2017 Volkswagen GTI problems
Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Volkswagen GTI. Fuel system is the most reported problem area, at 35% of complaints. Next are engine (25%) and drivetrain & axles (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 57 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Fuel system 35% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 37,000 miles 38 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 17 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 13 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 38 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 37,000 miles. For fuel system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 44,000 miles (12 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2017 ranks 13th most-complained-about out of 19 model years of the Volkswagen GTI with enough data (40 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
Interior trim in front of shifter is unreasonably sharp. When removing items, like cell phone, or wallet from the storage cubby in front of the shifter multiple fingers have been snagged and sliced deeply. The first time I was cut the cut was small on the tip of my right ring finger. Because of the sharpness of the trim piece I did not know I was cut until I noticed blood. I also did not know where the first cut came from.
The thermostat housing on the engine developed a significant leak, allowing coolant to drip on the roadway and also endangering the car's engine from overheating and possible power loss. This could of course cause a slippery road surface and could also result in the car losing power on the street creating a hazard.
Started to notice a fuel odor in the vicinity of the right-rear wheel while the car was parked inside my garage. Moved the car immediately outside on my driveway. Drove the car once or twice during the following week. As the car was parked on the driveway the odor persisted. Then one afternoon a puddle of gas was on my driveway (about one pint of liquid) - the car had not been driven in 2 days when the puddle appeared. Notified my local VW dealer and scheduled the repair.