1997 Volkswagen Jetta Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 30%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta, 30% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles.
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“This is another of the many customer complaints regarding the power windows in Volkswagen cars. Currently, my front passenger window is stuck down and will not raise. It will require a new window regulator. My back windows are also currently stuck in the up position. I had previously brought the car in to check the right rear window. Volkswagen informed me that it needed a regulator and that the repairs would cost $800!!! For one window!!! I still had one more window to fix at that point. The repairs would cost almost 1/3 of the total value of my car!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10127267, filed 2005-07, 81,200 miles“I feel like my Jetta is a deathtrap. In the four years that I have owned it, I have had four of the power window mechanisms malfunction. Currently, the front passenger window is stuck shut, and the driver's side back window is stuck open! This is especially concerning because throughout the cold season, at least one, if not all of the doors will not open. People think my boyfriend is being a gentleman, but really, he has to walk around and let me out. This is not the frozen lock phenomenon common to many vehicles- the actual latch mechanism malfunctions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10129842, filed 2005-07, 50,000 miles“While parking my 1992 Volkswagen corrado back in late january 2005, my heater core leak all over my passenger floor, and had steam coming out the vents and fogging up my windows. After investigating on the internet I saw that this was a common problem on water cooled volkswagens. On 7/30/05 I had a similar event happen while driving my wife's 1997 Volkswagen Jetta. The windshield suddenly fogged up and had steam coming from the vents and a coolant smell in the car. This happened while driving on the highway. I had to wipe the windshield with my hand so that I can see out the windshield. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130678, filed 2005-07, 79,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10122956May 8, 2015Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
- 10239789Jan 24, 2014To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine…
- 10122240Jan 24, 2014Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 4 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 26 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 2% |
| 2013 | 13 | 3% |
| 2012 | 24 | 5% |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 | 14 | 2% |
| 2009 | 10 | 1% |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 24 | 4% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 21 | 5% |
| 2002 | 45 | 6% |
| 2001 | 71 | 11% |
| 2000 | 77 | 18% |
| 1999 | 81 | 23% |
| 1998 | 42 | 22% |
| 1997 | 16 | 30% |
| 1996 | 13 | 42% |
| 1995 | 26 | 12% |
| 1994 | 15 | 13% |
| 1993 | 4 | 24% |
| 1992 | 3 | 10% |
| 1991 | 7 | 23% |
| 1990 | 4 | 18% |
| 1989 | 6 | 21% |
| 1988 | 2 | 11% |
| 1987 | 4 | 22% |
| 1986 | 3 | 21% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
17 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 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 30, 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