YearToAvoid

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#2 most-complained of 6 Golf SportWagen years

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen ranks 2nd worst out of 6 model years, with a Complaint Index of 80 and 38 NHTSA complaints across 4 recalls. Suspension issues, especially fractured rear coil springs, dominate at 39% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 92,000 for that category.

Complaints
38
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27
23.5 city / 33 hwy

Top 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen problems

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

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (39%)
  2. Fuel System8 (21%)
  3. Electrical System7 (18%)
  4. Engine7 (18%)
  5. Other5 (13%)
  6. Airbags3 (8%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers3 (8%)
  8. Brakes2 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body2 (5%)
  10. Lane Departure1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Rear coil springs fracture, sometimes causing a clanking noise from the rear end while driving at various speeds.
  • Some drivers report sudden unintended acceleration while parking with a foot on the brake, resulting in a crash into a nearby structure.
  • The car intermittently fails to turn on, with the EPC and engine warning lights flashing before restarting on its own.
  • The airbag warning light activates due to a clockspring failure, sometimes despite dealers denying it relates to an open recall.
  • Panoramic sunroofs leak during heavy rain, soaking the headliner and pooling water on the floor boards.
  • A sunroof has been reported to shatter suddenly while driving on an open road with no impact.
2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen complaints: complaints filed per month4Sep 2017Apr 2020Sep 2021Aug 2022Apr 2023Mar 2024Aug 2024Jul 2026
53 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2017 to Jul 2026; peak Jan 2023 (4).

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V110000Feb 14, 2024Fuel System261,257 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 19V615000Aug 22, 2019Electrical System679,027 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module

    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."

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 19V188000Mar 6, 2019Suspension, Wheels & Tires56,173 vehicles

    Suspension:rear:springs:coil springs

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen →

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23.5 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,400
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 SportWagen years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201320152016201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Avoid10059332
2016Caution6051328.5
2017Avoid8038427
2018Good40125 !26.5
2019Best2011528

All Volkswagen Golf SportWagen years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 model ranks 2nd worst of 6 Golf SportWagen years, with a Complaint Index of 80 and 38 complaints logged. Its top problem area is Suspension, Wheels & Tires, making up 39% of complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Golf SportWagen?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues account for 39% of complaints, mostly involving rear coil springs that fracture, with a median failure mileage of 92,000.
Does the 2017 Golf SportWagen have a suspension recall?
Yes. Recall 19V188000 covers 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles for rear coil springs that may prematurely fracture, remedied by free replacement.
Which Golf SportWagen years are better than 2017?
According to the data, 2018 (Complaint Index 40, verdict Good) and 2019 (Complaint Index 20, verdict Best) both rank better than 2017, which carries a Complaint Index of 80 and an Avoid verdict.
How many recalls does the 2017 Golf SportWagen have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Golf SportWagen, covering the fuel system, electrical system (two separate recalls), and suspension.

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.