2017 Volkswagen Golf R Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 40%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 29,150miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R, 40% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,150 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Was driving down the freeway when the car lost coolant. Discovered road debris had punctured the secondary heat exchanger located on the lower front passenger side. The front facia provides absolutely no protection from debris and other damage was noted on the exchanger surface. Had to pull over as the engine overheated and get the car taken to the dealer for repairs. This seems to be a design flaw - searching the internet there are several incidences of punctured heat exchangers.”
NHTSA complaint #11054393, filed 2017-12, 10,300 miles“Pcv (positive crankcase ventilation) valve malfunction. Vw's pcv valve, also sometimes called the oil separator valve, which is found on many of their cars/suvs becomes faulty around 40-50k miles. What often happens is the the valve fails to vent internal engine pressure, which causes the pressure to build up within the engine. Eventtually the pressure will find some place to vent, usually out of weakest oil gasket point, often being the rear main seal and valve cover. Since the exhaust is behind the engine, there is a chance that oil can spray onto the hot exhaust. …”
NHTSA complaint #11351518, filed 2020-08, 48,000 miles“From 3 months of ownership until now 12 months I have been experiencing multiple engine misfires. I've taken it to the dealership but that has been hopeless. They simply clear the code and it pops back up on my way back home. It's a little frustrating when you pay $40,000 for a car and experience problems in as little as 2000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11078412, filed 2018-03“While driving in the left hand lane on a divided 4-lane (2 lanes each direction) road, a car in front of me slowed in order to make a left hand turn. I braked to slow, looked and saw space in the adjacent lane, moved into that lane and pressed the accelerator to get to the speed of the approaching traffic in that lane. There was no throttle response at first so the approaching traffic was quickly closing the gap. …”
NHTSA complaint #11427052, filed 2021-07Related service bulletins
- 11038146Sep 17, 2026Suggested fuel additive
- 11035762Jul 9, 2026Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- 11034614Jun 18, 2026Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
- 11034613Jun 18, 2026Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
- 11034617Jun 4, 2026Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
- 11030847Mar 27, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the…
- 11025438Oct 29, 2025Turbocharger repair or replace due to stuck wastegate.
- 11025452Oct 17, 2025Coolant Bleed Procedure
- 11025437Oct 14, 2025G12Evo can now be mixed with previous coolants.
- 11025430Oct 14, 2025Engine misfire diagnostic aid.
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology