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: 2017
I'm so happy I waited for this model to come out! I've owned a few VWs in the past, with my last one being a 2010 VW Golf 5 spd MT. It was VERY reliable, but it lacked the 4 doors and storage space I needed for extracurricular activities like camping, kayaking, and skiing. I cross-shopped Subarus to see what I might be missing and almost bought one for my last car, but I couldn't find a manual transmission anywhere. The newer ones have mostly phased them out for a CVT. The Outback was nice, but when compared to the features I get with the Golf Alltrack and the manual transmission, it made it much more fun to drive! Also, it cost a lot more for similar features. Now, onto the Alltrack... I just did a 1,000 mile road trip and the car drives extremely smoothly. When kept to about 70 mpg with a loaded car, I was getting 35 mpg! The car has the perfect amount of storage space. The only negative would be the back seat is a little smaller than some others, but it's still good for a 6'0
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Vehicle year: 2018
I purchased my Alltrack in May 2017 and it has been a fantastic experience so far! Although I had never owned a VW before and had heard about some reliability issues, I spoke to about 10 VW owners prior to my purchase and they had not reported any significant issues. I have driven 15K miles and have not had any issues. The car handles like a dream and is incredibly fun to drive. The DSG gearbox is intuitive and snappy, while the paddle shifters are precise, easy and fun to use. Even the fuel access cover is awesome, clicking open and having a solid self-closing 'snap' when gently nudged closed. The roof rails are much more versatile than those on the Outback and the moon roof is smooth, reliable and renders no noise to the cabin when closed. I find the 1.8TSI engine to be excellent, providing smooth acceleration and ample power when needed. The spare tire compartment can hold a full-size tire, which is a great feature for a compact vehicle. The Fender sound system is clear, delivering uniform sound quality throughout the cabin. My family and I are all shorter than 5'9', so the rear legroom is adequate for everyone in the family. The build quality of this vehicle is impressive, giving it a very upscale feeling. The fit and finish are top-notch and the interior accent lighting and foot area lighting in the front when the headlights are on are a nice touch. Adjustments for the AWD system and transmission provide tangible changes to the car's performance. It's also interesting to note that the general performance numbers for the Alltrack S model are better than the Outback's 6 cyl. - except for towing. I have owned several Subies over the years: 1981 Subaru GL, 1986 Subaru GL, 1992 Legacy Wagon, and a 1998 Impreza. All of these were reliable, capable vehicles. When I entered the market recently for an SUV/Crossover I test drove a Crosstrek, a 4cyl Outback, and an Impreza.The Crosstrek and Impreza were actually pretty good. Although the CVT on the Impreza seemed monotonous and the car felt a little underpowered, the Crosstrek had a manual transmission and was a lot of fun to drive. However, the cargo area was a little small and on the freeway, the Crosstrek lacked passing power. At high speeds, it was noisy and felt 'soft'. The Outback had a nice interior, but unfortunately, the CVT was a dealbreaker! It was a mess of a transmission, no fun at all and not very responsive. It was very loud and it always seemed as if it were trying to figure out what I wanted it to do. I test drove a Dodge Durango, which I liked a lot, but it didn't make a lot of sense as I would never be towing anything. I also test drove a Toyota Highlander, a 4-Runner, and a Honda Pilot. All of them were very good, but they were too big and gangly for my needs. However, I test drove the Golf Alltrack and instantly fell in love. If you're in the small crossover market, the Alltrack is really worth looking into. Update: I'm still loving my Alltrack! It's sad to hear that VW is discontinuing their wagons. Get one while you can! Check out Nathan Adlan's most recent review on TFLCar.com.
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Vehicle year: 2018
I used to drive a 2002 Audi Allroad with a manual transmission. It was a great car with lots of power. Since I enjoy putting bicycles and kayaks on the roof, I prefer wagons. The new Alltrack is an excellent car and offers great value for money. It has plenty of room inside and feels solid. It also has enough power for passing. I have the SE model and I really like the manual automatic. I either downshift on curvy roads or put it into Sport Mode, which works great in the twisties. The front seat is comfortable, but I would prefer a full multi-adjustable electric seat with memory like I had before. Fortunately, I am the only driver 90% of the time. The vinyl feels like leather, and people I've taken for a ride think it's leather. I don't correct them. The electronics work great, and I use Android Auto, which uses Google Maps for navigation. The voice control for phone calls works flawlessly. The Fender stereo is excellent. The climate control only has a temperature knob, so there's no auto temperature setting. The huge sunroof is fun and provides a great sky view. It's also much better than any car I've owned in the past when it comes to opening the sunroof. They've eliminated the fluttering sounds, so you don't have to open a window. The cargo area is huge, and they've done a nice job of storing the rear cover if you don't want to use it. The visibility is excellent, and it's much more fun to drive than a small SUV.
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Vehicle year: 2017
I'm really enjoying my new Alltrack! Although I was initially waiting for the new Crosstrek, I'm so glad I went with this car instead. The driving dynamics and feel are fantastic, and the interior is a huge improvement. It's an absolute blast to drive - very responsive to the road, corners like a dream, and the shifting is phenomenal. While the engine isn't the most powerful, it still provides enough power to pass when needed and handles steep roads with ease. The 6-speed DSG transmission is a standout feature - it's so much better than the CVT I've experienced in other cars. Plus, I'm getting great overall mpg for an AWD car at 27mpg. The interior is incredibly quiet, the materials are upscale, and the controls are intuitive and functional. The infotainment system has everything I need and it's easy to find all the controls. The front seats are very comfortable, and while the rear seating is a bit on the small side for adults, it's still decent. The trunk is long and fits a lot of stuff for the size of the car. Overall, I think this will be a great car to take on ski trips thanks to its AWD, high clearance, and low roof that makes it easy to reach a cargo box. While I haven't taken it on dirt roads yet, I'm confident it will get me to most trailheads.
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Vehicle year: 2017
I chose the TDI buyback and went for the Alltrack S. I ended up ordering a manual and paying more for it. I definitely prefer the higher ride and improvements over my 2012 Sportwagen TDI, but I do miss the torque! So far, the MPG exceeds the advertised mileage. On a dry day, I can expect 37 MPG on a highway trip. 7 months later, I am still pleased overall. MPG is closer to the advertised MPG in colder weather (32 highway with manual). I still miss my TDI though.
Are you having problems with your Volkswagen Golf alltrack?
Junior Metz 2025-09-24
Vehicle year: 2018
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.
Mathew Rempel 2025-09-23
Vehicle year: 2017
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.
Terence Beier 2025-09-19
Vehicle year: 2017
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 the issue remains unresolved. 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 enjoying my VW once again.
Reece Lesch 2025-09-18
Vehicle year: 2018
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.
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.