2017 Volkswagen Jetta
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 41 of 159 complaints (26%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Steering include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 162 in 2016 to 159 in 2017.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | vs. 2017 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,750–3,000 | 1,750–2,300 | 1,900–2,300 | 1,900–2,300 | 1,850–2,250 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–44 | 27–44 | 27–33 | 27–33 | 28–34 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–41 / 32–48 | 23–42 / 33–48 | 23–28 / 33–40 | 24–28 / 33–40 | 25–30 / 32–40 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 200–340 | 200–333 | 271–335 | 271–326 | 262–321 | |
| Complaints filed | 195 | 162 | 159 | 31 | 545 | |
| Recalls issued | 9 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 11 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 18 | 18 | 1 | 19 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 36 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
Fuel System: 41 of 159 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta get?
EPA rates it 27–33 MPG combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
EPA estimates $1,900–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 38 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 282 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 40 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | $1,900 (low) | 271 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg | 33 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 326 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 33 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 335 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 311 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 34 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 41 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 33 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 20 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 24 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL · Campaign 20V648000 · Oct 22, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24Gi.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 20E064000 · Sep 8, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 19V615000 · Aug 22, 2019
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 17V352000 · Jun 2, 2017
Defect: 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."
Consequence: The mismatched VINs make the vehicle noncompliant with regulatory requirements.
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners and has replaced the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 06A8.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 17V136000 · Mar 6, 2017
Defect: 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."
Consequence: Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 01B9.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 17V137000 · Mar 6, 2017
Defect: 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."
Consequence: Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 01B8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 17V070000 · Feb 6, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the engine seizes, the wheels may suddenly lock up, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will either buy back the vehicle or replace the engine block, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F4.