2017 Volkswagen Golf R Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2017 Volkswagen Golf R has 22 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve engine and power train.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 22 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ENGINE
6 27.3%
POWER TRAIN
2 9.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 9.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 9.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 9.1%
Quick Insights
The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 27.3% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 13 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
Subscribe to Recall Alerts
Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R.
Free alerts based on U.S. recall data. Unsubscribe anytime.
What owners keep reporting on the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R
The 2017 Volkswagen Golf R has 22 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 27% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R are ENGINE (6), POWER TRAIN (2), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 13 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2017 Volkswagen Golf R?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 13 of 13 systems
ENGINE
6 Reports27% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR LOST COOLANT. DISCOVERED ROAD DEBRIS HAD PUNCTURED THE SECONDARY HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED ON THE LOWER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE FRONT FACIA PROVIDES ABSOLUTELY NO PROTECTION FROM DEBRIS AND OTHER DAMAGE WAS NOTED ON THE EXCHANGER SURFACE. HAD TO PULL OVER AS THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND GET THE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW - SEARCHING THE INTERNET THERE ARE SEVERAL INCIDENCES OF PUNCTURED HEAT EXCHANGERS.
12/13/2017
FROM 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP UNTIL NOW 12 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE ENGINE MISFIRES. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THAT HAS BEEN HOPELESS. THEY SIMPLY CLEAR THE CODE AND IT POPS BACK UP ON MY WAY BACK HOME. IT'S A LITTLE FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU PAY $40,000 FOR A CAR AND EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS IN AS LITTLE AS 2000 MILES.
3/9/2018
POWER TRAIN
2 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WE PURCHASED THE (NEW) CAR ON JUNE 09, 2017. 5 DAYS AFTER WE PURCHASED, WE FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED AND THAT FACT WAS NOT DISCLOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP MAINTAINS THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE SERVICE ACTIONS AND FURTHER STATED VW CONCURRED. VW MAINTAINS THE RECALL WAS ISSUED BY NHTSA. HERE IS THEIR EMAIL RESPONSE INDICATING SAME: REFERENCE # 170784881 THANK YOU FOR REACHING BACK OUT TO ME. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAY IN MY RESPONSE, AS WELL AS FOR THE EXPERIENCES YOU'VE HAD WITH YOUR VEHICLE AND THE DEALER. I CAN SEE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SARAH G., WHO WAS THE REGION CASE MANAGER WHO HAD WORKED YOUR PREVIOUS CASE, AS WELL AS THAT SHE HAS REACHED OUT TO THE DEALER TO TRY AND TURN THE EXPERIENCE AROUND. FROM OUR UNDERSTANDING, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED DUE A SERVICE ACTION THAT WAS ISSUED BY NHSTA. THE REPAIRS THAT WERE COMPLETED BEFORE PURCHASE WERE TO BENEFIT THE SAFETY OF VEHICLE, AS WELL AS THE DRIVER(S). I APOLOGIZE THAT THAT DEALER DID NOT DISCLOSE THIS INFORMATION TO YOU AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS JUST DOING AS THEY WERE TOLD BY NHTSA. AT THIS TIME, THERE WOULDN'T BE ANYTHING FURTHER THAT VWGOA WOULD BE ABLE TO DO. ANY RESOLUTION YOU'RE SEEKING WOULD NEED TO COME FROM THE DEALER LEVEL. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER CONCERNS, PLEASE CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA AT 800-822-8987 OR CHAT OR EMAIL US AT WWW.VW.COM. I HAVE COMPLETE EMAIL AND TEXT DOCUMENTATION FROM THE DEALER AND VW. A TOTAL OF 250 2017 VW GOLF R'S ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AFFECTED. IS VW CORRECT IN THAT NHTSA ISSUED THE RECALL OR SERVICE ACTION? DON'T VW AND THE DEALER HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DISCLOSE THAT A MAJOR SAFETY/PERFORMANCE COMPONENT WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE SALE?
7/13/2017
PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE; CLUTCH WAS WORN AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT 25 MONTHS AND 16,000 MILES. MADE CAR DANGEROUS AND HARD TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC.
5/10/2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I HAVE A 2017 GOLF R EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSION, AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. OCCASIONALLY THE CAR WOULD MAKE A CONTINUOUS AND PERIODIC CLICKING NOISE THAT CAN LAST FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED. AS SOON AS I STEP ON THE BRAKE, THE CLICKING STOPS. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED, THE CLICKING COMES BACK. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN MAY/JUNE 2018 WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 14000 MILES, AND HAS BEEN DOING THAT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE SINCE THEN. I BROUGHT IT TO A VW DEALER IN JULY 2018, BUT BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND OUT THE ROOT CAUSE. THERE WAS NO ERROR CODE EITHER. HOWEVER THEY SUSPECTED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM CERTAIN RELAYS IN THE ABS / BRAKING SYSTEM, WHICH IS CONCERNING AS IT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE. A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM CAN BE SEEN HERE: HTTPS://STREAMABLE.COM/PL4XK
10/25/2019
YOUR SYSTEM IS MISLABELING CARS. SEARCH FOR 2017 GOLF R. IT SHOWS 58 COMPLAINTS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE CARS TIED TO THESE COMPLAINTS IT'S VW ALLTRACKS. I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE THE ISSUES I'M HAVING WITH MY CARS BUT I NEED YOU TO FIX THE WEBSITE. PLEASE HELP. I FIND IT STRANGE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO VW AFTER ALL THE ISSUES THEY HAVE HAD.
12/6/2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
YOUR SYSTEM IS MISLABELING CARS. SEARCH FOR 2017 GOLF R. IT SHOWS 58 COMPLAINTS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE CARS TIED TO THESE COMPLAINTS IT'S VW ALLTRACKS. I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE THE ISSUES I'M HAVING WITH MY CARS BUT I NEED YOU TO FIX THE WEBSITE. PLEASE HELP. I FIND IT STRANGE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO VW AFTER ALL THE ISSUES THEY HAVE HAD.
12/6/2019
The fuel suction pump in my 2017 volkswagen golf r failed causing strong gas odors to emit whenever the car is running, loss of power, inability to put more than a small amount of fuel in, and gas leaking into the evap and charcoal canister causing them to fail. This creates a huge risk for ignition and fuel dumping onto the road which, only because I stopped driving it, has not happened to me. A check engine light has still yet to appear even after part failure. I believe you can see how big of a safety risk this causes to not only the vehicle's occupants, but those around it as well. I have already taken it to the volkswagen dealer and they themselves confirmed that yes the fuel suction pump has failed and that all those parts and the fuel tank itself need replaced totaling around 3,500 to 4,000 dollars. I have not gotten anything replaced. They refuse to cover it under the warranty extension titled VWP22-12 even though my car is obviously not 15 years old and it only has around 37,000 miles. They claim they revised the part for 2017 so that it doesn't fail anymore, but if that were the case then why is that warranty extension all the way up to 2020 models. I have looked through other complaints filed on this site and see you've already been contacted several times about my exact issue on 2017 models. I am urging you to please make this a recall. Volkswagen clearly knows this is a widespread issue evidenced by the fact the it affects such a large amount of models and years and by not making a recall you are allowing them to screw people over.
12/18/2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
RAZOR-LIKE MATERIAL/DEFECT ON FRONT OF SHIFT BOOT TRIM NEAR THE INGRESS TO THE FRONT CUBBY AREA HAS CUT ME MULTIPLE TIMES; DRAWING BLOOD EACH TIME, WHEN TAKING MY PHONE IN AND OUT OF THE CUBBY. THIS CUBBY IS DESIGNED TO HOLD A PHONE, AS THERE IS A USB PORT AND CONNECTS THE DRIVER'S PHONE TO THE APPLE CARPLAY UNIT. THE MATERIAL THAT HAS COME OFF THE TRIM THAT FORMS A THIN "RAZOR", SEEMS TO HAVE DELAMINATED FROM THE TRIM. VW SEEMS TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. SKIN THAT WAS REMOVED BY THE TRIM CAN BE SEEN IN THE FOLLOWING ATTACHED SHOTS.
2/12/2020
The shift boot trim piece was poorly designed and is the metal is peeling and has cut my hand several times. It has happened once while driving and I had to stop at a gas station to get a paper towel to stop the bleeding. The trim piece peels right where the opening to the storage cubby is. The dealer is aware of the situation, but will not cover the cost of replacing the part.
1/25/2022
SERVICE BRAKES
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I HAVE A 2017 GOLF R EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSION, AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. OCCASIONALLY THE CAR WOULD MAKE A CONTINUOUS AND PERIODIC CLICKING NOISE THAT CAN LAST FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED. AS SOON AS I STEP ON THE BRAKE, THE CLICKING STOPS. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED, THE CLICKING COMES BACK. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN MAY/JUNE 2018 WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 14000 MILES, AND HAS BEEN DOING THAT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE SINCE THEN. I BROUGHT IT TO A VW DEALER IN JULY 2018, BUT BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND OUT THE ROOT CAUSE. THERE WAS NO ERROR CODE EITHER. HOWEVER THEY SUSPECTED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM CERTAIN RELAYS IN THE ABS / BRAKING SYSTEM, WHICH IS CONCERNING AS IT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE. A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM CAN BE SEEN HERE: HTTPS://STREAMABLE.COM/PL4XK
10/25/2019
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I HAVE A 2017 GOLF R EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSION, AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. OCCASIONALLY THE CAR WOULD MAKE A CONTINUOUS AND PERIODIC CLICKING NOISE THAT CAN LAST FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED. AS SOON AS I STEP ON THE BRAKE, THE CLICKING STOPS. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED, THE CLICKING COMES BACK. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN MAY/JUNE 2018 WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 14000 MILES, AND HAS BEEN DOING THAT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE SINCE THEN. I BROUGHT IT TO A VW DEALER IN JULY 2018, BUT BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND OUT THE ROOT CAUSE. THERE WAS NO ERROR CODE EITHER. HOWEVER THEY SUSPECTED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM CERTAIN RELAYS IN THE ABS / BRAKING SYSTEM, WHICH IS CONCERNING AS IT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE. A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM CAN BE SEEN HERE: HTTPS://STREAMABLE.COM/PL4XK
10/25/2019
WHEELS
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
YOUR SYSTEM IS MISLABELING CARS. SEARCH FOR 2017 GOLF R. IT SHOWS 58 COMPLAINTS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE CARS TIED TO THESE COMPLAINTS IT'S VW ALLTRACKS. I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE THE ISSUES I'M HAVING WITH MY CARS BUT I NEED YOU TO FIX THE WEBSITE. PLEASE HELP. I FIND IT STRANGE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO VW AFTER ALL THE ISSUES THEY HAVE HAD.
12/6/2019
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM RANDOMLY RESETS DURING USAGE REGARDLESS OF WHAT MODE THE SYSTEM IS IN (BOTH IN TERMS OF DRIVE MODE OR MUSIC LISTENING MODE). DURING A RESET, ALL ACCESS TO ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES, DRIVE MODE SELECTION, TRACTION CONTROL SELECTIONS, ARE DISABLED. THE SCREEN GOES COMPLETELY BLACK AND THEN TURNS BACK ON USUALLY WITH A DIFFERENT INTERFACE MODE ACTIVATED (BLUETOOTH VS RADIO, FOR INSTANCE). ALL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE DISABLED DURING A RESET. THIS FREEZE AND RESET CAN OCCUR WHILE MOVING OR WHILE STATIONARY. ADDITIONALLY, THE RE-VIEW CAMERA, WHILE IN REVIEW, DOES NOT WORK IF THE RESET TAKES PLACE WHILE BACKING UP. THE REVIEW CAMERA ALSO INCONSISTENTLY WORKS AT ALL. THE RESET HAS TAKEN PLACE AT BOTH SURFACE STREET SPEEDS BUT ALSO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
3/22/2021
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM RANDOMLY RESETS DURING USAGE REGARDLESS OF WHAT MODE THE SYSTEM IS IN (BOTH IN TERMS OF DRIVE MODE OR MUSIC LISTENING MODE). DURING A RESET, ALL ACCESS TO ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES, DRIVE MODE SELECTION, TRACTION CONTROL SELECTIONS, ARE DISABLED. THE SCREEN GOES COMPLETELY BLACK AND THEN TURNS BACK ON USUALLY WITH A DIFFERENT INTERFACE MODE ACTIVATED (BLUETOOTH VS RADIO, FOR INSTANCE). ALL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE DISABLED DURING A RESET. THIS FREEZE AND RESET CAN OCCUR WHILE MOVING OR WHILE STATIONARY. ADDITIONALLY, THE RE-VIEW CAMERA, WHILE IN REVIEW, DOES NOT WORK IF THE RESET TAKES PLACE WHILE BACKING UP. THE REVIEW CAMERA ALSO INCONSISTENTLY WORKS AT ALL. THE RESET HAS TAKEN PLACE AT BOTH SURFACE STREET SPEEDS BUT ALSO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
3/22/2021
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM RANDOMLY RESETS DURING USAGE REGARDLESS OF WHAT MODE THE SYSTEM IS IN (BOTH IN TERMS OF DRIVE MODE OR MUSIC LISTENING MODE). DURING A RESET, ALL ACCESS TO ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES, DRIVE MODE SELECTION, TRACTION CONTROL SELECTIONS, ARE DISABLED. THE SCREEN GOES COMPLETELY BLACK AND THEN TURNS BACK ON USUALLY WITH A DIFFERENT INTERFACE MODE ACTIVATED (BLUETOOTH VS RADIO, FOR INSTANCE). ALL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE DISABLED DURING A RESET. THIS FREEZE AND RESET CAN OCCUR WHILE MOVING OR WHILE STATIONARY. ADDITIONALLY, THE RE-VIEW CAMERA, WHILE IN REVIEW, DOES NOT WORK IF THE RESET TAKES PLACE WHILE BACKING UP. THE REVIEW CAMERA ALSO INCONSISTENTLY WORKS AT ALL. THE RESET HAS TAKEN PLACE AT BOTH SURFACE STREET SPEEDS BUT ALSO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
3/22/2021
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf R. The contact stated that the fuel gauge remained on Empty after fueling the vehicle. Additionally, fuel accumulated in the EVAP system, and leaked out from the fuel tank onto the rear passenger's side wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that recalls were VIN specific and there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
1/14/2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 Report5% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf R. The contact stated that the fuel gauge remained on Empty after fueling the vehicle. Additionally, fuel accumulated in the EVAP system, and leaked out from the fuel tank onto the rear passenger's side wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that recalls were VIN specific and there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
1/14/2022
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R?
Are complaints about the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R?
Are complaints about the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Volkswagen Golf R: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 22
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
We may earn a commission via links on this page.