MYRModel Year Report

1997 Volkswagen Jetta

▲ Better than typical
1997 Volkswagen Jetta
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:42:09.296Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Jetta Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1997 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 455 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 606 complaints 2012: 499 complaints 2013: 516 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 547 complaints 2020: 52 complaints 2020 2021: 67 complaints 2022: 42 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 43 complaints 2025: 28 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
1997: 141 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199132
199230
199317
1994120
1995220
1996173
1997141
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003455
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011606
2012499
2013516
2014386
2015194
2016161
2017159
201831
2019547
202052
202167
202242
202343
202443
202528
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23%

23% of complaints: electrical system — 33 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
VISIBILITY 19%

19% of complaints: visibility — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield wiper/washer.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT , I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WINDOWS, EVERYONE ON THE VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR AT SOME POINT COSTING AT LEAST 200.00 A POP , NOW I KNOW THINGS HAPPENS BUT I AM THE ONLY...

NHTSA ODI report, 20030508

POWER TRAIN 18%

18% of complaints: power train — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing sensor/control module and side/window.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ON THE SNOW ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A GUARDRAIL. THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND DID NOT DEPLOY. *CB

NHTSA ODI report, 20040116

DRIVER HIT THE CURB AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND HIT THE DRIVER IN THE HEAD. THE DRIVER WAS POSSIBLY KILLED BY THE AIRBAG. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970313

VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT STANDSTILL; DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED; DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED 5 SECONDS AFTER IMPACT; PASSENGER PREGNANT. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970214

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

EXHAUST PIPE EXTENDS UNDERNEATH THE BUMPER, REVEALING RAW EDGE OF PIPE. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURY TO THE HAND WHEN WASHING VEHICLE, INJURY MAY ALSO BE SUSTAINED IF BRUSHING AGAINST THE BUMPER PARALLEL\HORIZONTALLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 19970224

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20000810 — PE (closed 20001228)

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

I 20001228 — EA (closed 20020129)

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

R 20030613 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION

Campaign 02V026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V026000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 1992 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.