Most common 2017 Volkswagen Golf R problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Golf R complaints by model year
Best Golf R years: 2019, 2018. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R:
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
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.
What 2017 Volkswagen Golf R owners say
Engine & cooling
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.
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. …
Fuel & propulsion system
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.
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. …
2017 Volkswagen Golf R engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed dual-clutch | AWD | 23 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | AWD | 22 / 31 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the Golf R to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R?
The engine & cooling — 7 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (3) and transmission & drivetrain (2).
How many recalls does the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Golf R?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019 and 2018. See the full Volkswagen Golf R years comparison.
At what mileage do 2017 Volkswagen Golf R problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 25,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.