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2017 Volkswagen Jetta Complaints

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

159

Total

18

Crashes

3

Fires

9

Injuries

1

Deaths

Most Reported Components

ENGINE
43
FUEL SYSTEM
25
AIR BAGS
21
OTHER
16
ELECTRICAL
14

Owner Complaint Reports

Showing 25 of 159 reports, crash, fire and injury reports first, then the most recently filed. The full set is on NHTSA.gov.

ODI #11753433

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 07/09/2024

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

ODI #11722751

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS — Filed 03/07/2026

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.

ODI #11720494

SUSPENSION — Filed 08/14/2024

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.

ODI #11702692Fire

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 11/26/2025

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.

ODI #11698262

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT — Filed 05/15/2025

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.

ODI #11688547

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/02/2021

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

ODI #11642367Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 02/07/2025

AT AROUND 5AM ON FEBRUAURY 7, 2025 I WAS AWOKE BY MY ROOMMATE SCREAMING MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. WHEN I WENT OUTSIDE I SEEN MY NEIGHBOR AND ROOMMATE ATTEMPTING TO PUT OUT A FIRE IN THE ENGINE OF MY CAR. MY CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR AT LEAST 5 HOURS AND WAS NOT RUNNING. MY NEIGHBOR STATED THAT HE LOOKED OUT HIS WINDOW AND SAW FLAMES AND RAN ACROSS THE STREET WHERE HE STARTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH MY WATER HOSE UNTIL FIRE AND POLICE ASSISTANCE ARRIVED. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE CAR, OR AROUND THE CAR, THE FIRE SPONTANEOUSLY STARTED. I HAD NO PRIOR WARNINGS THAT WOULD BE CAUSE FOR CONCERN OF AN ENGINE FIRE. THE CAR BURNT TO TOTAL DESTRUCTION. IT IS LOCATED AT MY ADDRESS. IT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION ON REQUEST. I AM FINANCING THE CAR FROM SHAWS AUTO SINCE 08/23/2024. SHAWS AUTO HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FIREMEN STATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I AM UPLOADING PICTURES OF MY CAR. I AM STILL ACQUIRING OFFICIAL INCIDENT REPORTS. ATTEMPTED TO UPLOAD PHOTOS OF VEHICLE POST FIRE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THIS INCIDENT HAS TAKEN A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MENTAL, PHYSICAL, AND SPIRITUAL ENERGY IN ORDER FOR ME TO STAY INTACT. THIS IS MY FIRST OPPORTUNITY AT BUYING A NEWER CAR THAT I WAS UNDER THE EXPECTATION THAT I WOULDNT BE UNDER CONSTANT WORRY THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING TO GO WRONG WITH MY CAR COSTING ME MONEY I DONT HAVE. I NEWER CAR SHOULDVE BROUGHT ME AT LEAST A FEW YEARS USE BEFORE CONCERN FOR ANY KIND OF WEAR AND TEAR ISSUES ARISE. THIS ENGINE FIRE WAS NOT MY FAULT OR CAUSE THEREFORE I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED WITH A CAR OF WHICH ICAN RELY ON. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR AND WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY UNTIL AFTER THE FIRE. HAD I KNOWN THERE WAS AN URGENT RECALL I WOULD HAVE CORRECTED IT.

ODI #11633490Crash

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/30/2024

My daughter was rear-ended in her 2017 Jetta while stopped. The other driver was going approximately 45 mph, forcing my daughter into the car in front of her as well, causing significant front impact and damage to the vehicle. The air bag did not deploy. The amount of impact seems as though the airbag should have deployed. She suffered a mild concussion and whiplash from the impact.

ODI #11622928Crash

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/08/2024

The contact owned a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle struck a deer. The contact's daughter lost control of the vehicle, crashing head-on into a tree. No warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's daughter was shaken up, but she had no visible injuries and did not receive medical treatment immediately following the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard and was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The contact stated that a few weeks after the crash, her daughter had approximately 80-90 seizures and was receiving medical treatment at the hospital. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle operated properly by not deploying the air bags because the rate of deceleration criteria were not met during frontal impact. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

ODI #11549405Crash

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/11/2023

The only airbag that went off in the vehicle during a collision was the steering wheel airbag none of the side airbags deployed the driver hit his head on the window in the car there were no warning lights on prior to the accident to indicate that there were any malfunctions the police did get called to the scene and vehicle was towed insurance representatives have not inspected vehicle yet.

ODI #11521168Crash

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/06/2023

My vehicle was involved in a collision in which it hit the back of a 18 wheeler causing major frame damage. None of the airbags deployed.

ODI #11513980Crash

AIR BAGS — Filed 03/25/2023

On Saturday March 25th I was in an accident in my 2017 jetta. A Tahoe last second lane changed into the front end of my jetta. The impact was at 30mph but no air bags deployed. When starting the car now after the accident there are airbag warnings all over the dash. The air bags failed to deploy properly in an accident.

ODI #11432973Crash

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/14/2021

My daughters car was hit on highway on drivers rear quarter panel. Major damage, frame and axle on car bent. Airbags did not deploy. No serious injuries. Occupants head hurts from impact, w steering wheel, seat belt was on.

ODI #11413464Crash

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 02/12/2021

CAR CAN BE TURNED OFF EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF WHILE STILL IN DRIVE UNBEKNOWNST TO THE DRIVER. THIS RESULTED IN THE CAR ROLLING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES. A ACCIDENT DID OCCUR ON FEB 12, 2021 IN SPROUTS GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT IN LA MESA, SAN DIEGO CA. INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED TO REPAIR THE OTHER PARTIES VEHICLE INVOLVED. THE DAMAGE TO THE MENTIONED CAR INCLUDES DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, TAIL LIGHT AND SIDE BODY. THE OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED NEEDS THE ENTIRE SIDE PANEL REPLACED.

ODI #11385288Crash

STEERING — Filed 09/25/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE SLIDE ACROSS THE STREET AND HIT A TREE AND A POLE. THE CONTACT HAD MINOR INJURIES BUT A PASSANGER DIED IN THE CRASH. A POLICE ARRIVED AT THE THE CRASH SCEEN AND THE CONTACT DID NOT RECIEVE NOTICE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR WAS SMASHED IN FROM HITTING THE TREE, THE TRUCK WAS DAMAGED SEVERLY. THE FRONT OF THE SMASHED IN THE MIDDLE FROM CRASHING INTO THE POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY TO AN IMPOUND LOT FOR THE POLICE. AN IVESTIGATION JUST ENDED ON 12/04/20 AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE RELEASED SO IT COULD BE DECLARED TOTLED BY HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER SPRINGFIELD MITSUBISHI313 BALTIMORE PIKE, SPRINGFIELD, PA 19064 (484) 574-8434 STATED THEY WOULD NEED ALTTER FORM THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR A FULL FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

ODI #11287677Crash

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/19/2018

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY CITY STREET, GOING ABOUT 30 MPH. I NOTICED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS STOPPED FROM 100 FEET BACK AND I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES. MY CAR DID NOT STOP, IT DID NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL. THE WEATHER WAS WARM, THE ROAD WAS DRY AND IT WAS LIKE TRYING TO STOP ON AN ICY ROAD AND I REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. THE OTHER CAR HAD MINIMAL DAMAGE TO HER BACK BUMPER. SHE WAS INJURED, I HAD MINOR WHIPLASH.

ODI #11279613Crash

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/19/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED NEW MOTORS SUBARU (8670 PEACH ST, ERIE, PA 16509, (814) 868-4805) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

ODI #11271598Crash

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/20/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH IN TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOT AND DEEMED IT TOTALED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

ODI #11268422Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 11/20/2018

HORN JUST STOPPED WORKING

ODI #11192914CrashFire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/29/2018

TAKARA RECALL- MY BRAKES JAMMED UP AND WOULD NOT STOP, WHICH RESULTED IN A VEHICLE COLLISION ON NOVEMBER 29, 2018. I TRIED PRESSING THE BRAKES, HOWEVER, THEY JUST WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A CITY STREET. THEY HAD DONE THIS AFTER I GOT THEM SERVICED BEFORE AND I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THEY WERE FINE.

ODI #11118907Crash

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 08/09/2018

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD I REALIZED DEAD ENDED, I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY MY BRAKES AT WHICH TIME THEY DID NOT WORK, I LOOKED TO ENSURE NOTHING WAS UNDER IT AND WHEN I SEEN THERE WAS NOTHING ATTEMPTED TO APPLY AGAIN, UNFORTUNATELY THEY DID NOT WORK AGAIN. I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A BARRIER AND TOTALED THE VEHIUCLE AND SUSTAIN INJURIES BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT.

ODI #11094153Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS — Filed 02/01/2018

I HAVVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES THE PAST THREE-FIVE MONTHS ON THIS VEHICLE TODAY WHEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG LIGHTS CAME ON BUT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FIRE AND RESCUE SIAD THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYEED. THE RADIO WOULD TURN ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES THE HEAD LIGHTS WOULDNT TURN ON.

ODI #11064703Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 01/12/2018

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE GAS CAP. THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING AFTER THAT. VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON PARKWAY, ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ABILITY TO BRAKE AND STEER WAS GONE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON THE FRONT END COLLISION. VEHICLE HAD 1100 MILES ON IT

ODI #11064284Crash

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 12/06/2017

I NEEDED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN FROM A STREET INTO A COMPLEX, WAS STILL MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH AND WHEN I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SLOWING OR STOPPING. AS I CONTINUED TRYING TO MAKE THE TURN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN UNTIL I HIT THE CURB AND LATER THE WALL WHERE I CAME TO A STOP.

ODI #11057320Crash

ENGINE — Filed 11/13/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WHEELS SEIZED WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING THE SIDE WALK WHILE BEING OPERATED APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED OPERABLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIKES AUTO BODY WHERE THEY WERE INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V070000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN 17V070000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE VEHICLES VIN WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS TOLD TO CONTACT THE NHTSA TO GET THEIR VIN ADDED TO THE CAMPAIGN. THE DRIVER THAT OPERATED THE VEHICLE SUFFERED FROM A HEAD INJURY NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000.

About This Data

Complaints are filed by vehicle owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They represent individual consumer experiences and do not necessarily indicate a widespread defect.

View on NHTSA.gov