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VW · Compact · 2017–2020

VW Golf 7-FL(AU)

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★
3.2 / 5.0 · Based on 11 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

265 PS

2.0L TFSI Benzin

Clubsport — caught between two chairs, but with an overboost trick

Legendary!
Most Reliable Engine

131–136 PS

1.5L TSI Benzin

9 weaknesses

Good Choice
Problem Engine

150 PS

2.0L TDI Diesel

8 weaknesses

Stay Away!

Body Variants

The VW Golf 7-FL is available as Schrägheck and Variant — choose your body type for specific insurance data:

Schrägheck
11 Engines 2× Good Choice 1× Stay Away!
view Schrägheck →
Variant
11 Engines 2× Good Choice 1× Stay Away!
view Variant →

Generations

Engine Overview

The VW Golf 7-FL is available with 7 engine variants — from 105 to 310 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

1.6L TDI · Diesel· 110–116 PS
2017 2020
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2.0L TDI · Diesel· 150 PS
2017 2020
Stay Away! 8 weaknesses
1.4L TSI ACT · Benziner· 150 PS
2017 2020
Be Careful 9 weaknesses
1.5L TSI · Benziner· 131–150 PS Engine Change
2017 2020
Be Careful 11 weaknesses
2017 2020
Good Choice 9 weaknesses
GTI · Benziner· 230 PS
2017 2020
Be Careful 8 weaknesses
GTI Performance · Benziner· 245 PS
2017 2020
Be Careful 8 weaknesses
R · Benziner· 310 PS
2017 2020
Be Careful 10 weaknesses

The VW 1.6L TDI (Diesel, 110–116 PS) has the CRKB (1.6L TDI) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The VW 2.0L TDI (Diesel, 150 PS) has the CRBC (2.0L TDI) — rated: "Stay Away!", 8 known weaknesses.

The VW 1.4L TSI ACT (Benziner, 150 PS) has the CZDA (1.4L TSI ACT) — rated: "Be Careful", 9 known weaknesses.

The VW 1.5L TSI (Benziner, 131–150 PS) comes with 2 different engines: DADA (2017–2020, Be Careful) und DACA (2017–2020, Good Choice). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.5L TSI!

The VW GTI (Benziner, 230 PS) has the CHHB (2.0L TFSI) — rated: "Be Careful", 8 known weaknesses.

The VW GTI Performance (Benziner, 245 PS) has the CHHB (2.0L TFSI) — rated: "Be Careful", 8 known weaknesses.

The VW R (Benziner, 310 PS) has the CJXC (2.0L TFSI) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
!Rear Axle Bangs — Defective Shock Absorber Base Valves

On vehicles with four-link rear axle and sports suspension, defective base valves in the rear shock absorbers cause banging and rattling, especially on poor roads and at speeds up to 30 km/h.

Symptoms: Hollow banging and rattling from the rear, noises over bumps, potholes or drain covers
from 60,000 km
Ad shock absorber Golf 7 rearBilstein B4 Golf VII 5G1Sachs damper Golf 7 rear axle
 Medium
!Broken Suspension Springs — MOT Failure Reason

According to the TÜV Report 2020, broken suspension springs and worn shock absorbers are among the most common MOT defects on the Golf 7. Primarily affects older vehicles with higher mileage.

Symptoms: Vehicle leans to one side, noticeably harder suspension on one side, crunching noises when cornering
from 100,000 km
Ad coil springn Golf VII front rearstrut Golf 7 5G1 replacement
 Low
NHTSA Owner Complaints
Below Average
306 complaints · 2017–2020
Fuel System
71
Engine
66 ⚠ 1
Other
55 ⚠ 3
Electrical
37
Powertrain
33

Top Reported Issues

⚠ Fuel System (71 complaints)
⚠ Engine (66 complaints)
⚠ Other (55 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 96 weaknesses have been documented for the VW Golf 7-FL (2017–2020) — 86 engine-related and 10 vehicle-related. One problem engine: CRBC (2.0L TDI). Typical issues affect Suspension, Steering, Electronics, Body. Considered reliable: CJXE (2.0L TFSI), DACA (1.5L TSI).

Golf (CUNA, 2013–2020) — Be Careful: EGR Cooler Cracks and Coolant Loss, Water Pump Control Slide Faulty, High-Pressure Pump Failure with System Contamination. Power: 184 PS.

Golf (CRKB, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Water Pump Faulty (EA288 until Sept. 2014), Injector Failure (Continental Type), Turbocharger Bearing Wear. Power: 110–116 PS.

Golf (CRBC, 2017–2020) — Stay Away!: Wet Belt in Oil Bath — Interval Often Overlooked, EA189 Dieselgate Recall CRBC Leon 5F, EGR Valve Failure After Dieselgate Software Update. Power: 150 PS.

Golf (CZDA, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Timing Belt — Critical Change Interval, Camshaft Adjuster: Screws Come Loose, Timing Belt Service (Oil Bath Drive EA211). Power: 150 PS.

Golf (CHHB, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Timing chain rattle on cold start, Water pump / thermostat housing leaking, Turbocharger worn at high mileage. Power: 230 PS.

Golf (CHHB, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Timing chain rattle on cold start, Water pump / thermostat housing leaking, Turbocharger worn at high mileage. Power: 245 PS.

Golf (CJXC, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: IHI IS38 turbocharger — bearing wear under high load, Timing chain stretched, Oil pump — pressure drop at low RPM. Power: 310 PS.

Golf (DADA, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Wet Timing Belt Running in Oil Bath, Leaking Injectors, Elevated Oil Consumption Due to Piston Rings. Power: 150 PS.

Golf (CPWA, 2013–2020) — Be Careful: CNG Gas Line Leak on 2018 Models, Valve Stem Seals Worn, Lambda Sensor Failure in Gas Mode. Power: 110 PS.

Golf (CUKB, 2014–2020) — Be Careful: High-Voltage Battery Degradation, Hybrid System Fault, DQ400e Transmission Pressure Adaptation Faulty. Power: 150 PS.

What to watch out for with the VW Golf? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the VW Golf 7-FL have? +
The VW Golf 7-FL has 86 known engine weaknesses and 10 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used VW Golf 7-FL? +
faq.watch_a_avoid faq.watch_a_rec
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: CJXE (2.0L TFSI), DACA (1.5L TSI). The most reliable engine is the DACA (1.5L TSI) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the CJXE (2.0L TFSI). Problem engine: CRBC (2.0L TDI) — stay away!
Which VW Golf 7-FL engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the VW Golf 7-FL. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 9 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which VW Golf 7-FL engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the VW Golf 7-FL — rated: "Legendary!". {description} Evo: 'the ultimate GTI.' 265 hp plus 10-second overboost to 290 hp = Golf R territory. But: pricier than Performance Pack, Golf R often similarly priced used. Brakes disappointing — SEAT Leon Cupra gets Brembo, the Clubsport doesn't. Manual is the more engaging choice, DSG the faster one.
Is the VW Golf 7-FL worth buying used? +
The VW Golf 7-FL is a good choice as a used car — 2 of 11 engine variants are rated 'Good Choice'.
What horsepower variants are available for the VW Golf 7-FL? +
The VW Golf 7-FL is available with engine variants from 105 to 310 hp. Petrol: CZDA (1.4L TSI ACT), CUKB (1.4L TSI PHEV), CHHB (2.0L TFSI), CJXC (2.0L TFSI), CJXE (2.0L TFSI), DADA (1.5L TSI), DACA (1.5L TSI). Diesel: CRKB (1.6L TDI), CRBC (2.0L TDI), CUNA (2.0L TDI).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee