Volkswagen / Jetta / 1997
1997 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Owners have filed 213 complaints about the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 16.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of visibility at 13.6%.
Complaints213
Crashes22
Fires5
Injuries20
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 16.9% · 36
Visibility 13.6% · 29
Power train 13.1% · 28
Engine and engine cooling 8.5% · 18
Air bags 8.0% · 17
Structure 6.1% · 13
Suspension 5.2% · 11
Tires 4.2% · 9
Severity
Of those complaints, 22 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire, 20 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 25 model years of the Volkswagen Jetta in this data, 1997 draws comparatively few complaints; 2009 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 65 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 74,500 miles.
In owners' own words
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. Electrical system · reported at 147,000 miles
Due to a faulty alternator and battery acid spilling onto engine, power steering blew out. Dealer replaced a tube on the battery so the acid can run through the tube and spill onto the ground. Dealer also mentioned that it was not the orginal battery. But consumer never changed battery and bought the vehicle brand new. Please provide further information. Electrical system
We bought the 1997 Jetta used in 2000. Since then it had it's ignition changed (new key to start engine). The third starter was just put in. We thought the new starter would fix the problem of the engine not turning over, but it's back again less than 21 days after the starter was put. It's in the shop , starter was checked; it's not the starter. Electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…