2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen, most often about suspension. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
34
Recalls
4
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Median mileage
47,362 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Suspension is the most-reported problem area, named in 15 of 34 complaints (44%).
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (7) and engine (6) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 47,362 mi.
  • Owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries.
  • The 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen has 4 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It has the most serious complaint record of all 5 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen model years we track.
  • That is 15% fewer complaints than the 2016 model year (40).

2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen problems by category

  • Suspension
    15 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion · 1 crash
    7 complaints
  • Engine · 3 crashes
    6 complaints
  • Electrical System · 3 crashes
    5 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    4 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    2 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    2 complaints
  • Airbags
    2 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Suspension14
Electrical system5
Engine4
Unknown or other4
Fuel/propulsion system4
Fuel system, gasoline3
Air bags2
Engine and engine cooling2

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k110k–30k530k–60k260k–100k2100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen complaints that list mileage.

2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen recalls (4)

  • Recall 24V110000Feb 14, 2024261,257 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.

  • Recall 19V615000Aug 22, 2019679,027 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

    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.

  • Recall 19V188000Mar 6, 201956,173 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.

  • Recall 18V464000Jul 11, 201833,168 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

    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."

    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 March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • RQ23007Opened Dec 12, 2023Closed Jul 1, 2024led to recall 24V110

    Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)

    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 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emiss…

Recent 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jul 25, 2026TXElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
    2017 Golf has been nothing but a nightmare. [1] 2018-2021, it was Infotainment system that I had to repair 3 times; once under warranty, twice out of pocket. Stupid navigation system malfunctions every time they upgrade the map or something and caused another visit to the dealer for replacing the entire radio and that little disk in the glove box. How many times would anyone do this during ownership, every year? I gave up fixing that dumbest navigation infotainment whatever,…
    NHTSA complaint #11752767 · source
  2. Filed May 9, 2025WVSuspension
    During the WV state inspection at my VW dealer for my 2017 Golf Sportswagen, it was determined I had a broken rear spring. Researching the issue, I find VW issued a recall for some 2017 Golf Sportswagens for this very issue, but apparently my car was not included. The broken spring prevents me from having a valid inspection sticker and should not drive it. Per information on the past recall, collapse of the spring can cause tire damage and loss of control of the vehicle. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11659993 · source
  3. Filed Mar 17, 2025CTDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown
    Safety issue with my 2017 VW Golf Sportwagen SEL VIN [XXX] with 83,219 miles. The passenger side mirror adhesive is defective and has caused the glass to detach. The defective VW part number number is 5G0857522Q This is a SAFETY ISSUE. My research revealed that many owners are experiencing this same adhesive defect with the mirror. I submitted a case number ticket [XXX] on March 17 2025 with VW about this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT…
    NHTSA complaint #11648669 · source
  4. Filed Oct 18, 2024CASuspension
    Left and Rear Coil Springs have snapped in half due to unreasonably dangerous defective manufacturing. This is consistent with the open recall for the exact condition: NHTSA's campaign number: 19V188000. However, VW North America refuses to consider my vehicle for the recall as my vin is not included. Although the snaps reflect a a dangerous manufacturing defect, VW incorrectly has determined the rear coil springs on my vehicle are not "in the batch" of defective coil…
    NHTSA complaint #11620588 · source
  5. Filed Aug 7, 2024NCFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    When fueling the car at the gas station, the gas pump would shut off, almost immediately and the little fuel would gush out of the tank. We are unable to fuel the car. Repeated several times, but unable to fuel the car. From reading various online forum posting of folks with a similar problem, it appears that the suspect is the suction pump. Called the dealer and the recommend getting a new gas tank. Estimate cost of repair-$4,000. Taking car to dealership to have the…
    NHTSA complaint #11606993 · source
  6. Filed Jun 29, 2024NMAirbags
    Passenger Occupancy Sensor (0152612) failed causing airbag and seatbelt warning lights to illuminate. Airbag was not functional while lights were on. Dealer diagnosed and repaired issue for $892.
    NHTSA complaint #11597732 · source
  7. Filed Jun 11, 202470,000 miVAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. 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 contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the fuel tank was leaking. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the EVAP system had been filled with fuel, but the fix for the vehicle could not be determined. The vehicle was not…
    NHTSA complaint #11593720 · source
  8. Filed Jun 6, 2024CAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were…
    NHTSA complaint #11592925 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology