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Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Toyota Prius 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    
42 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 17100 miles driven2017 Toyota Prius
[?] see reported repairs
  42 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 17100 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
35 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 28700 miles driven2016 Toyota Prius
[?] see reported repairs
  35 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 28700 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.
35 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 47500 miles driven2015 Toyota Prius
[?] see reported repairs
  35 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 47500 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.
38 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 73400 miles driven2013 Toyota Prius
[?] see reported repairs
  38 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 73400 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
53 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 88200 miles driven2012 Toyota Prius
[?] see reported repairs
  53 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 88200 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
48 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 99800 miles driven2011 Toyota Prius
[?] see reported repairs
  48 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 99800 miles driven
141 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 113800 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
2010
Toyota Prius
[?] see reported repairs
  141 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 113800 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
27 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 117600 miles driven2009 Toyota Prius Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  27 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 117600 miles driven
53 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 140600 miles driven2008 Toyota Prius
[?] see reported repairs
  53 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 140600 miles driven
58 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 152100 miles driven2007 Toyota Prius
[?] see reported repairs
  58 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 152100 miles driven
39 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 156400 miles driven2006 Toyota Prius
[?] see reported repairs
  39 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 156400 miles driven
37 vehicles, 11.9 months per vehicle, 181300 miles driven2005 Toyota Prius
[?] see reported repairs
  37 vehicles, 11.9 months per vehicle, 181300 miles driven
25 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 184800 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
2004
Toyota Prius Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  25 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 184800 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.

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Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI vs. Toyota Prius Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

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

To see how frequently Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI and Toyota Prius 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 Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2011 4dr Hatch 98-horsepower 1.8L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
made in japan, high quality control see full Toyota Prius review
2010 4dr Hatch 98-horsepower 1.8L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
The past reputation of the Prius as rated by such groups as Consumer Reports and the PriusChat online forum. see full Toyota Prius review
2010 4dr Hatch 98-horsepower 1.8L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
Every Toyota I have owned have been flawless and completely dependable. see full Toyota Prius review
2010 4dr Hatch 98-horsepower 1.8L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
Despite the recent "runaway car" incidents -which everyone should know that they need to put their cars in neutral whether it be a Toyota or a Ford, I think that all the foreign car makers "get" it when it comes to reputation and image. see full Toyota Prius review
2009 4dr Hatch 76-horsepower 1.5L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
Sends a message to automakes that advanced green technology is something people really will pay for, and find attractive in a car. see full Toyota Prius review
2009 4dr Hatch 76-horsepower 1.5L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
Toyota quality see full Toyota Prius review
2008 4dr Hatch 76-horsepower 1.5L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
High resale / reliabilty see full Toyota Prius review
2008 4dr Hatch 76-horsepower 1.5L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
Once again, toyotas rule the road. The dealership is also very good at helping out with repairs (from past experience, 2001 4Runner). see full Toyota Prius review
2008 4dr Hatch 76-horsepower 1.5L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
Toyota has had a great reputation for reliability. see full Toyota Prius review
2008 4dr Hatch 76-horsepower 1.5L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
The image of the Prius as being enviro-conscious fits in well with my own practices ("going green"). see full Toyota Prius review