2017 Volkswagen Golf Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
85/100
#3 most-complained of 14 Golf years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2017 Volkswagen Golf has a Complaint Index of 85, ranking 3rd worst of 14 model years, with 116 complaints and 5 recalls. Fuel System problems dominate at 48% of complaints, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Golf years.
- Complaints
- 116
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 25 city / 35.5 hwy
Top 2017 Volkswagen Golf problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System56 (48%)
- Engine22 (19%)
- Other12 (10%)
- Electrical System11 (9%)
- Structure & Body10 (9%)
- Airbags7 (6%)
- Brakes5 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (4%)
- Steering4 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of power and the EPC warning light at highway speed, with the car unable to respond to the throttle until restarted.
- Some describe the check engine light coming on due to misfires across all cylinders that dealers could not always duplicate.
- One owner reported unintended acceleration while parked that resulted in a crash into a barrier.
- Sunroof glass has cracked and fallen into the cabin while driving on the highway with no prior impact.
- Owners note a ticking or cracking noise from the driver's side b-pillar when the body flexes over uneven pavement.
- Some report headlights that are too dim to adequately illuminate the road compared to other vehicles.
2017 Volkswagen Golf recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 21V321000May 5, 2021Other46 vehicles
Unknown or other
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.
Risk: 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.
- 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.
2017 Volkswagen Golf fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 35.5 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
- Compared to other Golf model years, the 2017 ranks 3rd worst out of 14 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 85 and 116 NHTSA complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Volkswagen Golf?
- Fuel System issues make up 48% of complaints (56 of 116), with a median failure mileage of 36,000 miles, making it the top problem area for this year.
- Does the 2017 Volkswagen Golf have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2017 Golf, covering fuel system, electrical shift lever switches, rear coil springs, seat belts/airbags, and an internal-use vehicle repurchase campaign.
- How does the 2017 Golf compare to other years?
- The 2017 Golf's Complaint Index of 85 is worse than most other years shown, including 2014 (15), 2020 (0), and 2021 (8), but not as high as 2015 (100) or 2022 (92).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf?
- The EPA rates the 2017 Golf at 29 mpg combined (25 city / 35.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250.