THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ON THE SNOW ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A GUARDRAIL. THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND DID NOT DEPLOY. *CB
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
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.
What owners actually said
54 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 …
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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.
I PURCHASED A USED 1997 VW JETTA GL IN NOVEMBER OF 1999. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO GIVE ME A WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T OFFER THE WARRANTY WITH CARS OVER 55,000 MILES, MINE HAD 55,500 MILES. IN LATE SEPTEMBER OF 2001 (69342 MILES), MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, DURING RUSH HOUR, IN A HIG…
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I PURCHASED A USED 1997 VW JETTA GL IN NOVEMBER OF 1999. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO GIVE ME A WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T OFFER THE WARRANTY WITH CARS OVER 55,000 MILES, MINE HAD 55,500 MILES. IN LATE SEPTEMBER OF 2001 (69342 MILES), MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, DURING RUSH HOUR, IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA. ABOUT 1-2 MONTHS PRIOR I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED, INCLUDING A FLUID CHANGE. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION, AND HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH IT AFTER. THE SHOP THAT I HAD REPLACE IT SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN MANY JETTA'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. I STILL AM HAVING PROBLEMS, WITH THE CAR. PROBLEMS INCLUDE: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CLICKS ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON, NOT STARTING IN WARMER WEATHER, IRREGULAR IDLEING, AND STICKY LOCKS. I AM AWARE THAT THESE CARS HAVE ELECTRIAL PROBLEMS THAT COULD CAUSE UNSAFE CONDITIONS. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE CUSTOMER SHOULD BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THESE COASTLY REPAIRS, WHEN SO MANY CASES EXSITS. *LA
TH IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAS BROKEN AND BEEN REPLACED ON MY 1997 JETTA TWICE. *AK
FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WHEN IT IS TOO COLD OUTSIDE. DEALER SAYS THAT THE VACCUUM ACTUATORS (WHATEVER THOSE ARE) ARE THE PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, AT SIGNIFICANT COST. LSO, DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK CAME OUT COMPLETELY WITH THE KEY. DEALER REPLACED THE LOCK. ALSO, COOLANT LIGHT F…
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FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WHEN IT IS TOO COLD OUTSIDE. DEALER SAYS THAT THE VACCUUM ACTUATORS (WHATEVER THOSE ARE) ARE THE PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, AT SIGNIFICANT COST. LSO, DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK CAME OUT COMPLETELY WITH THE KEY. DEALER REPLACED THE LOCK. ALSO, COOLANT LIGHT FLASHES RED WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED IN COLD WEATHER. COOLANT LEVELS AND FUSE ARE OK. ALSO, SIDE TRIM ON FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS COMING LOOSE FROM THE DOOR.*AK
THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING AT 26,000 MILES, FOLLOWED BY THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AT 30,000 MILES AND THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW AT 36,000 MILES. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED ANY OF THESE BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AFTER 24,000 MILES. LAST MONTH THE…
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THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING AT 26,000 MILES, FOLLOWED BY THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AT 30,000 MILES AND THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW AT 36,000 MILES. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED ANY OF THESE BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AFTER 24,000 MILES. LAST MONTH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR AS WELL. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A LOCAL DEALER THAT VW IS PAYING FOR WINDOWS TO BE FIXED IN THEIR JETTAS PURCHASED AFTER SEPTEMBER, 1999. HOWEVER, THIS WILL NOT HELP THOSE OF US WITH PROBLEM WINDOWS IN CARS MADE BEFORE THEN. VW KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM, THEIR DEALERS KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM, YET THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT VW GETS A COPY OF THIS, AND IF THEY WISH TO CONTACT ME TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION, THEY MAY DO SO, BECAUSE AT THIS POINT, WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW AGAIN, AND NEITHER WILL ANYONE WE KNOW BECAUSE OF THE VARIED PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD WITH OUR CAR (THE WINDOWS ARE JUST ONE).*AK
VEHICLE SHIFTS ROUGH BETWEEN LOWER GEARS, AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE FOR A PERIOD OF 1 YEAR. THE TRANSMISSION HAS LOST 4TH GEAR AND IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL FAILURE AS WELL. *LA
WE BOUGHT THE 1997 JETTA USED IN 2000. SINCE THEN IT HAD IT'S IGNITION CHANGED (NEW KEY TO START ENGINE). THE THIRD STARTER WAS JUST PUT IN. WE THOUGHT THE NEW STARTER WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE NOT TURNING OVER, BUT IT'S BACK AGAIN LESS THAN 21 DAYS AFTER THE STARTER WAS PUT. IT'S IN THE SHOP , STARTER WAS CHECKED;…
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WE BOUGHT THE 1997 JETTA USED IN 2000. SINCE THEN IT HAD IT'S IGNITION CHANGED (NEW KEY TO START ENGINE). THE THIRD STARTER WAS JUST PUT IN. WE THOUGHT THE NEW STARTER WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE NOT TURNING OVER, BUT IT'S BACK AGAIN LESS THAN 21 DAYS AFTER THE STARTER WAS PUT. IT'S IN THE SHOP , STARTER WAS CHECKED; IT'S NOT THE STARTER. *JB
ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHEN SITTING AT LIGHTS. CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 4 DAYS PROBLEM CANNOT BE FOUND.*AK
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS ON VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT SHE WILL NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DELAER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE WINDOWS. BUT CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK
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.
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