RoadVitals

2017 Volkswagen Jetta

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
160
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest Oct 21, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
21
9 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 160 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and electrical categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 672 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V648000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Oct 21, 2020
218,192 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 24GiView on NHTSA.gov
20E064000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Sep 23, 2020
38 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Tenneco AutomotiveView on NHTSA.gov
19V615000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE; STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

Aug 22, 2019
679,027 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The 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.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 37M2View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 160
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 14, 2026

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 in [XXX] who diagnosed to car with broken fuel rail bolts which caused the fuel injectors to pop and fuel to leak. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11771082
Incident
Oct 12, 2026
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed 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

NHTSA ID
11753433
Incident
Jul 9, 2024
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Mar 7, 2026

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 ID
11722751
Incident
Mar 7, 2026
Suspension
Filed Feb 25, 2026

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 is possible. For example a tire could be punctured at a high rate of speed. I may not be able to maintain control with the broken suspension component. The vehicle springs should last more than 7 years before failure. I have owned many vehicles over the years a lot older than this one and with more miles and have never experience spring failure.

NHTSA ID
11720494
Incident
Aug 14, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 3, 2025
Fire reported

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. The car had the recall work done in 2021 in Tyson's Corner VA. The dealer refuses speak to us and states that the recall was done and therefore not their issue. The issue was confirmed with the new mechanic. There was one EFC light on the night it started leaking fuel.

NHTSA ID
11702692
Incident
Nov 26, 2025
Electrical
Filed Nov 7, 2025

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 informed the contact that the failure was not a known failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ID
11698262
Incident
May 15, 2025
Mileage
40,000 mi
Filed Sep 19, 2025

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 ID
11688548
Incident
Oct 9, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Sep 19, 2025

Door lock actuator for all passenger doors, the only one that hasn't failed is the driver's door.

NHTSA ID
11688547
Incident
Sep 2, 2021

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

V0017132033846_27

ENGINE

Prevent Sporatic Misfire Faults.

V1718032037201_21

ENGINE

Checking engine oil level.

V0118122014603_22

ENGINE

Reprogramming Control Module process

V1917012022548_16

ENGINE

Identifying and Mixing Volkswagen Engine Coolants

V0116132033805_12

ENGINE

Engine missfire diagnostic aid

V0018092053065_8

Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Jetta by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027100—
2026610—
2025322061.3
2024460043.9
2023430038.4
2022431043.9
2021714052.4
2020546158.7
201955311261.6
2018323053.1
2017Viewing1607056.6
20161625057.1
20151948050.5
20143885358.8
20135186357.1
20125008559.5
201160710559.6
20108525456.0
20098897558.0
20081886153.8
20072016051.7
20065806047.6
20052487051.5
20042315054.8
20034574467.8
20027027767.4
20016687562.1
20004395662.7
19993497563.2
19981923257.4
19971412258.9
19961742560.8
19952206464.1
19941177260.2
1993176247.8
1992304057.2
1991317361.1
1990227459.0
1989285154.4
1988198159.3
1987184366.8
1986143361.7
1985134363.1
1984120—
1983020—
1982020—
1981040—
1980020—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.