YearToAvoid

2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 3 Golf Alltrack years

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack has a Complaint Index of 100, the highest (worst) among its 3 model years, with 73 complaints and 1 recall. Electrical System issues lead at 22% of complaints, followed by Structure & Body at 21%.

Complaints
73
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25.5
22 city / 31 hwy

Top 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other23 (32%)
  2. Electrical System16 (22%)
  3. Structure & Body15 (21%)
  4. Visibility & Wipers14 (19%)
  5. Airbags11 (15%)
  6. Engine8 (11%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain8 (11%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (8%)
  9. Fuel System4 (5%)
  10. Steering4 (5%)

What owners report

  • Sunroof and roof pillar water leaks soak the headliner, a-pillars, and dash after rain, sometimes reaching electrical components and pillar-mounted airbags.
  • Windshield fogs up on startup and worsens in heavy rain at highway speed, tied to the same water intrusion issue.
  • Low and high beam headlights are described as producing inadequate light range for nighttime driving.
  • Front strut mounts wear out repeatedly, causing rumbling at low speeds and whining when turning, even after dealer replacement.
  • Engine RPM spikes to 3000 with the accelerator pedal becoming unresponsive while driving on inclines, requiring the driver to brake and pull over.
  • Constant brake noise and squealing occur at low speeds and get louder when turning, persisting after pad and rotor replacement.
2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack complaints: complaints filed per month8Aug 2017Sep 2018Apr 2019Mar 2020Apr 2021Feb 2022Dec 2022Apr 2024
113 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2017 to Sep 2026; peak Feb 2019 (8).

2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V561000Sep 16, 2020Other23 vehicles

    Unknown or other

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat 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.

    Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.

2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
25.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,550
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other Golf Alltrack years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017No verdict10073125.5
2018No verdict08024.5
2019No verdict50193 !24.5

All Volkswagen Golf Alltrack years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack reliable?
Among the 3 model years with data, 2017 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and ranks worst, with 73 complaints, 3 injuries, and 1 recall.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Golf Alltrack?
NHTSA complaints show Electrical System issues lead at 22% of complaints, followed by Structure & Body at 21%, Visibility & Wipers at 19%, and Airbags at 15%.
Does the 2017 Golf Alltrack have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 1 recall, campaign 20V561000, involving vehicles sold without proper confirmation; Volkswagen agreed to notify owners and repurchase affected vehicles.
At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2017 Golf Alltrack?
The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 11,266 miles, though specific problem areas vary, such as 8,500 miles for suspension issues and 21,500 miles for structure and body issues.
How does the 2017 Golf Alltrack compare to the 2019 model?
The 2017 model has a Complaint Index of 100 versus 50 for 2019, and 73 complaints versus 19, with 1 recall compared to 3 recalls for 2019.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.