VehicleVerdict

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen sits mid-pack among Golf SportWagen years: 51 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 35, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (29% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

51

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Golf SportWagen years?

Golf SportWagen NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted85 complaints2013: 3 complaints2015: 85 complaints2016: 72 complaints2017: 51 complaints2018: 19 complaints2019: 12 complaints
Golf SportWagen NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Golf SportWagen years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1529%
Fuel System918%
Electrical System612%
Engine612%
Other48%
Visibility & Wipers36%
Airbags36%
Body & Structure24%
Brakes24%
Driver Assistance12%

Does the 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V110000Fuel SystemFebruary 14, 2024 · 261,257 units

Defect

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.

19V615000Electrical SystemAugust 22, 2019 · 679,027 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

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 November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

19V188000SuspensionMarch 6, 2019 · 56,173 units

Defect

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.

18V464000Electrical SystemJuly 11, 2018 · 33,168 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Broken rear coil spring requiring replacement of both rear springs. The springs were replaced at the state safety inspection in August 2023. The broken parts were not retained. Failure of part could have resulted in loss of control of the vehicle. The work was completed by an independent garage.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 31, 2023

“I was parking my car with my foot firmly on the brake when suddenly the car surged out of control and very fast crashed in to a building. I was bruised and cut with chest pains, but the worst of it is that I lost my driver's license because of the accident. I have a mechanic's report. The mechanic…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 21, 2021 · crash

“I was parking the car with my foot firmly on the brake when my car just took off fast and crashed into a building. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I was bruised and cut in several places and I have had recurring chest pains. The worst part is that my driver's license has been suspended and since the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 8, 2021 · crash

“I was parking the car with my foot firmly on the brake when my car just took off fast and crashed into a building. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I was bruised and cut in several places and I have had recurring chest pains. The worst part is that my driver's license has been suspended and since the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 8, 2021 · crash

“TRIM ON THE SHIFTER BEZEL PEELS OFF IN A WAY THAT PRESENTS A SHARP BLADE LIKE SURFACE AT THE EDGE NEAREST THE STORAGE BIN. THIS RESULTS IN CUTS TO THE USER. THE AREA IS DIFFICULT TO SEE AND IS OFTEN WHERE USERS REACH. CARS SHOULD NOT PRODUCE SHARPS OF THIS NATURE IN THE CABIN. MY WIFE CUT HERSELF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 15, 2020

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen — common questions

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen reliable?

It is close to typical for the Golf SportWagen: 51 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2017 Golf SportWagen problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (15 complaints), fuel system (9 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Golf SportWagen years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Golf SportWagen years to avoid are 2015, 2016. The cleanest record among Golf SportWagen years belongs to 2013.

How safe is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.