RoadVitals

2017 Volkswagen Golf Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest May 5, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 115 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Volkswagen Golf submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngine
Filed May 5, 2026

Driving my 2017Golf the check engine light came on. The light was steady. I called my dealer and got it in for service. They report to me that the Thermostat housing needs to be replaced and oxygen sensors need replacing also. I just had the manifold replaced 6 weeks ago. I found on line that this is a common problem . Why isn’t this a Recall Repair?

NHTSA ID
11735790
Incident
Apr 28, 2026
Electrical
Filed Oct 30, 2025

I have been having rear cameras for quite some time. The first time I took it to the dealer they could not find any issues and told me to take pictures. I did, plenty of them. Monday 10-27 2025 I took it in again for the gas tank issue and camera issue. Being disabled due to serious spine issues I had to minimize waiting time. The dealer preformed a radio update per 91-19-02 & MIB2 composition & discovered media info system malfunctions. I am currently under VW extended warranty 10 year 100000 mi but they charged me $225.00 for the update. This is exactly the same issue for recall #91SB. Apparently the issue goes back further than the recall, I believe that these issues were swept under the rug. Any help would be appreciated. [XXX] VW [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] I believe that the recall is the tip of a very large problem INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11696492
Incident
Oct 27, 2025
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 23, 2024

Failure of wheel speed sensor in front right wheel. This is the THIRD time I have had a wheel speed sensor fail on this car, which has 35,000 miles on it. Failure caused loss of power steering, airbags, abs, etc.

NHTSA ID
11610366
Incident
Aug 12, 2024
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 17, 2023

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 ID
11502182
Incident
Jan 16, 2023
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 8, 2022

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 ID
11496535
Incident
Dec 5, 2022
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 27, 2021

Front and rear radio speakers are not sealed properly leading to rain leaking into the floor and body of the car. This has been reported significantly and frequently online. VW will fix my car for approximately $4500.

NHTSA ID
11426639
Incident
Sep 16, 2020
ElectricalInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed May 24, 2019

FOR THE PAST 2+ YEARS, I WILL HAVE HAD THIS CAR 3 YEARS IN NOV.2019, AND FOR THE PAST 2 YRS+ THE DEALER HAS NOT FOUND THE TROUBLE WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT SENSOR COMING ON FOR NO REASON. IT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, THE LDRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT LIGHT COMES ON AND THE SENSOR STARTS BEEPING - THE WORST WAS OVER A HALF HOUR STRAIGHT WHILE DRIVING HOME. IT HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS- CANNOT RECALL IT ON HIGHWAY DRIVING. IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS THE SEATBELT UNIT WAS REPLACED- BUT THE LIGHTS AND BEEPING HAS RETURNED. I AM NOW THINKING IT MAY BE THE SEAT - SENSOR. NOT THE BELT. I READ/VIEWED VIDEOS THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL OF SOME PEOPLE'S SEATBELT HOUSING, FIXED WITH WELDS. MOST RECENTLY IT IS HAPPENING MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED 7 TIMES WHILE DRIVING MY CAR FROM WORK TO THE DEALER, <10 MILES CITY STREET DRIVE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN REPRODUCED AND I DO NOT THINK ANY CODE WAS EVER SCANNED. THIS IS MY FIRST LEASE, AND AS SUCH I ONLY LET THE DEALER TACKLE IT. STILL NOT FIXED AND NOW MUCH, MUCH WORSE, WITH MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES AND NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT.

NHTSA ID
11209670
Incident
May 23, 2019
Mileage
21,500 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 15, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V464000 (STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. VOLKSWAGEN OF CHERRY HILL (2261 MARLTON PIKE W, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002, (888) 486-1840) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
11180256
Incident
Jan 18, 2018
AirbagsElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jun 18, 2018

THE SUNROOF LEAKS WATER FROM ALL FOUR COUNTERS INTO THE VEHICLE: HEADLINER, SEATS, CARPET AND DASHBOARD. WARNING SIGNALS/ERRORS MESSAGES: AIR BAG, TRACTION, ENGINE LIGHT. 2500 MILES ON VEHICLE PURCHASED 3/18 NEW. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY DURING A MAJOR RAIN STORM.

NHTSA ID
11102380
Incident
Jun 9, 2018
Mileage
2,500 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD MISFIRED IN ALL CYLINDERS; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CLEARED THE SYSTEM AND WARNING SENSORS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE; HOWEVER, AN UPDATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,300. ..UPDATED 05/15/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ID
10972264
Incident
Mar 9, 2017
Mileage
1,300 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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