VOLKSWAGEN JETTA · model year

1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

100 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997VOLKSWAGENJETTA carries 100 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 JETTA is visibility:power window devices and controls with 9 filings, followed by electrical system (7) and electrical system:ignition (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 1997 JETTA, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

100
Complaints
8
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

100 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH3
SUSPENSION3
STRUCTURE:BODY2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING2
POWER TRAIN2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE2
EQUIPMENT2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM2

Recent Complaints

20131209CrashSUSPENSION

A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GT, EQUIPPED WITH FRONTAL AIRBAGS WAS IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE USE OF AFTERMARKET PARTS, WHICH INCLUDED AFTER MARKET BALL JOINTS NOT SUPPLIED FROM THE DEALER, THIS PART FAILED AFTER 12.7KM ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 110KM/H 65MPH, THE CAR STEERING WAS VERY SHAKY WHEN ENTERING A SLIGHT TURN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD FRACTURED IN THE HUB KNUCKLE AND HAD CAUSED THE WHEEL TO COLLAPSE, THE STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING BECAUSE THE TIRES WHERE NOT ON THE GROUND, THE CAR WAS RESTING ON THE RAD SUPPORT AND FRONT AXLE OF THE CAR, BRAKING ALSO FAILED DUE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE BRAKING FORCE BEING ON THE FRONT WHEELS THAT WERE NOT MAKING CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. THE CAR THEN STRUCK A GUARD RAIL 3 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE REST, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THERE WAS NO NEED DUE TO THE ANGLE IN WHICH THE CAR STRUCK THE RAIL. SAFETY BELTS WORKED AND CARS MECHANICAL OPERATION (BESIDES FRONT SUSPENSION, AND BODY DAMAGE) WAS STILL FINE. WHEEL BEARIN

Mileage: 180,000

20131209CrashSERVICE BRAKES

A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GT, EQUIPPED WITH FRONTAL AIRBAGS WAS IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE USE OF AFTERMARKET PARTS, WHICH INCLUDED AFTER MARKET BALL JOINTS NOT SUPPLIED FROM THE DEALER, THIS PART FAILED AFTER 12.7KM ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 110KM/H 65MPH, THE CAR STEERING WAS VERY SHAKY WHEN ENTERING A SLIGHT TURN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD FRACTURED IN THE HUB KNUCKLE AND HAD CAUSED THE WHEEL TO COLLAPSE, THE STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING BECAUSE THE TIRES WHERE NOT ON THE GROUND, THE CAR WAS RESTING ON THE RAD SUPPORT AND FRONT AXLE OF THE CAR, BRAKING ALSO FAILED DUE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE BRAKING FORCE BEING ON THE FRONT WHEELS THAT WERE NOT MAKING CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. THE CAR THEN STRUCK A GUARD RAIL 3 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE REST, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THERE WAS NO NEED DUE TO THE ANGLE IN WHICH THE CAR STRUCK THE RAIL. SAFETY BELTS WORKED AND CARS MECHANICAL OPERATION (BESIDES FRONT SUSPENSION, AND BODY DAMAGE) WAS STILL FINE. WHEEL BEARIN

Mileage: 180,000

20131209CrashSTEERING

A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GT, EQUIPPED WITH FRONTAL AIRBAGS WAS IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE USE OF AFTERMARKET PARTS, WHICH INCLUDED AFTER MARKET BALL JOINTS NOT SUPPLIED FROM THE DEALER, THIS PART FAILED AFTER 12.7KM ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 110KM/H 65MPH, THE CAR STEERING WAS VERY SHAKY WHEN ENTERING A SLIGHT TURN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD FRACTURED IN THE HUB KNUCKLE AND HAD CAUSED THE WHEEL TO COLLAPSE, THE STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING BECAUSE THE TIRES WHERE NOT ON THE GROUND, THE CAR WAS RESTING ON THE RAD SUPPORT AND FRONT AXLE OF THE CAR, BRAKING ALSO FAILED DUE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE BRAKING FORCE BEING ON THE FRONT WHEELS THAT WERE NOT MAKING CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. THE CAR THEN STRUCK A GUARD RAIL 3 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE REST, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THERE WAS NO NEED DUE TO THE ANGLE IN WHICH THE CAR STRUCK THE RAIL. SAFETY BELTS WORKED AND CARS MECHANICAL OPERATION (BESIDES FRONT SUSPENSION, AND BODY DAMAGE) WAS STILL FINE. WHEEL BEARIN

Mileage: 180,000

20131209CrashAIR BAGS

A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GT, EQUIPPED WITH FRONTAL AIRBAGS WAS IN A COLLISION DUE TO THE USE OF AFTERMARKET PARTS, WHICH INCLUDED AFTER MARKET BALL JOINTS NOT SUPPLIED FROM THE DEALER, THIS PART FAILED AFTER 12.7KM ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 110KM/H 65MPH, THE CAR STEERING WAS VERY SHAKY WHEN ENTERING A SLIGHT TURN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD FRACTURED IN THE HUB KNUCKLE AND HAD CAUSED THE WHEEL TO COLLAPSE, THE STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING BECAUSE THE TIRES WHERE NOT ON THE GROUND, THE CAR WAS RESTING ON THE RAD SUPPORT AND FRONT AXLE OF THE CAR, BRAKING ALSO FAILED DUE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE BRAKING FORCE BEING ON THE FRONT WHEELS THAT WERE NOT MAKING CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. THE CAR THEN STRUCK A GUARD RAIL 3 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE REST, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THERE WAS NO NEED DUE TO THE ANGLE IN WHICH THE CAR STRUCK THE RAIL. SAFETY BELTS WORKED AND CARS MECHANICAL OPERATION (BESIDES FRONT SUSPENSION, AND BODY DAMAGE) WAS STILL FINE. WHEEL BEARIN

Mileage: 180,000

20100415ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

IT WAS AT NIGHT RAINY AND COLD. I TURNED ON THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER BECAUSE MY CAR WINDOWS AND WHOLE INSIDE OF CABIN WERE OBSCURES BY A FOG. MY DEFROSTER CLEARED THE BACK WINDOW BUT ALL OTHERS NOT SO I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS AND SHUT DOWN THE HEATER. I WAITED A WHILE AND USED CLOTHING TO WIPE THE WINDOW. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IN 6 WEEKS APPX. I DID TURN ON THE FAN ALONE TO PUSH BROWN FOG OUT OF THE CAR. TODAY I CHECKED MY FLUIDS THE COOLANT WAS HALF GONE IN THE RESERVOIR SO I TOPPED IT UP. I SAW ON LINE VWOF AMERICA HAS HELPED PEOPLE IN THE PAST WITH A GOOD WILL HEATER CORE BUT THEY TOLD ME 4-152004 THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. THAT IS WHERE I'M AT NO $ AND I NEED MY CAR FOR WORK. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 142,940

20100415VISIBILITY

IT WAS AT NIGHT RAINY AND COLD. I TURNED ON THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER BECAUSE MY CAR WINDOWS AND WHOLE INSIDE OF CABIN WERE OBSCURES BY A FOG. MY DEFROSTER CLEARED THE BACK WINDOW BUT ALL OTHERS NOT SO I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS AND SHUT DOWN THE HEATER. I WAITED A WHILE AND USED CLOTHING TO WIPE THE WINDOW. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IN 6 WEEKS APPX. I DID TURN ON THE FAN ALONE TO PUSH BROWN FOG OUT OF THE CAR. TODAY I CHECKED MY FLUIDS THE COOLANT WAS HALF GONE IN THE RESERVOIR SO I TOPPED IT UP. I SAW ON LINE VWOF AMERICA HAS HELPED PEOPLE IN THE PAST WITH A GOOD WILL HEATER CORE BUT THEY TOLD ME 4-152004 THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. THAT IS WHERE I'M AT NO $ AND I NEED MY CAR FOR WORK. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 142,940

20100201ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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

20100121VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ACCELERATOR STICKS WHEN IN HIGH RPM, IF YOU HIT THE BRAKE IT SLOWS THE CAR DOWN A LITTLE BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES WHEN I'M GOING AROUND 60PMH AND HAVE DROPPED INTO 4TH GEAR TO PASS SOMEONE. I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF TO STOP IT FROM ACCELERATING. THEN WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND IN PARK AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS UP, I TRIED TURNING THE CAR ON AND AS SOON AS I TURNED IT ON IT REVVED UP REALLY HIGH. IT FINALLY TURNED ON NORMALLY AFTER IN TURNED IT ON AND OFF A COUPLE TIMES. THE ACCELERATOR HAS ALSO STUCK WHEN I WAS GOING AROUND 70-75 AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR TO PASS SOMEONE TO GET INTO A DIFFERENT LANE, I DID NOT DROP INTO 4TH GEAR, I WAS IN 5TH GEAR THE WHOLE TIME. THIS TIME I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND DIDN'T HAVE THE OPTION TO SHUT IT OFF, I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN SHIFTED IT BACK INTO 5TH GEAR AND THAT FIXED IT THAT TIME. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

20080410STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

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

Mileage: 118,000

20070919FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

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.

Mileage: 105,000

20070523FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

20070523ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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

20070320AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

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

Mileage: 100,000

20070320ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

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

Mileage: 100,000

20070320LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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

Mileage: 100,000

20070320STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK

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

Mileage: 100,000

20070320VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

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

Mileage: 100,000

20070320VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

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

Mileage: 100,000

20070320ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

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

Mileage: 100,000

20070320EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

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

Mileage: 100,000

Compare 1997VOLKSWAGENJETTA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA have?
The 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA has 100 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA?
The most-complained component for the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA is VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION.
Is the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.