2017 Volkswagen Jetta Engine Problems

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

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

My Volkswagen Jetta shut off driving down interstate 99 due to major fuel leak (fuel rail bolt broke) I saw Volkswagen had a recall for fuel rail bolt coming loose after time. I called Volkswagen states recall was completed in May 2021 I bought the car May 2025. I asked Volkswagen rep if they would repair it as this is the same issue as the recall obviously it isn’t corrected. This could have been very bad with fuel leaking along a major highway one thing ignited and car would have went in flames. My son could have been seriously injured or even killed! EPC light came on as this was happening. The car is at my local mechanic who advised me to call Volkswagen due to an open recall for this issue. Volkswagen rep states I could take it to Volkswagen dealer to have it looked at but advised it would be at my expense. The only way anything would be done or reviewed if the car caught on fire or someone died. I would like this looked into as I believe vw should pay for my car to be fixed. Since the known problem was not fixed. I don’t have any documentation as my car is still in the process of getting fixed.

NHTSA ID

11667516

Incident

Jun 13, 2025

My mother owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. Recently, the car has developed a strong and constant smell of gasoline, both while driving and when parked. This is extremely concerning, as it appears to be a fuel leak, which poses a serious fire and safety hazard. Upon researching, I discovered NHTSA Recall 20V648000, which affects certain 2016–2018 Jetta vehicles due to loose fuel rail bolts that may cause fuel to leak. My mother’s car is experiencing the exact same symptoms, yet her VIN is not included in the recall, and Volkswagen has refused to help because the recall does not technically apply to her vehicle. We spoke directly with VW Customer Care, and despite clearly describing the fuel smell and matching the recall symptoms, they told us the repairs would be out-of-pocket. My mother does not speak English and relies on me for help — and she cannot afford the cost of repairs for something that is clearly a known defect. The vehicle is undrivable due to the risk of explosion or fire, and we are desperate for help. I’m submitting this complaint in hopes that NHTSA will investigate and expand the recall to include additional VINs. There is no reason a vehicle with an identical issue should be excluded simply because of a VIN batch.

NHTSA ID

11652263

Incident

Mar 24, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced rough driving before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later driven to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the head gasket had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V070000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11651810

Incident

Mar 25, 2025

Mileage

140,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle, entering the vehicle through the A/C vents. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related to the failure of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V648000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the VIN was included, but stated that the VIN had been removed from the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11650308

Incident

Mar 24, 2025

Mileage

160,000 mi

The catalytic converter malfunctioned and is defective. My vehicle is within 8 years and under 80,000 miles and Volkswagen of Toms River will not replace or address the safety concern as they are required by law to replace it. The vehicle will hit 8 year on January 1st and they are trying to stallmate me until it is out of warranty

NHTSA ID

11622890

Incident

Aug 28, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fuel leaking from under the hood of the vehicle. The check engine, and electronic power control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel rail bolt had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

NHTSA ID

11616215

Incident

Sep 24, 2024

Mileage

114,000 mi

The contact owns 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to turn off while turning the key to the off position in the ignition switch. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer and was diagnosed, and it was determined that the cylinders in the engine was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

NHTSA ID

11616005

Incident

Aug 30, 2024

Mileage

89,000 mi

The EPC light and Check Engine light came on while driving, major car throttling, problems with acceleration, stronger throttling occurred with more acceleration. Car was immediately towed to nearest VW dealership service. Me and my son had to stop on the expressway far from home. Problems were confirmed at inspection by VW dealership on same day of incident. No symptoms or warnings occurred of problems before incident.

NHTSA ID

11582508

Incident

Apr 9, 2024

Per pep boys: Coolant housing on rear of engine has hole in it causing severe coolant leak cooling system has had stop leak added to coolant system possibly clogging heater core, radiator, possible coolant passages in engine block Dealership did a patch job prior to purchase, has been with them for 60 days.

NHTSA ID

11572578

Incident

Dec 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for NHTSA Campaign: 20V648000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that fuel was leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11554153

Incident

Oct 23, 2023

Mileage

65,000 mi

WHEN I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND PUSHED ON GAS THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IT SOUNDED AS IF THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF THE CAR LITERALLY HAD LOST ALL POWER TO IT I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND THE EPC LIGHT WAS ON AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I HAD MY BABY WITH ME THAT JUST HAD SURGERY DAY BEFORE AND I WAS TERRIFIED BECAUSE I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I GAVE IT A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED THE CAR OF WHICH AT FIRST SOUNDED AS IF IT WASN'T GOING TO START. I WAS ONLY A COUPLE MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE AND HAD NO RESOURCES TO HELP AND COULDNT WALK WITH MY SON. GOT THE CAR BACK TO THE HOUSE BUT IT AGAIN DID THE SAME THING AND CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME WITH SOUNDING LIKE IT DID NOT WANT TO START. I HAD TALKED WITH A MECHANIC THAT SAID TO GET IT INTO A VW DEALER ASAP AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WITH THIS NEW OF A CAR WITH SUCH LOW MILES. FINDING THIS SITE IT LOOKS AS IF THERE HAS BEEN A FEW ISSUES THAT SOUND SIMILIAR AND RECALLS. I JUST NEED A CAR THAT I CAN DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11540379

Incident

Aug 16, 2023

When driving the vehicles power dropped suddenly, especially above 3000 RPM. The actuator arm on the waste gate for the turbo charger broke. Error P2263 was seen on an OBD reader. A quick search online seems to show this is a prolific issue with Volkswagen 1.4 TSI engines between 80,000 and 90,000 miles. My wife and daughter could be seriously hurt down a highway onramp and the power cuts out.

NHTSA ID

11476662

Incident

Jul 29, 2022

I WAS DRIVING ON ROAD & I HIT A MAJOR ROCK OR A POTHOLE I WAS IN HYATTSVILLE. I WORK & LIVE IN THE CITY OF HYATTSVILLE. I DRIVE THOUGH THE BLADENSBURG/HYATTSVILLE TO DO MY DELIVERIES WORKING BUT THIS ONE JUST DAMAGED MY VEHICLE & STARTED A MAJOR LEAK FROM MY TRANSMISSION PAN. I LEFT WORK CAUSE I NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING CONSTANTLY DROVE IT HOME AND SAT IT DOWN.

NHTSA ID

11406281

Incident

Apr 2, 2021

Mileage

76,574 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE CODE CAME ON AS WELL AS THE EPC LIGHT. THE CAR WOULD TRY TO START BUT WOULD RUN VERY ROUGHLY. WHEN I GOT IT HOME I STARTED IT AND NOTICED FUEL POURING FROM THE FUEL RAIL

NHTSA ID

11399727

Incident

Mar 4, 2021

Mileage

90,000 mi

I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TODAY TO ASK ABOUT THE FUEL RAIL REPAIR AND WAS INFORMED THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION NOR A TIME FRAME OF WHEN THEY INTEND TO BE ABLE TO FIX IT. I PERSONALLY DON'T FEEL SAFE ALLOWING MY SON TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT I COULD NOT SELL THE CAR DUE TO THE RECALL NOW I'M STUCK WITH A VEHICLE I CANNOT SELL OR DRIVE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT MY CATCH FIRE. I FEEL AS THOUGH THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX IT IN A TIMELY MANNER OR BUY THE VEHICLE BACK

NHTSA ID

11388717

Incident

Jan 18, 2021

RECALL NUMBER: 20V648 IS NOT RESOLVED IN A TIMELY MANNER. THERE IS NOT A REPAIR AVAILABLE YET.

NHTSA ID

11388635

Incident

Jan 18, 2021

WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SMELLED GAS, PULLED OVER, CAR DIED, EPC LIGHT CAME ON. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER.

NHTSA ID

11385781

Incident

Dec 26, 2020

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER WAS MISFIRING, AND THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE DUE TO CYLINDER'S MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO CITY VOLKSWAGEN OF HIGHLAND (9601 INDIANAPOLIS BLVD, HIGHLAND, IN 46322), WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,200.

NHTSA ID

11377279

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Mileage

90,200 mi

I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A 40 MPH ZONE TO A 65 MPH HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND THEN ENTER A LIMP MODE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF GAS. I RAISED THE HOOD TO SEE AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF FUEL SPRAYING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST CERTIFIED MECHANIC, VALLEY MOTOR HONDA, SHERIDAN WY. THERE WAS NOT A VW SHOP WITHIN 100 MILES OF THE BREAKDOWN. UPON ORIGINAL INSPECTION, A TORQUES HEAD BOLT WAS DISCOVERED LOOSE FROM THE FUEL RAIL AND THE FUEL RAIL WAS SEPARATED FROM THE INJECTOR ON THE DISTAL CYLINDER (SEE PICTURE). SIMPLY TIGHTENING THE FUEL RAIL DID NOT SATISFY THE PROBLEM. THIS IS REPORTEDLY THE RESULT OF THE INJECTORS SHIFTING POSITION AND/OR BEING DAMAGED. AFTER LEARNING ABOUT THIS COMMON VW JETTA PROBLEM, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP IN BILLINGS MONTANA. IT APPEARS THAT THE PRESCRIBED RECALL FIX FOR THIS ISSUE MIGHT ONLY REQUIRE SOME LOCTITE AND WRENCH TURNING FOR THE CARS THAT HAVE NOT YET EXPERIENCED THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE FIX LOOKS TO BE MORE EXTENSIVE FOR CARS LIKE MINE THAT WERE NOT CAUGHT IN TIME. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT BILLINGS VOLKSWAGEN FOR 14 DAYS WITHOUT RESOLUTION. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT PARTS ARE INVOLVED OR WHY THE REPAIRS NOT AVAILABLE. I CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE REPAIR BILL FROM VALLEY MOTOR HONDA IN WHICH THE FUEL RAIL WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE SOURCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11375997

Incident

Oct 23, 2020

Mileage

61,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11328405

Incident

Jun 8, 2020

Mileage

64,560 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11325638

Incident

May 19, 2020

Mileage

58,950 mi

I HAVE NOTICE SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IT HAS ISSUES WITH MILEAGE AND CORRECT HAS TO MILEAGE. I SPOKE WITH BE WHEN FIRST GETTING IT AND THE SERVICE WORKER ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE BUT DID NOT FIX IT. IT IS STILL A PROBLEM NOW. YOU CAN FILL THE TANK UP GO A MILE DOWN THE STREET AND IT WILL SAY YOU HAVE DRIVEN 30 MILES. EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK IT WILL SAY YOU ARE DRIVING AT LEAST 2 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE A VIDEO THAT BETTER PLACES THE SITUATION AS WELL. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAVE THE CD PLAYER RUN HOT, THE LIGHTER PORTS DO NOT WORK AGAIN, AND THE ANTIFREEZE LIGHT HAS COME ON EVERY YEAR SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR. I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG ELECTRICALLY AND ENGINE WISE.

NHTSA ID

11301900

Incident

Nov 26, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

CAR STARTS TO SHAKE EPC LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT COME ON HAVE TO PULL OVER FOR IT TO STOP SHAKING

NHTSA ID

11287627

Incident

Dec 6, 2019

Mileage

38,000 mi