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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

4 reports
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165,000 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR STICKS WHEN IN HIGH RPM, IF YOU HIT THE BRAKE IT SLOWS THE CAR DOWN A LITTLE BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES WHEN I'M GOING AROUND 60PMH AND HAVE DROPPED INTO 4TH GEAR TO PASS SOMEONE. I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF TO STOP IT FROM ACCELERATING. THEN WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND IN PARK …

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ACCELERATOR STICKS WHEN IN HIGH RPM, IF YOU HIT THE BRAKE IT SLOWS THE CAR DOWN A LITTLE BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES WHEN I'M GOING AROUND 60PMH AND HAVE DROPPED INTO 4TH GEAR TO PASS SOMEONE. I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF TO STOP IT FROM ACCELERATING. THEN WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND IN PARK AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS UP, I TRIED TURNING THE CAR ON AND AS SOON AS I TURNED IT ON IT REVVED UP REALLY HIGH. IT FINALLY TURNED ON NORMALLY AFTER IN TURNED IT ON AND OFF A COUPLE TIMES. THE ACCELERATOR HAS ALSO STUCK WHEN I WAS GOING AROUND 70-75 AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR TO PASS SOMEONE TO GET INTO A DIFFERENT LANE, I DID NOT DROP INTO 4TH GEAR, I WAS IN 5TH GEAR THE WHOLE TIME. THIS TIME I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND DIDN'T HAVE THE OPTION TO SHUT IT OFF, I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN SHIFTED IT BACK INTO 5TH GEAR AND THAT FIXED IT THAT TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301811

130,000 miles · Nov 9, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *NM THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL BUT IT KEPT RACING FORWARD. *TC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10101324

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

AFTER A CASUAL SUNDAY AFTERNOON DRIVE ( IN MY 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ) AT MODERATE SPEEDS I PARKED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES WHILE I ATE LUNCH. I THEN STARTED THE CAR, PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, AND PUT THE BLINKER ON TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AND WHILE THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKE WAS ON, THE …

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AFTER A CASUAL SUNDAY AFTERNOON DRIVE ( IN MY 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ) AT MODERATE SPEEDS I PARKED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES WHILE I ATE LUNCH. I THEN STARTED THE CAR, PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, AND PUT THE BLINKER ON TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AND WHILE THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKE WAS ON, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I THOUGHT I WAS IMAGING IT, BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY THE CAR BEGAN RACING WILDLY (LIKE IT WAS GOING 80MPH). LUCKILY I HAD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM LURCHING FORWARD INTO THE ONCOMING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC PASSING IN FRONT OF ME. I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, BUT NOTHING I DID STOPPED THE CAR FROM RACING. FINALLY, IN A PANIC, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE WITH THE KEY, AND PUT MY BLINKERS ON WHILE I RECOVERED FROM THE SHOCK OF WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I STARTED UP THE CAR AND WITH FEAR IN MY HEART PULLED FORWARD. THE CAR ACTED NORMALLY FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY TRIP HOME. I PLAN TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC TOMORROW TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. STILL SHAKING. GREGORY RYAN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10096312

102,000 miles · Jun 26, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE CRUISE HAS HAD INTERMITTENT ENGAGEMENT. (WHEN THE SET BUTTON IS PRESSED, THE CRUISE DOES NOT ENGAGE). WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE VW DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CRUISE MODULE WAS BAD. WE DID NOT HAVE $380 TO PAY FOR CRUISE, SO WE ELECTED TO NOT REPAIR. BUT ONE TIME, WITHOUT WARNING , THE CRUISE ENGAGED AND PUL…

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FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE CRUISE HAS HAD INTERMITTENT ENGAGEMENT. (WHEN THE SET BUTTON IS PRESSED, THE CRUISE DOES NOT ENGAGE). WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE VW DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CRUISE MODULE WAS BAD. WE DID NOT HAVE $380 TO PAY FOR CRUISE, SO WE ELECTED TO NOT REPAIR. BUT ONE TIME, WITHOUT WARNING , THE CRUISE ENGAGED AND PULLED THE GAS PEDAL DOWN, ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH MY SON IN THE CAR AND SHE SAID SHE IS POSITIVE DID NOT PRESS ANY BUTTON ON THE CRUISE. SHE WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE PEDAL JUST STARTED PULLING DOWN. SHE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVVED WAY UP. WHEN SHE PULLED TO THE SIDE AND TRIED SHUTTING THE CRUISE BUTTON TO OFF , AND EVEN SHUTTING THE CAR OFF IT STAYED STUCK. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES IT UNSTUCK. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR AND OTHERS MAY ENGAGE THE CRUISE WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10078868

Official recalls

1

02V026000 · 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

2

EA00028 · 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.