1997 Volkswagen Jetta Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 20%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,578miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta, 20% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,578 miles.
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.
“Replaced ignition coil for the third time in as many years!! Electric water pump replaced. Eater core exploded a couple months later while I was on the highway at 65 MPH with my child in the car! Couldn't see anything as car filled with antifreeze cloud. Belt driven water pump went a week later. Entire power steering rack needed to be replaced. Window regulator needed to be replaced twice. Door handle broke twice!.”
NHTSA complaint #10185598, filed 2007-03, 100,000 miles“It was at night rainy and cold. I turned on the heater and defroster because my car windows and whole inside of cabin were obscures by a fog. My defroster cleared the back window but all others not so I rolled down the windows and shut down the heater. I waited a while and used clothing to wipe the window. This was the third time in 6 weeks appx. I did turn on the fan alone to push brown fog out of the car. Today I checked my fluids the coolant was half gone in the reservoir so I topped it up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10325882, filed 2010-04, 142,940 miles“I purchased a used 1997 vw Jetta gl in november of 1999. When I purchased the car, the dealership refused to give me a warranty. They said that they didn't offer the warranty with cars over 55,000 miles, mine had 55,500 miles. In late september of 2001 (69342 miles), my automatic transmission went out, during rush hour, in a high traffic area. About 1-2 months prior I had the transmission serviced, including a fluid change. I was forced to replace my transmission, and had several problems with it after. The shop that I had replace it said that they have seen many Jetta's with this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10052677, filed 2004-01, 69,342 miles“Past year: auto door locks failed, could not open either front door; transmission failed, exhaust system rusted out, headlights out, signals out, wheel bearings need replaced, air bag light stays on, have not been able to drive car in nearly 1 year, required nearly $5000 worth of damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10064584, filed 2004-04, 67,000 miles“Turn signal switch sometimes work and sometimes doesn't... Can't lock doors on driver side with my master key, can only lock and set alarm on passenger side. Airbag light stays on... Vehicle cuts off randomly when slowing down or stopping... Without notice!”
NHTSA complaint #10105854, filed 2005-01, 117,752 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10237427May 30, 2023Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10235138Apr 24, 2023Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10133344Jul 5, 201717 17 01 July 5, 2017 2012855 Supersedes Technical Bulletin 17-16-02 (V171602) dated April 29, 2016 due to updated oil standards lists to current specifications. Engine Oils…
- 10241265Jan 27, 2014Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10026848Aug 28, 2008Volkswagen: exhaust heat shield, replacement guidelines. Heat shields are to be inspected after completion o any type of repair to the underbody (exhaust system transmission…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 8 | 2% |
| 2011 | 25 | 4% |
| 2010 | 71 | 8% |
| 2009 | 72 | 8% |
| 2008 | 7 | 4% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 54 | 9% |
| 2005 | 41 | 17% |
| 2004 | 37 | 16% |
| 2003 | 45 | 10% |
| 2002 | 104 | 15% |
| 2001 | 109 | 16% |
| 2000 | 121 | 28% |
| 1999 | 78 | 22% |
| 1998 | 15 | 8% |
| 1997 | 11 | 20% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 26 | 12% |
| 1994 | 20 | 17% |
| 1992 | 6 | 20% |
| 1991 | 5 | 16% |
| 1990 | 7 | 32% |
| 1989 | 2 | 7% |
| 1987 | 3 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 15% |
Other parts of the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 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 complaintsBrakes
2 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 27, 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