Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Volkswagen Jetta

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 100 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V026000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
487,284
Reported to NHTSA
2002-01-25
Owners notified
2003-06-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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 PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility: power window devices and controls950,000 mi
Electrical system755,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition549,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine571,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission443,234 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch378,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields396,593 mi
Suspension367,000 mi
Air bags267,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module284,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system267,000 mi
Equipment250,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2105,000 mi
Power train2—
Power train: manual transmission267,000 mi
Structure: body255,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing212,000 mi
Tires236,721 mi
Unknown or other298,157 mi
Vehicle speed control2130,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2102,000 mi
Visibility2142,940 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core279,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2100,000 mi
Wheels212,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module184,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1100,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch145,218 mi
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash155,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1142,940 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control170,000 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: water heater1100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings165,002 mi
Latches/locks/linkages169,342 mi
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1—
Service brakes1180,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum112,000 mi
Steering1180,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1100,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1118,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring155,000 mi

The 1996 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.