1997 Volkswagen JETTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
54 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
78,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 54 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 9.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 9.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 9 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 9; Electrical System: 7; Electrical System:Ignition: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 3; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 3; Suspension: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 19; 2004: 17; 2005: 9; 2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2010: 3; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000455 · 2003-01-01 (January 1, 2003)
SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK FROM THE TOP OF FUEL TANK DUE TO FAILED SEAL FOR FUEL SENDING UNIT.
Owner-reported narrative. 65,002 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000587 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
MY 1997 VW JETTA HAS TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBELMS. IT SHIFTS ROUGHLY AS IT CHANGES TO THE LAST GEAR ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002855 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)
BOUGHT JETTA GLS NEW 12/97. MOLDINGS FALL OFF CONSTANTLY. THREE OF FOUR POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED, ALL NEEDING REGULATORS REPLACED. SLOW WIPER SPEED CUTS OFF AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. OIL LEAK. CAN'T LOCK DOORS ON DRIVER SIDE WITH MY MASTER KEY, CAN ONLY LOCK AND SET ALARM ON PASSENGER SIDE. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003874 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER CHECKED DRIVE TRAIN AND WHEELS AND FOUND CUPPING OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED, BALANCED AND ALIGNED. NOISE AFTER TIRE CHANGE. DEALER REPLACED FRONT AND REAR FACTORY INSTALLED WHEEL BEARINGS. *TT, AK
Owner-reported narrative. 34,875 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005879 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
PLASTIC SUPPORTS HOLDING WINDOW LIFT UNIT IN REAR PASSENGER DOOR BROKE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018416 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT , I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WINDOWS, EVERYONE ON THE VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR AT SOME POINT COSTING AT LEAST 200.00 A POP , NOW I KNOW THINGS HAPPENS BUT I AM THE ONLY PERSON RIDING IN MY VEHICLE SO I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY ALL THE WINDOWS ARE BREAKING AND I WAS PRETTY SURE THERE HAD TO BE SOME KIND OF RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT IS JUST HAPPENING TO MY CAR AND I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAS ALSO DETERMINED IF I WILL EVER BUY ANOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018416 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022085 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT VEHICLE WAS VERY SLUGGISH AND MOVED SLOWLY. DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 43,234 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022182 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL. IT WILL BE HARD FOR CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022182 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V026000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
Reported: 2002-01-25 (January 25, 2002)
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA campaign record ↗