Home · 2017 Volkswagen Jetta Hev · Complaints

What 158 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (158)Crash / fire / injury (20)Fuel system (41)Electrical system (33)Engine (31)Airbags (21)Brakes (15)Steering (14)Transmission & drivetrain (14)Speed control (7)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (5)Lights (5)

Newest first · 158 complaints · page 2 of 7

Sep 4, 2024Fuel system

EPC light came on and I could smell a strong odor of gas. The car immediately began to de-accelerate and I could no longer use the gas pedal. I was on a highway road with lots of curves and limited shoulder, this could have been deadly. The vehicle also could have started a fire. The same exact issue occurred with this vehicle in September of 2022 where a safety recall was issued for fuel rail bolts. It has been less than two years and the issue has occurred again.

NHTSA ODI 11612624

Jul 23, 2024Fuel system

The fuel rail system came loose, causing fuel to spray in engine bay, as well as loss of power to propel vehicle forward. Original recall for 2016-2018 Volkswagens Jetta’s fuel rail coming loose due to bolts loosening over time was opened in April 2020. Car was taken to Brandon Tomes Volkswagen of McKinney as soon as recall was received. A few years later, the fuel rail system still came loose and the car now is at my personal mechanic shop due to Brandon Tomes saying the had seen the car for the recall. I do not trust Brandon Tomes with my vehicle at this point in time to do fix the issue, if they even actually did anything when the car was in for the recall when the recall was initiated. If they did, and the bolts still came loose, then the original recall may need to be investigated and to see if there are multiple more units affected by the recall that have been seen for the recall and put as recall completed, only to have the issue arise at a later time.

NHTSA ODI 11603938

Jun 10, 2024Fuel system

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 15 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate and lost motive power. The driver was able to drive to the destination, after which the driver observed fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel rail. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V648000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the VIN was included, and the vehicle was repaired, but the failure occurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 11593409

May 25, 2024Fuel system

Safety recall on fuel rail bolts was originally performed by dealership on 30Aug21. However, while driving to work 14May24 the car dumped a full tank of gas and had to be towed to dealership for repair. The technician found the fuel rail bolts missing.

NHTSA ODI 11590717

May 9, 2024Electrical systemLights

I am continually have issue with my headlights bi-xenon ds3 bulbs going out. I have replaced the ballast and the bulb w oem parts and the issue continues. My day runner LED lights work on the passenger side but the HID bulb does not work. I have no low beam. Everything else works. Same issue on drivers side until I replaced the entire housing unit. Regardless both lights DO NOT REFLECT IN DISTANCE making it EXTREMELY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT forcing me to have to drive w my fog lights on just to see.

NHTSA ODI 11587771

Apr 25, 2024Seat belts

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to securely buckle. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. There was an abnormal beeping sound detected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that the seat belt buckle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall or warranty coverage on the vehicle. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

NHTSA ODI 11585227

Apr 12, 2024EngineFuel systemVisibility & wipers

The EPC light and Check Engine light came on while driving, major car throttling, problems with acceleration, stronger throttling occurred with more acceleration. Car was immediately towed to nearest VW dealership service. Me and my son had to stop on the expressway far from home. Problems were confirmed at inspection by VW dealership on same day of incident. No symptoms or warnings occurred of problems before incident.

NHTSA ODI 11582508

Apr 4, 2024Fuel system

The contact’s daughter owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle was running rough and seized. The contact stated that his daughter smelled fuel that was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated the intake valves were fouled due to the vehicle sucking air and gasoline at an incorrect ratio. The mechanic replaced the intake valves, the parts to the valve, and part of the fuel line; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the intake valve was fouled, and the previous mechanic had not performed the repair properly. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer wanted the contact to undo the work the previous mechanic had performed before performing the recall repair. The contact stated had not received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V648000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 11581213

Feb 22, 2024Suspension

My 2017 vw Jetta S front left coil spring broke in half & the sharp ends could have puncture my tire while I was driving. I was checking it over as soon as it made noise, & discovered that it had broken and didn’t drive it & bought 2 new ones and replaced them both and got our state inspection. I got on the internet and saw where the Jetta 2019 & some other models had been recalled, and wondered why my car hasn’t been, no one got hurt over this, but I as a former mechanic I keep my cars well taken care of, if this was someone else’s who just get in & drive it they could of caused a accident. My car is garage keep with 60,000 miles on it. Also we have 2017 vw all track which I checked it over and no broken coil springs on it as of now, I would like you to consider paying for my parts and repairs as I feel that it was the failure of the part and not abuse. Thanks

NHTSA ODI 11573469

Feb 18, 2024Engine

Per pep boys: Coolant housing on rear of engine has hole in it causing severe coolant leak cooling system has had stop leak added to coolant system possibly clogging heater core, radiator, possible coolant passages in engine block Dealership did a patch job prior to purchase, has been with them for 60 days.

NHTSA ODI 11572578

Feb 10, 2024LightsAirbagsDriver assistance

FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY: 1) the HID HALOGEN lights- (a.) the main DS3 buld continues to burn out not lasting longer than a month. (b.) the ballast also than shorts out (c.) the HIGH BEAM does the reverse effect making everything black (d.) the LOW BEAM do not work right as i cannot see obstacles in the road clearly- WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT; I ONLY HAVE MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT AND FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY TO DEPEND ON PRIMARILY. THE PASSENGER LIGHTS WHEN SOMEWHAT WORKING; ARE DIM AND WHEN THE HID BULB BURNS OUT- ALL I HAVE TO DEPEND ON (for that side of car) ARE MY DAY RUNNING AND FOR LIGHTS. 2.) FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SENORS ARE NOT WORKING MAKING IT TOO LATE IF OBSTACLES DETECTED 3.) THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER STOPPED WORKING

NHTSA ODI 11571202

Feb 10, 2024Seats

The drivers side seat does not heat up not to mention the leatherette material used is cheap and has torn making the heater to not work anymore possibly

NHTSA ODI 11571203

Nov 8, 2023Fuel systemEngine

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for NHTSA Campaign: 20V648000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that fuel was leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11554153

Oct 11, 2023AirbagsCrash1 injury

The only airbag that went off in the vehicle during a collision was the steering wheel airbag none of the side airbags deployed the driver hit his head on the window in the car there were no warning lights on prior to the accident to indicate that there were any malfunctions the police did get called to the scene and vehicle was towed insurance representatives have not inspected vehicle yet.

NHTSA ODI 11549405

Aug 29, 2023Electrical systemBackup camera & sensors

Infotainment unit is extremely faulty with proximity sensors going off randomly engaging brakes and rear view camera not working. VW solution was a full replacements in excess of car's value

NHTSA ODI 11541352

Aug 23, 2023Engine

WHEN I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND PUSHED ON GAS THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IT SOUNDED AS IF THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF THE CAR LITERALLY HAD LOST ALL POWER TO IT I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND THE EPC LIGHT WAS ON AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I HAD MY BABY WITH ME THAT JUST HAD SURGERY DAY BEFORE AND I WAS TERRIFIED BECAUSE I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I GAVE IT A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED THE CAR OF WHICH AT FIRST SOUNDED AS IF IT WASN'T GOING TO START. I WAS ONLY A COUPLE MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE AND HAD NO RESOURCES TO HELP AND COULDNT WALK WITH MY SON. GOT THE CAR BACK TO THE HOUSE BUT IT AGAIN DID THE SAME THING AND CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME WITH SOUNDING LIKE IT DID NOT WANT TO START. I HAD TALKED WITH A MECHANIC THAT SAID TO GET IT INTO A VW DEALER ASAP AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WITH THIS NEW OF A CAR WITH SUCH LOW MILES. FINDING THIS SITE IT LOOKS AS IF THERE HAS BEEN A FEW ISSUES THAT SOUND SIMILIAR AND RECALLS. I JUST NEED A CAR THAT I CAN DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11540379

Jul 22, 2023Electrical systemLights

Front left headlight has no power going to it. Rear right tail light has no power going to it. Third, brake light has no power going to it. Wind shield washer pump has no power going to it. Both rear doors do not lock. This issue is all connected with each other because it fixed itself. Once and they all came back on together and then it went back out.

NHTSA ODI 11533842

Jul 19, 2023Fuel system

Fuel rail failed causing gas leak. Part was previously recalled and fixed, failed for same issue that caused original recall.

NHTSA ODI 11533193

Jun 29, 2023Visibility & wipers

Driving down from work to lunch. Whenn slowly pulling out of the parking lot and no one around. then all of a sudden a loud explosion was heard and I looked up and saw glass shattered all across the moonroof. I parked in my parking spot and got out and looked up and saw glass shattered at the top with no impacts. The sunroof just spotenoulsy shattered

NHTSA ODI 11529605

Jun 18, 2023SteeringElectrical systemAirbags

Clockspring in steering wheel has failed, rendering driver airbag non-operational. Should vehicle be involved in a collision, driver airbag will not engage. Horn and steering wheel buttons are also non-operational

NHTSA ODI 11527577

May 30, 2023Backup camera & sensors

Unknown

NHTSA ODI 11524371

May 9, 2023AirbagsCrash

My vehicle was involved in a collision in which it hit the back of a 18 wheeler causing major frame damage. None of the airbags deployed.

NHTSA ODI 11521168

May 5, 2023Seat belts

The drivers seatbelt does not latch. It will eventually but sometimes takes 30 or 40 attempts.

NHTSA ODI 11520653

Mar 27, 2023AirbagsCrash

On Saturday March 25th I was in an accident in my 2017 jetta. A Tahoe last second lane changed into the front end of my jetta. The impact was at 30mph but no air bags deployed. When starting the car now after the accident there are airbag warnings all over the dash. The air bags failed to deploy properly in an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11513980

Mar 20, 2023AirbagsSeat belts

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that upon picking up his vehicle from the dealer, the air bag warning light illuminated. The mechanic informed him that the failure was related to the driver’s side seat belt and was not covered under recall. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

NHTSA ODI 11512771

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Working with the data? Download all 158 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Volkswagen Jetta Hev verdict →