2017 Volkswagen Jetta Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 09/08/2026

32Engine complaints

20.1%Of all 159 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE32 · 20.1%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30 · 18.9%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM29 · 18.2%

Unspecified / other25 · 15.7%

AIR BAGS21 · 13.2%

Share of the 159 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta overview page.

What owners report

“I WAS DRIVING ON ROAD & I HIT A MAJOR ROCK OR A POTHOLE I WAS IN HYATTSVILLE. I WORK & LIVE IN THE CITY…”NHTSA complaint 11406281 — filed 04/03/2021

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE CODE CAME ON AS WELL AS THE…”NHTSA complaint 11399727 — filed 03/08/2021

“I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TODAY TO ASK ABOUT THE FUEL RAIL REPAIR AND WAS INFORMED THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION NOR A TIME FRAME OF WHEN THEY…”NHTSA complaint 11388717 — filed 01/18/2021

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta: 32 of 159 complaints on file (20.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta have in total?

159 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 09/08/2026. Across all categories, 18 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 9 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 09/08/2026.