1997 Volkswagen Golf Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 80,500miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Volkswagen Golf (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1997 Volkswagen Golf. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by equipment (1) and latches, locks and linkages (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,500 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 40 technical service bulletins for this model year. Equipment complaints overlap with 19 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Equipment1 14%
- Body and structure1 14%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Transmission will not shift when needed into higher gears, and sometimes falls out of the proper gear and into a lower gear when it's not supposed to, causing engine to rev way too high while on the freeway. Car does not run properly as a result, and I can't really drive it until it's fixed. I tried to have volkswagon fix the known problem, but they refused.”
NHTSA complaint #10113868, filed 2005-03, 80,000 milesEquipment: “Air conditioning is leaking condensation into the car, fogging up front window and compromising visibility. Floorboard is soaked with water, clouding windows.”
NHTSA complaint #10134702, filed 2005-08, 81,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: “Automatic door lock intermittently malfunctioned in cold temperatures. Door knob popped up, but the door failed to open automatically or manually. As a result, consumer was trapped in or locked out of the vehicle. The cause of the failure had not been determined.”
NHTSA complaint #10053474, filed 2004-01, 30,000 milesBody and structure: “While inspecting the vehicle consumer noticed four doors' molding separated from vehicle. Consumer glued molding on twice, but problem recurred. Dealership and manufacturer were contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #10079699, filed 2004-06Mileage when problems were reported
25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,000 and 81,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Volkswagen Golf. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf · sedan | not rated | 3 / 3 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Volkswagen Golf version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf/GTI FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Golf/GTI FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Golf/GTI FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed manual | 33 | 44 | 37 | $2,600 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Volkswagen Golf in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 40 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Engine cooling. Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10237427May 30, 2023Engine cooling. Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10235138Apr 24, 2023Engine cooling. Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10193577May 11, 2021Engine cooling. Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- 10174476Apr 21, 2020Equipment. Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10159010Mar 27, 2019Equipment. The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Equipment, Electrical system. Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10159016Mar 12, 2019Engine. Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards
- 10158533Feb 18, 2019Exterior lighting. Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10150856Sep 28, 2018Engine. Engine replacement tip
Other model years of the Volkswagen Golf
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 81 | 200 | 0 | — | — | 42 · Typical | Falling |
| 2021 | 7 | — | 1 | 5 | 33 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 6 | 8,590 | 2 | 5 | 32 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 63 | 556 | 6 | 5 | 32 | 71 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 29 | 3,300 | 6 | 5 | 29 | 21 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 117 | 24,306 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 53 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 85 | 30,000 | 9 | 5 | 29 | 45 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 131 | 19,500 | 12 | 5 | 29 | 83 · More | Stable |
| 2014 | 12 | 36,611 | 5 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 43 | 50,000 | 5 | — | 26 | 12 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 48 | 17,775 | 6 | — | 26 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 110 | 28,000 | 6 | — | 27 | 82 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 70 | 33,800 | 4 | — | 26 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2006 | 12 | 70,000 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 19 | 62,400 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Falling |
| 2004 | 28 | 47,233 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 26 | 69,152 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 74 | 59,720 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 116 | 65,300 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 88 | 60,000 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 64 | 71,000 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 18 | 66,000 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 7 | 80,500 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 43 | 202,800 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 41 | 72,000 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 7 | — | 4 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 8 | — | 2 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 10 | 83,000 | 4 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 17 | 65,000 | 3 | — | 25 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 9 | — | 5 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 13 | — | 4 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | — | 5 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Golf model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Volkswagen Golf have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1997 Volkswagen Golf as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Volkswagen Golf is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by equipment with 1.
Has the 1997 Volkswagen Golf been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Volkswagen Golf get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Volkswagen Golf (Golf/GTI, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Volkswagen Golf reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,500 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 81,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.