3.2

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,016 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #6

Dec 092004

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 117,752 miles
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!

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #5

Sep 022004

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles
My complaint is regarding the throttle body on the motor. The car ran very erratically and stalled a number of times. The check engine light came on often. The throttle body was replaced. The old part is not available.

- Huntington, NY, USA

problem #4

Sep 202001

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,342 miles
I purchased a used 1997 VW Jetta gl in November of 1999. When I purchased the car, the dealership refused to give me a warranty. They said that they didn't offer the warranty with cars over 55,000 miles, mine had 55,500 miles. In late September of 2001 (69342 miles), my automatic transmission went out, during rush hour, in a high traffic area. About 1-2 months prior I had the transmission serviced, including a fluid change. I was forced to replace my transmission, and had several problems with it after. The shop that I had replace it said that they have seen many Jetta's with this problem. I still am having problems, with the car. Problems include: Check engine light clicks on and off for no reason, not starting in warmer weather, irregular idleing, and sticky locks. I am aware that these cars have electrial problems that could cause unsafe conditions. I do not believe that the customer should be forced to pay for these coastly repairs, when so many cases exsits.

- Westminster, CO, USA

problem #3

Apr 082001

Jetta

  • miles
My passagner air bag showed defect. My engine light has come on for no reason.

- Marina, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 012001

Jetta 4-cyl

  • miles
Vehicle's transmission failed. The transmission had gone out when it was under warranty. It had taken three weeks to get the vehicle back at that time. The following year, the vehicle started to jerk. The vehicle was out of warranty. It wasn't until the vehicle stopped again, the consumer was told the transmission had leaked. There were numerous repairs. The vehicle was placed in the shop for the timing belt and the cylinder head. The vehicle also had to be taken in for a protective shield in the right rear wheel housing. The distributor cap, ignition rotor, and the spark plugs were replaced. Repair was also made to the wire for the ignition coil/cam shaft. The ignition switch was replaced and the engine control modules.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #1

Oct 282000

Jetta

  • miles
While driving, timing belt broke causing immediate loss of power, this caused other engine damage, valves were bent and a cylinder head was replaced, consumer states that the owner's manual only requires that inspection and maintenance be done at 60,000 miles.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA