IllustrationMY PASSAGNER AIR BAG SHOWED DEFECT. MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR NO REASON.*AK
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
What owners actually said
54 reportsWHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUTDOWN. *AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT WINDOW WOULD FALL INSIDE THE DOOR WHEN TRYING TO OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
3 OUT OF THE 4 WINDOW REGULATORS ON MY 1997 VW JETTA HAVE GONE BAD WITHIN THE PAST 9 OR SO MONTHS. I SEARCHED THE NHTSA SITE TO SEE IF ANY RECALL HAD BEEN ORDERED, AND FOUND NOTHING. DURING THE LAST INCIDENT (MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW), THE WINDOW MADE A LOUD NOISE, AND THEN WOULD NOT GO BACK UP...IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DRIV…
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3 OUT OF THE 4 WINDOW REGULATORS ON MY 1997 VW JETTA HAVE GONE BAD WITHIN THE PAST 9 OR SO MONTHS. I SEARCHED THE NHTSA SITE TO SEE IF ANY RECALL HAD BEEN ORDERED, AND FOUND NOTHING. DURING THE LAST INCIDENT (MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW), THE WINDOW MADE A LOUD NOISE, AND THEN WOULD NOT GO BACK UP...IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DRIVING. THE OTHER 2 WINDOWS (BOTH BACK WINDOWS) FALL COMPLETELY DOWN. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE WINDOWS CAN "FALL" AT ANY MOMENT. WHAT IF YOU HAVE YOUNG PASSENGERS IN THE CAR? WHAT IF THE WINDOW FALLING CAUSES A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER? WHAT IF IT IS RAINING OR SNOWING, AND YOU CAN'T GET THE WINDOWS BACK UP? AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND MANY OTHER VW CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM..AND NO RECALL IS IN PLACE. NOT TO MENTION THAT REPAIR COST FOR 1 WINDOW IS OVER $200.*AK
PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCH AND TIRE EQUIPMENT.*MR THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND STARTER ASSEMBLY. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, THE REAR TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE, THEMECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS DUE TO BALL BEARING SEIZING WHICH CAUSED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF HEAT. *CB *JB
VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILED. *MR THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAD TAKEN THREE WEEKS TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK AT THAT TIME. THE FOLLOWING YEAR, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WASN'T UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED AGAIN, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION H…
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VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILED. *MR THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAD TAKEN THREE WEEKS TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK AT THAT TIME. THE FOLLOWING YEAR, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WASN'T UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED AGAIN, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD LEAKED. THERE WERE NUMEROUS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE SHOP FOR THE TIMING BELT AND THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD TO BE TAKEN IN FOR A PROTECTIVE SHIELD IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING. THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP, IGNITION ROTOR, AND THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. REPAIR WAS ALSO MADE TO THE WIRE FOR THE IGNITION COIL/CAM SHAFT. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULES. *SCC *JB
WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL. IT WILL BE HARD FOR CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *AK
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT VEHICLE WAS VERY SLUGGISH AND MOVED SLOWLY. DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED.*AK
SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT , I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WINDOWS, EVERYONE ON THE VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR AT SOME POINT COSTING AT LEAST 200.00 A POP , NOW I KNOW THINGS HAPPENS BUT I AM THE ONLY PERSON RIDING IN MY VEHICLE SO I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY ALL THE WINDOWS ARE BR…
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SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT , I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WINDOWS, EVERYONE ON THE VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR AT SOME POINT COSTING AT LEAST 200.00 A POP , NOW I KNOW THINGS HAPPENS BUT I AM THE ONLY PERSON RIDING IN MY VEHICLE SO I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY ALL THE WINDOWS ARE BREAKING AND I WAS PRETTY SURE THERE HAD TO BE SOME KIND OF RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT IS JUST HAPPENING TO MY CAR AND I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAS ALSO DETERMINED IF I WILL EVER BUY ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN AND I WILL NOT RECOMMEND VOLKSWAGEN TO MY FRIENDS AT ALL, SOME OF WHICH I HAVE ALREADY TOLD I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN, BECAUSE IT WILL NICKEL AND DIME U TO DEATH.....I DON'T EXPECT TO HAVE TO FIX ALL MY WINDOWS 1 MAYBE BUT ALL 4 OF MINE HAVE GONE BAD!!!AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAIR THEM FREE....AND REIMBURSE ME MY MONEY 1 WINDOW COST ME 270.00 WITH PARTS AND LABOR, THAT IS CRAZY TO HAVE TO PAY THAT FOR 1 WINDOW, I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN EVER....PLEASE SEE THAT THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER GET A COPY OF THIS..THANK YOU.. *NLM
PLASTIC SUPPORTS HOLDING WINDOW LIFT UNIT IN REAR PASSENGER DOOR BROKE.*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.