Skip to content
Exterior lightingPart report

2017 Volkswagen Jetta Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
3%of 160 total for the year
Median mileage
23,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta, 3% of the 160 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,000 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.

“I just bought a used 2017 Volkswagen Jetta gli a month ago, and the airbag light just illuminated this past friday, along with no steering wheel controls working, and no horn. I called the place where I purchased it from, and they pretty much said oh well. This is a safety concern, as it affects the airbag. Is there anything I can do?”

NHTSA complaint #11315834, filed 2020-03, 23,000 miles

“I am continually have issue with my headlights bi-xenon ds3 bulbs going out. I have replaced the ballast and the bulb w oem parts and the issue continues. My day runner LED lights work on the passenger side but the HID bulb does not work. I have no low beam. Everything else works. Same issue on drivers side until I replaced the entire housing unit. Regardless both lights DO NOT REFLECT IN DISTANCE making it EXTREMELY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT forcing me to have to drive w my fog lights on just to see.”

NHTSA complaint #11587771, filed 2024-05

“FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY: 1) the HID HALOGEN lights- (a.) the main DS3 buld continues to burn out not lasting longer than a month. (b.) the ballast also than shorts out (c.) the HIGH BEAM does the reverse effect making everything black (d.) the LOW BEAM do not work right as i cannot see obstacles in the road clearly- WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT; I ONLY HAVE MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT AND FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY TO DEPEND ON PRIMARILY. THE PASSENGER LIGHTS WHEN SOMEWHAT WORKING; ARE DIM AND WHEN THE HID BULB BURNS OUT- ALL I HAVE TO DEPEND ON (for that side of car) ARE MY DAY RUNNING AND FOR LIGHTS. …”

NHTSA complaint #11571202, filed 2024-02

“Front left headlight has no power going to it. Rear right tail light has no power going to it. Third, brake light has no power going to it. Wind shield washer pump has no power going to it. Both rear doors do not lock. This issue is all connected with each other because it fixed itself. Once and they all came back on together and then it went back out.”

NHTSA complaint #11533842, filed 2023-07

“The fuse that controls the exterior lights (tail, marker,etc.) and interior lights at first interment would blow/burn out. Sometimes after a few days or a few months for the past year. In the past few weeks the fuse blows immediately once replaced. The car was brought to a VW dealer a year ago who changed the fuse and ran a diagnostic. It was brought back 4-5 months later and they again changed the fuse and ran a diagnostic. The second time was not given a slip indicating it was was there for the service and was not charged. While I understand no charge there is no no proof of service. …”

NHTSA complaint #11494819, filed 2022-11

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026117%
202513%
202212%
202111%
2019265%
201753%
201632%
201553%
2014246%
2013173%
2012133%
2011417%
2010192%
2009243%
200853%
200784%
2006326%
2005146%
200494%
2003286%
2002507%
20018012%
2000348%
1999175%
199874%
199573%
199316%
198815%

Other parts of the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta

Fuel system
42 complaints
Electrical system
33 complaints
Engine
33 complaints
Other or unknown
25 complaints
Air bags
21 complaints
Brakes
15 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
15 complaints
Steering
14 complaints
Vehicle speed control
7 complaints
Electronic stability control
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Seat belts
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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