2017 Volkswagen GTI Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
55/100
#10 most-complained of 21 GTI years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2017 Volkswagen GTI has a complaint index of 55, ranking 10th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Fuel system problems dominate at 38% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 27%, with two recalls on file.
- Complaints
- 52
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 24 city / 33 hwy
Top 2017 Volkswagen GTI problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System20 (38%)
- Engine14 (27%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (13%)
- Electrical System3 (6%)
- Other3 (6%)
- Structure & Body3 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (6%)
- Airbags2 (4%)
- Brakes1 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)
What owners report
- Fuel spills out of the tank during filling, sometimes causing a drop in fuel level after driving.
- The engine's combi valve gets stuck open, letting extra exhaust gases pass through and damaging the catalytic converter.
- A coolant burning smell and sizzling noise appear from the engine bay, traced to a leaking thermostat housing.
- Panoramic sunroofs develop frame cracks that lead to leaking, even after a repair attempt.
- The rear or panoramic sunroof glass shatters unexpectedly, either in cold weather while parked or while driving at moderate speed.
- The driver-side B-pillar is reported as improperly welded, causing popping and tapping noises as the body flexes.
2017 Volkswagen GTI recalls
2 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 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.
2017 Volkswagen GTI fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,350
- 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 GTI years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Volkswagen GTI reliable?
- NHTSA lists a complaint index of 55 for the 2017 GTI, giving it a Caution verdict. That places it 10th worst among the 21 model years with data, better than years like 2019 or 2015 but worse than 2014 or 2020.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 GTI?
- Fuel System complaints lead at 38% of all reported issues, with a median failure mileage of 36,974. Engine problems follow at 27%, and Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 13%.
- Does the 2017 Volkswagen GTI have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2017 GTI: one for the fuel system (suction pump replacement) and one for the electrical system (an added switch and circuit board). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2017 GTI compare to other GTI years?
- The 2017 GTI's complaint index of 55 and rank of 10th worst put it in the middle of the pack. Years like 2014, 2020, and 2023 earned Best verdicts with much lower complaint indexes, while 2009, 2015, 2019, and 2024 were rated Avoid.