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2017 Volkswagen GOLF: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

115 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

21,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 51 of 115 complaints (44.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Fuel system concerns3732.2%
Engine operation97.8%
Steering behavior65.2%
Braking behavior54.3%
Electrical and battery issues43.5%
Transmission and shifting21.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Fuel/Propulsion System
51
Engine
18
Unknown Or Other
12
Electrical System
9
Structure:Body
7
Air Bags
6
Service Brakes
5
Power Train
4
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Fuel/Propulsion System51
Engine18
Unknown Or Other12
Electrical System9
Structure:Body7
Air Bags6
Service Brakes5
Power Train4

Fuel/Propulsion System: 51; Engine: 18; Unknown Or Other: 12; Electrical System: 9; Structure:Body: 7; Air Bags: 6; Service Brakes: 5; Power Train: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
16
25,000 to 49,999
10
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00016
25,000 to 49,99910
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 84 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2017
5
2018
11
2019
8
2020
3
2021
16
2022
27
2023
22
2024
18
2025
3
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20175
201811
20198
20203
202116
202227
202322
202418
20253
20262

2017: 5; 2018: 11; 2019: 8; 2020: 3; 2021: 16; 2022: 27; 2023: 22; 2024: 18; 2025: 3; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 37 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10944077 · 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE FLASHED THE EPC WARNING LIGHT AND SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND RAPIDLY DECELERATED. THE CAR HAD TO COAST OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUT ONCE STOPPED. CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND ON WHICH RESULTED IN "LIMP" MODE BUT CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR. CAR HAS 700 MILES ON IT.

Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10944077 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10950307 · 2017-02-08 (February 8, 2017)

2017 VW ALLTRACK S DRIVER SEAT BASE BOLSTER DIGS INTO LEFT LEG. I HAVE OWNED PREVIOUS VW'S AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. VW NOR DEALER WOULD DO ANYTHING. VERY DISAPPOINTING.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10950307 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10972264 · 2017-04-13 (April 13, 2017)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD MISFIRED IN ALL CYLINDERS; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CLEARED THE SYSTEM AND WARNING SENSORS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE; HOWEVER, AN UPD…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10972264 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11003718 · 2017-07-07 (July 7, 2017)

ON 6/21/17, A SUV CAR REAR-ENDED MY VEHICLE WHILE I WAS TRAVELING IN TOWN ABOUT 4-6 MPH BECAUSE I HAD SLOWED DOWN AND WAS PREPARING TO STOP FOR AN AMBER LIGHT. WHEN THE PERSON HIT MY CAR, MY HEAD AND UPPER BODY WERE VIOLENTLY THRUST FORWARD AND BACK AS MY HEAD HIT NEAR THE BOTTOM AREA OF MY HEADREST. I HAVE A CONCUSSION AND WHIP LASH. MY CAR HAS REAR-END AND SIDE DAMAGE. SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED MY NEW CAR IN SEPT. 2016, I COMPLAINED ABOUT MY CONCERN TO THE DEALER, DIRITO BROTHERS IN WALNUT CREEK, CA AND SPOKE TO: [XXX], SALESPERSON, [XXX…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11003718 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11043590 · 2017-11-05 (November 5, 2017)

ON 10/17/17 AT 6:30 PM, I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOWLY IN SLOW TRAFFIC IN TOWN WHEN A MAN DRIVING IN BACK OF ME WAS LOOKING DOWN SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT AND DISTRACTED (WAS ON HIS PHONE ALTHOUGH HE SAID HE FELL ASLEEP) WHEN HE HIT THE BACK (REAR-ENDED) MY CAR. I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. MY HEAD AND BODY THRUSTED FORWARD AND BACK AND MY HEAD HIT THE LOWER PART OF THE HEAD REST HARD BECAUSE THE HEAD REST AND SEAT ARE TOO TALL (I'M SHORT) AND THE HEADREST DOESN'T FIT MY HEAD. I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH, AND SIGNIFICANT PAIN. THIS IS THE 2ND ACCIDE…

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11043590 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11064526 · 2018-01-23 (January 23, 2018)

WAS DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY WHEN SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A FUN SHOT. IMMEDIATELY I HEARD A CRACK AND PIECES OF GLASS FROM MY SUNROOF STARTED FALLING INTO MY CAR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THERE WAS NO ROCKS OR ANYTHING IN THE CAR. FURTHERMORE THE GLASS SEEMED TO BE PUSHED OUTWARD TOWARD THE OUTSIDE WHICH MADE ME THINK IT EXPLODED FROM DEFECT.

Owner-reported narrative. 10,898 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064526 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11066587 · 2018-02-02 (February 2, 2018)

VEHICLE HAD 300 MILES ON ENGINE WHEN LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR REGISTERED. CAUSE WAS METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL, ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER AS TOLD TO DEALER. MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTED DEALER TO REPLACE ENGINE AND ALL ASSOCIATED PARTS LUBRICATED BY ENGINE OIL AND SEND NON-FUNCTIONING ENGINE TO MANUFACTURER'S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY; STATED THAT PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED, ALBEIT INFREQUENTLY, TO OTHER LIKE ENGINES. WARRANTY COVERED ALL COSTS. I HAVE INVOICES FOR AUTO PURCHASE AND REPAIR.

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11066587 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11066846 · 2018-02-04 (February 4, 2018)

TAKATA RECALL HAVING AN ISSUE WITH ACC OR ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, INFO SCREEN SAYS ACC NOT AVAILABLE, THIS IS SECOND TIME HAPPENING, FIRST TIME DEALER SAID IT JUST NEEDS CALIBRATION, IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, ONCE IT EXPIRES AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN, IT WILL BE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO THIS MATTER, MULTIPLE PEOPLE BEEN HAVING SAME ISSUE.

Owner-reported narrative. 27,113 miles reported. Look up ODI 11066846 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

16V955000 · Air Bags:Side/Window | Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-12-29 (December 29, 2016)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V464000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device

Reported: 2018-07-11 (July 11, 2018)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V188000 · Suspension:Rear:Springs:Coil Springs

Reported: 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

Consequence: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V321000 · Unknown Or Other

Reported: 2021-05-05 (May 5, 2021)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Consequence: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.

Remedy: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported: 2024-02-14 (February 14, 2024)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.

NHTSA campaign record ↗