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Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Mazda Mazda3 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    
39 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 14900 miles driven2017 Mazda Mazda3
[?] see reported repairs
  39 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 14900 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
42 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 26000 miles driven2016 Mazda Mazda3
[?] see reported repairs
  42 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 26000 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.
51 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 35400 miles driven2015 Mazda Mazda3
[?] see reported repairs
  51 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 35400 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.
67 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 50000 miles driven

Redesigned.
2014
Mazda Mazda3
[?] see reported repairs
  67 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 50000 miles driven

Redesigned.
38 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 62400 miles driven2013 Mazda Mazda3
[?] see reported repairs
  38 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 62400 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
59 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 81200 miles driven2012 Mazda Mazda3
[?] see reported repairs
  59 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 81200 miles driven
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
27 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 72400 miles driven2011 Mazda Mazda3 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  27 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 72400 miles driven
54 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 93600 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
2010
Mazda Mazda3
[?] see reported repairs
  54 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 93600 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
35 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 112700 miles driven2008 Mazda Mazda3
[?] see reported repairs
  35 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 112700 miles driven
27 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 122400 miles driven

First model year for the MazdaSpeed3.
2007
Mazda Mazda3 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  27 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 122400 miles driven

First model year for the MazdaSpeed3.

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Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI vs. Mazda Mazda3 Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

Other sources of Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Mazda Mazda3 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 Mazda Mazda3s with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTIs and Mazda Mazda3s 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 Mazda Mazda3 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 Mazda Mazda3 have been recently.

To see how frequently Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Mazda Mazda3 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 Mazda Mazda3

Mazda Mazda3 Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2011 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Good reputation, and quality is way up. JDPower just put them right at the top, over Civic see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2010 4dr Sedan 167-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Even though many disagree... The smile in the front of the 3 is in reality a "grin". Mazda designs vehicles that keep drivers want to test their vehicles and continue driving them. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2010 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Zoom Zoom is an effective marketing strategy. The original Rx7 (which I owned) put real go-cart style sports car performance in an affordable bracket. They continue to do so with the RX8, as well as the 3 and 6 see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2010 4dr Sedan 167-horsepower 2.5L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I seem to like almost all the cars they produce. Sporty ones (mx-5, rx-8) and not so sporty ones (CX suvs, mazda6). Besides, Zoom-Zoom! see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2010 4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Mazda has always been reliable and viewed as a fun to drive, sporty brand. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2009 4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4
6-speed manual FWD
This car has won Car & Driver Magazines Best Hot Hatch comparison 3 years running. It is THE BEST performance buy on the market. The 3 has good CR/CU/JD Power ratings. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2009 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Mazda lives up to its zoom tagline and is known for reliability and longevity. The 3 is the successor to the Protege5. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2008 4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4
6-speed manual FWD
"Fun" see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2007 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Good rep.... see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2007 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
mazda has a big mileage warrenty and is known for the cars having a sporty feel. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
Mazda Mazda3 Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
The are not really known to be reliable and this is high in my list. see full Mazda Mazda3 review