VolkswagenGolf R2017Overview/volkswagen/golf-r/2017/base/

2017 Volkswagen Golf R

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Golf R.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM-S6)

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf R is a passenger car fitted with the AM-S6 automatic transmission, an oil system calling for 5.0–6.0 quarts of 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 viscosity oil, and EPA ratings of 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Within the 2012–2026 Golf R complaint record, the 2017 model carries the highest owner-reported complaint count at 194, against just one complaint recorded for 2012, the earliest year in the data set, with the top area being the Fuel/Propulsion System and six recalls documented. That sharp peak makes the 2017 model year the central reference point for researchers tracking the Golf R's reliability history.

Model year202620252024202320222019201820172016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0-6.0OEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 06L115562B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP225/40R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5; OPTIONAL: 8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06L115562B
Engine air filter5Q0129620B
Spark plug06K905601B
Battery000915089BC alt 000915089B
Front wiper blades5G1998002
Serpentine belt06L903137A
Cabin air filter5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length167.3 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3038 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 30 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0-6.0 of 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidUse Audi/VW part number G055540A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.0
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4-9.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantUse genuine VW G13 type coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity8.5
Engine Oil0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerVW
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum58
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum101
Residual Pressure43.5: MINIMUM PRESSURE AFTER 10 MINUTES. psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 26; Rear: 26
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 148; Rear: 66
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Maximum Rotor Runout0.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
190
Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180.0148 ft. lbs
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180.0148 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Gasoline engines · M8 Bolts

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290.0 degrees; M9 Bolts90 degrees
133.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
290.0 degrees; Diesel engines90 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
1111.0 ft. lbs.111 ft. lbs
2+ 90 degrees. Replace with new bolt.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
4Bolts 113 ft. lbs
590
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
144.0 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Gasoline engines · Cap bolts

148.0 ft. lbs.48 ft. lbs
290 degrees; Side bolts90 degrees
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf R shows a marked increase in federal complaints relative to the surrounding model years, with 194 complaints—second only to the 2015 peak of 123 and far above the 12 complaints in 2016 and the single‑digit totals in 20182019. Recall activity also rises in 2017 to six recalls, exceeding the four recalls in 2016 and 2018 but remaining below the 12 recalls recorded for 2015. Investigations remain steady at one per year from 2015 through 2019, indicating a consistent regulatory focus across that span. Consequently, 2017 sits on an upward arc in the complaint trend that follows a dip in 2016 and precedes a sharp decline after 2018, suggesting a less reliable year compared with its immediate neighbors. Given the elevated complaint and recall numbers, the 2017 model year is less favorable for a used purchase than the adjacent years with markedly lower issue frequencies.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
703
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
194
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 194 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System44
Unknown Or Other22
Engine20
Structure11
Power Train7
Suspension7
Visibility7
Fuel System, Gasoline5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 703 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_172026-06-11Air BagsInquiries
V1719012012855_812026-06-04EngineVolkswagen Engine Oil Standards
VOS-26-212026-03-27EngineThis is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Golf R. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 Golf R take?

5.0-6.0 of 0W-40, 5W-30 OR 5W-40 Meeting VW specification 502.00, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 Golf R have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Golf R get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.