2017 Volkswagen Jetta: owner complaints and recalls

Complaints about the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta include 1 report of a fatality, alongside 18 crashes and 3 fires across 158 filings.

158
Complaints
7
Recalls
18
Crash reports
3
Fire reports
9
Injuries
127.8
Severity index

Severity index 127.8 - High. It weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints, so a vehicle attracting serious reports scores above one attracting many trivial ones (how this is calculated).

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 127.8p25 35p75 96cleanestworst
Where the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta sits against the quartiles of every vehicle we track.

Among the 136 2017 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta ranks 17 of 136 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 88% of its model-year peers. See the full 2017 ranking.

What actually fails

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 33 complaints (20.9%)33 21%EngineEngine: 31 complaints (19.6%)31 20%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 29 complaints (18.4%)29 18%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 25 complaints (15.8%)25 16%Air BagsAir Bags: 21 complaints (13.3%)21 13%Service BrakesService Brakes: 15 complaints (9.5%)15 9%Power TrainPower Train: 14 complaints (8.9%)14 9%SteeringSteering: 14 complaints (8.9%)14 9%
Systems named in complaints. One complaint can name several, so shares overlap.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3320.9%
ENGINE3119.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2918.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2515.8%
AIR BAGS2113.3%
SERVICE BRAKES159.5%
POWER TRAIN148.9%
STEERING148.9%

Complaints filed per year

012252017: 82018: 192019: 252020: 252021: 202022: 112023: 132024: 182025: 172026: 2 (partial year)1718192520212223242526
Complaints filed per calendar year, not model year. The hatched bar is the current year and is still incomplete.
YearComplaints
20178
201819
201925
202025
202120
202211
202313
202418
202517
2026 (year to date)2
Complaint volume is broadly steady year over year.

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
20V64800021/10/2020FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAILVolkswagen 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.
20E06400023/09/2020SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERTenneco 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 insufficien
19V61500022/08/2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULEVolkswagen 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 e
17V35200031/05/2017EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSVolkswagen 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 requ
17V07000003/02/2017ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEVolkswagen 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.
17V13600002/03/2017EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSVolkswagen 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
17V13700002/03/2017EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSVolkswagen 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 requir
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.