2017 Volkswagen Golf Safety Report
2017 Volkswagen Golf Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Volkswagen Golf. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (185) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 3 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Fuel/Propulsion System | Compare fuel/propulsion system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Volkswagen Golf with 5 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Volkswagen Golf before buying across this generation. |
Volkswagen Golf Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Volkswagen Golf years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Volkswagen Golf | 34 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Volkswagen Golf | 84 | 9 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Volkswagen Golf | 81 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Volkswagen Golf | 127 | 12 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Volkswagen Golf | 6 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Volkswagen Golf | 5 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Volkswagen Golf Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Volkswagen Golf, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Fuel/Propulsion System
44 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Volkswagen onlyUnknown Or Other
21 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Volkswagen onlyEngine
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Volkswagen onlyStructure
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Volkswagen onlySuspension
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension issues Volkswagen onlyVisibility
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Volkswagen onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf
Reliability Score
The 2017 Volkswagen Golf receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2017 Golf models due to a potential fire risk from a suction jet pump failure. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Suspension Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2017 Golf Sportwagen models due to issues with rear coil springs. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Column Locking Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf models due to an anti-theft device that can lock the steering column. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Seat Belts Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6 models due to issues with seat belt pretensioners. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Volkswagen Golf:
Fuel system issues are the most common problem reported.
Suspension issues are reported but less frequently.
Engine issues are reported but less frequently.
Visibility issues are reported but less frequently.
Recall Details for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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 previ...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: 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 March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
My vehicle is subject to Safety Recall 20UF (Suction Jet Pump failure / Fire Risk). I have attempted to contact Pacific Volkswagen in Hawthorne, CA to schedule this safety-critical repair. On two separate occasions, upon mentioning that the call was regarding the 20UF recall, the dealership staff disconnected the call. This repeated 'recall avoidance' at Pacific Volkswagen is preventing me from re...
Infotainment system is restarting itself repeatedly every 30 seconds to every few minutes.This has been going on for about 2 weeks. The component has not yet been inspected by a 3rd party.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a parking lot barrier. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. There was no injury sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was not filed. The contact...
I have been having rear cameras for quite some time. The first time I took it to the dealer they could not find any issues and told me to take pictures. I did, plenty of them. Monday 10-27 2025 I took it in again for the gas tank issue and camera issue. Being disabled due to serious spine issues I had to minimize waiting time. The dealer preformed a radio update per 91-19-02 & MIB2 composition & d...
In December 2021, my fuel gauge read empty, so I stopped at a gas station near the Honolulu Airport and VW Honolulu dealership. As I was pumping the gasoline, it began overflowing from the top of the tank, although I had just started pumping. I immediately removed the pump which is when gas began leaking out of the bottom of the tank, like a faucet. Luckily, I was right by the dealership, and was ...
I am facing an issue with my car where it tends to roll back even when it's in park, regardless of whether the engine is on or off. The only time it remains stationary is when I apply the brakes and engage the emergency brake. This situation poses a safety concern for me and my family, and I would like to find a solution to ensure our vehicle stays securely in place when parked.
I've been experiencing a recurring issue with my vehicle where the EPC light frequently activates. When this happens, the car significantly reduces its speed, making it difficult to drive safely. I've noticed this situation over the past six to eight months, and it typically requires me to pull over. After turning off the vehicle multiple times, I'm usually able to reset it and drive normally agai...
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle and shifting to the park, the contact turned off the vehicle and the vehicle rolled backward. The driver depressed the brake pedal and activated the parking brake to stop the vehicle from rolling. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the...
The component that failed, according to Volkswagen, is the rollover valve in the gas tank. This issue caused large amounts of gasoline to leak and pool from behind the rear passenger wheel well, creating a significant fire hazard and risk of harm. The vehicle was inspected by a Volkswagen service center as part of the repair process, whereupon the Volkswagen service center documented that the iss...
I had a suction jet pump recall due on the car. I took it to the dealer to fix. Mind you, I have never had an issue with this car ever. Now about a week later from the car being in the shop I get an engine malfunction light that comes on due to the evap system. Vw dealership of cool springs has not worked with me on this at all and it is frustrating to say the least.
The water pump in these vehicles are known defects, with class actions resulting. My water pump has failed at less than 70k miles. This results in engine overheating and possible failure. Luckily I was able to get the car off the road.
Car has been leaking fuel for over a year. Had to pay out of pocket to get it fixed and VW refused to refund cost of repairs even though there is now a recall over a year later acknowledging the issue.
Failure of wheel speed sensor in front right wheel. This is the THIRD time I have had a wheel speed sensor fail on this car, which has 35,000 miles on it. Failure caused loss of power steering, airbags, abs, etc.
I have gear shift trim that has peeled and is extermely sharp in my vehicle. This had led to cutting my hands multiple times while accessing the center storage compartment. This is a known issue with GTIs and other Volkswagen trim manufacturing, yet Volkswagen refuses to replace the part in my VIN. The relevant Service Action Code is 34J7.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the contact became aware that the fuel had been consumed extremely quickly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contact...
Starting January 2023, I had issues putting fuel in my car (symptoms align with the recall issued this year). I took it to VW and paid their diagnostic fee for them to say there’s nothing wrong with the car (approx. $170) continued to drive the car and eventually due to the issue, my fuel pump went out and I had to replace it. (See attached image). This time, I took the car to a local mechanic who...
On July 7, 2024, the fuel tank system on my car (2017 VW Golf) failed. I was unable to pump gas into the gas tank. Upon arrival back to my house, gas started leaking out of the backside of the car near the gas tank (I later found out from the VW service manager it was leaking out of the charcoal canister). I had the car towed ($173) to a local VW dealership the next morning, 7/8/24. It is now 7/30...
July 30,2024 I own a Golf 2017. My suction jet pump has failed. I cannot drive my car because I can't put gas into it. I need my car for work. The recall does not have the part available and it seems there hasn't been a part to fix this for a very long time. I'm really at a loss. What are my next steps? Should I report this to the Better Business Bureau? So far I've been on Volkswagen Of A...
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed suction jet pump. The contact was informed that the suction jet pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V1...
A recall was published on 02/14/2024 and remains unresolved. Since the safety risk of "leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire" it seems like this should be a priority. (Manufacturer Recall Number20UF, NHTSA Recall Number24V110)
Showing 20 of 185 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Evaporative Emissions:Canister
Opened 2023-12-12 · Closed 2024-07-01
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Volkswagen Golf
Has the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF have?
The 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF has 185 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 8 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
The 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF involve fuel/propulsion system (44 complaints), unknown or other (21 complaints), engine (14 complaints). Other affected components include structure, suspension, visibility.
How many crash reports does the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF out of 185 total complaints (1.6% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF have?
There are no fire reports for the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
8 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF is acceptable with caveats. It has 185 complaints, 5 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF are: 1. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (44 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (21 complaints), 3. ENGINE (14 complaints), 4. STRUCTURE (11 complaints), 5. SUSPENSION (7 complaints). FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 44 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
Be aware of potential fuel system and suspension issues, and ensure regular maintenance to avoid these problems. The 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF has 185 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
The 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 185 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel System, Gasoline and Suspension.
What are the known issues with the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
Known issues with the 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF include: Fuel System, Gasoline, Suspension, Steering Column Locking, Seat Belts. These are based on patterns found across 185 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Is my 2017 Volkswagen Golf subject to any recalls?
Yes, your vehicle is subject to recalls related to the fuel system and suspension.
What should I do if I experience issues with my fuel system?
Contact Volkswagen to schedule a recall check and repair as soon as possible.
Are there any common issues with the steering column locking?
Yes, there are recalls for this issue, but it is less common than fuel system and suspension issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential fuel system and suspension issues, and ensure regular maintenance to avoid these problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Volkswagen Golf
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf. The data includes 185 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 8 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Volkswagen Golf an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16