2017 Volkswagen Jetta problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta, most often about fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion. There are 6 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
107
Recalls
6
Crashes
8
Fires
2
Injuries
4
Median mileage
53,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion is the most-reported problem area, named in 38 of 107 complaints (36%).
  • Engine (24) and electrical system (18) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 53,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 8 crashes, 2 fires and 4 injuries.
  • The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta has 6 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 4th of 22 Volkswagen Jetta model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 18% more complaints than the 2016 model year (91).

2017 Volkswagen Jetta problems by category

  • 38 complaints
  • 24 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 1 crash
    20 complaints
  • Electrical System
    18 complaints
  • Airbags · 6 crashes
    16 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    8 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash
    7 complaints
  • Brakes
    6 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    6 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Lighting
    5 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    4 complaints
  • Suspension
    4 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    3 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    2 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Fuel/propulsion system26
Engine22
Unknown or other18
Electrical system16
Air bags16
Fuel system, gasoline10
Power train8
Exterior lighting5

When problems happen (mileage)

3Under 10k710k–30k1730k–60k1760k–100k4100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2017 Volkswagen Jetta complaints that list mileage.

2017 Volkswagen Jetta recalls (6)

  • Recall 20V648000Oct 21, 2020218,192 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 19V615000Aug 22, 2019679,027 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · 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."

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 17V352000May 31, 20172 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 17V136000Mar 2, 2017797 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 17V137000Mar 2, 20174,875 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    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.

    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

  • Recall 17V070000Feb 3, 20172 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

    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.

    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.

Recent 2017 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jul 29, 2026CAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    Note: (never has any issues before ever as vehicle always maintained and taken directly to vw for maintenance.) /-/———————————————— I was driving: came to a stop: light turned Green proceeded to go through intersection YET VEHICLE. KT NOT MOVE! Put lever into park: turned off car and turned back on : put thr stick BACK INTO DRIVE - NOTHING HAPPENED I GUNNED it BY pushing my foot on the gas VW Jetta ALMOST REDLINED but didnt: was able to get across the interaction as I turned…
    NHTSA complaint #11753433 · source
  2. Filed Mar 7, 2026WAElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts
    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 sensation so looked at my bum in the mirror and was shocked to see an open wound about the size of a silver dollar with peeling skin and many other burns all around. It’s very painful.
    NHTSA complaint #11722751 · source
  3. Filed Feb 25, 2026WISuspension
    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 fortunately nothing happened in the way a bodily injury the failure could very well lead to an inability to properly control the vehicle if the broken spring were to slip and crash…
    NHTSA complaint #11720494 · source
  4. Filed Dec 3, 2025VAFireEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    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 driven or started any time before or after it actually caught on fire, it was only taken care of quickly as the tow truck driver had a fire extiguisher, we do not carry one in the car.…
    NHTSA complaint #11702692 · source
  5. Filed Nov 7, 202540,000 miNYElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the infotainment system touch screen failed to operate as an intended. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle could be repaired, and that the failure was common. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and…
    NHTSA complaint #11698262 · source
  6. Filed Sep 19, 2025NYOther / Unknown
    Horn no longer working, can't signal an impending accident to other drivers. That along with infotainment touch screen, kind of hard to use hands free when I cant select yes on the touchscreen
    NHTSA complaint #11688548 · source
  7. Filed Sep 12, 2025NCAirbagsBrakes
    Please copy the link. It is not a spam nor malware. It is the diagnostic report ran 9/12/2025. Please look under “airbag” tab and you will see the code related to brake system. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
    NHTSA complaint #11686881 · source
  8. Filed Jul 29, 2025CATransmission & Drivetrain
    July 2024 my 2017 VW JETTA SEL PREMIUM [XXX] at 153,253 miles without notice had TRANSMISSION FAILURE where a major oil and transmission fluid leak occurred. I was sitting at a red light, the light turned green I tried to go and ended up flooding the engine thus preventing the car to ever move again. I experienced a total loss on a vehicle who’s PZEV WARRANTY just expired and VW OF AMERICA REFUSED TO ASSIST ME. I lost my employment as I couldn’t get to work and was left high…
    NHTSA complaint #11677080 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology