2023 Volkswagen Golf R Macpherson Strut Recall (23V437)

Recall 23V437 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R in recall 23V437?

The strut mount may be deformed, loosening the bolted connections to the suspension strut mounting.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Golf R A8 and Golf GTI vehicles. The strut mount may be deformed, loosening the bolted connections to the suspension strut mounting.

Is it safe to drive a 2023 Golf R with recall 23V437?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Loose suspension connections can cause steering instability, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Loose suspension connections can cause steering instability, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the macpherson strut.

Which vehicles are included in recall 23V437?

Recall 23V437 covers 59 vehicles: 2023 Volkswagen Golf R; 2023 Volkswagen GTI.

NHTSA lists 59 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Golf R macpherson strut recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and replace the right and/or left suspension strut mountings, as necessary, free of charge.

Dealers will inspect and replace the right and/or left suspension strut mountings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40T3.

When was recall 23V437 announced?

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. reported recall 23V437 to NHTSA on June 21, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as August 18, 2023.

This recall was filed 40 months ago. If your Golf R was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Golf R is part of recall 23V437?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V437 is open on your Golf R, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2023 Golf R vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should Golf R owners do about recall 23V437?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V437000 applies to your Golf R.
2. Call a Volkswagen dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the macpherson strut happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are Golf R owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the suspension, wheels and tires.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the suspension, wheels and tires have been filed since recall 23V437 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 12 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the suspension, wheels and tires. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2023 Volkswagen Golf R: 6 complaints in total, 0 about the suspension, wheels and tires
• 2023 Volkswagen GTI: 6 complaints in total, 0 about the suspension, wheels and tires

Can recall 23V437 make my Golf R a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Owners often ask whether this macpherson strut recall means their Golf R qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Suspension, wheel and tire defects can affect handling and control. Clunks, pulling and vibration that return after a repair point to a defect that has not been fixed.

The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 23V437