VehicleVerdict

2017 Volkswagen Golf problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 145 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.4 times the median Golf year — the 2017 model ranks #4 of 39 Golf years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 56 reports (39% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

145

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Golf years?

Golf NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted183 complaints1985: 15 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 9 complaints1989: 41 complaints1990: 10 complaints1991: 11 complaints1992: 6 complaints1993: 11 complaints1994: 57 complaints1995: 84 complaints1996: 74 complaints1997: 25 complaints1998: 28 complaints1999: 76 complaints2000: 118 complaints2001: 152 complaints2002: 98 complaints2003: 33 complaints2004: 33 complaints2005: 27 complaints2006: 16 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 5 complaints2010: 97 complaints2011: 151 complaints2012: 68 complaints2013: 67 complaints2014: 14 complaints2015: 183 complaints2016: 115 complaints2017: 145 complaints2018: 38 complaints2019: 88 complaints2020: 8 complaints2021: 11 complaints2022: 132 complaints2023: 22 complaints
Golf NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Golf years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Volkswagen Golf problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System5639%
Engine1812%
Other128%
Electrical System107%
Body & Structure75%
Airbags75%
Visibility & Wipers53%
Brakes53%
Transmission43%
Speed Control43%
Steering43%
Driver Assistance43%
Seats32%
Suspension32%
Seat Belts21%
Lighting11%

Does the 2017 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?

5 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.

21V321000OtherMay 5, 2021 · 46 units

Defect

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.

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.

16V955000Seat BeltsDecember 29, 2016 · 5,947 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The 20Y6 recall for VW Golfs is exactly what my 2017 VW Golf GTI experienced. I am surprised the 2017 model year is not included. I did not feel safe driving my car with a failing fuel suction pump causing engine issues in traffic. When I finally made it home there was smoke coming out of my…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 19, 2022

“Driving my 2017Golf the check engine light came on. The light was steady. I called my dealer and got it in for service. They report to me that the Thermostat housing needs to be replaced and oxygen sensors need replacing also. I just had the manifold replaced 6 weeks ago. I found on line that this…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 28, 2026

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 17, 2017 · crash

“Driving my 2017Golf the check engine light came on. The light was steady. I called my dealer and got it in for service. They report to me that the Thermostat housing needs to be replaced and oxygen sensors need replacing also. I just had the manifold replaced 6 weeks ago. I found on line that this…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 28, 2026

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 17, 2017 · crash

2017 Volkswagen Golf — common questions

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 145 complaints put the 2017 model at #4 of 39 Golf years. It is one of the Golf years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Golf problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (56 complaints), engine (18 complaints), other (12 complaints).

Does the 2017 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Volkswagen Golf. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Volkswagen Golf years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Golf years to avoid are 2015, 2001, 2011, 2017, 2022, 2000, 2016, 2002, 2010, 2019, 1995, 1999, 1996, 2012, 2013, 1994, 2014. The cleanest record among Golf years belongs to 2008.

How safe is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Volkswagen Golf 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.