What 194 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R

There is a problem with the fuel system in the tank region that effects the PCV valve, Charcoal cylinder and fuel tank cause a build up of pressure in the system that causes the vehicle to leak gas vapor and not be able to fill with fuel. There was a similiar issues with the 2015/2016 models and the PCV valve. The vapor build up is extremely dangerous as it could ingnite causing boldily harm or even death.

NHTSA ODI 11512060

Turbo wastegate actuator arm seized casing turbo failure. Wastegate stuck in the semi-open position.

NHTSA ODI 11510454

Front suspension creaking noise. Front suspension creaking noise during suspension cycles (going over speed bumps or entering on an inclined surface) due to I believe Coil Spring not formed correctly and rubs against the perch of the strut or other issues/manufacturer defects with the front suspension. See also technical bulletin for 2012-2019 Passat stating similar issues: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10155776-9999.pdf I had originally reported a creaking noise to the dealer service center while my vehicle was still under warranty. The dealer claimed it was not able to recreate the sound, which I believe to be a false statement as it is very easy to recreate as it occurs every time I pull into my driveway or go over a speed bump. I stated this at the time however I suspect they didn’t want to replace under warranty or take ownership of the defect / recall. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I have not sought a second opinion from an independent service center yet. I believe this poses a safety concern for both myself and many others. It continues to creak because VW refuses to admit there is a problem. Please help, thank you!

NHTSA ODI 11505083

This is the second time since November 2022 that our clock spring has failed. While it's broken the driver has no airbag, horn, or usability of controls on steering wheel. This is a huge saftey concern especially driving in winter conditions.

NHTSA ODI 11504304

Car will stutter and stall. Usually after multiple short trips (5 stops and starts) in a short period of time (2 hours). 1 min/1000 gauge is fluttering around 0.75 on gauge when stopped. When car stalls it can be when pulling out at a stop sign. It will stall when gas is applied and then I need to coast around a corner. Occasionally the car will stall out when driving between 20 and 30 miles per hour. When this happens it is extremely dangerous because I am driving in traffic and need to pull over to the side of the road. I had this problem fixed at the dealership once before in 2021 and it cost $559.08 then. I was told at the time that gas sometimes has sediment in it and I should not get gas at grocery store pumps where the price is lower. I should stick to better gas stations. I now am getting my gas at the same two better places all the time hoping that the problem wouldn’t happen again. The problem started two weeks ago and is following the same pattern. I scheduled a service appointment again for them to check my car but it never displays any codes and it is difficult for them to recreate the stalling. My car is almost at 85,000 miles when my warranty runs out.

NHTSA ODI 11502182

The sunroof glass exploded while driving. Shattered glass had the potential to fall into the vehicle had the sun shield not been closed. Shattered class could fly out onto the road causing hazards to other motorists. The sunroof has not been inspected yet. No warnings or symptoms prior to failure. While driving, a loud explosion was heard coming from the top of the car. When inspecting the top of the car it was noticed that the sunroof had been shattered along the seal. No signs of impact from projectiles.

NHTSA ODI 11498054

Car developed a knocking sound from the front-left which occurred during any movement of the suspension, i.e. from all minor perturbations of the road surface rather than major dynamic actions such as breaking or steering. The dealer diagnosed worn out sway bar bushings. They replaced these (and potentially other suspension components - work details from the invoice can be provided upon request) but discovered during their work that the entire front subframe had failed with a major crack. Details can be seen in the attached photos (taken by the VW dealership - Ourisman of Bethesda, MD). I authorized the replacement of the front subframe with OEM components, at a cost in excess of $2000. I have owned the car from new (first registered in January 2018) and it has ~43,000 miles. The car has never been involved in an accident and has been used as family transport on standard road surfaces / driving conditions.

NHTSA ODI 11496908

This is related to VW recal 37M2. My VIN is not in the recall list, but it has the exact same issue with the shifter assembly. The car does not recognize when the transmission is placed in Park. Unable to lock doors

NHTSA ODI 11496535

There is a piece of trim near the gear selector in the interior that separated to reveal a sharp edge that caused a severe cut on my hand.

NHTSA ODI 11495771

My car started sputtering randomly while I was driving and loosing power. Then when I tried to gas up my car, the car wouldn’t accept the gas. When I got home, gas started overflowing out of the tank all into my garage. It also soaked the whole wheel well with gas. There was no check engine line that came on. There is a current recall for this same issue which VW said is a suction pump problem on other GTI’s but not my car. There are tons of over videos on Facebook/YouTube of the exact same thing happening to them. I had the problem fixed at the dealer but it cost 3500 dollars. I still have all the receipts from the repair cost and I would like to be reimbursed since they expanded the recall but my car hasn’t received this recall even though it is the exact same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11493720

Design flaw on thermostat housing leaks causing coolant loss. Common issue that is expensive to repair and should be recalled.

NHTSA ODI 11493376

The car start leaking gas, when you try to put gas won’t take any gas, the car was spitting gas from the pipe where you put the gas

NHTSA ODI 11492055

The fuel tank check valve is stuck closed. Gas backs up in the fuel tank neck and spills onto the ground. The auto cannot be refueled and is now covered in flammable material. Fuel may also be leaking from the EVAP canister in the passenger real wheel well.

NHTSA ODI 11485522

The fuel suction pump failed. This is the same 20Y6 recall from the 2015-16. Symptoms are engine shuddering, and abruptly stalling. Gasoline leaking from the rear passenger wheel area.

NHTSA ODI 11485047

Driver's door latch failed and often will not latch the door closed. Door just bounces off the door frame lightly. Occasionally I've missed that this has happened and started driving with the door unlatched.

NHTSA ODI 11484804

Fuel will not fill. EVAP system to fail. Car stalls after trying to fill with gas.

NHTSA ODI 11484535

Passenger window (front) and locks not working. Suddenly stopped working on my low mileage car. The wire harness had to be replaced. Similar recall for the VW Atlas that would also effect the airbag because of corroded wire contacts. Brought to VW dealer and they determined (after 2 weeks) the wire harness had to be replaced. Not functioning doors and locks and possible airbags are a huge safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11483955

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The fuel tank, along with several related valves 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The issues with the fuel tank caused gasoline to steadily leak out of the fuel tank. This leak occurred both when the vehicle was stationary and in motion. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the issue has been reproduced and confirmed by both an independent repair shop and by a Volkswagen dealership 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected by a Volkswagen dealership 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, there were no warning lights or messages prior to the incident occurring

NHTSA ODI 11480048

Airbags, horn, cruise control and all other functions related to the steering wheel suddenly stopped working. Volkswagen has diagnosed the clock spring is defective and needs to be replaced. I’ve been quoted $712.00 for this repair. The replacement part is also on backorders with no clear indication of when it will arrive. Volkswagen will not supply a loaner car or any rental assistance and insists their customers drive a car without function airbags or a horn. This is a well known issue for Volkswagen and is a major safety concern for anyone who owns one of their vehicles. It needs to be addressed and fixed ASAP!

NHTSA ODI 11477257

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started jerking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle at her residence and upon exiting the vehicle, she smelled an abnormally strong gasoline odor. The contact inspected the vehicle and saw a pool of gasoline underneath the passenger’s side rear of the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer, who diagnosed that the breather valve inside the fuel tank had failed. The dealer determined that the fuel tank, fuel lines and charcoal canister needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 11476600

I noticed that I was unable to fill the gas tank: the pump kept stopping as though the tank was full and would overflow from the fuel tank. The car was also driving sluggishly, particularly at slower speeds and gear changes. One day later, I noticed fuel pouring out of the right/passenger side rear bumper area. Purchased in 2017 and it only has 40K miles.

NHTSA ODI 11475578

I am resubmitting a previous complaint as I have learned and experienced more problems with the vehicle since my initial complaint. My 2017 VW GTI only has 57K miles and I have been taking it to the dealer for proper and timely maintenance. My fuel system is showing signs of failure. Based on research I have been doing online ( I could be wrong) it seems the Volkswagen golfs have a part inside the gas tank that fails and starts causing a safety hazard. My gas tank builds up pressure and literally expels gas out from somewhere. I started finding a small pool of fuel behind my car when I park at work or at home. I have since parked my vehicle and will be taking it into the dealer for inspection and repair. I read online that the 2015 models have had a recall for a part called a “suction pump” in the gas tank. I think it is safe to assume that my 2017 is having the same issue as the 2015s. Although my year make and model has not had a recall for the unsafe issue. My car is not safe to drive currently. I cannot put gas into the tank, it throttles down and up sporadically and it literally burps and expels gas from somewhere under in the back of the vehicle and the refueling neck. Please look into this issue as I am not the only person who has experienced this. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11475466

The 20Y6 recall for VW Golfs is exactly what my 2017 VW Golf GTI experienced. I am surprised the 2017 model year is not included. I did not feel safe driving my car with a failing fuel suction pump causing engine issues in traffic. When I finally made it home there was smoke coming out of my exhaust and fuel spilling out of the rear passenger wheel well.

NHTSA ODI 11475400

I literally cannot pump gas into my 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI. The automatic shutoff on the gas pumps are triggered not long after I start pumping gas.if I try to force it, the gas will overflow and spill even though my tank is no where near being full. I read online about 2015/2016 models having a recall about this same exact issue. I’ve come across many other 2017 GTI owners online who are having the same issue. They say it could be the evap canister or fuel suction pump failing and preventing the gas tank from being filled. I have an appointment with the dealership on Monday to have it checked but I would like to make you all aware that this car is also having the same issues that a previous year did. Thanks

NHTSA ODI 11474307

Bought the car from autonation in October 2021 and had condensation wet dog smell. Car was garaged until 4/2022 at which time I noticed headliner stains and water coming into wheel well, called dealer was advised to check drain tubes. I cannot. More rain more issues. Care warning lights all came on including airbag. Car has 38150 miles. VW refusing to cover under recall. Wants me to file insurance claim. Dealer did not acknowledge mold headliner issues until I called back after picking up the car. PANORAMIC SUNROOF LEAKS. HEADLINER I AND CARPET IS BADLY STAINED WITH VISIBLE MOLD GROWTH. PILLAR STAINING AS WELL. WATER LEAKS FROM DOME LIGHT AND SUNROOF CONTROL BUTTONS. WATER ALSO LEAKS INTO FOOT WELL. TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP WHO HAVE SAID THAT IT IS LIKELY THE SUNROOF DRAINS ARE BLOCKED BY DEBRIS AND REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THERE IS NO WAY FOR THE CONSUMER TO ACCESS THE SUNROOF DRAINS TO KEEP THEM CLEAR, PARTICULARLY THE REAR DRAINS, WHICH ENTAILS DISMANTLING PART OF THE CAR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MANY REPORTED COMPLAINTS BY OWNERS WITH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BEING ISSUED. PLEASE ENCOURAGE AN INVESTIGATION

NHTSA ODI 11467619