CSR

Volkswagen · NHTSA safety record

2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

38

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen have filed 38 safety complaints with NHTSA between September 2017 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the suspension, named in 15 of them (39%). The typical failure was reported at 46,500 miles, the median across the 14 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (4)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

24V110000 · February 14, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 261,257 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

19V615000 · August 22, 2019

The defect
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."
The 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.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 679,027 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

19V188000 · March 6, 2019

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 56,173 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

18V464000 · July 11, 2018

The defect
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."
The 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.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 33,168 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

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

RQ23007

Closed recall query · opened December 12, 2023 · closed July 1, 2024 · led to recall 24V110

the gasoline fuel system

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 emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 38.

SUSPENSION 15 39%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 18%
ENGINE 5 13%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 13%
AIR BAGS 3 8%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 3 8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 5%
STRUCTURE 2 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 2 5%
LANE DEPARTURE 1 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 11.

2017 2024 2026
2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

1 injured · crash · towed

I was parking the car with my foot firmly on the brake when my car just took off fast and crashed into a building. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I was bruised and cut in several places and I have had recurring chest pains. The worst part is that my driver's license has been suspended and since the accident on June 21, 2021 I have had to spend close to $6000 just getting around. I am sure it was a case of sudden unintended acceleration. Volkswagen wouldn't come and look at the car despite several attempts.

NHTSA complaint 11436027. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · crash · towed

I was parking my car with my foot firmly on the brake when suddenly the car surged out of control and very fast crashed in to a building. I was bruised and cut with chest pains, but the worst of it is that I lost my driver's license because of the accident. I have a mechanic's report. The mechanic came and looked at the car with a scanner and deemed the accident to be not my fault. The mechanic thought according the the information on the scanner that there was some electrical interference that caused the throttle to open. An insurance adjuster also came and thought the accident was not my fault, but the RMV(registry of motor vehicles) thinks the accident was my fault and I am having a hell

NHTSA complaint 11502973, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured · 51,725 miles

TRIM ON THE SHIFTER BEZEL PEELS OFF IN A WAY THAT PRESENTS A SHARP BLADE LIKE SURFACE AT THE EDGE NEAREST THE STORAGE BIN. THIS RESULTS IN CUTS TO THE USER. THE AREA IS DIFFICULT TO SEE AND IS OFTEN WHERE USERS REACH. CARS SHOULD NOT PRODUCE SHARPS OF THIS NATURE IN THE CABIN. MY WIFE CUT HERSELF WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA complaint 11355598. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed

I was parking my car with my foot on the brake when suddenly the car just took off and crashed into a building ---- WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE!! I think it was a sudden unintentional acceleration where the electrical something in the engine malfunctions causing the throttle to open and the car to accelerate --- FAST ---- and in a split second the car crashed into a building. I am thankful that the building was there otherwise I might have been killed or seriously injured . My car was a 2017 volkswagen golf.

NHTSA complaint 11528148. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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, after paying thousands of $$ twice. Apparently, nobody at VW could care less if their driver could have an accident while driving with phone in hand to navigate while the navigation screen is on forever uploading loop.

NHTSA complaint 11752767, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
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 previous recall was Safety Recall Code: 42J5 – Rear Axle Coil Springs – 2017-2019 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. Hence the problem was reproduced and confirmed. No warning lamps or signals were observed and the defect was

NHTSA complaint 11659993, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
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 (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11648669. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
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 springs.

NHTSA complaint 11620588. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 suction pump replaced under the recall and see what happens.

NHTSA complaint 11606993. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 9 5
2018 12 5
2016 51 3
2015 59 3

Other 2017 Volkswagen models

Every Volkswagen on this site — 152 vehicles, 256 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst