About average for the Jetta
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Jetta year. The main thing to watch is the fuel system, which half of owners reported by about 59,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Jetta years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 160 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The most reported problem area is the fuel system (42, 26% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the electrical system. That ranks 7th of 13 Jetta years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 7 recalls.
5 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta before you buy.
Fuel system
42 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 59,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to start. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel rail bolts. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 49,000 miles
EPC light came on and I could smell a strong odor of gas. The car immediately began to de-accelerate and I could no longer use the gas pedal. I was on a highway road with lots of curves and limited shoulder, this could have been deadly. The vehicle also could have started a fire. The same exact issue occurred with this vehicle in…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Engine and cooling
35 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 140,000 miles
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 warrantyOwner complaint, filed 2024
Electrical system
33 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
As I drove home one night, the fuel gauge was showing empty when I knew that the tank was half full. This is dangerous for a remote, rural driver who needs to know how much gas is left in the tank. Nothing out of the ordinary was present for this occurrence. After I turned the car off and turned it back on the gauge was back to normal. I…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 4,000 miles
My car is stalling upon starting intermittently for the last 2 months. I have read several places about people having an issue of having cars of this year stalling while driving which is extremely dangerous. I am fearful my issue could turn into this. I have taken my car to the dealer and it is not throwing any codes. The dealer did say…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 65,000 miles
Air bags
21 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025
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…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 140,000 miles
Brakes and stability control
20 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 33,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled down to the floorboard; however, the vehicle responded as needed. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Mavis Tire and Brakes, where it was determined that the brake master…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 84,000 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
July 2024 my 2017 VW JETTA SEL PREMIUM [XXX] at 153,253 miles without notice had TRANSMISSION FAILURE where a major oil and transmission fluid leak occurred. I was sitting at a red light, the light turned green I tried to go and ended up flooding the engine thus preventing the car to ever move again. I experienced a total loss on a…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Vehicle has only 10,000 miles. Developed unidentified leak. Shortly after the car was on the freeway in 6th gear and started smoking and revving the engine. Car would not shift into gear and the car stalled. Clutch, flywheel, throwout bearing, and pressure plate were completely destroyed. Towed to dealership.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Steering
14 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 23,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 26,000 miles
The car lost power on a city street at about 40 MPH then my son couldn't steer or brake. All dash lights were flashing so we have no idea what is really wrong. Trying to get off of the road he went into a ditch. The radiator was busted/leaking so he had to get his step father to come get it. I cannot afford the radiator to get it fixed…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 61,500 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
10 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
Driving down from work to lunch. Whenn slowly pulling out of the parking lot and no one around. then all of a sudden a loud explosion was heard and I looked up and saw glass shattered all across the moonroof. I parked in my parking spot and got out and looked up and saw glass shattered at the top with no impacts. The sunroof just…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The fuse that controls the exterior lights (tail, marker,etc.) and interior lights at first interment would blow/burn out. Sometimes after a few days or a few months for the past year. In the past few weeks the fuse blows immediately once replaced. The car was brought to a VW dealer a year ago who changed the fuse and ran a diagnostic.…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Cruise control and acceleration
7 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
I purchased my vehicle new at 19,000 miles the adaptive cruise control system has failed which also controls the autonomous braking, the extra 2500 dollars for this system is useless, and will not hold a re-calibration.Owner complaint, filed 2018
My car can be turned off and does need to be in park. The electrical comes and goes but the most alarming is the jetta [VIN] on it's own and it takes a couple of minutes to get it under control. At one point I have no way of stopping the acceleration to stop. Also, I asked crestmont vw if it was normal to have car off and not in park.…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 10 miles
Driver assist systems
6 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Warnings (6).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
I purchased my car used. In the past 3 years I have had problems my headlights became increasingly dim I checked my fuses and it had blown so I replaced it. Upon doing so my windshield wipers that had just been working no longer moved. But my headlights worked. Then my passenger window would not work with the drivers door controls. I can…Owner complaint, filed 2025
FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY: 1) the HID HALOGEN lights- (a.) the main DS3 buld continues to burn out not lasting longer than a month. (b.) the ballast also than shorts out (c.) the HIGH BEAM does the reverse effect making everything black (d.) the LOW BEAM do not work right as i cannot see obstacles in the road clearly- WHEN DRIVING AT…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Seats and seat belts
6 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to securely buckle. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. There was an abnormal beeping sound detected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that the seat belt buckle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 41,000 miles
The drivers side seat does not heat up not to mention the leatherette material used is cheap and has torn making the heater to not work anymore possiblyOwner complaint, filed 2024
Wheels and tires
6 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
2017 vw jetta sel was purchased new 11/02/ 2017. From the start, the hankook kntrol m&s 224/45/r17 tires provided very poor control in wet or even light snow driving conditions, in spite of good alignment and wheel balance. By 22,000 miles(07/2020) the tires had become extremely noisy , with a thump, thump noise at low speeds. The…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 22,000 miles
Bridgestone ecopia 205/55r16 tire on front left hand side has a bulge in the sidewall. Vehicle is a 2017 vw jetta se with 9653 miles. Tire is original. I have no recollection of any event that could have caused damage to this tire.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 9,653 miles
Suspension
4 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My 2017 vw Jetta S front left coil spring broke in half & the sharp ends could have puncture my tire while I was driving. I was checking it over as soon as it made noise, & discovered that it had broken and didn’t drive it & bought 2 new ones and replaced them both and got our state inspection. I got on the internet and saw where the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Body, doors and structure
3 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 39,000 miles
The brakes make noise upon starting to brake and this has been happening since we owned it . Took it to the dealer which is gerald jones vw august's ga and they didn't look at it but o my tipped off the oil . They said the brake system doesn't come with a courtesy check . Also there were small dents in the car from the beginning that I…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 25 miles
Volkswagen Jetta complaints by year
Compare the 2017 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2017 compact cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Volkswagen Jetta | About average | 7 |
| 2017 Toyota Corolla | About average | 3 |
| 2017 Honda Civic | Worse than most years | 6 |
| 2017 Mazda Mazda3 | About average | 2 |
2017 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
Fuel system Fuel rail
- Risk
- A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Master cylinder
- Risk
- If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Control module
- Risk
- Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Equipment Labels
- Risk
- The mismatched VINs make the vehicle noncompliant with regulatory requirements.
- Fix
- Volkswagen has notified owners and has replaced the vehicles, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen 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 requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Equipment Labels
- Risk
- Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen 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 with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Equipment Labels
- Risk
- Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers install a corrected tire information label, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen 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 requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Engine and cooling
- Risk
- If the engine seizes, the wheels may suddenly lock up, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will either buy back the vehicle or replace the engine block, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen 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.
2017 Volkswagen Jetta questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most reported problem areas on the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta are the fuel system (42 complaints), the engine and cooling (35 complaints) and the electrical system (33 complaints).
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta a good year to buy?
About average for the Jetta. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Jetta year. The main thing to watch is the fuel system, which half of owners reported by about 59,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Jetta years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recent, from Oct 2020, covers the fuel rail. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2017 Volkswagen Jetta problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the fuel system gave a mileage of about 59,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 65,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Volkswagen Jetta years should I avoid?
The Jetta years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012, 2013 and 2019. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
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