1997 Volkswagen Jetta Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 4%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta, 4% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“A 1997 Volkswagen Jetta gt, equipped with frontal airbags was in a collision due to the use of aftermarket parts, which included after market ball joints not supplied from the dealer, this part failed after 12.7km on the highway traveling at 110km/h 65mph, the car steering was very shaky when entering a slight turn on the highway, the front right ball joint had fractured in the hub knuckle and had caused the wheel to collapse, the steering was no longer working because the tires where not on the ground, the car was resting on the rad support and front axle of the car, braking also failed due…”
NHTSA complaint #10555379, filed 2013-12, 180,000 miles“While driving consumer heard a noise. Rear passenger side wheel came off, and the brake drum split in half. Consumer was notified that wheel bearing failed, and right side wheel bearing was very weak.”
NHTSA complaint #10080190, filed 2004-06, 12,000 milesBrakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2024 | 13 | 28% |
| 2023 | 11 | 26% |
| 2022 | 12 | 28% |
| 2021 | 26 | 37% |
| 2020 | 7 | 13% |
| 2019 | 30 | 5% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 15 | 9% |
| 2016 | 23 | 14% |
| 2015 | 19 | 10% |
| 2014 | 18 | 5% |
| 2013 | 22 | 4% |
| 2012 | 37 | 7% |
| 2011 | 28 | 5% |
| 2010 | 55 | 6% |
| 2009 | 205 | 23% |
| 2008 | 23 | 12% |
| 2007 | 44 | 22% |
| 2006 | 30 | 5% |
| 2005 | 14 | 6% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 22 | 5% |
| 2002 | 51 | 7% |
| 2001 | 77 | 12% |
| 2000 | 45 | 10% |
| 1999 | 31 | 9% |
| 1998 | 11 | 6% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 2 | 6% |
| 1995 | 23 | 10% |
| 1994 | 9 | 8% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1988 | 3 | 16% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 3 | 23% |
Other parts of the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology