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Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2017 Volkswagen JettaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 160 owner complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. Most complaints involve engine (33) and electrical system (33). The EPA rates it 27–33 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
27–33mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Oct 2020
Owner complaints
160
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Oct 21, 2020NHTSA 20V648000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 23, 2020NHTSA 20E064000

Electrical system: control module

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Aug 22, 2019NHTSA 19V615000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

160 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2017 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine33
  2. Electrical system33
  3. Fuel/propulsion system30
  4. Air bags21
  5. Power train15
  6. Service brakes14
  7. Steering14
  8. Fuel system, gasoline12
  9. Vehicle speed control7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Jetta model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996183
1997141
1998194
1999354
2000451
2001677
2002711
2003463
2004233
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008190
2009905
2010875
2011640
2012527
2013518
2014388
2015196
2016164
2017160
201832
2019552
202054
202171
202243
202343
202446
202532
20266
Crashes reported
18
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

33 reports3 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11771082

Electrical system

33 reports4 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 7, 2026Electrical system, SeatsODI 11722751

Fuel/propulsion system

30 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2025Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11702692
All 2017 Jetta problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo · 1.8L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (S6) · Automatic (AM-S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Jetta
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
284033$1,950271
Jetta
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283832$2,000282
Jetta
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253529$2,200311
Jetta
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243327$2,400326
Jetta
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
233327$2,400335
  • Jetta
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    28 city · 40 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    28 city · 38 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    25 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Volkswagen Jetta GLI 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 11064Vehicle 11065
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2017 Jetta questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2017 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

Owners filed 160 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (33), electrical system (33), fuel/propulsion system (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta at 27–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026