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Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Ford Focus 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
28 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 21200 miles driven2016 Ford Focus Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  28 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 21200 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.
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.
39 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 54700 miles driven

Includes ST this year. Common problem with clutch packs on dual-clutch automatic transmission (ST, with a manual transmission, not affected).
2014
Ford Focus
[?] see reported repairs
  39 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 54700 miles driven

Includes ST this year. Common problem with clutch packs on dual-clutch automatic transmission (ST, with a manual transmission, not affected).
33 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 64400 miles driven

Common problem with clutch packs on dual-clutch automatic transmission (ST, with a manual transmission, not affected).
2013
Ford Focus Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  33 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 64400 miles driven

Common problem with clutch packs on dual-clutch automatic transmission (ST, with a manual transmission, not affected).
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
45 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 73500 miles driven

Redesigned. Common problem with clutch packs on dual-clutch automatic transmission.
2012
Ford Focus
[?] see reported repairs
  45 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 73500 miles driven

Redesigned. Common problem with clutch packs on dual-clutch automatic transmission.
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

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Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI vs. Ford Focus Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

Other sources of Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Ford Focus 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 Ford Focuss with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTIs and Ford Focuss 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 Ford Focus 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 Ford Focus have been recently.

To see how frequently Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Ford Focus 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 Ford Focus

Ford Focus Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2007 4dr Sedan 151-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed manual FWD
I've always liked Fords better than most other brands, and this was actually the first Ford I've owned. see full Ford Focus review
2004 4dr Sedan 145-horsepower 2.3L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
At first, there was nothing desirable about the Focus. I had to search and search for its potential and finally started liking it. Then it broke down... twice. see full Ford Focus review
2002 2dr Hatch 130-horsepower 2.0L I4
5-speed manual FWD
young, trendly, cool see full Ford Focus review
Ford Focus Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 2dr Coupe 143-horsepower 2.0L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Early Focus models has some problems. The Focus seems to be marketed almost exclusily towards the younger crowd. see full Ford Focus review
2009 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Ford is not exactly thought of as a premium brand. see full Ford Focus review
2005 4dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
This is a very good car. However, people look down on Ford. It will take Ford years to regain the image of decent, reliable transport - which is what the Focus excels at. see full Ford Focus review
2002 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
If you are going to buy a ford sports car why would you buy a focus when you can have a mustang. see full Ford Focus review