2017 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 159 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 18 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 9 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, fuel injection system, fuel railOct 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.
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 20V648000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, anti-theft, control moduleAug 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."
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.
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.
Campaign 19V615000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsMay 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."
The mismatched VINs make the vehicle noncompliant with regulatory requirements.
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.
Campaign 17V352000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsMar 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."
Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
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
Campaign 17V137000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsMar 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."
Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 17V136000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineFeb 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.
If the engine seizes, the wheels may suddenly lock up, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 17V070000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Jul 29, 2026
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 Left . Car sputtered: Car died: CAR CAUGHT FIRE! put fire out with towel: transmission fluid expelled: Car SEIZED ALL MOVEMENT Car would turned on with push start: could put in ALL GEARS BUT WOULD NOT MOVE
Power train, Jul 29, 2025
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 and dry forced to sell my lemon for pennies of the cars net worth INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 14, 2025
so all the sudden my air bag light came on and my whole steering wheel don't work.. none of the buttons nor the cruse control and air bag light is on . Not sure why this happened but I feel very unsafe with my children in the car due to there's been a lot of crazy ppl out that don't pay attention when driving .
Power train, Oct 22, 2022
Vehicle has only 10,000 miles. Developed unidentified leak. Shortly after the car was on the freeway in 6th gear and started smoking and revving the engine. Car would not shift into gear and the car stalled. Clutch, flywheel, throwout bearing, and pressure plate were completely destroyed. Towed to dealership.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 7, 2020
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 11/05/2020 GOT IT CHECKED AND A OIL CHANGE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE DUE WITHIN 500 MORE MILES, THESE CODES CAME UP MB2, BR80, MA28, P068A. CAR IS RUNNING FINE BUT MY ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON.
Power train, Engine, Jun 11, 2020
TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. VW MODELS UNTIL 2014 HAVE BEEN RECALLED. BUT THIS ISSUE IS ALSO HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED ON MODELS AFTER THE RECALL. *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 23, 2020
N80 EMISSION FAILURE, OWNED CAR THREE MONTHS PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY AND STILL UNDER 60K YET DEALER REFUSES THE NO EMISSIONS FEDERAL STANDARD FOR THIS MODEL AND WON'T FIX THIS ISSUE. THIS MODEL IS COVERED 150,000K SAYS FEDERAL REGULATION VW REFUSES THIS FIX. *TR
Power train, Mar 2, 2020
I WAS RELEASING THE BREAK WHEN I FOUND THAT RELEASING THE BRAKE CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO A NEUTRAL STATE ALMOST HITTING THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR AS WELL AS ROUGH AS SHIFTING CAUSING THE CAR TO BE UNSAFE
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Oct 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A HUMMING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Dec 14, 2018
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.
Power train, Nov 6, 2018
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.
Power train, May 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CLUTCH FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (GUNTHER VOLKSWAGEN OF FORT LAUDERDALE, 1660 SOUTH STATE ROAD 7, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33317) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 180217385. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,300.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2018
2017 VW JETTA 1.4L GAS ENGINE JOLTS WHEN PRESSING OR DEPRESSING ACCELERATION PEDAL UNDER 20MI/H. BRAKES TO A SUDDEN STOP (NOT SMOOTH) WHEN BRINGING CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP.
Power train, Jan 6, 2018
2017 VW JETTA 1.4L GAS ENGINE JOLTS WHEN PRESSING OR DEPRESSING ACCELERATION PEDAL UNDER 20MI/H. BRAKES TO A SUDDEN STOP (NOT SMOOTH) WHEN BRINGING CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 1, 2017
BRAND NEW JETTA WITH ABOUT 8000 MILES. AFTER ABOUT 20-25 MINUTES HIGHWAY DRIVING RATTLES AND STALLS ON SURFACE STREET. HAD TWO "JUST MISSED" ACCIDENTS TRYING TO MAKE LEFT TURN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALER TWICE. THEY TELL ME CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.