2017 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Jetta years
- Fewer complaints than other years 22nd of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 160 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. That ranks 22nd out of 32 Jetta model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (33 complaints, 21%), typically at around 36,054 miles. Complaints mention 18 crashes, 3 fires, 9 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year.

- 160owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 18complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2017 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 33 | 21% | 36,054 | — | — |
| Engine | 33 | 21% | 64,560 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 30 | 19% | 61,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 25 | 16% | 20,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 21 | 13% | 27,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 15 | 9% | 27,750 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 14 | 9% | 23,815 | — | — |
| Steering | 14 | 9% | 23,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 12 | 8% | 52,700 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 4% | 36,500 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 5 | 3% | 36,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 3% | 23,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 3% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% | 99,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 3% | 27,318 | — | — |
| Wheels | 4 | 3% | 21,500 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 3 | 2% | 39,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 2% | 19,513 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 1% | 127,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 1% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 1% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2017 Volkswagen Jetta recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail
Problem: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module; steering:column locking:anti-theft device
Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels
Problem: 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."
Risk: The mismatched VINs make the vehicle noncompliant with regulatory requirements.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels
Problem: 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."
Risk: Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels
Problem: 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."
Risk: Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the engine seizes, the wheels may suddenly lock up, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
I was driving on Monday XXX when my car started to smoke and smell of fumes. The EPC light came on and my car was stuttering, so I immediately pulled over and turned off the car. When I got out I noticed a large pool of gas under the front of the car. I called a tow truck who brought it to Crew VW…
Note: (never has any issues before ever as vehicle always maintained and taken directly to vw for maintenance.) /-/ââââââââââââââââ I was driving: came to a stop: light turned Green proceeded to go through intersection YET VEHICLE. KT NOT MOVE! Put lever into park…
I have severe painful burns on my gluteus from the seat heater. I had the heater on intermittently on a drive of about 75 miles. I put the heater on for about 10-15 minutes a few times but did not have it on the entire trip. After getting to my destination I started feeling painful burning…
On 8/14/24 I had the rear springs replaced due to a broken spring. Now today 2/25/26 I was inform that I have a broken front spring. This vehicle is only 9 years old and we have had spring break in the front and back. This seems like a premature failure of a critical suspension component. Though…
The fuel rail bolts on the car loosened, one sheered off. Fuel poured from the front end of the car. When the car was started, to be placed on a flatbed the car caught on fire. The car is currently at a mechanics, but has not been repaired. The car could have easily caught on fire while being…
Other Volkswagen Jetta years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Jetta | 6 | 1 |
| 2025 Jetta | 30 | 2 |
| 2024 Jetta | 45 | 0 |
| 2023 Jetta | 43 | 0 |
| 2022 Jetta | 43 | 1 |
| 2021 Jetta | 69 | 4 |
| 2020 Jetta | 54 | 6 |
| 2019 Jetta | 549 | 11 |
| 2018 Jetta | 31 | 2 |
| 2017 | 160 | 6 |
| 2016 Jetta | 161 | 4 |
| 2015 Jetta | 194 | 7 |
| 2014 Jetta | 387 | 4 |
| 2013 Jetta | 517 | 4 |
| 2012 Jetta | 500 | 5 |
| 2011 Jetta | 607 | 7 |
| 2010 Jetta | 852 | 4 |
| 2009 Jetta | 889 | 6 |
| 2008 Jetta | 188 | 4 |
| 2007 Jetta | 201 | 4 |
| 2006 Jetta | 580 | 4 |
| 2005 Jetta | 248 | 4 |
| 2004 Jetta | 231 | 2 |
| 2003 Jetta | 456 | 2 |
| 2002 Jetta | 702 | 5 |
| 2001 Jetta | 668 | 6 |
| 2000 Jetta | 439 | 4 |
| 1999 Jetta | 349 | 6 |
| 1998 Jetta | 192 | 2 |
| 1997 Jetta | 54 | 1 |
| 1996 Jetta | 31 | 1 |
| 1995 Jetta | 220 | 4 |
See all Volkswagen Jetta problems by year, every Volkswagen model, or the Volkswagen VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine, fuel/propulsion system problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 33 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Jetta model years, the 2017 has fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.