2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 13%of 38 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 3,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen, 13% of the 38 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“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“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“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 2023-06“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11502973, filed 2023-01“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 2021-10Related 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 Sportwagen
15 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsLane departure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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