1997 Volkswagen Golf Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 43%of 7 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Volkswagen Golf, 43% of the 7 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 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.
“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 miles“Automatic transmission, when the engine is cold the transmission does not shift in to gear properly. It usually gets stuck between gears, if you step on the gas at the time between gears the car will buck violently as it shifts. Even though it has happend many times I will list the date it happened last.”
NHTSA complaint #10067685, filed 2004-04“Transmission failed while shifting. Driver pulled over, and noticed that transmission light flashed on and off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced due to the housing shaft.”
NHTSA complaint #10113852, filed 2005-03Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% |
| 2022 | 25 | 31% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 13 | 21% |
| 2018 | 4 | 14% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 14 | 11% |
| 2014 | 2 | 17% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 9 | 19% |
| 2011 | 21 | 19% |
| 2010 | 7 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 11% |
| 2003 | 2 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 7 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 4 | 22% |
| 1997 | 3 | 43% |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 3 | 18% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
| 1985 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 1997 Volkswagen Golf
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Volkswagen Golf
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