2017 Volkswagen JETTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
159 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
36,950 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 94 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 159 complaints (20.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 14.5% |
| Steering behavior | 17 | 10.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 6.9% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 6.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 5.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 4.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 32 |
| Electrical System | 30 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 29 |
| Unknown Or Other | 25 |
| Air Bags | 21 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Service Brakes | 14 |
| Steering | 14 |
Engine: 32; Electrical System: 30; Fuel/Propulsion System: 29; Unknown Or Other: 25; Air Bags: 21; Power Train: 15; Service Brakes: 14; Steering: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 36 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 22 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 36; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (36). 65 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2017: 8; 2018: 19; 2019: 25; 2020: 25; 2021: 20; 2022: 11; 2023: 13; 2024: 18; 2025: 17; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 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 10981462 · 2017-04-30 (April 30, 2017)
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT PROVOCATION IN THE CAR I HAD JUST PURCHASED ON MARCH 21, 2017. I HAD JUST PULLED TO A STOP TO ALLOW A PASSENGER TO DISEMBARK IN THE PARKING LOT OF A CONVENIENCE STORE. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED MAKING A HORRIFIC NOISE AND ENGULFING THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WITH WHITE SMOKE. THE CAUSE OF THE DEPLOYMENT IS UNKNOWN. THE CAR DID NOT COLLIDE WITH ANYTHING. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 5, 2017 AND TO THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS OF VOLKSWAGEN ON APRIL 7, 2017. THE CASE # IS 170305419. TO DATE T…
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10981462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11018993 · 2017-08-22 (August 22, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY HAD A LOSS OF POWER, AND THE ENGINE, EPC, AND VARIOUS OTHER WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STALL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SOME ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER (LONG ISLAND CITY VOLKSWAGEN, 5615 NORTHERN BLVD, WOODSIDE, NY 11377, [phone removed]) PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE AND INDICATED THAT FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11018993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11019352 · 2017-08-24 (August 24, 2017)
MY CAR IS STALLING UPON STARTING INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS. I HAVE READ SEVERAL PLACES ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING AN ISSUE OF HAVING CARS OF THIS YEAR STALLING WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I AM FEARFUL MY ISSUE COULD TURN INTO THIS. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND IT IS NOT THROWING ANY CODES. THE DEALER DID SAY THEY HAD CARS COME IN WITH THE ISSUE OF THEM STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND THEY'VE REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR MODULE (A $900 REPAIR). I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED VW ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH NO RESOLUTION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11019352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11021129 · 2017-09-01 (September 1, 2017)
BRAND NEW JETTA WITH ABOUT 8000 MILES. AFTER ABOUT 20-25 MINUTES HIGHWAY DRIVING RATTLES AND STALLS ON SURFACE STREET. HAD TWO "JUST MISSED" ACCIDENTS TRYING TO MAKE LEFT TURN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALER TWICE. THEY TELL ME CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11021129 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11025444 · 2017-09-25 (September 25, 2017)
ISSUE ON ZERO INTENSITY OF THE INSTRUMENTS GAUGE ILLUMINATION DURING THE DAYTIME I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE DIMMED INSTRUMENT GAUGES ON MY 2017 JETTA AND CONFIRMED THIS IS DUE TO THE AUTOMATIC ILLUMINATION ADJUSTMENT FEATURE OF THE MODEL. THIS REPORT COVERS ONLY FOR THE SPECIFIC VIN, HOWEVER, THE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY THE DESIGN, ANY MODEL YEAR JETTA AND THE SAME DESIGN ARCHITECTURE MODELS FROM VW WILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE UNDER BRIGHT SUNLIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE REGULAR STREET, BUT A BIT OF SHADY AREA BY NEARBY TREE …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11025444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11052611 · 2017-12-05 (December 5, 2017)
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT CLICKS AS IF SOMETHING IS LOOSE. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED AIRBAG AND CLOCK SPRING TWICE, STEERING WHEEL STILL CLICKS.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11055422 · 2017-12-18 (December 18, 2017)
AS I DROVE HOME ONE NIGHT, THE FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING EMPTY WHEN I KNEW THAT THE TANK WAS HALF FULL. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR A REMOTE, RURAL DRIVER WHO NEEDS TO KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT IN THE TANK. NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY WAS PRESENT FOR THIS OCCURRENCE. AFTER I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON THE GAUGE WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I WILL BE MONITORING CLOSELY FROM HERE ON OUT.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11055422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11057320 · 2017-12-29 (December 29, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WHEELS SEIZED WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING THE SIDE WALK WHILE BEING OPERATED APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED OPERABLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIKES AUTO BODY WHERE THEY WERE INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V070000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11057320 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V070000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2017-02-03 (February 3, 2017)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine. These vehicles have an engine that may seize due to an improper casting of the block.
Consequence: If the engine seizes, the wheels may suddenly lock up, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will either buy back the vehicle or replace the engine block, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F4.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V136000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2017-03-02 (March 2, 2017)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 01B9.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V137000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2017-03-02 (March 2, 2017)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 01B8
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V352000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2017-05-31 (May 31, 2017)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles. The affected vehicles have Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) markings on the body that do not match the VIN plate near the windshield. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Consequence: The mismatched VINs make the vehicle noncompliant with regulatory requirements.
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners and has replaced the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 06A8.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V615000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device
Reported: 2019-08-22 (August 22, 2019)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V648000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 2020-10-21 (October 21, 2020)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Jetta vehicles. The fuel rail bolts may become loose over time, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24Gi.
NHTSA campaign record ↗