MYRModel Year Report

2017 Volkswagen Golf

◆ Worse than typical
2017 Volkswagen Golf
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:09:51.940Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
117
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2017

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Fuel/propulsion system

44% of complaints

Complaints per year

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: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 70 complaints 2010 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2017 117 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1988 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1994 1995: 43 complaints 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2006: 12 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2009 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2012 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2017 117 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1987 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1989 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1993 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 1999 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 116 complaints 2001 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2009 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2011 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2017 117 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2019 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints 2023

2017: 117 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198510
198613
19874
19889
198917
199010
19918
19926
19937
199443
199543
19963
19977
199818
199964
200088
2001116
200274
200326
200428
200519
200612
20072
20081
20093
201070
2011110
201248
201343
201412
2015131
201685
2017117
201829
201962
20206
20217
202281
202311

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel/propulsion system

44% · 51 reports
Show complaint excerpts

While on a road trip we noticed that the car was missing slightly on steep hills, and we attributed it to needing new spark plugs. When we filled with gas later, we noticed it clicking off as full sooner than it should have.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-04

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-01-10

Engine

15% · 18 reports

Electrical system

9% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing software.

Structure

7% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing body.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-05

The panoramic sunroof frame on my 2017 Volkswagen Golf has suffered a complete structural failure, exhibiting clear stress fractures and vertical cracking in the polycarbonate surround material.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-07

Air bags

6% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing driver clockspring/spiral cassette.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2017Complaint volume 117 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2017-02-28Air bags, seat belts16V955000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2019-03-19Electrical system, steering18V464000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2019-04-12Suspension19V188000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2021-05-20Unknown or other21V321000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2023-12-12Recall queryClosed 2024-07-01 Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
  7. R
    2024-07-25Fuel system, gasoline24V110000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2017 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel/propulsion system: 51 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 18 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 16V955000 · Air bags, seat belts
  • Recall 18V464000 · Electrical system, steering
  • Recall 19V188000 · Suspension
  • Recall 21V321000 · Unknown or other
  • Recall 24V110000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2017 Volkswagen Golf is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Volkswagen Golf?
The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2017 Volkswagen Golf have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.