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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

What owners actually said

159 reports
98,107 miles · Apr 1, 2019
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashFire

TAKARA RECALL- MY BRAKES JAMMED UP AND WOULD NOT STOP, WHICH RESULTED IN A VEHICLE COLLISION ON NOVEMBER 29, 2018. I TRIED PRESSING THE BRAKES, HOWEVER, THEY JUST WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A CITY STREET. THEY HAD DONE THIS AFTER I GOT THEM SERVICED BEFORE AND I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THEY WERE…

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TAKARA RECALL- MY BRAKES JAMMED UP AND WOULD NOT STOP, WHICH RESULTED IN A VEHICLE COLLISION ON NOVEMBER 29, 2018. I TRIED PRESSING THE BRAKES, HOWEVER, THEY JUST WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A CITY STREET. THEY HAD DONE THIS AFTER I GOT THEM SERVICED BEFORE AND I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THEY WERE FINE.

NHTSA ODI #11192914

15,000 miles · Mar 11, 2019
Unknown Or Other

PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES, VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO RIGHT UPON ACCECLERATION. (TURBO ENGINE.) TOOK TO ALL 3 DEALERSHIPS IN THE LAS VEGAS/HENDERSON AREA MULTIPLE TIMES. PUT FOUR NEW MICHELEN TIRES ON IN NOVEMBER, 2018. THE PULL REMAINED CONSISTANT AND IS GETTING WORSE. DEALERSHIPS DIAGNOSED PROBL…

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PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES, VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO RIGHT UPON ACCECLERATION. (TURBO ENGINE.) TOOK TO ALL 3 DEALERSHIPS IN THE LAS VEGAS/HENDERSON AREA MULTIPLE TIMES. PUT FOUR NEW MICHELEN TIRES ON IN NOVEMBER, 2018. THE PULL REMAINED CONSISTANT AND IS GETTING WORSE. DEALERSHIPS DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AND DOCUMENTED AS "TORQUE STEER; A DESIGN CHARACTERIST OF TRANSVERSE MOUNTED ENGINE AND TRANS AXLE." AFTER CONDUCTING MY OWN RESEARCH, I DETERMINED "TORQUE STEER" IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. FROM THE WORDS OF A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, "TORQUE STEER IS DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF ONE OR MORE SPRINGS LOCATED IN THE TRANS AXEL AND MAY LEAD TO A SEVER SAFETY PROBLEM AS IT GETS WORSE." AT ONE DEALERSHIP, WHILE WAITING FOR MY CAR, I DROVE, WITH THE MECHANIC, A LIKE KIND 2016 JETTA. IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT ALL THE TIME. I WAS TOLD BY ONE OF MY BUSSINESS CLIENTS HER 2014 TURBO JETTA PULLED TO THE RIGHT ALL THE TIME. IN NOVEMBER OF 2018, I RETAINED A "LEMON LAW" ATTORNEY. THE ATTORNEY WOULD NOT TAKE THE CASE UNTIL THEIR FIRM CONCLUDED THERE WAS SUFFICIANT DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT THE PROBLEM. THEY TOOK THE CASE AND THE OUTCOME IS STILL PENDING. AFTER 6+ MONTHS, I HAVE NOW CONCLUDED MY CAR IS NOT A "LEMON" AND BELIEVE ALL LIKE KIND JETTA'S WILL EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE NHTSA SHOULD CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE IF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED. MY VEHICLE PULLS UPON ACCELERATION ON ANY CITY STREET, FREEWAY OR HIGHWAY 100%.

NHTSA ODI #11185833

36,800 miles · Dec 14, 2018
Power Train

HEADED EAST ON HIGHWAY 50 IN CARSON CITY, NV AFTER HAVING STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 4TH TO 5TH GEAR. FOUND CLUTCH NOT WORKING. HAD TO STOP, TURN ENGINE OFF AND MOVE GEAR TO 3RD. STARTED ENGINE & DROVE HOME, HAVING TO TURN IGNITION OFF AND ON AT STOPS. TOWED TO VOLKS DEALERSHIP, RENO, NV ON12 NOV AND PIC…

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HEADED EAST ON HIGHWAY 50 IN CARSON CITY, NV AFTER HAVING STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 4TH TO 5TH GEAR. FOUND CLUTCH NOT WORKING. HAD TO STOP, TURN ENGINE OFF AND MOVE GEAR TO 3RD. STARTED ENGINE & DROVE HOME, HAVING TO TURN IGNITION OFF AND ON AT STOPS. TOWED TO VOLKS DEALERSHIP, RENO, NV ON12 NOV AND PICKED UP DEC 12 AFTER PAYING $2,700.29 REPAIR BILL. DAMAGE TO CLUTCH, FLYWHEEL, PRESSURE PLATE, BEARING - WITH REPLACEMENT OF PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #11161345

21,000 miles · Nov 9, 2018
SteeringUnknown Or OtherWheels

VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY PULLING TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON ANY SURFACE STREET.. INCREASES AT ACCELERATION. ALIGNED X 4 IN 2018, TIRES BALANCED, ROTATED, STILL SAME PULL. PURCHASED 4 NEW MICHELIN TIRES ON 11/5/2018. VEHICLE STILL PULLS TO RIGHT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE DEPARTMENT. VEHICLE A…

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VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY PULLING TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON ANY SURFACE STREET.. INCREASES AT ACCELERATION. ALIGNED X 4 IN 2018, TIRES BALANCED, ROTATED, STILL SAME PULL. PURCHASED 4 NEW MICHELIN TIRES ON 11/5/2018. VEHICLE STILL PULLS TO RIGHT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE DEPARTMENT. VEHICLE AT VW SERVICE 11/16/2018. THERE SOLUTION IS ALIGNING VEHICLE OUT OF SPECS TO COMPENSATE FOR RIGHT PULL. WHEN VEHICLE NEEDS FUTURE ALIGNMENT, MY CONCERN IS VEHICLE WILL START TO PULL AGAIN. SERVICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD INSPECT FRONT WHEEL DRIVE COMPONENTS. VEHICLE STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND I AM PAYING FOR PORTIONS OF UNSUCCESSFUL "REPAIRS," AND ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR. FIRST DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALTERED DATE I BROUGHT VEHICLE IN AS IT IS DIFFERENT FROM DATE LISTED ON LOANER VEHICLE CONTRACT. SAME DEALERSHIP, AS CONFIRMED BUY SECOND DEALERSHIP, RETURNED MY VEHICLE AS "REPAIRED" WITH OUT OF ALIGNMENT PRINTOUT AND CLEARLY NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER DEALERSHIP HAS, OR IS, TAKING THE TIME TO PROPERLY INSPECT VEHICLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF CONSISTENT RIGHT PULL.

NHTSA ODI #11150254

18,700 miles · Nov 6, 2018
Power Train

UPON PLACING IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE BOGS DOWN, LOWERING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSES A BAD VIBRATION. SHIFTING INTO ANY OTHER GEAR FROM REVERSE CAUSES A HARD JERKING MOTION AS IF IT HAS TROUBLE RELEASING FROM REVERSE GEAR. THIS IS WORSE UPON JUST STARTING THE VEHICLE, OR STARTING AND STOPPING FOR SEVERAL TRIPS IN ONE …

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UPON PLACING IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE BOGS DOWN, LOWERING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSES A BAD VIBRATION. SHIFTING INTO ANY OTHER GEAR FROM REVERSE CAUSES A HARD JERKING MOTION AS IF IT HAS TROUBLE RELEASING FROM REVERSE GEAR. THIS IS WORSE UPON JUST STARTING THE VEHICLE, OR STARTING AND STOPPING FOR SEVERAL TRIPS IN ONE DAY.

NHTSA ODI #11149807

21,145 miles · Sep 14, 2018
Steering

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING CAR, LOCKED FOR 40 SECONDS WHILE TURNING TO RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11129514

48,000 miles · Aug 10, 2018
Service BrakesCrashInjury

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD I REALIZED DEAD ENDED, I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY MY BRAKES AT WHICH TIME THEY DID NOT WORK, I LOOKED TO ENSURE NOTHING WAS UNDER IT AND WHEN I SEEN THERE WAS NOTHING ATTEMPTED TO APPLY AGAIN, UNFORTUNATELY THEY DID NOT WORK AGAIN. I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A BARRIER AND TOTALED THE VEHIUCLE AND SUSTAIN IN…

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WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD I REALIZED DEAD ENDED, I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY MY BRAKES AT WHICH TIME THEY DID NOT WORK, I LOOKED TO ENSURE NOTHING WAS UNDER IT AND WHEN I SEEN THERE WAS NOTHING ATTEMPTED TO APPLY AGAIN, UNFORTUNATELY THEY DID NOT WORK AGAIN. I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A BARRIER AND TOTALED THE VEHIUCLE AND SUSTAIN INJURIES BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11118907

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE NEW AT 19,000 MILES THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM HAS FAILED WHICH ALSO CONTROLS THE AUTONOMOUS BRAKING, THE EXTRA 2500 DOLLARS FOR THIS SYSTEM IS USELESS, AND WILL NOT HOLD A RE-CALIBRATION.

NHTSA ODI #11105306

6,750 miles · Jun 27, 2018
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG INDICATOR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNIVERSITY VOLKSWAGEN MAZDA (5150 ELLISON ST NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87109, (505) 761-1900) WHERE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG INDICATOR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNIVERSITY VOLKSWAGEN MAZDA (5150 ELLISON ST NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87109, (505) 761-1900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,750.

NHTSA ODI #11104289

25 miles · Jun 24, 2018
Service BrakesStructure

THE BRAKES MAKE NOISE UPON STARTING TO BRAKE AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE OWNED IT . TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHICH IS GERALD JONES VW AUGUST'S GA AND THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT IT BUT O MY TIPPED OFF THE OIL . THEY SAID THE BRAKE SYSTEM DOESN'T COME WITH A COURTESY CHECK . ALSO THERE WERE SMALL DENTS IN THE CAR FROM THE BEGINNIN…

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THE BRAKES MAKE NOISE UPON STARTING TO BRAKE AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE OWNED IT . TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHICH IS GERALD JONES VW AUGUST'S GA AND THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT IT BUT O MY TIPPED OFF THE OIL . THEY SAID THE BRAKE SYSTEM DOESN'T COME WITH A COURTESY CHECK . ALSO THERE WERE SMALL DENTS IN THE CAR FROM THE BEGINNING THAT I MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF AND HE BLAMED ME . EVEN THOUGH O DID I SOFT W HIM SEVERAL BRAND NEW CARS ON THE LOT WITH SMALL DENTS THAT LOOKED THE SAME . I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND FREE OF CHARGE

NHTSA ODI #11103675

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.