2017 Volkswagen Golf Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 7%of 117 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the body and structure of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf, 7% of the 117 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,000 miles. 1 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.
“On 10/17/17 at 6:30 pm, I was driving very slowly in slow traffic in town when a man driving in back of me was looking down slightly to the right and distracted (was on his phone although he said he fell asleep) when he hit the back (rear-ended) my car. I had my seat belt on. My head and body thrusted forward and back and my head hit the lower part of the head rest hard because the head rest and seat are too tall (I'm short) and the headrest doesn't fit my head. I suffered a concussion, whiplash, and significant pain. …”
NHTSA complaint #11043590, filed 2017-11, 21,000 miles“Sunroof shade would not stay closed. Repaired twice by dealership. 12/7/19 driving on road (no traffic or vehicles nearby), suddenly loud explosion sound, sunroof completely shattered, blew out basketball size hole in sunroof glass before completely shattering entire sunroof glass. Vehicle was moving on rural paved road, no other vehicles on roadway. Sunscreen prevented glass from entering driver's compartment.”
NHTSA complaint #11287740, filed 2019-12, 29,900 miles“The problem presents itself as ticking/clicking/cracking noise coming from the top of the driver's side b-pillar when the body of the car flexes, for example when driving over uneven road (even at parking lot speed). After the dealership tried to address it by replacing interior panels and applying foam, they were advised by the manufacturer that the issue is related to a weld joint, and 'performed adjustment to pillar seam' (as listed on the service record). …”
NHTSA complaint #11067286, filed 2018-02, 1,000 miles“driving down the highway at 70mph and what sounded like a gunshot inside the car. glass started falling on us driving down the road. the sunroof glass exploded. got pulled over and looked and the glass is literally blown outward not inward like something falling on it. the hole it bulged up and the glass from the hole was missing.”
NHTSA complaint #11595149, filed 2024-06“The panoramic sunroof frame on my 2017 Volkswagen Golf has suffered a complete structural failure, exhibiting clear stress fractures and vertical cracking in the polycarbonate surround material. This factory defect allows severe rainwater ingress into the headliner, directly exposing the side-curtain airbag modules and surrounding electrical wiring to water damage, creating an immediate restraint system and safety hazard for occupants.”
NHTSA complaint #11769715, filed 2026-10Related service bulletins
- 11010024Oct 30, 2024Lack of paint under roof
- 11008846Sep 12, 2024Wind & Water Leak Checking
- 10232117Feb 20, 2023Strut or Shock leak assessment.
- 10220342Sep 6, 2022update to required vehicle wash shampoo.
- 10206817Jan 5, 2022Water under transportation wrapping appears as paint defect. Update model year applicability.
- 10202220Oct 1, 2021Manual sunshade does not stay closed or open slightly while driving, Update to model year applicability.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 | 10% |
| 2017 | 8 | 7% |
| 2016 | 7 | 8% |
| 2015 | 10 | 8% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 4 | 8% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 8% |
| 2005 | 1 | 5% |
| 2004 | 1 | 4% |
| 2002 | 3 | 4% |
| 2001 | 2 | 2% |
| 2000 | 4 | 5% |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 14% |
| 1995 | 5 | 12% |
| 1991 | 1 | 13% |
| 1986 | 3 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf
56 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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