YearToAvoid

2017 Volkswagen Jetta Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 36 Electrical System complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta, 23% of its 159 total complaints. A related recall, campaign 19V615000, covers electrical system and steering components. Median mileage at failure is 30,527 miles.

Electrical System complaints
36
23% of 159
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
30,527 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Vehicles stall suddenly while driving at highway speed, with multiple warning lights flashing before the engine coasts to a stop.
  • Dash warning indicators, including the airbag light, illuminate without a diagnosed cause, leaving owners unsure whether safety systems will work in a crash.
  • Loss of electrical power while driving affects steering and braking ability, in one case leading to a collision when brakes and steering became unresponsive.
  • Random or intermittent electrical glitches occur, such as door locks cycling on their own, wipers activating unprompted, high beams failing, and the radio and display going black while driving.
  • The fuel gauge reads incorrectly, showing empty when the tank is actually about half full, then resets after the car is turned off and restarted.
  • Owners tied to recall campaign 19V615000 reported long waits for parts and repair after receiving the recall notice.

When 2017 Volkswagen Jetta electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 22, 2017, latest Mar 7, 2026.

2017 Volkswagen Jetta electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month3Aug 2017Jun 2018Oct 2019Mar 2020Apr 2021Jun 2023May 2024Jul 2025
36 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2017 to Mar 2026; peak Oct 2019 (3).

Electrical System recalls for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta

  1. NHTSA 19V615000Aug 22, 2019Electrical System679,027 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

    Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Electrical System complaints by Jetta model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010237 (28%)
  2. 2011205 (34%)
  3. 2012144 (29%)
  4. 2013160 (31%)
  5. 2014109 (28%)
  6. 201553 (27%)
  7. 201638 (24%)
  8. 201736 (23%)
  9. 20183 (10%)
  10. 2019162 (30%)
  11. 202017 (33%)
  12. 202113 (19%)
  13. 202210 (23%)
  14. 20239 (21%)
  15. 20246 (14%)
  16. 20254 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta have?
NHTSA lists 36 Electrical System complaints for the 2017 Jetta, which is 23% of the 159 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
Yes. Campaign 19V615000 covers electrical system and steering issues on the 2017 Jetta, among other Volkswagen models. Volkswagen's remedy involves dealers installing an additional switch and circuit board free of charge.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2017 Jetta?
The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on the 2017 Jetta is 30,527 miles.
Have electrical issues on the 2017 Jetta caused crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records show 4 crashes and 2 injuries tied to electrical system complaints on the 2017 Jetta, with no fires reported.
How does the 2017 Jetta compare to other years for electrical complaints?
The 2017 Jetta's electrical complaint share is 23%, lower than earlier years like 2011 (34%) and 2013 (31%), but higher than 2018 (10%) and lower than 2019 (30%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.