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Volkswagen Golf SportwagenModel year report

2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen Problems

Compared with other Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen years

Typical for this model

58/100 1.2× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with a typical complaint level and no open NHTSA investigation: 2015, 2016

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
38filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
46,500miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
29 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The part named most often is suspension, with 15 complaints (39% of the total), followed by fuel system (8) and electrical system (7). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 46,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 573 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the coil springs and 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 30 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 58 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Lane departure (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “I have 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The rear axle coil spring part number 5qm 511 115 broke. It appears to have been recalled (see safety recall code 42j5). But my VIN does now show any recall. Please help.”

NHTSA complaint #11328872, filed 2020-06, 92,000 miles

Fuel system: “The following problem has occurred twice, most recently today. Car does not turn on, and epc and engine light flash. The first time this occurred on 9/917, I called a tow. When the tow arrived, the car turned on and I drove it to the dealership, which checked it over and found no problems. Yesterday, I was driving the car home and made a stop at the post office. When I returned to the car, it would not turn on. I left it where I had parked it, returned to it 3 hours later but it still would not turn on. Am having it towed to the dealership today. …”

NHTSA complaint #11025155, filed 2017-09, 3,000 miles

Electrical system: “Airbag light on and failed usb port with no applecarplay access failed usb port noted while car in motion advised clockspring failure- stated not recall or warranty- received letter in mail regarding recall 2018 but none noted as current. Internet shows many issues with vw clockspring was advised it did not pertain to my VIN #. Obviously it does!”

NHTSA complaint #11258006, filed 2019-09, 36,000 miles

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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11752767, filed 2026-07

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 32,000 and 70,000 miles.

7%0–100%10–2543%25–5029%50–757%75–10014%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 46,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20172019202020212022202320241120252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Golf Sportwagen · wagon AWD★★★★★5 / 4554 · 13.4% risk
Golf Sportwagen · wagon FWD★★★★★5 / 4554 · 13.4% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2017 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating; 2018: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Golf SportWagen FWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253429$2,300
Golf SportWagen FWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual253528$2,400
Golf SportWagen 4motion AWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed manual223226$2,600
Golf SportWagen 4motion AWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed automatic223025$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 573 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 573 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20191161,0005532—Not enough data
2018125,2755529—Not enough data
20173846,500452958 · TypicalRising
20165144,000352950 · TypicalStable
20155947,0003—2938 · TypicalStable

All Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen have?

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 15 complaints (39% of the total), followed by fuel system with 8.

Has the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Golf SportWagen, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 25 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 46,500 miles and the middle half falls between 32,000 and 70,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.