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Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 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    
40 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 13700 miles driven2017 Honda Civic
[?] see reported repairs
  40 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 13700 miles driven
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
45 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 28100 miles driven2016 Honda Civic
[?] see reported repairs
  45 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 28100 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.
26 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 43300 miles driven2015 Honda Civic Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  26 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 43300 miles driven
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.
29 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 54300 miles driven2013 Honda Civic Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  29 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 54300 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
42 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 77800 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
2012
Honda Civic
[?] see reported repairs
  42 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 77800 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
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
28 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 85300 miles driven2010 Honda Civic Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  28 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 85300 miles driven
41 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 115200 miles driven2009 Honda Civic
[?] see reported repairs
  41 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 115200 miles driven
41 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 117800 miles driven2008 Honda Civic
[?] see reported repairs
  41 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 117800 miles driven
35 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 139800 miles driven2007 Honda Civic
[?] see reported repairs
  35 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 139800 miles driven
28 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 156000 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
2006
Honda Civic Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  28 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 156000 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.

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Honda Civic vs. Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

Other sources of Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI reliability data provide only averages, which can conceal as much as they reveal. So we also report the percentage of Honda Civics and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTIs with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of Honda Civics and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTIs 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 Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI lemon odds as the cars age. Others can be over a year behind. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI have been recently.

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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Honda Civic

Honda Civic Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 2dr Coupe 140-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed automatic FWD
that it has a reputation as one of the best small cars out there see full Honda Civic review
2009 4dr Sedan 110-horsepower 1.3L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
Civic has always been rated very high for reliability by Consumer Reports. Owners have told me that they enjoy good Honda relationships. My Accord was very well taken care of by our local dealership. see full Honda Civic review
2009 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed automatic FWD
I have not heard much bad about cicics overall and have owned several see full Honda Civic review
2009 4dr Sedan 110-horsepower 1.3L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
This is my second Honda, and they are bullet-proof reliable and well constructed fit and finish. see full Honda Civic review
2009 2dr Coupe 140-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD
sport pedigree see full Honda Civic review
2008 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed automatic FWD
Been around for quite some time. They really hold their value. see full Honda Civic review
2008 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed automatic FWD
Rated very high everywhere. see full Honda Civic review
2008 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD
In our part of Canada, Honda is one of the leaders in resale value. see full Honda Civic review
2008 4dr Sedan 110-horsepower 1.3L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
It is a mystery to me, but it appears to work and will add value to the car for trade in and resale. see full Honda Civic review
2008 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed automatic FWD
honda relability see full Honda Civic review
Honda Civic Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan 197-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Ricer. You should know what that word means in car culture before you get yourself into the Civic Si. That said, the eighth generation Civic Si has been around long enough that people are starting to figure out what Honda actually made... so maybe the reputation isn't all bad. see full Honda Civic review
 

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