← New search

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

Other model years Selected 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

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

Visibility complaints

16 reports
Clear category filter
142,940 miles · Apr 15, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

IT WAS AT NIGHT RAINY AND COLD. I TURNED ON THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER BECAUSE MY CAR WINDOWS AND WHOLE INSIDE OF CABIN WERE OBSCURES BY A FOG. MY DEFROSTER CLEARED THE BACK WINDOW BUT ALL OTHERS NOT SO I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS AND SHUT DOWN THE HEATER. I WAITED A WHILE AND USED CLOTHING TO WIPE THE WINDOW. THIS WAS THE THIR…

Read full complaint

IT WAS AT NIGHT RAINY AND COLD. I TURNED ON THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER BECAUSE MY CAR WINDOWS AND WHOLE INSIDE OF CABIN WERE OBSCURES BY A FOG. MY DEFROSTER CLEARED THE BACK WINDOW BUT ALL OTHERS NOT SO I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS AND SHUT DOWN THE HEATER. I WAITED A WHILE AND USED CLOTHING TO WIPE THE WINDOW. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IN 6 WEEKS APPX. I DID TURN ON THE FAN ALONE TO PUSH BROWN FOG OUT OF THE CAR. TODAY I CHECKED MY FLUIDS THE COOLANT WAS HALF GONE IN THE RESERVOIR SO I TOPPED IT UP. I SAW ON LINE VWOF AMERICA HAS HELPED PEOPLE IN THE PAST WITH A GOOD WILL HEATER CORE BUT THEY TOLD ME 4-152004 THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. THAT IS WHERE I'M AT NO $ AND I NEED MY CAR FOR WORK. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325882

100,000 miles · Mar 20, 2007
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

REPLACED IGNITION COIL FOR THE THIRD TIME IN AS MANY YEARS!! ELECTRIC WATER PUMP REPLACED. EATER CORE EXPLODED A COUPLE MONTHS LATER WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR! COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING AS CAR FILLED WITH ANTIFREEZE CLOUD. BELT DRIVEN WATER PUMP WENT A WEEK LATER. ENTIRE POWER STEERING RACK N…

Read full complaint

REPLACED IGNITION COIL FOR THE THIRD TIME IN AS MANY YEARS!! ELECTRIC WATER PUMP REPLACED. EATER CORE EXPLODED A COUPLE MONTHS LATER WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR! COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING AS CAR FILLED WITH ANTIFREEZE CLOUD. BELT DRIVEN WATER PUMP WENT A WEEK LATER. ENTIRE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE. DOOR HANDLE BROKE TWICE!. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10185598

147,000 miles · Nov 22, 2005
Electrical SystemVisibility

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THERE WAS A LOSS OF EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTING. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE DISABLED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THE LIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF, BUT INTERMITTENTLY COME BACK ON. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE BATTERY, FUSES, AND THE ALTERNATOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A D…

Read full complaint

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THERE WAS A LOSS OF EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTING. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE DISABLED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THE LIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF, BUT INTERMITTENTLY COME BACK ON. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE BATTERY, FUSES, AND THE ALTERNATOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALER , AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 02/07/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10143462

79,000 miles · Jul 31, 2005
Visibility

WHILE PARKING MY 1992 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO BACK IN LATE JANUARY 2005, MY HEATER CORE LEAK ALL OVER MY PASSENGER FLOOR, AND HAD STEAM COMING OUT THE VENTS AND FOGGING UP MY WINDOWS. AFTER INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET I SAW THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON WATER COOLED VOLKSWAGENS. ON 7/30/05 I HAD A SIMILAR EVENT HAPPEN WHILE DR…

Read full complaint

WHILE PARKING MY 1992 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO BACK IN LATE JANUARY 2005, MY HEATER CORE LEAK ALL OVER MY PASSENGER FLOOR, AND HAD STEAM COMING OUT THE VENTS AND FOGGING UP MY WINDOWS. AFTER INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET I SAW THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON WATER COOLED VOLKSWAGENS. ON 7/30/05 I HAD A SIMILAR EVENT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE'S 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY FOGGED UP AND HAD STEAM COMING FROM THE VENTS AND A COOLANT SMELL IN THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO WIPE THE WINDSHIELD WITH MY HAND SO THAT I CAN SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED MY COOLANT TANK, THERE WAS A DROP IN FLUID. WHAT IS IN COMMON BETWEEN BOTH VEHICLES IS THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME ENGINE, THE 2.8L VR6. AFTER RESEARCHING AGAIN ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE CARS IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 92V050000 AND MOST WATER COOLED VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURED AFTER THAT DATE SHARE THE SAME PART NUMBER FOR THE HEATER CORE. IT SEEMS THAT THE FAULTY PART IS THE HEATER CORE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS, LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC WHEN MY WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP, AND NO ONE WAS HURT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10130678

50,000 miles · Jul 24, 2005
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility

I FEEL LIKE MY JETTA IS A DEATHTRAP. IN THE FOUR YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, I HAVE HAD FOUR OF THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISMS MALFUNCTION. CURRENTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW IS STUCK SHUT, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK WINDOW IS STUCK OPEN! THIS IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING BECAUSE THROUGHOUT THE COLD SEASON, AT LEAST ONE, IF NOT…

Read full complaint

I FEEL LIKE MY JETTA IS A DEATHTRAP. IN THE FOUR YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, I HAVE HAD FOUR OF THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISMS MALFUNCTION. CURRENTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW IS STUCK SHUT, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK WINDOW IS STUCK OPEN! THIS IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING BECAUSE THROUGHOUT THE COLD SEASON, AT LEAST ONE, IF NOT ALL OF THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. PEOPLE THINK MY BOYFRIEND IS BEING A GENTLEMAN, BUT REALLY, HE HAS TO WALK AROUND AND LET ME OUT. THIS IS NOT THE FROZEN LOCK PHENOMENON COMMON TO MANY VEHICLES- THE ACTUAL LATCH MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONS. WE HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY TRAPPED IN OUR CAR AND HAD TO CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW! THE FAILURES ARE SO CONSISTENT, SO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR (AND THE REPAIRS DO NOT LAST) THAT WE DRIVE AROUND LIKE THIS BECAUSE COST OF THE REPAIRS EXCEEDS THE VALUE OF THE CAR. HELP!

NHTSA ODI #10129842

81,200 miles · Jul 1, 2005
Visibility

THIS IS ANOTHER OF THE MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE POWER WINDOWS IN VOLKSWAGEN CARS. CURRENTLY, MY FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW IS STUCK DOWN AND WILL NOT RAISE. IT WILL REQUIRE A NEW WINDOW REGULATOR. MY BACK WINDOWS ARE ALSO CURRENTLY STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. I HAD PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO CHECK THE RIGHT REAR WI…

Read full complaint

THIS IS ANOTHER OF THE MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE POWER WINDOWS IN VOLKSWAGEN CARS. CURRENTLY, MY FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW IS STUCK DOWN AND WILL NOT RAISE. IT WILL REQUIRE A NEW WINDOW REGULATOR. MY BACK WINDOWS ARE ALSO CURRENTLY STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. I HAD PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO CHECK THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW. VOLKSWAGEN INFORMED ME THAT IT NEEDED A REGULATOR AND THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $800!!! FOR ONE WINDOW!!! I STILL HAD ONE MORE WINDOW TO FIX AT THAT POINT. THE REPAIRS WOULD COST ALMOST 1/3 OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF MY CAR!! SO NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY REAR WINDOWS HAVE BEEN STUCK UP FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS. NOW MY FRONT WINDOW IS STUCK DOWN. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK. THE CAR IS NOW COMPLETELY VULNERABLE TO THEFT AND THE ELEMENTS. DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS DEFECT. I HAVE ALSO FOUND A TECHNICAL BULLETIN REGARDING WINDOW REGULATOR MOTORS. BULLETIN #9704039704F. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY VOLKSWAGEN AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR. MOST OF THESE DEFECTIVE WINDOWS SIMPLY FALL INTO THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH.

NHTSA ODI #10127267

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

THE CONSUMER'S 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS HAD MULTIPLE COMPONENT FAILURES. **NAR** *NM THERE WAS AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK, THE A/C DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN, THE BODY HAD RUST DAMAGE, THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW MADE NOISE, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST TO THE MUFFLER, EXCESSIVE WORN TIRES, ENGINE AND TRA…

Read full complaint

THE CONSUMER'S 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS HAD MULTIPLE COMPONENT FAILURES. **NAR** *NM THERE WAS AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK, THE A/C DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN, THE BODY HAD RUST DAMAGE, THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW MADE NOISE, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST TO THE MUFFLER, EXCESSIVE WORN TIRES, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SENSORS. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115572

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2005
Fuel System, GasolineVisibility

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' FOR VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1997 INSTALL PROTECTIVE SHIELD IN RIGHT REAR WHEELHOUSING. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS CHAGRED FOR A RECALL REGARDING THE WINDOW REGULATORS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10113739

67,000 miles · Apr 5, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

PAST YEAR: AUTO DOOR LOCKS FAILED, COULD NOT OPEN EITHER FRONT DOOR; TRANSMISSION FAILED, EXHAUST SYSTEM RUSTED OUT, HEADLIGHTS OUT, SIGNALS OUT, WHEEL BEARINGS NEED REPLACED, AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE CAR IN NEARLY 1 YEAR, REQUIRED NEARLY $5000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10064584

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2004
Visibility

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WINDOW SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063416

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.