Problems · NHTSA complaints
2017 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Owners filed 160 complaints about the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta with NHTSA between Apr 2017 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (33).
Complaints
160
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
18
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine33
- Electrical system33
- Fuel/propulsion system30
- Air bags21
- Power train15
- Service brakes14
- Steering14
- Fuel system, gasoline12
- Vehicle speed control7
- Exterior lighting5
- Electronic stability control (esc)5
- Suspension4
- Seat belts4
- Visibility/wiper4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
8
19
25
25
20
11
13
18
17
4
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
Electrical system
33 reports4 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
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.”
Air bags
21 reports8 crashes
“Please copy the link. It is not a spam nor malware. It is the diagnostic report ran 9/12/2025. Please look under “airbag” tab and you will see the code related to brake system. [XXX]”
Power train
15 reports
“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”
Service brakes
14 reports5 crashes1 fire
“ABS UNIT COMPLETE was malfunctioning per volkswagen's inspection. When this malfunctions it can lead to a loss of its anti-lock braking function, potentially causing wheel lock-up during braking, longer stopping distances, and reduced vehicle control, especially on slippery surfaces. Additionally, other driver assistance features relying on the ABS module, like traction control and automatic braking, may also be affected. Other 2017 models had a recall on this part but I was told my VIN did not. There were warning lights on dash when this occurred. This was confirmed by VW.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.