Volkswagen Golf alltrack problems
The Volkswagen Golf (Mk7) is a C-segment car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. It is the seventh generation in the Golf series and the successor to the Golf Mk6. It was introduced in Berlin on 4 September 2012, before a public launch at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Sales in Europe began with the model in November 2012.
Marketed in three-door and five-door hatchback, van, and estate forms, the Golf Mk7 shares the MQB platform with the third generation Audi A3, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia.
In November 2016, Volkswagen presented a facelift of the Golf Mk7. It was replaced in December 2019 by the Golf Mk8, which is built on the MQB Evo platform. Production of the e-Golf and the Golf Variant ended in mid-2020.
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Volkswagen Golf alltrack model years
Common Volkswagen Golf alltrack problems
The Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, a small SUV alternative with increased ground clearance and all-wheel drive, has been available for only three years, and there are specific issues to avoid when considering purchasing one.
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is the year to avoid due to several irritating faults that can disrupt the driving experience. These issues include misaligned headlights, which can affect visibility during nighttime driving, a dead key-fob battery, which can leave drivers stranded if they don't have a backup key, and a squeaky clutch pedal, which can be an annoyance during daily driving. Additionally, some drivers have reported problems with the air conditioning system, which can make the car uncomfortable during hot weather.
While these issues may not be extreme, they can add up and detract from the overall driving experience. If you are set on purchasing a Golf Alltrack, it's recommended to avoid the 2018 model and consider the 2017 or 2019 models instead. These years have received minimal complaints and excellent reviews from both professionals and everyday drivers, bringing in top-notch safety reviews and minimal repairs and troubles.
Another potential issue to consider is the 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in the Alltrack, which can be a source of trouble for some owners. Test-driving shoppers are advised to be on the lookout for poor or sporadic performance at moderate- to full throttle, and for any Check Engine Light (CEL) or warning messages displayed in the instrument cluster. These can illuminate for hundreds of reasons, including some relating to coil-pack failure, turbocharger failure, vacuum leaks, and more. The engine should pull strong and smooth in the mid-RPM range. If the acceleration feels lumpy or jerky, be sure to have a technician investigate.
In summary, while the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is a unique offering from VW with a cult following, it's essential to be aware of potential issues before purchasing, especially when considering the 2018 model. By being informed and cautious, you can find a reliable and enjoyable car that fits your needs and preferences.
What is the most common problem with the VW Golf?
VW Golf owners often search for information about the following problems.
- Fuel leaks. ...
- Blocked DPF. ...
- Stretched timing chain. ...
- DSG automatic gearbox issues. ...
- Foggy headlight lenses. ...
- Faulty handbrake. ...
- Electrical issues. ...
- Faulty crash sensors.
What is the best year of the Alltrack?
There are two quality choices for the Golf Alltrack. We recommend the 2017 or 2019 version with the best reviews and minimal customer complaints.
Why was the Golf Alltrack discontinued?
Production of the VW SportWagen and Alltrack Comes to an End
After the 2019 model year, Volkswagen is discontinuing sales of the Golf SportWagen and the Golf Alltrack in the United States. The automaker has decided to place more of a focus on the new SUV models that will soon be hitting showrooms.
How many miles should a VW Golf last?
between 100,000 and 200,000 miles
Most Volkswagen vehicles will last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, although well-kept models can last even longer than that. All VWs are remarkably reliable vehicles. When it comes to longevity, the Golf, Passat, Jetta, and Beetle are known to be particularly long-lasting.
Recalls Volkswagen Golf alltrack
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the Volkswagen Golf alltrack.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Volkswagen Golf alltrack 2019
- Report Received Date: 2023-08-30
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.
- Consequence: Ignition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.
- Model: Volkswagen Golf alltrack 2019
- Report Received Date: 2022-10-31
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
- Consequence: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
- Model: Volkswagen Golf alltrack 2017
- Report Received Date: 2020-09-16
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
- Remedy: 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.
- Model: Volkswagen Golf alltrack 2019
- Report Received Date: 2019-12-11
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Park It: 1
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Jetta GLI, Golf Alltrack, and Golf GTI vehicles. The front wheel bearings may have been improperly machined, potentially causing excessive stress on the wheel, wheel bolts, or wheel bearings.
- Consequence: The excessive stress can cause steering, traction or other stability issues or breakage relating to the front wheels, and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the wheel bearing assemblies, wheels, and wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40P1. Note: The affected owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repairs have been made.
Latest negative Volkswagen Golf alltrack car reviews
Latest positive Volkswagen Golf alltrack car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2018
I purchased this leftover 2017 model at a fantastic price (over $8,000 off sticker!) because it was low enough for my elderly parents to enter and exit comfortably. It also has enough room for a wheelchair, walker, and even my two Greyhounds (though not all at the same time!). It's been a while since I owned a VW since my 1977 VW Dasher, but I've always enjoyed German car handling and the fun drive aspect, so I decided to give VW another try. The dealership (VW of Ft. Myers) was great to work with, and the deal went smoothly with no surprises or number games. I have a love/hate relationship with this car, so let me start with the LOVE part: 1. The front power seats are wonderful and great for someone (like me) with back problems, 2. It handles nicely and hugs the road well, 3. It has good safety ratings and extra confidence with AWD capabilities for slick roads and dirt/mud back roads, 4. The quality interior looks like a little Mercedes and feels upscale, 5. GREAT visibility; a rarity these days and something I really appreciate, 6. The price was incredible due to the leftover model year and motivation to move the 2017's off the lot. Now for the HATE aspects: 1. The navigation is the WORST of any car I've ever owned. It's run by TomTom and will take you 12 miles out of your way if you listen to it! It consistently misses the address, cannot understand what is said some of the time and tends to glitch, does not show you in advance what turn you will be making onto what street... shows the street you are already on (already know that!), so when you turn, you don't know what lane to be in to anticipate a future turn. 2. The Bluetooth is also quite glitchy at times, and you must take your eyes off the road to see when the icon turns red to say 'yes' to a command. The original Ford Sync in my 2010 Escape was WAY better. So this was very disappointing as I need a good GPS for business. Another issue I have is very poor distance vision with the headlights (standard ones).Mileage, however, is exceptionally good, averaging about 30 MPG in mixed driving. Overall, you'll be happy with the vehicle. With only a bit over 1,000 miles on it, it's too early to comment on reliability yet.
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Vehicle year: 2019
Before purchasing this car, we used to drive a Subaru Outback station wagon. However, the current Outbacks are no longer station wagons, they are SUVs, which are too large for our liking and comfort. The VW Golf Alltrack is just the right size and has all the bells and whistles that the Outback has and more. We have yet to discover all the features of our Golf Alltrack SEL, but so far, we are satisfied that we made the right choice. The handling is very responsive, the view of the outside from the interior is very clear with the large windows, and the front and parking assist systems make driving a pleasure and parking worry-free. The ride is not as soft as we are used to, but that is to be expected in a car capable of off-road travel. Overall, we are very satisfied with the Golf Alltrack SEL.
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Vehicle year: 2018
I purchased the Alltrack SEL in July 2017 after months of researching SUVs and crossovers to find the perfect combination of mileage, AWD, and user-friendly cargo space. The Alltrack stood out to me because of its low bumper and ample cargo room, which was perfect for hauling my heavy and bulky gear. I was surprised to find that most crossovers and SUVs had higher liftover heights despite having only an inch or two higher ground clearances. The Alltrack also has clever extra storage under the cargo floor, making it an excellent choice for cargo capacity. Although nothing in the crossover or SUV market handles as well as my previous car, a VW GTI, the Alltrack is superior to all others I have driven, and its power is comparable to offerings in the same price range. The Alltrack's AWD system is straight out of the Golf R and Audi S3, and its ground clearance is adequate for very rough terrain. I have taken my Alltrack with 400+ pounds of gear on crazy forest routes in Wyoming and never bottomed-out. The build quality, ride comfort, outward visibility, pano roof, and entertainment system (in the SEL) are all excellent. I am over 6' and the seats and front legroom are excellent. The only downsides are the rear legroom and the default shifting program on the DSG tranny, which seems to always be in too high a gear. Fortunately, there is a Sport shifting mode which works well around town, and the tranny is responsive to the steering wheel paddles. Overall, I am very happy with my Alltrack and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and spacious crossover.
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Vehicle year: 2018
If you're searching for a fantastic handling, punchy alternative to an SUV, the Alltrack is the perfect car for you. With VW's amazing 6 year / 72K warranty, dealers willing to negotiate on price, and so much stuff packed into this little car, it's an absolute bargain. Like a good German car, it's very solid, handles great, has a world-class interior, and rewards the driver. You can even fit all your bikes, even the big 29'r, without taking off the front wheel. Although it could get better gas mileage, I tend to get a little heavy on the turbo. Overall, I'm extremely happy with my purchase and I highly recommend this vehicle.
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Vehicle year: 2019
I purchased the Alltrack SEL in July 2017 after months of researching SUVs and crossovers to find the perfect combination of mileage, AWD, and user-friendly cargo space. The Alltrack stood out to me because of its low bumper and ample cargo room, which was perfect for hauling my heavy and bulky gear. I was surprised to find that most crossovers and SUVs had higher liftover heights despite having only an inch or two higher ground clearances. The Alltrack also has clever extra storage under the cargo floor, making it an excellent choice for cargo capacity. Although nothing in the crossover or SUV market handles as well as my previous car, a VW GTI, the Alltrack is superior to all others I have driven, and its power is comparable to offerings in the same price range. The Alltrack's AWD system is straight out of the Golf R and Audi S3, and its ground clearance is adequate for very rough terrain. I have taken my Alltrack with 400+ pounds of gear on crazy forest routes in Wyoming and have never bottomed-out. The build quality, ride comfort, outward visibility, pano roof, and entertainment system (in the SEL) are all excellent. I am over 6' and the seats and front legroom are also excellent. The only downsides are the rear legroom and the default shifting program on the DSG tranny, which seems to always be in too high a gear. Fortunately, there is a Sport shifting mode which works well around town, and the tranny is responsive to the steering wheel paddles. Overall, I am very happy with my Alltrack and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and spacious vehicle.
Are you having problems with your Volkswagen Golf alltrack?
Jamal Paucek 2025-08-12
Vehicle year: 2017
Our family has owned a series of VWs, starting with a 2007 MKV Rabbit. It was an amazing car that only had minor issues throughout its life and only started breaking down well past 100k miles. It was fun, cheap, and economical, making it the perfect all-around car. We then decided to purchase a 2015 Sport Wagon TDI, but we all know how that went. Despite the issues, we decided to hold onto it and were rewarded with a panoramic roof. However, it did have some problems, such as a squeaky suspension and infotainment system that constantly broke. Then, after the recall was finished, the Alltrack was released. This car was designed for TDI owners and was supposed to be perfect after the TDI scandal. Unfortunately, it had the same issues, such as a leaky roof and squeaky suspension. The infotainment system also constantly broke down. We would not recommend buying this car or any of the Sport Wagons, as they are poorly designed and VW has refused to acknowledge the problems. If you have any doubts, you can call around to service departments across the country, and they will confirm the issues.
Robb Boyer 2025-05-11
Vehicle year: 2018
My car has been in VW service for 2 months now due to a terrible noise coming from the suspension that usually occurs around 15 mph. Although they attempted to fix it, the issue resurfaced a week later. Currently, my car is back in service and they are still trying to diagnose the problem. Additionally, I have experienced issues with Apple CarPlay freezing up and even staying on when my car was turned off and locked with no phone hooked up to it. The A/C also stopped blowing cold air a month after purchasing the car, and unfortunately, the service team was unable to diagnose the issue. They simply stated that the same issue occurs with other cars on the line, so there is no fix. Furthermore, the service light came on every time I drove the car, instructing me not to exit the vehicle unless it’s in P position. Yesterday, a new issue arose, indicating that the starter is faulty. Despite these challenges, I am confident that the VW service team will be able to resolve these issues and restore my car to its optimal condition. I am looking forward to continuing to drive my VW with pride and confidence.
Flavio Abshire 2025-03-21
Vehicle year: 2018
As a long-time Honda/Acura and Subaru owner, I recently decided to try out the VW Alltrack. While I was initially excited about the car, I have unfortunately had some issues with it. For example, I experienced a misfire on the interstate which sent the car into safemode while I was in the fast lane on the freeway. This was a scary experience and could have caused an accident. Additionally, the infotainment system completely failed and the vendor had no replacements in stock, leaving me without music, navigation, or a back-up camera for just under 2 months. The sunroof also leaked in 4 locations, and while it was repaired, it made a ton of noise after the repair and is going back in for another repair. Overall, I have been disappointed with this car and have had to take it into the shop more than I did my 10 year Outback over the life of the car.
Koby Hammes 2025-01-27
Vehicle year: 2017
I've had my VW for 18 months and unfortunately, I've already experienced two major service issues. The first occurred within 6 months of purchasing the vehicle when the check airbag warning light came on. It turned out to be a faulty seatbelt pretensioner. Today, I experienced another issue when the vehicle stalled out while I was stopped at a light. It's currently being towed to the dealer for diagnostics. Additionally, I've also experienced the same issue as a previous reviewer where the car randomly flashes a warning to be extremely cautious and only exit the vehicle in the parked position. Overall, I'm disappointed with these issues, but I'm hopeful that the dealer will be able to resolve them. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Darion King 2024-11-02
Vehicle year: 2019
Hey there! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Alltrack. It sounds like you've had some mixed experiences with it. While it's great to hear that the car handles well in bad weather and feels like a sports car, it's a shame that it's not as spacious as you'd like. I totally understand how frustrating it can be when the GPS doesn't work properly, especially if you rely on it for work. It's also disappointing to hear that you've had some electronic issues with the vehicle. Overall, it sounds like the Alltrack has some great features, but also some areas for improvement. Thanks again for sharing your honest review!The back-up camera, hidden under the emblem, is probably the most ingenious thing any car maker has ever done. It never gets dirty. However, I have had some issues with the paint on the tailgate chipping and peeling, which is disappointing considering the car is only 5 months old. If you are a die-hard VW fan, I would definitely recommend the Alltrack. However, there are many other vehicles in the same price range with more room and proven technology that may be worth considering.