Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system17
- Visibility16
- Engine and engine cooling11
- Power train8
- Structure7
- Suspension5
- Air bags5
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Latches/locks/linkages4
- Equipment4
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 105,675 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 5 variants: combined 7.6–12.6 L/100 km (about 19–31 mpg US), CO₂ 205–290 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jetta Diesel · Compact · Diesel | 8.4 | 6.6 | 7.6 |
| Jetta · Compact · Regular gasoline | 12.0 | 8.8 | 10.6 |
| Jetta · Compact · Regular gasoline | 13.7 | 9.7 | 11.9 |
| Jetta GLX · Compact · Regular gasoline | 13.9 | 10.1 | 12.2 |
| Jetta GLX · Compact · Regular gasoline | 14.5 | 10.4 | 12.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volkswagen told its dealers about the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621613 | SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT |
| 601876 | INFORMATION ON MAINTENANCE INTERVALS. *YC |
| 600981 | DIFFICULTIES IN CLOSING REAR LID. *YC |
| 600825 | DISCONNECTING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG UNIT. *YC |
| 54133 | CONDITION WITH VEHICLES SHIFTER LEVER VIBRATING/KNOCKING IN 1ST, 2ND, 3RD OR 4TH GEARS. *YC |
| 54060 | SUBJECT PERTAINING TO POWER SUNROOF CONVENIENCE CLOSE FEATURE, FUNCTION CHANGE. *AK |
| 53647 | BATTERY CABLE CLAMP WILL NOT TIGHTEN ON BATTERY POST. *AK |
| 53636 | CONCERNS WITH CASSETTE TAPE PLAYER, SOUND OUTPUT LOW OR DISTORTED, TAPES MAY BE DESTROYED. *YC |
| 53635 | PROGRAMMABLE INTERMITTENT WINDSHIELD WIPER, FUNCTION DELETED. *AK |
| 53634 | CONCERNS WITH ANTI-THEFT ALARM SOUNDS AFTER IS SET AND CANNOT BE SWITCHED OFF. *YC |
| 53633 | CHART IDENTIFIES WHICH TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULES (TMC) ARE AVAILABLE FOR VARIOUS STATES. *AK |
| 53618 | VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NEW AIRBAG WARNING LABELS. *YC |
| 53617 | SERVICE MANUAL ON ELECTRIC WINDOW REGULATOR MOTORS. *YC |
| 53616 | TOOTHED BELT RUNS TOWARDS OUTSIDE, WEARS OUT/ JUMPS OFF, AND CRACKS. *AK |
| 53615 | CONDITIONS WITH TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND IS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT IN/OUT OF REVERSE. *YC |
| 53612 | PROCEDURES APPLYING TO DISTRIBUTOR INSTALLATION ON UPDATED 2.0L ENGINES. *YC |
| 53611 | INFORMATION CONCERNING DTC 16725, CAMPSHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR. *AK |
| 53609 | INFORMATION ON INSTALLING A LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT CARGO NET. *YC |
| 53606 | DIFFICULTIES WITH SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION IS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE GEAR. *YC |
| 53605 | TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF GEAR/SHIFTER FEELS LIKE IT HAS A DOUBLE DETENT WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR, AND WILL NOT MAINTAIN SHIFT ADJUSTMENT. *AK |
| 10241340 | Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard VW 502 00/505 00/505 01 and VW 504 00/507 00 |
| 10241266 | Squeaks, Rattles, Noise, Repair Materials |
| 10241265 | Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults |
| 10241177 | Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards |
| 10240922 | Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation