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moderate Owners of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the suspension at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Golf SportWagen | 5 |
| 2016 Golf SportWagen | 6 |
| 2017 Golf SportWagen (this page) | 15 |
Of the 15 suspension complaints filed for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Suspension accounts for 35% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 5 categories tracked.
If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
What is and what is not a leaking suspension strut.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗How to identify and when to replace a leaking strut
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer states MIL-on P0087, P0148 and/or P053F Customer states front suspension noise while driving MFI in cluster warning U0199 Rear tailgate strut broken/loose/detached Customer states fuel odor/leak in the rear part of the vehicle (without a punctured fuel tank, hoses or pipes) or difficulty fueling fuel tank or fuel coming back up filler neck
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Water leaks from the sunroof/overhead light console area, Park distance to sensitive to control, coolant leak at the coolant pump, Yellow oil warning light on with any of the following faults P0196 P0198 B104129 B104135, Side mirror glass cracked, cluctch pedal makes noise during operation, damed strut boots, remote key inopperative, 60/40 split center seats rattle, car speaker is distorted.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Water leaks from the sunroof/overhead light console area, Park distance to sensitive to control, coolant leak at the coolant pump, Yellow oil warning light on with any of the following faults P0196 P0198 B104129 B104135, Side mirror glass cracked, cluctch pedal makes noise during operation, damed strut boots, remote key inopperative, 60/40 split center seats rattle, car speaker is distorted.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners of 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen report rear coil springs fracturing, snapping, or shattering without warning, often affecting both rear springs. Failures occur at mileages ranging from 28,700 to 115,000 miles. Owners describe hearing abnormal clanking or loud banging from the rear, especially on uneven road surfaces; the vehicle sometimes sits lower on one side as the collapsed spring sags onto the shock assembly. Some springs show both rusty and fresh breaks, suggesting long-standing manufacturing defect. One owner reported a spring piece becoming a road hazard; another noted tire scraping inside the wheel well after collapse.
Volkswagen issued recall campaign 42J5 (NHTSA 19V188000) for 2017–2019 Golf Sportwagen rear coil springs affecting 56,000 vehicles. However, owners with identical failures report their VINs are not included in the recall database. When contacting VW dealers, they are repeatedly told their vehicles are ineligible. A mechanic in a small town reports replacing these springs on three separate 2017 Golf Sportwagens. Owners who pressed VW for parts numbers to verify the spring was the same defective batch were refused. Several have reported the issue to Transport Canada and NHTSA, alleging the recall's VIN scope is incomplete and the defect population is actually larger than acknowledged.
Owners report rear coil springs breaking, snapping, or shattering, often in both springs or multiple pieces. Some breaks are described as rusty (long-standing defect) and fresh (recent); others occur with no visible preceding damage. The fractures can collapse the spring onto the shock assembly, lowering the rear end of the vehicle and creating severe banging or clunking noises. One owner reported a spring piece becoming a road hazard; another noted tire scraping inside the wheel well after collapse.
When: Reported at mileages ranging from 28,700 miles to 115,000 miles. One failure noted at early March 2023; a second spring on the same vehicle failed within 6 weeks (late April 2023).
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal clunking or clanking noise from rear of vehicle; Loud banging sounds from rear suspension; Rear of vehicle sits noticeably lower or leans to one side; Unusual noises on uneven road surfaces; Tire scraping inside wheel well; Reduction in ride comfort; No warning lamps or dashboard alerts in any reported case
Codes mentioned: 19V188000, 42J5
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement springs sourced from dealer and independent garages; one owner reported $200 towing cost plus spring replacement. Another owner had springs replaced at state inspection facility. VW dealer parts number cited: 5QM 511 115. One owner reports mechanic has replaced these springs on three other 2017 Golf Sportwagens in a small town.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VW recall campaign 42J5 (NHTSA 19V188000) issued for 2017–2019 Golf Sportwagen rear coil spring defect affecting 56,000 vehicles. However, owners report their vehicle VINs were not included in the recall database despite having the identical failure. VW repeatedly refuses to honor the recall or provide parts numbers for comparison. Multiple owners have reported the issue to Transport Canada or attempted to escalate through NHTSA, citing that the recall's VIN database appears incomplete or incorrect.
A systemic issue where vehicles with the exact same failure mode (rear coil spring fracture) and model year (2017 Golf Sportwagen) are not included in VW's recall campaign 42J5 (NHTSA 19V188000), despite being manufactured in the same production run. Multiple owners note their springs broke in identical ways to those covered by the recall, yet their VINs were flagged as 'not in the database' when owners contacted VW dealers. Owners and mechanics suggest the recall's VIN list is incomplete, pointing to a broader population of defective springs than the 56,000-vehicle recall scope.
When: Identified during investigation of spring failures, beginning around 2023 model year service and inspection appointments.
Symptoms owners cite: VW dealer diagnostic confirms broken rear coil spring; Owner research identifies matching NHTSA campaign 42J5/19V188000; Dealer or VW customer service states VIN is not on recall list; VW refuses parts number disclosure to allow owner verification; VW states springs are not 'in the batch' of defective parts
Codes mentioned: 19V188000, 42J5
Repairs/costs cited: Owners forced to pay out-of-pocket for spring replacement at independent shops or state inspection facilities when VW denies recall eligibility. One owner documented attempt to cross-reference parts numbers but was denied access by VW.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VW customer service and dealers inform owners their VINs are excluded from recall campaign 42J5 / NHTSA 19V188000. Company refuses to acknowledge the defect affects non-recalled vehicles and declines to provide parts information or warranty support. Multiple owners report escalation to Transport Canada and NHTSA without documented resolution.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Both rear coil springs have broken. Ref: NHTSA Campaign 19V188000
At 28,700 miles both rear coil springs on my Volkswagen failed. This spring failure was addressed in Volkswagen's 42J5 recall campaign and NHTSA's campaign # 19V188000. However, my vehicles VIN # was not part of this recall. Since the springs on my vehicle failed at a low mileage why was my vehicle not included in the 56,000 vehicles recalled. Perhaps this indicates a wider issue than Volkswagen…
Left and Rear Coil Springs have snapped in half due to unreasonably dangerous defective manufacturing. This is consistent with the open recall for the exact condition: NHTSA's campaign number: 19V188000. However, VW North America refuses to consider my vehicle for the recall as my vin is not included. Although the snaps reflect a a dangerous manufacturing defect, VW incorrectly has determined…
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal clanking sound was coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with a rear coil spring fracture. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V188000 (Suspension) which he linked…
Got in touch with VW regarding recall 42J5 but manufacturer tells me that my vehicle is not a part it the recall. I believe since my car is 2017 which is a part of the recall, there is a chance a defective part could have been used on my car. Also VW refused to provide me with parts numbers for the effected vehicle. I was going it compare with parts on my vehicle which are broken ( coil springs)
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal thumping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the rear passenger’s side to the vehicle was lowered due to a fractured coil spring. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V188000 (Suspension) which he…
I have 2017 Volkswagen golf sportwagen. The rear axle coil spring part number 5qm 511 115 broke. It appears to have been recalled (see safety recall code 42j5). But my VIN does now show any recall. Please help. *tr
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Based on the 15 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 83,333 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover suspension issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.