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)

33 of 158 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Mar 7, 2026Electrical systemSeats

I have severe painful burns on my gluteus from the seat heater. I had the heater on intermittently on a drive of about 75 miles. I put the heater on for about 10-15 minutes a few times but did not have it on the entire trip. After getting to my destination I started feeling painful burning sensation so looked at my bum in the mirror and was shocked to see an open wound about the size of a silver dollar with peeling skin and many other burns all around. It’s very painful.

NHTSA ODI 11722751

Nov 7, 2025Electrical systemEquipment

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the infotainment system touch screen failed to operate as an intended. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle could be repaired, and that the failure was common. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was not a known failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11698262

Jul 22, 2025Electrical systemLane DepartureDriver assistance

I purchased my car used. In the past 3 years I have had problems my headlights became increasingly dim I checked my fuses and it had blown so I replaced it. Upon doing so my windshield wipers that had just been working no longer moved. But my headlights worked. Then my passenger window would not work with the drivers door controls. I can put it up but not down. I have never had the front collision warning work. Nor the lane departure the tire info used to work. Now it doesn’t. I toook my car into be caked and I was told that everything except the windows and wipers was fine. The wipers had a blown motor. Replaced it and they are good the window motors are dying? And need to be replaced. Also when in cruise control it will accelerate for just a second before slowing to the speed set at. Love the Volkswagens family has had four others and never had smyproblems

NHTSA ODI 11675497

Jun 17, 2025Electrical systemEngineFuel system

My Volkswagen Jetta shut off driving down interstate 99 due to major fuel leak (fuel rail bolt broke) I saw Volkswagen had a recall for fuel rail bolt coming loose after time. I called Volkswagen states recall was completed in May 2021 I bought the car May 2025. I asked Volkswagen rep if they would repair it as this is the same issue as the recall obviously it isn’t corrected. This could have been very bad with fuel leaking along a major highway one thing ignited and car would have went in flames. My son could have been seriously injured or even killed! EPC light came on as this was happening. The car is at my local mechanic who advised me to call Volkswagen due to an open recall for this issue. Volkswagen rep states I could take it to Volkswagen dealer to have it looked at but advised it would be at my expense. The only way anything would be done or reviewed if the car caught on fire or someone died. I would like this looked into as I believe vw should pay for my car to be fixed. Since the known problem was not fixed. I don’t have any documentation as my car is still in the process of getting fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11667516

May 27, 2025Electrical system

I drove my vehicle to Wawa to get gas before work. As I was driving up to the pump my car shut off and would not start. I have low mileage and have kept up all routine maintenance. This could have been worse as I could have been driving on a main road or highway and the vehicle shut off completely and would not start again.

NHTSA ODI 11663301

Sep 23, 2024Electrical systemEngine

The contact owns 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to turn off while turning the key to the off position in the ignition switch. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer and was diagnosed, and it was determined that the cylinders in the engine was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 11616005

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

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

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

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

Aug 19, 2021Electrical systemAirbags

Battery died. Went to dealer in another vehicle to purchase a battery. Installed the new battery and now have an airbag light. Called dealer to learn how to reset airbag, and they said it requires a special tool to reset along with a service charge ($80 to $160). Should an airbag system require special tool and/or knowledge when the car is required to have them? Everything else is operating normally, but airbags are out of service.

NHTSA ODI 11429794

May 25, 2021TiresElectrical system

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, it was discovered that the horn was inoperable and there was no longer an audible sound while activated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After retrieving the vehicle, the failure continued intermittently. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. Additionally, the TPMS warning light would remain illuminated even though the tire air pressure levels were at the correct air pressure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 11418504

Apr 6, 2021Electrical systemAirbags

I WAS PARKED AND SUDDENLY MY CAR DID NOT WANT TO START, NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON BEFORE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. AFTER BRINGING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ACCORDING TO THEM BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND IT HAS BEEN ONLY ABOUT 2 YEARS OR LESS FROM LAST REPLACEMENT. THIS ISSUE CLEARLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY AS BATTERIES SHOULD LAST FOR MINIMUM OF 3 YEARS. ALSO AFTER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IS STATING I MUST REPLACE FAULTY AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT AND PAY IT FROM MY POCKET WHICH I FIND UNACCEPTABLE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED AS AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR CAN ALSO BE RELATED TO ' VOLKSWAGEN'S CLOCK SPRING PROBLEMS'.

NHTSA ODI 11406805

Jan 8, 2021Electrical systemAirbagsWheels

CAR HAS 65K ON IT AND HAS BEEN ACTING UP FOR AT LEAST 10K MILES ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 1. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASH WENT ON FOR NO REASON AND I HAD TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE FOR IT TO BE RESET. 2. THE RADIO LINKS TO MY PHONE ONLY 50% OF THE TIME WITH A FAILURE NOTICE POSTED ON THE MONITOR. THE BLUETOOTH WILL STILL WORK BUT TO CONNECT WITH MY CORD TO ALSO CHARGE, VERY INCONSISTENT. 3. THE TIRE DASH LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED DESPITE HAVING THE TIRES AND MONITORS CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES. 4. THE BACK UP WARNING INDICATOR HAS RECENTLY STOPPED ALERTING ME AND I CAME WITHIN INCHES OF BACKING INTO A CAR TODAY. I WOULD LIKE MY DASH TO BE ERROR MESSAGE FREE AND MY RADIO RELIABLY WORKING VIA MY PHONE CORD. I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT CORDS, PURCHASED NEW TIRES AND MONITORS, AND THE SAME ISSUES CONTINUALLY OCCUR. THIS ALL OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS POWERED ON, DOES NOT MATTER IF IT IS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN.

NHTSA ODI 11387180

Nov 7, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBrakes

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 11/05/2020 GOT IT CHECKED AND A OIL CHANGE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE DUE WITHIN 500 MORE MILES, THESE CODES CAME UP MB2, BR80, MA28, P068A. CAR IS RUNNING FINE BUT MY ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON.

NHTSA ODI 11373574

Jul 11, 2020Electrical systemSpeed control

MY CAR CAN BE TURNED OFF AND DOES NEED TO BE IN PARK. THE ELECTRICAL COMES AND GOES BUT THE MOST ALARMING IS THE JETTA ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN AND IT TAKES A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL. AT ONE POINT I HAVE NO WAY OF STOPPING THE ACCELERATION TO STOP. ALSO, I ASKED CRESTMONT VW IF IT WAS NORMAL TO HAVE CAR OFF AND NOT IN PARK. THEY ACTED LIKE IT WAS NORMAL. THE JETTA HAS ROLLED BACK AND ALMOST HIT PEOPLE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALLS FROM THE COMPANY. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11338771

Feb 14, 2020Electrical system

WHILE DRIVING THE MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL OF TRACK AND FELL DOWN TOWARDS THE DOOR PANEL. IT CAUSED DEBRIS TO FALL INTO MY CAR ALMOST CAUSING ME TO. CRASH. I LOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. BACK IN 2018 THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL OF TRACK WHILE WAS DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. IT FELT AS IF I WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTING. IT WAS A VERY SCARY MOMENT. I JUST DON'T WANT MY FAMILY TO GET HURT. IT WAS REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON ISSUE. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI 11309099

Jan 26, 2020Electrical systemEngineFuel system

I HAVE NOTICE SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IT HAS ISSUES WITH MILEAGE AND CORRECT HAS TO MILEAGE. I SPOKE WITH BE WHEN FIRST GETTING IT AND THE SERVICE WORKER ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE BUT DID NOT FIX IT. IT IS STILL A PROBLEM NOW. YOU CAN FILL THE TANK UP GO A MILE DOWN THE STREET AND IT WILL SAY YOU HAVE DRIVEN 30 MILES. EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK IT WILL SAY YOU ARE DRIVING AT LEAST 2 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE A VIDEO THAT BETTER PLACES THE SITUATION AS WELL. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAVE THE CD PLAYER RUN HOT, THE LIGHTER PORTS DO NOT WORK AGAIN, AND THE ANTIFREEZE LIGHT HAS COME ON EVERY YEAR SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR. I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG ELECTRICALLY AND ENGINE WISE.

NHTSA ODI 11301900

Nov 12, 2019SteeringElectrical systemBrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED NEW MOTORS SUBARU (8670 PEACH ST, ERIE, PA 16509, (814) 868-4805) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 11279613

Nov 4, 2019SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED LINDSAY VOLKSWAGEN DULLES (22455 LINDSAY CARS CT, STERLING, VA 20166, (703) 810-7760) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11278116

Oct 30, 2019SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A HUMMING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11277112

Oct 22, 2019SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11270156

Oct 14, 2019Electrical systemCrash

HORN JUST STOPPED WORKING

NHTSA ODI 11268422

Sep 26, 2019SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED GARVEY VOLKSWAGEN OF QUEENSBURY (LOCATED AT 483 QUAKER RD, QUEENSBURY, NY 12804, 518-793-3488) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11258267

Sep 23, 2019Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

A RANDOM NOTICE APPEARS ON THE DASH DISPLAY, "DRIVER ASSISTANCE BUTTON IS DISABLED". THEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS RANDOMLY ACTIVATE, DOOR LOCKS CLICK LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, AND CRUISE CONTROL DISABLES ALL WHILE DRIVING. HIGH BEAMS NO LONGER FUNCTION AND OCCASIONALLY ALL ELECTRIC DISPLAY, RADIO SOUND, AND LIGHTS GO BLACK WHILE DRIVING. YOU MUST PULL OVER, SHUT OFF THE CAR, AND WAIT APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING TO RECOVER TO NORMAL. VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SHOW UP ON THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT.

NHTSA ODI 11257535

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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 →