Illustration'RECALL CAMPAIGN' FOR VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1997. *BF THE DEALER COULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. *NM
1997 Volkswagen Jetta
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 68.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jetta years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
725–50K
750–75K
675–100K
10100–150K
2150K+
35 reports with mileage · 19 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
2 reportsI BOUGHT THE CAR ON MARCH 5, 2003 AND AFTER 2-3 DAYS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON! I MADE MORE THAN SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE AT LITHIA VW IN RENO, NV; AND THE ONLY REPAIRS HALF WAY DONE WAS THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION VALVE AND HOSES, BUT NOT THE SAI PUMP AS WELL AS THE TUMBLER OF THE IGNITION. THIS IS A LEMON FROM …
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT THE CAR ON MARCH 5, 2003 AND AFTER 2-3 DAYS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON! I MADE MORE THAN SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE AT LITHIA VW IN RENO, NV; AND THE ONLY REPAIRS HALF WAY DONE WAS THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION VALVE AND HOSES, BUT NOT THE SAI PUMP AS WELL AS THE TUMBLER OF THE IGNITION. THIS IS A LEMON FROM DAY ONE AND I HAVE SEVERAL PROOF OF THE PROBLEM EVEN FROM DMV OF NEVADA IN THEIR DTC'S WHICH IS THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE DESCRITION OF P0411-SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM!!!!! NO ONE WILL HELP ME, AND I BOUGHT THE CAR TO ENJOY AND TO NOT WORRY OF BREAKING DOWN, BUT NOW.....IT SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY....SO THE WARRANTY WON'T BE VOIDED, AND THAT MY CAR DOESN'T GET WORSE. I DO HAVE MANY DOCUMENTS TO BACK THIS CLAIM AND THE DEALER-BUDGET MOTERS WON'T HELP, NOR WILL THE AUL WARRENTY CO. THAT I PAY.
Official recalls
102V026000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Jan 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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA00028 · Fuel Tank Puncture
Opened Dec 28, 2000 · Closed Jan 29, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
No summary supplied.
PE00033 · Fuel Tank Puncture
Opened Aug 10, 2000 · Closed Dec 28, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.