1997 Volkswagen Jetta: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 141 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (16% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 141 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The speedometer in any occasions does not mark the speed but if it marks the miles that are covered and it doest turn on the light of check engine to be able to know that it is trumping the speedometer, sometimes meanwhile the car lighting and in movement it stops working it is not the first car that I see that the same problem has this I meet more than 7 persons who have the same problem and who when we take it to the agency say to us that it does not have any shortcoming or perhaps it is some sensor that does not work but the car does not light the light of check engine to warn that a sensor has to be replaced I suppose myself that it is already a shortcoming of the speedometer. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2009
“The hood became undone while at freeway speed and smashed into the windshield causing a large obstruction of vision increasing the possibility of an accident. The hood latch became loose to where it did not latch properly. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2008
“While driving on highway the vehicle started bucking until no longer running. The car was towed to a service station, where they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle started a couple of hours later that day. The mechanic stated that it might be an electrical problem or the fuel.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the metal shield failed that protects the fuel tank filler neck. The dealer stated that the vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 02v026000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap) and refused to perform the repair. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 105,000 and current mileage was 126,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2007
“Replaced ignition coil for the third time in as many years!! Electric water pump replaced. Eater core exploded a couple months later while I was on the highway at 65 mph with my child in the car! Couldn't see anything as car filled with antifreeze cloud. Belt driven water pump went a week later. Entire power steering rack needed to be replaced. Window regulator needed to be replaced twice. Door handle broke twice!. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2006
“Dt: the contact stated while driving at night there was a loss of exterior and interior lighting. Also, the windshield wipers were disabled. There was no prior warning. The lights will shut off, but intermittently come back on. The contact inspected the battery, fuses, and the alternator. The vehicle has not been to a dealer , and no repairs have been made due to the expense. *ak updated 02/07/06. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2005
“Dt: there was a recall for the wheel housing on the passenger side rear protector shield. When they installed the hook it made noise and it fell off. When it fell off it started to squeak. He called the dealership, and took vehicle to dealer, and they put in another hook . The hook fell off again, and he called the dealership, but they would not help him. He took the vehicle to another mechanic, who told him the recall work was done wrongly. There should have been a hole drilled for the hook to latch onto. The letter stated it was a safety recall, wk14. Could not locate the NHTSA recall number. *ak (11/08/05) tank guard on the rear passenger side. *sc”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2005
“'recall campaign' for volkswagen jetta 1997 install protective shield in right rear wheelhousing. *bf the consumer was chagred for a recall regarding the window regulators. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2005
“Turn signal switch sometimes work and sometimes doesn't... Can't lock doors on driver side with my master key, can only lock and set alarm on passenger side. Airbag light stays on... Vehicle cuts off randomly when slowing down or stopping... Without notice!*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2004
“While the brake was applied the vehicle suddenly accelerated. *nm the consumer attempted to put the vehicle in neutral but it kept racing forward. *tc *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Jetta by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
NHTSA has 141 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta. The most complained-about area is electrical system (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Volkswagen Jetta problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.