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Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Hyundai Sonata Lemon Odds and Nada Odds for the Year Ending June 30, 2018

An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.

Year Make/Model Nada Odds per 100 Cars Lemon Odds per 100 Cars    
51 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 17500 miles driven2017 Volkswagen Golf 1.8T
[?] see reported repairs
  51 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 17500 miles driven
70 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 12900 miles driven2017 Volkswagen GTI and Golf R
[?] see reported repairs
  70 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 12900 miles driven
32 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 29300 miles driven2016 Hyundai Sonata Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  32 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 29300 miles driven
39 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 28600 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.
2016
Volkswagen Golf 1.8T
[?] see reported repairs
  39 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 28600 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.
87 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 21700 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.
2016
Volkswagen GTI and Golf R
[?] see reported repairs
  87 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 21700 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.
42 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 41100 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
2015
Hyundai Sonata
[?] see reported repairs
  42 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 41100 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
56 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 38900 miles driven

Redesigned. Golf 1.8T initially had a higher repair frequency than the GTI, and the TDI still does. Unclear why. All might have a somewhat common problem with failing AC compressors.
2015
Volkswagen GTI and Golf R
[?] see reported repairs
  56 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 38900 miles driven

Redesigned. Golf 1.8T initially had a higher repair frequency than the GTI, and the TDI still does. Unclear why. All might have a somewhat common problem with failing AC compressors.
30 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 74600 miles driven2013 Hyundai Sonata Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  30 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 74600 miles driven
36 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 57900 miles driven2013 Volkswagen GTI
[?] see reported repairs
  36 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 57900 miles driven
25 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 76700 miles driven

Unclear why this stat is so much higher than a year ago and than adjacent model years. Could be a temporary blip.
2012
Hyundai Sonata Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  25 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 76700 miles driven

Unclear why this stat is so much higher than a year ago and than adjacent model years. Could be a temporary blip.
38 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 70800 miles driven2012 Volkswagen GTI
[?] see reported repairs
  38 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 70800 miles driven
42 vehicles, 11.9 months per vehicle, 96100 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
2011
Hyundai Sonata
[?] see reported repairs
  42 vehicles, 11.9 months per vehicle, 96100 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
40 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 103500 miles driven2009 Hyundai Sonata
[?] see reported repairs
  40 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 103500 miles driven

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Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI vs. Hyundai Sonata Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

Other sources of Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Hyundai Sonata reliability data provide only averages, which can conceal as much as they reveal. So we also report the percentage of Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTIs and Hyundai Sonatas with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTIs and Hyundai Sonatas that are lemons (required three or more repair trips in the past year). These figures might surprise you.

These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to closely track Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Hyundai Sonata lemon odds as the cars age. Others can be over a year behind. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Hyundai Sonata have been recently.

To see how frequently Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Hyundai Sonata problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI

Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
I always see Volkswagens as great, reliable cars. The GTI is special because of its utility and performance. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
german built, soild car see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6
6-speed automated manual AWD
Like the 2004 R32, the 2008 R32 had a limited production run of 5000, most of which are now sold. The R32 is really a well balanced "mini grand touring" car; without the stigma of being a "rice racer" like the Evo or STi. A great car for road and track! see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2005 2dr Hatch 200-horsepower 2.8L V6
6-speed manual FWD
VW builds a quality car, besides their electrical issues, which I have not had in either of my last two GTIs. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2004 4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
VW, to me, means smart and sophisticated; while, at the same time, being practical and understated. Owning one shows you know automobiles without having to shout about it. VWs are not appliances. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2016 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Low reliability see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2013 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
VW does not have that great a reputation in the U.S. This is a shame because the Golf really seems to be a well-made vehicle. Time will tell whether it holds up, but there are many horror stories of poor service, poor dealers, and the factory not standing behind their warranties. I'm hoping that VW has improved their ways, but this remains a major sticking point. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2009 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
VW dealerships have one of the worst reps. for fair service prices. The dealer I saw was great on the test drive front, but I feared the service desk a few years down the line. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2007 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Too many people, VW are still seen as nice cars that break often see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Sonata Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.4L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Hyundai has made major strides in reputation for reliability, build quality and style in the last few years, especially for the price. For value oriented customers who keep their cars a long time, these are major positive factors. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2008 4dr Sedan 162-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Hyundai is emerging leader in quality and reliability see full Hyundai Sonata review
Hyundai Sonata Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2015 4dr Sedan 185-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
The Customer Service folks at Hyndai are weasels. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2011 4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
People seem to be living in the past in regards to this. Hyundai is probably more reliable than the average brand but people who have never owned one only want to remember the days when they were considered a joke. Most problems I have heard of are only minor in nature. The pulling issue is the only legit one I've read about often and they seem to have fixed that. I've had no issues other than a dead battery which is irritating but not really Hyundai's fault. Really impressive considering this was a completely new design in its first model year. Great warranty makes this a non issue in my opinion. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2009 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.4L I4
5-speed manual FWD
It does not have the cache of honda or toyota, which will hurt resale. However, at the price paid, and with that warranty, I still like the Sonota. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2009 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.4L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Cheap and low class. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2008 4dr Sedan 162-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Hyundai has not had a great reputation for high quality cars for most of its history. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2002 4dr Sedan 149-horsepower 2.4L I4
4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Well, it still does not have the class. I do not care that much but you specially feel it when you want to trade it in for something else. see full Hyundai Sonata review