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2017 Volkswagen Jetta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Jetta years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

94 reports with mileage · 65 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 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

25 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2022
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

Airbag wiring under front seats deteriorate over time causing an error to the airbag system, disabling the airbags.

NHTSA ODI #11447557

39,000 miles · Apr 22, 2021
Back Over PreventionStructureUnknown Or OtherCrash

CAR CAN BE TURNED OFF EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF WHILE STILL IN DRIVE UNBEKNOWNST TO THE DRIVER. THIS RESULTED IN THE CAR ROLLING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES. A ACCIDENT DID OCCUR ON FEB 12, 2021 IN SPROUTS GROCERY…

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CAR CAN BE TURNED OFF EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF WHILE STILL IN DRIVE UNBEKNOWNST TO THE DRIVER. THIS RESULTED IN THE CAR ROLLING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES. A ACCIDENT DID OCCUR ON FEB 12, 2021 IN SPROUTS GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT IN LA MESA, SAN DIEGO CA. INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED TO REPAIR THE OTHER PARTIES VEHICLE INVOLVED. THE DAMAGE TO THE MENTIONED CAR INCLUDES DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, TAIL LIGHT AND SIDE BODY. THE OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED NEEDS THE ENTIRE SIDE PANEL REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11413464

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other

REMOVING THE KEY WHILE THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN A POSITION OTHER THAN "PARK" INCREASES THE RISK OF AN UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY THAT MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR A CRASH. I ASKED AFTER I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. I CALLED RECENTLY AND WAS TOLD MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT IS A DA…

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REMOVING THE KEY WHILE THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN A POSITION OTHER THAN "PARK" INCREASES THE RISK OF AN UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY THAT MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR A CRASH. I ASKED AFTER I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. I CALLED RECENTLY AND WAS TOLD MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT IS A DAILY DANGEROUS FAILURE ON VW'S PART. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY AND WHEN CALLED THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I DID NOT GET ANY RECALL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11373879

53,000 miles · Oct 27, 2020
Unknown Or Other

PROBLEMS WITH FRONT ASSIST. I WAS TOLD THIS FEATURE WAS ON MY VEHICLE AND VERIFIED THAT IT WAS AT THE TIME OF SALE. UNFORTUNATELY IT DOES NOT EVER DETECT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I COULD BE IDLING AND HIT A BRICK WALL OR GOING 65MPH DOWN I95 AND A VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPS IN FRONT OF ME EITHER EVENT NOTHING HAPPENS. THIS SY…

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PROBLEMS WITH FRONT ASSIST. I WAS TOLD THIS FEATURE WAS ON MY VEHICLE AND VERIFIED THAT IT WAS AT THE TIME OF SALE. UNFORTUNATELY IT DOES NOT EVER DETECT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I COULD BE IDLING AND HIT A BRICK WALL OR GOING 65MPH DOWN I95 AND A VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPS IN FRONT OF ME EITHER EVENT NOTHING HAPPENS. THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS DESCRIBED AND THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD AND THE FRONT ASSIST SYSTEM IS ENABLED EVERY TIME I START THE VEHICLE. THE FACT THAT THIS SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK AT ALL IS VERY DISAPPOINTING AS IT WAS A MAJOR SELLING POINT OF THE CAR

NHTSA ODI #11366746

60,000 miles · Jul 13, 2020
Unknown Or OtherVisibility

THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO IMPACT BY DEBRI OR COLLISION... IT JUST EXPLODED SUDDENDLY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT IS ALARMING WHILE DRIVING, SHATTERED GLASS FLYING AT YOU IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO THE DRIVER, THE PASSENGERS, AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD!

NHTSA ODI #11339237

43,000 miles · Jul 11, 2020
Unknown Or Other

PURCHASED NEW 2017 VW JETTA FROM THE DEALER. ALWAYS KEEP UP WITH THE SERVICE. ALARM HORN HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY WORKING AND FINALLY WENT OUT AT 43000 MILES. AFTER READING MANY MESSAGE BOARDS SEEMS LIKE AN ONGOING ISSUE ON MANY NEW MODELS WITH LOW MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11338773

10 miles · Jul 11, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR CAN BE TURNED OFF AND DOES NEED TO BE IN PARK. THE ELECTRICAL COMES AND GOES BUT THE MOST ALARMING IS THE JETTA ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN AND IT TAKES A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL. AT ONE POINT I HAVE NO WAY OF STOPPING THE ACCELERATION TO STOP. ALSO, I ASKED CRESTMONT VW IF IT WAS NORMAL TO HAVE CAR OFF A…

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MY CAR CAN BE TURNED OFF AND DOES NEED TO BE IN PARK. THE ELECTRICAL COMES AND GOES BUT THE MOST ALARMING IS THE JETTA ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN AND IT TAKES A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL. AT ONE POINT I HAVE NO WAY OF STOPPING THE ACCELERATION TO STOP. ALSO, I ASKED CRESTMONT VW IF IT WAS NORMAL TO HAVE CAR OFF AND NOT IN PARK. THEY ACTED LIKE IT WAS NORMAL. THE JETTA HAS ROLLED BACK AND ALMOST HIT PEOPLE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALLS FROM THE COMPANY. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11338771

20 miles · Feb 14, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING THE MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL OF TRACK AND FELL DOWN TOWARDS THE DOOR PANEL. IT CAUSED DEBRIS TO FALL INTO MY CAR ALMOST CAUSING ME TO. CRASH. I LOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. BACK IN 2018 THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL OF TRACK WHILE WAS DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. IT FELT AS IF I WAS STR…

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WHILE DRIVING THE MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL OF TRACK AND FELL DOWN TOWARDS THE DOOR PANEL. IT CAUSED DEBRIS TO FALL INTO MY CAR ALMOST CAUSING ME TO. CRASH. I LOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. BACK IN 2018 THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL OF TRACK WHILE WAS DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. IT FELT AS IF I WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTING. IT WAS A VERY SCARY MOMENT. I JUST DON'T WANT MY FAMILY TO GET HURT. IT WAS REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON ISSUE. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI #11309099

38,000 miles · Dec 7, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

CAR STARTS TO SHAKE EPC LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT COME ON HAVE TO PULL OVER FOR IT TO STOP SHAKING

NHTSA ODI #11287627

20,000 miles · Oct 24, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE IDENTIFIED A MATTER RELATED TO THE REAR VIEW CAM WHICH MERITS ATTENTION. I CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY AS WELL AS MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND NEITHER FELT THAT FURTHER ACTION WAS WARRANTED. SINCE THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE IT SEEMED THAT THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE CONTACTING THIS AGENCY. BECAUSE OF A GLITCH IN THE REAR CAM SOFTWA…

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I HAVE IDENTIFIED A MATTER RELATED TO THE REAR VIEW CAM WHICH MERITS ATTENTION. I CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY AS WELL AS MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND NEITHER FELT THAT FURTHER ACTION WAS WARRANTED. SINCE THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE IT SEEMED THAT THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE CONTACTING THIS AGENCY. BECAUSE OF A GLITCH IN THE REAR CAM SOFTWARE I NARROWLY AVOIDED TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS; IN ONE THERE WAS A CLOSE CALL WITH A VEHICLE PASSING BEHIND ME AND IN ANOTHER A NEIGHBORHOOD CHILD WAS RIDING A BICYCLE DIRECTLY BEHIND THE VEHICLE. AT ISSUE IS THE FACT THAT THE REAR VIEW CAM DISPLAY WILL STOP TRANSMITTING IMAGES IF YOU BRAKE WHILE BACKING UP, TURN ON THE RADIO AND THEN RESUME BACKING UP. TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM FOLLOW THESE STEPS: 1.START VEHICLE 2.SHIFT INTO REVERSE ' REAR VIEW CAM IMAGE SEEN IN DISPLAY VIEW 3.APPLY BRAKE UNTIL VEHICLE AT A FULL STOP 4.TURN ON RADIO 5.RADIO STATIONS APPEAR IN THE DISPLAY VIEW 6.TAKE FOOT OFF BRAKE AND CONTINUE BACKING UP 7.RADIO STATION CONTINUES IN THE DISPLAY VIEW AND NOT THE IMAGE BEHIND THE VEHICLE HERE IS A VIDEO DEMONSTRATING THE GLITCH: HTTPS://DRIVE.GOOGLE.COM/FILE/D/13GAC4I5GKWNOFK6Z8J8Y77JGUDXHQRBI/VIEW?USP=SHARING SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED AND WANT TO INVESTIGATE ' AND FIND A REMEDY FOR - THIS APPARENT SOFTWARE GLITCH.

NHTSA ODI #11270854

Official recalls

6

20V648000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

Oct 21, 2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Jetta vehicles. The fuel rail bolts may become loose over time, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24Gi.

19V615000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Aug 22, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

17V352000 · Equipment:other:labels

May 31, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles. The affected vehicles have Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) markings on the body that do not match the VIN plate near the windshield. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The mismatched VINs make the vehicle noncompliant with regulatory requirements.

Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners and has replaced the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 06A8.

17V136000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 2, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 01B9.

17V137000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 2, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 01B8

17V070000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Feb 3, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine. These vehicles have an engine that may seize due to an improper casting of the block.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the engine seizes, the wheels may suddenly lock up, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will either buy back the vehicle or replace the engine block, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F4.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.