MYRModel Year Report

1997 Volkswagen Golf

○ Not enough data
1997 Volkswagen Golf
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:57:50.965Z

Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Golf Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1990 1991: 8 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 41 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 73 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaints 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 69 complaints 2010 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 11 complaints 2015: 129 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 115 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints 2023
1997: 7 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198510
198613
19874
19889
198917
199010
19918
19926
19937
199441
199543
19963
19977
199818
199964
200088
2001116
200273
200326
200428
200519
200612
20072
20081
20093
201069
2011110
201248
201343
201411
2015129
201685
2017115
201829
201962
20206
20216
202281
202311

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 7 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

POWER TRAIN

2 of 7 total reports mention: power train.

Show complaint excerpts

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WHEN THE ENGINE IS "COLD" THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT IN TO GEAR PROPERLY. IT USUALLY GETS STUCK BETWEEN GEARS, IF YOU STEP ON THE GAS AT THE TIME BETWEEN GEARS THE CAR WILL BUCK VIOLENTLY AS IT SHIFTS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040422

VISIBILITY

1 of 7 total reports mentions: visibility.

STRUCTURE

1 of 7 total reports mentions: structure.

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED FOUR DOORS' MOLDING SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER GLUED MOLDING ON TWICE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040623

POWER TRAIN

1 of 7 total reports mentions: power train.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 of 7 total reports mentions: latches/locks/linkages.

Show complaint excerpts

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. DOOR KNOB POPPED UP, BUT THE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS TRAPPED IN OR LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040106

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (1 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 2013 ▲ 1995

WORST YEARS

◆ 2015 ◆ 2001 ◆ 2017

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Volkswagen Golf?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Volkswagen Golf have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.