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2017 Volkswagen Golf R

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 8 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2023
Engine

Thermostat Sensor Failure causing check engine light P00B7. Vehicle not reading the correct engine temp causing cooling fans to run at 100% and drivability concern. Dealer diagnosed the repair as replacement of the Thermostat/Thermostat Housing quoted at $1,635. The vehicle has not been inspected by any other party other than d…

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Thermostat Sensor Failure causing check engine light P00B7. Vehicle not reading the correct engine temp causing cooling fans to run at 100% and drivability concern. Dealer diagnosed the repair as replacement of the Thermostat/Thermostat Housing quoted at $1,635. The vehicle has not been inspected by any other party other than dealership. Check Engine line appeared, thermostat not reading proper temp, and cooling fans running at 100% speed. This is a well documented problem with my vehicle: https://www.reddit.com/r/GolfGTI/comments/drna5m/mk775_thermostat_housing_issue_and_coolant_loss/

NHTSA ODI #11561868

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2023
Engine

My VW on two occasions experienced coolant / water pump system failures (May 2022 and August 2023), the second of which required full water pump replacement. These are identical to the class action lawsuit outlined on https://waterpumpsettlement.com/ (civil court case Civ. No.: 2:21-cv-11251-MCA-MF), though I am receiving diff…

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My VW on two occasions experienced coolant / water pump system failures (May 2022 and August 2023), the second of which required full water pump replacement. These are identical to the class action lawsuit outlined on https://waterpumpsettlement.com/ (civil court case Civ. No.: 2:21-cv-11251-MCA-MF), though I am receiving difficulties with the settlement claim for unknown reasons. My vehicles water pump is identical to those outlined in the case, as the pump model numbers and OEM origin are identical. These two incidents posed a severe risk/hazard to both the vehicle and myself due to leakage and loss of coolant putting the car at risk of catatrosphic engine failure. It is becoming apparent that these should amount to a recall as the growing number of incidents keeps increasing.

NHTSA ODI #11537264

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2021
Engine

While driving in the left hand lane on a divided 4-lane (2 lanes each direction) road, a car in front of me slowed in order to make a left hand turn. I braked to slow, looked and saw space in the adjacent lane, moved into that lane and pressed the accelerator to get to the speed of the approaching traffic in that lane. There was…

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While driving in the left hand lane on a divided 4-lane (2 lanes each direction) road, a car in front of me slowed in order to make a left hand turn. I braked to slow, looked and saw space in the adjacent lane, moved into that lane and pressed the accelerator to get to the speed of the approaching traffic in that lane. There was no throttle response at first so the approaching traffic was quickly closing the gap. I lifted my foot off the accelerator and then immediately pressed it again at which the throttle responded and I was able to accelerate to the speed of the approaching traffic (in this case a large dump truck) and narrowly avoided a rear-end collision. I have complained of this kind of throttle response hesitation at service visits to two different VW dealers, both of which were unable to reproduce the condition and for which they detected no error codes. I bought the car as a used car in Feb 2019. The VW dealership from which I bought the car did not disclose any such problem with the car, which car they claimed to have provided service for the previous owner. The problem has occurred intermittently since I have owned the car and I have been unable to reproduce it successfully for service personnel during service visits. Today's occurrence was the closest I have come to a collision with another vehicle. With the next occurrence I might not be so lucky.

NHTSA ODI #11427052

48,000 miles · Aug 27, 2020
Engine

PCV (POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION) VALVE MALFUNCTION. VW'S PCV VALVE, ALSO SOMETIMES CALLED THE OIL SEPARATOR VALVE, WHICH IS FOUND ON MANY OF THEIR CARS/SUVS BECOMES FAULTY AROUND 40-50K MILES. WHAT OFTEN HAPPENS IS THE THE VALVE FAILS TO VENT INTERNAL ENGINE PRESSURE, WHICH CAUSES THE PRESSURE TO BUILD UP WITHIN THE ENGIN…

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PCV (POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION) VALVE MALFUNCTION. VW'S PCV VALVE, ALSO SOMETIMES CALLED THE OIL SEPARATOR VALVE, WHICH IS FOUND ON MANY OF THEIR CARS/SUVS BECOMES FAULTY AROUND 40-50K MILES. WHAT OFTEN HAPPENS IS THE THE VALVE FAILS TO VENT INTERNAL ENGINE PRESSURE, WHICH CAUSES THE PRESSURE TO BUILD UP WITHIN THE ENGINE. EVENTTUALLY THE PRESSURE WILL FIND SOME PLACE TO VENT, USUALLY OUT OF WEAKEST OIL GASKET POINT, OFTEN BEING THE REAR MAIN SEAL AND VALVE COVER. SINCE THE EXHAUST IS BEHIND THE ENGINE, THERE IS A CHANCE THAT OIL CAN SPRAY ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST. MY GOLF LEAKED OIL FROM THE REAR MAIN SEAL WHEN THE PCV FAILED. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, VW DIDN'T WANT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNLESS I WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT. THIS MALFUNCTIONING PCV VALVE IS A REGULAR PROBLEM ON VW'S AND COULD POSE A ROOT FAILURE LEADING TO A POTENTIAL VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #11351518

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2018
Engine

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 M…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11078412

10,300 miles · Dec 13, 2017
Engine

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11054393

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ23007 · Fuel Leak Due To Suction Jet Pump Failure Within Fuel Tank (remedy Effectiveness Of Recall 16V647)

Opened Dec 12, 2023 · Closed Jul 1, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Fuel System, Gasoline

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.