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2017 Volkswagen Gti

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

37 reports with mileage · 15 unknown

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.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Power Train complaints

7 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2021
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherInjury

THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THE CENTER CONSOLE STORAGE OF THIS VEHICLE THAT IS CAUSING DEEP CUTS AND GASHES ON PEOPLE'S HANDS. SPECIFICALLY, THE SILVER SHARP METAL TRIM PIECE IN FRONT OF THE SHIFTER BOOT BECOMES SLIGHTLY LIFTED OVER TIME AS IT SEPARATES FROM A PLASTIC THAT HOLDS IT, AND THE SHARP EDGE IS EXPOSED IN AN AREA THAT…

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THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THE CENTER CONSOLE STORAGE OF THIS VEHICLE THAT IS CAUSING DEEP CUTS AND GASHES ON PEOPLE'S HANDS. SPECIFICALLY, THE SILVER SHARP METAL TRIM PIECE IN FRONT OF THE SHIFTER BOOT BECOMES SLIGHTLY LIFTED OVER TIME AS IT SEPARATES FROM A PLASTIC THAT HOLDS IT, AND THE SHARP EDGE IS EXPOSED IN AN AREA THAT A DRIVER / PASSENGER REACHES INTO REGULARLY. MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEM ON THE CAR FORUM GOLFMK7.COM AS WELL. HAVE ATTACHED SOME PHOTOS OF THE CUT AND PIECE (THOUGH IT IS HARD TO SEE) FOR YOUR INFORMATION. (WARNING SOME BLOOD ON BAND AID IS PRESENT IN THE PHOTO)

NHTSA ODI #11387242

32,753 miles · Sep 8, 2020
Power Train

THE VW GTI IS 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 32,753 MILES. DRIVING THROUGH A SHOPPING PLAZA, STEAM SUDDENLY BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE HOOD. UPON PARKING AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, STEAM CONTINUED TO RISE AND THE SWEET SMELL OF COOLANT WAS OBVIOUS. COOLANT BEGAN LEAKING OUT AND FORMED A PUDDLE UNDER THE VEHICLE. NO PRIOR SIGN OF COOLANT LEAK…

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THE VW GTI IS 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 32,753 MILES. DRIVING THROUGH A SHOPPING PLAZA, STEAM SUDDENLY BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE HOOD. UPON PARKING AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, STEAM CONTINUED TO RISE AND THE SWEET SMELL OF COOLANT WAS OBVIOUS. COOLANT BEGAN LEAKING OUT AND FORMED A PUDDLE UNDER THE VEHICLE. NO PRIOR SIGN OF COOLANT LEAKS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE TECHNICIANS IDENTIFIED A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING. REPAIR WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY WITH THERMOSTAT 06L121111M AND WATER PUMP 06K121011C IN AUGUST 2020.

NHTSA ODI #11353616

50,000 miles · May 14, 2020
Power Train

THE COOLANT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN LOWER AND I BROUGHT MY CAR TO VW DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY WANTED TO CHARGE $140 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO PRESSURE TEST THE SYSTEM. I HAD THEM TOP OFF THE COOLANT FOR NOW BUT AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS PRONE TO LEAKING. I WILL HAVE TO BRING MY CAR BACK …

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THE COOLANT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN LOWER AND I BROUGHT MY CAR TO VW DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY WANTED TO CHARGE $140 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO PRESSURE TEST THE SYSTEM. I HAD THEM TOP OFF THE COOLANT FOR NOW BUT AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS PRONE TO LEAKING. I WILL HAVE TO BRING MY CAR BACK SOON AND PROBABLY HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE COOLANT SYSTEM OFFICIALLY CHECKED BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR AND THE COOLANT LEVEL HAS LOWERED TO BELOW THE MINIMUM LINE. VW DEALER SAID THEY DID SEE SOME COOLANT IN MY ENGINE BAY AND CLEANED IT OFF TEMPORARILY BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO PAY THE $140 DIAGNOSTIC FEE AT THAT TIME. THEY TOPPED OFF THE COOLANT AND SAID TO COME BACK IF IT DRAINS MORE AND IF I WANT TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. MY CAR HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND IS UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL 60,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324487

30,000 miles · May 12, 2020
Power Train

VEHICLE STARTED LOSING COOLANT AROUND 25K MILES. VISIBLE LOSS IN RESERVOIR AND COULD SMELL COOLANT AFTER DRIVING. AT 30K MILES, VISIBLE PUDDLE OF COOLANT UNDER CAR. CAR WAS SERVICED AT VW OF OCALA, FL, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND RELEVANT GASKETS/SEALS. THIS MATCHES WHAT DOZENS OF OTHER VW GTI DRIV…

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VEHICLE STARTED LOSING COOLANT AROUND 25K MILES. VISIBLE LOSS IN RESERVOIR AND COULD SMELL COOLANT AFTER DRIVING. AT 30K MILES, VISIBLE PUDDLE OF COOLANT UNDER CAR. CAR WAS SERVICED AT VW OF OCALA, FL, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND RELEVANT GASKETS/SEALS. THIS MATCHES WHAT DOZENS OF OTHER VW GTI DRIVERS ARE EXPERIENCING IN THEIR CARS. 30K IS WAY TOO LOW OF MILES TO HAVE SUCH A MAJOR REPAIR DONE TO THESE CARS, AND COULD HAVE LED TO PREMATURE ENGINE WEAR/FAILURE BY OVERHEATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324232

36,974 miles · Mar 9, 2020
EnginePower Train

THERMOSTAT HOUSING LEAK CAUSES COOLANT LEAK AND LOW COOLANT WARNINGS. WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WHEN LOW COOLANT WARNING ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI #11317146

48,417 miles · Feb 7, 2020
Power Train

48K ON THE CAR, AND I WAS INFORMED OF THE LEAKING THERMOSTAT HOUSING THAT IS APPARENTLY KNOWN FOR GOING ON THIS CAR AS A DEFECTIVE PART: VW DID NOT TELL ME! I WAS INFORMED BY MY TECH WHO FORTUNATELY DISCOVERED THE ISSUE 1500 MILES BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. VW SHOULD NOT CHARGE FOR THIS REPLACEMENT REGARDLESS OF MILES AS IT IS …

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48K ON THE CAR, AND I WAS INFORMED OF THE LEAKING THERMOSTAT HOUSING THAT IS APPARENTLY KNOWN FOR GOING ON THIS CAR AS A DEFECTIVE PART: VW DID NOT TELL ME! I WAS INFORMED BY MY TECH WHO FORTUNATELY DISCOVERED THE ISSUE 1500 MILES BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. VW SHOULD NOT CHARGE FOR THIS REPLACEMENT REGARDLESS OF MILES AS IT IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE

NHTSA ODI #11307734

22,000 miles · Feb 5, 2020
Power Train

I FIND THAT MY COOLANT LEVEL SLOWING GOES DOWN AND I'VE HAD TO REFILL SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY. MAYBE 2 TIMES A YEAR SINCE I OWNED IT. NEVER HAD TO REPLACE COOLANT ON ANY OTHER CARS. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL CAUSE A BIGGER ISSUE DOWN THE LINE.

NHTSA ODI #11307394

Official recalls

2

24V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Feb 14, 2024

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.

19V615000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Aug 22, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

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.