Post
Research the Car Logo

2017 Volkswagen Jetta

Posted
By Research the Car 3 min read

The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact sedan known for its comfortable ride, spacious interior, and fuel-efficient engines. Engine options include a 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder (150 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque), a 1.8L turbocharged four-cylinder (170 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque), and a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder (210 hp, 207 lb-ft of torque), with transmissions including a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, and a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. Some owners appreciate its affordability and handling, while common complaints revolve around infotainment system glitches and some reliability concerns.

Engine

1.4L TSI (Turbocharged Stratified Injection) Engine

  • Turbocharger Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Whining noises from the engine, loss of power, and potential engine misfires. Can lead to reduced fuel efficiency and eventual engine damage.
    • Solution: Turbocharger replacement.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1200 - $2000+
    • Recalls: None Found

1.8L TSI Engine

  • Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves
    • Description/Symptoms: Rough idling, hesitation upon acceleration, decreased fuel economy, and potential misfires.
    • Solution: Manual cleaning of the intake valves (walnut blasting) or chemical cleaning.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $800
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Oil Leaks from Timing Chain Cover
    • Description/Symptoms: Visible oil leaks, oil consumption, and potential low oil pressure warning lights.
    • Solution: Replacement of the timing chain cover gasket or the entire cover assembly.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300-$700+
    • Recalls: None Found

2.0L TSI Engine

  • Camshaft Position Sensor Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Engine misfires, rough idling, check engine light illuminated.
    • Solution: Replacement of the camshaft position sensor.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $300
    • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

6-Speed Automatic Transmission (All Engines)

  • Harsh Shifting/Slipping
    • Description/Symptoms: Noticeable hard shifts between gears, slipping during acceleration, or delayed engagement.
    • Solution: Transmission fluid flush and filter replacement, valve body repair/replacement, or complete transmission rebuild/replacement.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 (fluid flush) - $3500+ (rebuild/replacement)
    • Recalls: None Found

7-Speed DSG (Dual-Clutch) Automatic Transmission (1.8L/2.0L Engines)

  • Mechatronic Unit Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Erratic shifting, inability to select gears, transmission warning lights.
    • Solution: Mechatronic unit replacement.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1500 - $3000+
    • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

  • Rear Shock Absorber Leaks
    • Description/Symptoms: Reduced ride quality, bouncy rear suspension, visible fluid leaks from the shock absorbers.
    • Solution: Replacement of the rear shock absorbers.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400 (pair)
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Front Strut Mount Noise
    • Description/Symptoms: Clunking or creaking noises from the front suspension, especially when turning or going over bumps.
    • Solution: Replacement of the strut mounts.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $250 - $500 (pair)
    • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

  • Infotainment System Freezing/Rebooting
    • Description/Symptoms: Infotainment screen freezing, unresponsive touch controls, and spontaneous system reboots.
    • Solution: Software update, replacement of the infotainment unit.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 (software update, if available) - $800+ (unit replacement)
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Power Window Switch Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Power windows not operating correctly, intermittent or complete failure of window switches.
    • Solution: Replacement of the faulty window switch.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $150
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Battery Drain Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Car battery drains overnight or within a few days, requiring frequent jump-starts or battery replacement.
    • Solution: Identifying and addressing the parasitic drain (e.g., faulty module, improperly installed aftermarket accessories), battery replacement.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 (battery replacement) - $500+ (diagnosing and fixing parasitic drain)
    • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

  • Sunroof Leaks
    • Description/Symptoms: Water leaks into the cabin, particularly after heavy rain, staining on headliner.
    • Solution: Cleaning and unclogging of sunroof drain tubes, resealing the sunroof assembly.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $400+
    • Recalls: None Found

Interior

  • Airbag Warning Light
    • Description/Symptoms: Airbag warning light is illuminated on the dashboard.
    • Solution: Diagnosing and replacing the faulty airbag sensor or clock spring.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $600
    • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta presents a mix of potential issues, ranging from relatively minor electrical glitches to more significant engine and transmission concerns. While some problems, like infotainment freezes, are primarily annoying, others, such as turbocharger failure or mechatronic unit issues in the DSG transmission, can be quite costly to repair. The severity and cost of potential repairs should be taken into consideration when evaluating a used 2017 Jetta.

Volkswagen, Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta 2017
This post is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the author.