2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (10) · Structure:body (7) · Power Train (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Golf Alltrack model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
42 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Unknown Or Other 2020-09-16 · campaign 20V561000 · 23 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.
Service bulletins (331)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-17 · V0116152014815_20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suggested fuel additive
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SM 39-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Power Train 2026-08-10 · V4015022033347_8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replacement instruction
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-06 · TT 00-13-04_7 · Other
permission to change daily order upgraded to red order
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-04 · V0026012081638_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
differences between a leak and seepage
Electrical System 2026-07-15 · VOS-26-42 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a notice for software changes with the odis diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: a software fix is needed to correct the issue: da 0019 - hotfix 12-v battery test(s) – no battery diagnosis - inconclusive test result.
Showing the 6 most recent of 331 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-21 · Structure:body“2017 vw golf alltrack sel, purchased xxx cpo. defect: the panoramic sunroof frame's wind-deflector storage channel is separate from the primary, drained water channel and has no drain of its own. during rain, with the vehicle parked nose-up (uphill), water bypasses the inner glass-to-frame perimeter seal and collects in this undrained channel, then…”
2026-06-10 · Electrical System“car battery spontaneously exploded when trying to start the car.…”
2025-12-09 · Unknown Or Other“infotainment system is restarting itself repeatedly every 30 seconds to every few minutes.this has been going on for about 2 weeks. the component has not yet been inspected by a 3rd party. …”
2025-01-13 · Power Train · 170,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 volkswagen golf alltrack. the contact stated that while parking the vehicle and shifting to the park, the contact turned off the vehicle and the vehicle rolled backward. the driver depressed the brake pedal and activated the parking brake to stop the vehicle from rolling. the cause of the failure was not yet determined. the …”
2025-01-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i've been experiencing a recurring issue with my vehicle where the epc light frequently activates. when this happens, the car significantly reduces its speed, making it difficult to drive safely. i've noticed this situation over the past six to eight months, and it typically requires me to pull over. after turning off the vehicle multiple times, i'…”
2025-01-13 · Steering“i am facing an issue with my car where it tends to roll back even when it's in park, regardless of whether the engine is on or off. the only time it remains stationary is when i apply the brakes and engage the emergency brake. this situation poses a safety concern for me and my family, and i would like to find a solution to ensure our vehicle stays…”
2024-04-29 · Steering“the clock spring assembly on my vehicle failed. in may 2023 volkswagen of america issued an extended warranty coverage notice for the part. after doing some research and determining the part failure, i called my local vw dealer to report the problem. they told me they would be happy to schedule an appointment to look at my vehicle but they…”
2024-03-25 · Engine“turbo wastegate actuator rod/flap failure/seizure. vw dealership & independent service center both diagnosed the issue as a seized wastegate actuator flap/rod. this is due to poor design and is a common issue on all 2015-2020 vw/audi 1.8l tsi engines. this issue causes intermittent engine codes for "low boost" related codes. p00af00 and similar cod…”
2023-06-19 · Unknown Or Other“sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving down the highway. no collision or impact. sounded like a gunshot. had to immediately pull over, remove all of the glass in order to drive it at all.…”
2023-06-03 · Unknown Or Other“continual unidentified leak in the roof area. i've seen many reports of this same issue for the 2017 golf alltrack, specifically on incline.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.