeking reliability without the teething issues of earlier model years.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
474
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
9
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
’13’15’16’17’18’19

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 9 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Unknown Or Other2
Suspension2
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Electrical System,Engine1
Electrical System1
Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1
Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V188000Suspension:Rear:Springs:Coil SpringsReported 06/03/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture. Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service…

19V615000Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control ModuleReported 22/08/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 474 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_172026-06-11Air BagsInquiries
V1719012012855_812026-06-04EngineVolkswagen Engine Oil Standards
VOS-26-212026-03-27EngineThis is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the…

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 SportWagen. 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.

Vehicles taking 6.0 qtEngine oil filter 04E115561TEngine air filter 5QM129620BSpark plug 06K905601DBattery 5K0915105G

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2019 Golf SportWagen take?

6.0 qt of 5W-40, per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Golf SportWagen have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Golf SportWagen get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 36 highway / 31 combined mpg.