2018 Volkswagen Golf sportwagen problems
The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – including as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada (Mk1 and Mk5), and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico (Mk1).
The original Golf Mk1 was a front-engined, front-wheel drive replacement for the air-cooled, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive Volkswagen Beetle. Historically, the Golf is Volkswagen's best-selling model and is among the world's top three best-selling models, with more than 35 million units sold as of 2019.
Initially, most Golfs were 3-door hatchbacks. Other variants include a 5-door hatchback, estate (Variant, from 1993), convertible (Cabriolet and Cabrio, 1979–2002, Cabriolet, 2011–present), and a Golf-based saloon, called the Jetta, Vento (from 1992) or Bora (from 1999). The Golf covers economy to high-performance market segments.
The Golf has won awards, including the World Car of the Year in 2009, with the Mk6 and in 2013 with the Mk7. Along with the Renault Clio and the Vauxhall Astra, the Golf is one of only three cars to have won European Car of the Year twice, in 1992 and 2013. The Golf has made the annual Car and Driver 10Best list multiple times. The Mk7 won the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in 2015, and the Mk1 GTI also won the award in 1985. The Mk4 won for the best-selling car in Europe in 2001.
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Common 2018 Volkswagen Golf sportwagen problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, several common problems have been reported:
- Panoramic Roof Leaks: Some owners have experienced leaks in the panoramic sunroof of the Golf SportWagen, which can result in water entering the vehicle. This issue can lead to interior damage and discomfort for passengers.
- Taillight Failure: Reports of taillight failures have been noted in the 2018 Golf SportWagen. Malfunctioning taillights can compromise visibility, especially in low-light conditions, posing a safety risk for the driver and other road users.
- Keyless Entry Failure: Owners have reported issues with the keyless entry system in the 2018 Golf SportWagen. A malfunctioning keyless entry system can be inconvenient and may affect the security of the vehicle.
- Electronic Squealing Sound at Start-Up: Some owners have mentioned experiencing an electronic squealing sound when starting up the 2019 Golf SportWagen. Unusual sounds upon start-up can indicate underlying electrical or mechanical issues that may require attention.
These problems highlight various concerns that owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen have faced. Addressing these issues promptly and effectively is crucial to ensure the safety, reliability, and overall satisfaction of the vehicle owners.
Is the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen a reliable car?
The probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 11% for the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, compared to an average of 11% for compact cars and 12% for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.
Why did VW discontinue the SportWagen?
Production of the VW SportWagen and Alltrack Comes to an End
After the 2019 model year, Volkswagen is discontinuing sales of the Golf SportWagen and the Golf Alltrack in the United States. The automaker has decided to place more of a focus on the new SUV models that will soon be hitting showrooms.
How long will a Golf SportWagen last?
Most Volkswagen vehicles will last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, although well-kept models can last even longer than that. All VWs are remarkably reliable vehicles.
How many miles per gallon does a 2018 VW SportWagen get?
Based on data from 76 vehicles, 6,092 fuel-ups and 1,819,730 miles of driving, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen gets a combined Avg MPG of 27.81 with a 0.15 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 187 outliers (2.98%) removed.
Is VW Golf SportWagen reliable?
The probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 11% for the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, compared to an average of 11% for compact cars and 12% for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.
Why did VW discontinue the SportWagen?
Production of the VW SportWagen and Alltrack Comes to an End
After the 2019 model year, Volkswagen is discontinuing sales of the Golf SportWagen and the Golf Alltrack in the United States. The automaker has decided to place more of a focus on the new SUV models that will soon be hitting showrooms.
How long will a Golf SportWagen last?
Most Volkswagen vehicles will last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, although well-kept models can last even longer than that. All VWs are remarkably reliable vehicles.
How much is the 2018 Golf SportWagen?
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen model comes in 12 trim levels. Canadian pricing ranges from $24,195 to $35,745 MSRP. The entry-level, 1.8 TSI Trendline 5MT model starts at $24,195 Canadian dollars for the Gasoline: 1.8L I-4. The price for the mid-range 1.8 TSI Comfortline 6AT Tiptronic trim is $28,395 MSRP.
2018 Volkswagen Golf sportwagen car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Golf sportwagen problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Wheels problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Volkswagen Golf sportwagen vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2018 Volkswagen Golf sportwagen complaints
The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Volkswagen Golf sportwagen.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-26
- VIN: 3VW717AU7JM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The clutch master cylinder failed at less than 37,000 miles and is not covered under the manufacturer's standard (for 2018 models) 72,000 mile warranty. I had to spend $500+ to replace the part at an independent mechanic. Fluid levels were fine and there were no leaks. Just a faulty part. I have owned cars with a manual transmission for almost 40 years and never once had to replace any clutch components, including in cars with well over 100,000 miles on them. It was a potentially dangerous event. I depressed the clutch pedal to put it in gear and the pedal sank to the floor. I couldn't get the car in gear. I couldn't restart the car. Fortunately I was on a side street not too far from home. I was able to pull up the clutch pedal and pump some pressure back into the system and drive home. I can only imagine how scary and unsafe this would have been if I had been stopped on a highway.
POWER TRAIN,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-23
- VIN: 3VW217AU7JM
- Components: POWER TRAIN,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My wife's Golf Sportwagen has a sort of whop whop noise evident at about 30 -35 MPH that gets a bit more pronounced at 60 MPH. The brakes seem fine. No pulling or pulsations in the brake pedal. They work well. The pads are not worn out and the discs have smooth, shiny surfaces. The car steers straight and feels normal. The tires are original with ~20,000 miles on them. I expect this could be a tire problem. I took the car to Ken Ganley Volkswagen Bedford, Ohio on August 23, 2023 to have this evaluated and to have a coolant leak repaired. The dealer did not write up the noise issue. When I picked the car up, they told me they test drove the car and the noise was tire related. The repair order stated they took the car on a 5 mile test drive. They lied. They returned the car with exactly the same mileage on the odometer as it had when I brought the car in for repair. I called the service manager and his response was "We do the best we can". Nothing more. There is a noise in the drive train, possibly tires, that Volkswagen hasn't yet evaluated even though the car is still covered under it's new car warranty. I don't know if this is going to turn out to be a safety issue or not. I called VW but the rep only wanted to know what our phone numbers are even though I told her multiple times that they are the same as the day we purchased the car. Then they wanted to know if they had financed the car even though I paid cash. The lies I was told and lack of evaluation by their dealer didn't seem to matter much. Before I just started explaining the situation, the rep, Tiffany had told me to call back later because she didn't want to record the problem.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-16
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 3VW117AU5JM
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Chromed metallic trim on center console above shifter and beneath center cubby opening has cracked and lifted creating a small, very sharp raised raw edge that deeply lacerated my right hand while reaching into of cubby to retrieve item while behind the wheel. Normal use, no overt damage to explain de-lamination of trim in this location.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-11-08
- VIN: 3vw217au7jm
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The U-shaped on the passenger door jamb the the door latch attaches to came loose preventing the door from closing completely. Ganley VW tightened up the fasteners without writing up a service order so it would be reported to VW. They did not use a torgue wrench. I asked them to use thread locker to help prevent this from recurring. They refused and stated VW does not permit them to use thread locker. It took 8 days to get an appointment to repair this.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-08
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 3VWD17AU8JM
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The vehicle went forward in Reverse and backward in Drive, multiple times in one day, observed by driver and passenger. Another vehicle was struck; no one was injured (fortunately). Dealer said they could not recreate the problem and nothing was wrong.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-05-25
- VIN: 3vwl17au7jm
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: When coasting with foot off the accelerator at normal road speeds starting at greater than ~30 mph, the vehicle will bleed speed normally until around 25 mph. At that point the transmission will suddenly grab and rapidly decelerate the vehicle down to approximately 15 mph. After reaching around 15 mph the transmission disconnects and the car coasts normally again. This has happened consistently since the car was delivered and after taking the car to two separate dealers for investigation was assured that it's part of the normal operation of the transmission. I believe the rapid deceleration when unexpected can be a safety hazard as cars following behind will not see any brake lights to warn them that my vehicle is slowing.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-01
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 3VWD17AUXJM
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: TRIM SURROUNDING SHIFT CONSOLE IS MADE OF BRITTLE METAL THAT TEARS AT FOLD AND THEN LACERATES DRIVER OR PASSENGER WHEN THEY REACH INTO CENTER CUBBY.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-05
- VIN: 3VWD17AU9JM
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: WARNING LIGHT INDICATING ERROR IN PASSENGER AIR BAG. REQUESTED IMMEDIATE SERVICING AS AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY ACCIDENTALLY OR NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-15
- VIN: 3VWL17AU5JM
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON AUGUST 13, 2018, AT ABOUT 1000 MILES NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS WARMED UP, STOPPED FOR 45 MINUTES THAN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON JANUARY 18, 2018. HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES, MULTIPLE PARTS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *TR
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-09-26
- VIN: 3VW117AU7JM
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON SEP.23,2018 DROVE IT FOR THREE DAYS AND NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WARM AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2017. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE VW DEALER BEING EVALUATED.
2018 Volkswagen Golf sportwagen recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf sportwagen.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
- Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
- Summary: 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 with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
- Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- 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 customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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 at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
- Summary: 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 from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- 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 customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Park It: 1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
- Summary: 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 these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
- Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- 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 not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
Negative 2018 Volkswagen Golf sportwagen car reviews
Positive 2018 Volkswagen Golf sportwagen car reviews
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Our 2017 VW Golf Sportwagen TSI (DSG, 4Motion, DAP) has been our only vehicle for 2 years now and I must say, it still brings me joy every time I drive it. While many fans describe it as 'fun' and 'sports car like', our criteria was comfort and reliability, which it delivers on perfectly. I've test driven several new models in my search for the 'perfect' all-around car, but none have come close to the Sportwagen. Even after driving 7 new cars, I have not found one that compares. The DSG transmission (dual clutch auto) took some getting used to, but with 4 driving modes to choose from (Normal, Sport, Comfort and ECO), it's easy to find the perfect setting for any drive. Plus, with standard Apple Carplay and Android phone compatibility, it's easy to stay connected on the go. I highly recommend the Sportwagen if you can find one. VW still manufactures it, but unfortunately, they no longer import them to NA. Don't be fooled by the rumors of high maintenance costs for VW's either. While engine oil changes cost $69, they are only required every 10,000 miles and the transmission service, the most expensive maintenance item, is only required every 40,000 miles at a cost of $350.00. We've only had one recall (an electronic switch in the shifter) and regular maintenance. In fact, after driving the new Buick Encore GX Essence and the top of the line Honda CR-V and HR-C, I was left disappointed by their cheesy interiors, loud road noise, and poor fit and finishes. The Sportwagen truly stands out as a reliable and comfortable option. UPDATE: @60,000k miles.This is an update on my 2017 GSW review that I posted in 2021. I'm happy to report that my car is still going strong with no rattles, break downs or significant repairs. I had the water pump cover replaced (under warranty), one set of new tires and two sets of wiper blades, but all maintenance has been performed on schedule. All in all, it's performed flawlessly and I still love the car.
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I used to own a 2016 Golf Hatchback manual, but unfortunately had to switch to an automatic after a bad accident. While it's not as fun to drive as the manual, I'm still impressed with its build quality and have had very few problems with it. On a recent 300 mile trip, I got an impressive 44 MPG! Despite some features being removed such as Sirius/XM, CD player, under seat drawer, compass, and hood liner, the price was incredibly low. I'm now in year 4 with 60,000 miles and still really enjoy driving this car. It has solid handling and plenty of storage space. I'm grateful to have the 5 year/72K warranty, as it's a lot of car for the money.
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I hope this message finds you well! I wanted to share my experience with the 2018 Golf SportWagen. I had previously owned a 2011 Jetta SportWagen and was excited to upgrade. However, I was disappointed to find that the back seats do not go completely flat, causing a slight tilt in the cargo area. This made it difficult to transport delicate items and stack boxes without them sliding. Despite this flaw, I did enjoy the driving experience and the car's overall build quality. I did end up selling the car after only 5 months due to this issue, which I believe is a serious design flaw. I have spoken to others about this and they have agreed. Additionally, I think it's important to note that the car's fuel efficiency could be improved from an ecological standpoint. Overall, I would still rate the car a four due to its enjoyable driving experience and solid construction. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts!
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After owning the car for nearly a year, I must say that I am impressed. The steering is tight and responsive, which I really like. On highways, my fuel economy is pretty good, with an average of 34-36 MPG with cruise control. Around town, it's around 24 MPG. However, I do have one complaint about the keyless start feature. Personally, I find it quite inconvenient and would prefer not to have it. The key fob battery died on a very cold day when I had no cell reception to call for help. I was finally able to place the key fob near the steering wheel and get one start, which was all I had left. I think no one should ever be placed in circumstances like this, it's ridiculous. A key never fails. I now keep a spare battery for it and a tool to open the key fob in the glove box, as I am fearful of that happening again. Also, if my husband drops me off and I have the key in my purse, he can't lock the car or start it again without me and my purse being nearby. It's not a fun feature and I'd pay money NOT to have a keyless start if I had to. However, I do love the car despite this one annoying thing. If enough people continue to tell the manufacturer how bad this is, perhaps they will take it away for good. Keys are good things, I miss them. It does tempt me to trade the car in earlier than I would generally want to due to the key thing that has been so annoying.
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I am pleased to share my experience with the VW Golf Sportwagen. Although this is my second VW Golf, the first being a '05 VW Golf TDI for my wife, I am confident in my decision to purchase this vehicle. The TDI engine in the previous Golf ran strong, and I have been impressed with the robust build of the car. Despite unexpected repairs costing over $10k, I have been happy with the vehicle overall. Unfortunately, some of these expenses were due to a dishonest West Houston VW Dealer. The new Golf Sportwagen - gasoline, was purchased for my wife, who initially wanted a Honda CR-V. However, I was able to convince her that the 7-year transmission warranty made the Golf Sportwagen a better choice. The car has an impressive cargo space, a nice interior, and good mpg, especially when my wife drives it, achieving around 38-45 mpg combined depending on traffic. The Tiptronic Transmission has a nice complex upgrade to paddle for tiptronic manual sport driving along with S automatic driving. While the Automatic transmission DSG is also nice, as a manual driver, I prefer not to trust it as it may break down and be costly to maintain every 45k mi.
Paxton Douglas 2024-09-28
The car is experiencing some issues, including the engine light turning on and worn tires. However, I am confident that these problems can be resolved with the right attention and maintenance.
Nash Raynor 2024-07-20
The road noise inside the vehicle is excessively loud. The addition of floor, firewall, roof, and door insulation would have greatly improved the driving experience. Despite reaching out to VW Customer Care, I did not receive any helpful feedback on how to reduce the road noise intrusion at my own expense. It is not recommended to take this car on long drives.
Jennings Schowalter 2024-04-02
In November 2021, I upgraded from a '17 SportWagen to a new '19 Golf Alltrak. Unfortunately, I have had some issues with warranty claims. When the car had only 10k miles, the panoramic sunroof leaked, flooding the spare tire space and staining the headliner. The dealer claimed that I neglected to clean the sunroof drains and refused to cover it under warranty, which left me feeling frustrated. This experience has made me hesitant to purchase another VW, as I have encountered dealers who act like grimy used car salesmen when it comes to warranty claims. Additionally, I had a negative experience with a VW dealer near my house when they refused to help me replace a fuse for the cigarette lighter the day before Thanksgiving. The dealer's service advisor was insincere and discourteous, which was especially inconvenient given the circumstances. When I contacted VW customer service, the representative I spoke to seemed ignorant about cars and did not appreciate how the dealer's refusal to replace the fuse had inconvenienced me. Instead, I was told to bring the car in for a garage appointment, which seemed excessive for such a simple issue. I hope that VW and its dealers will prioritize their customers' best interests in the future.I was disappointed and upset by the dealer's and VW's unwillingness to accommodate my request to replace a fuse. I had already taken more time than needed to replace it, and it was frustrating that they didn't appreciate that. The TDI campaign was misleading, and it was unfortunate that the dealer benefited from it. However, I believe that VW should be forthcoming in enabling me to replace a fuse, and I hope they will be in the future. The service department at that dealer lost my confidence due to the extra challenge posed to my travels by not having a cigarette lighter to charge my cellphone for GPS. I am getting jaded about Volkswagen, and I would not recommend this car because of the company's actions. The TDI scandal and this experience have pushed me away from the brand. I believe that I shouldn't need a VW dealer to change my fuse, and I hope that they will improve their customer service in the future. On a separate note, I had a 2015 VW Golf Sportwagen TDI SE 6-speed manual, which had many features that I miss on my 2017 VW Golf Sportwagen 4Motion S 6-speed manual. I had to special order my 2017 Sportwagen to get the manual shift, but it was worth it. Without a manual shift, I probably would not have gotten another VW to replace my TDI.There are things I really like about my new Sportwagen! It wasn't expensive compared to other cars in its class, has all-wheel drive which was great during a nor'easter of wet heavy snow last week, has a peppy engine, is fun to drive, has ample space, and has nice fit and finish. The only downsides are that it gets about 28 mpg in mixed driving which pales in comparison to my TDI that averaged 47 mpg, the cloth seats attract dog hair, and there's no power seat. However, I'm still happy with the Sportwagen compared to other models available now because it's a manual shift wagon with a turbo. I'm having a bit of trouble with the Apple CarPlay - toggling between it and the radio, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it soon. I might have buyer's remorse that I didn't spring for the Golf Alltrack SE, because it does come with all the features I miss from my TDI and is available in a manual. Then again, it is more than $5,000 more than the Sportwagen... So in conclusion, if you want a Sportwagen with a manual and more bells and whistles go for the Alltrack SE!