2017 Volkswagen GOLF R problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
20,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 15 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 13.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 13.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
Engine: 6; Electrical System: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 7 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11005039 · 2017-07-13 (July 13, 2017)
WE PURCHASED THE (NEW) CAR ON JUNE 09, 2017. 5 DAYS AFTER WE PURCHASED, WE FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED AND THAT FACT WAS NOT DISCLOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP MAINTAINS THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE SERVICE ACTIONS AND FURTHER STATED VW CONCURRED. VW MAINTAINS THE RECALL WAS ISSUED BY NHTSA. HERE IS THEIR EMAIL RESPONSE INDICATING SAME: REFERENCE # 170784881 THANK YOU FOR REACHING BACK OUT TO ME. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAY IN MY RESPONSE, AS WELL AS FOR THE EXPERIENCES YOU'VE HAD WITH YOUR VEHICLE AND THE D…
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11005039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11271084 · 2019-10-25 (October 25, 2019)
I HAVE A 2017 GOLF R EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSION, AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. OCCASIONALLY THE CAR WOULD MAKE A CONTINUOUS AND PERIODIC CLICKING NOISE THAT CAN LAST FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED. AS SOON AS I STEP ON THE BRAKE, THE CLICKING STOPS. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED, THE CLICKING COMES BACK. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN MAY/JUNE 2018 WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 14000 MILES, AND HAS BEEN DOING THAT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE SINCE THEN. I BROUGHT IT TO A VW DEALER IN JULY 2018, B…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11271084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11447546 · 2022-01-14 (January 14, 2022)
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf R. The contact stated that the fuel gauge remained on Empty after fueling the vehicle. Additionally, fuel accumulated in the EVAP system, and leaked out from the fuel tank onto the rear passenger's side wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that recalls were VIN specific and there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11447546 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11560614 · 2023-12-18 (December 18, 2023)
The fuel suction pump in my 2017 volkswagen golf r failed causing strong gas odors to emit whenever the car is running, loss of power, inability to put more than a small amount of fuel in, and gas leaking into the evap and charcoal canister causing them to fail. This creates a huge risk for ignition and fuel dumping onto the road which, only because I stopped driving it, has not happened to me. A check engine light has still yet to appear even after part failure. I believe you can see how big of a safety risk this causes to not only the vehicle…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11560614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404320 · 2021-03-22 (March 22, 2021)
THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM RANDOMLY RESETS DURING USAGE REGARDLESS OF WHAT MODE THE SYSTEM IS IN (BOTH IN TERMS OF DRIVE MODE OR MUSIC LISTENING MODE). DURING A RESET, ALL ACCESS TO ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES, DRIVE MODE SELECTION, TRACTION CONTROL SELECTIONS, ARE DISABLED. THE SCREEN GOES COMPLETELY BLACK AND THEN TURNS BACK ON USUALLY WITH A DIFFERENT INTERFACE MODE ACTIVATED (BLUETOOTH VS RADIO, FOR INSTANCE). ALL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE DISABLED DURING A RESET. THIS FREEZE AND RESET CAN OCCUR WHILE MOVING OR WHILE STATIONARY. ADDITIONALLY, T…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404320 at NHTSA ↗