Using Alignment Sheet Submission Form
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Volkswagen Jetta steering problems
critical Owners of the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 23,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Jetta | 37 |
| 2014 Jetta | 17 |
| 2015 Jetta | 15 |
| 2016 Jetta | 11 |
| 2017 Jetta (this page) | 14 |
| 2019 Jetta | 12 |
| 2020 Jetta | 3 |
| 2021 Jetta | 3 |
3crashes
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 14 steering complaints filed for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Rear of teering wheel trim modification for noise when maneuvering.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Document was revised. The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Mandatory fastener.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The fault code in this document was revised on page 2. One extra zero was provided.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report multiple critical failures in the 2017 Jetta's electrical and steering systems. The most severe involves complete loss of power, steering, and braking control while driving—often at highway speeds. When this happens, the steering wheel goes stiff, the brakes fail or stiffen severely, the car reduces speed on its own, and the dash lights flash multiple warning signals. The vehicle won't restart for 10 to 30 minutes. This failure has occurred multiple times for some owners and has directly caused at least two crashes, one resulting in a fatality.
Brake-only failures also occur at low speed: one owner couldn't stop while turning at 25 mph and hit a curb and wall. Another lost braking and steering at 40 mph on a city street and ended up in a ditch.
Steering lockups happen while driving—one owner's wheel locked for 40 seconds during a right turn. Separate clockspring failures disable the driver airbag, horn, and steering wheel buttons.
One persistent issue involves the vehicle pulling hard to the right at all speeds. Four alignments, new tires, and balancing haven't fixed it; a VW dealership eventually aligned the car out of specification instead of finding the root cause.
Recall NHTSA Campaign 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) addresses these failures, but multiple owners report repair parts were unavailable for extended periods and Volkswagen provided no alternative solutions.
Same Volkswagen Jetta steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Electrical system lockout (loss of steering, braking, and power)
Vehicle loses power and electronic control while driving. Steering wheel becomes stiff and unresponsive, brakes stiffen, and the car reduces speed on its own. Dashboard lights flash (EPC, tire warning, motor). Vehicle won't restart for 10-30 minutes. Critical safety failure occurring at highway speeds and city driving.
When: Reported as early as 1 year after purchase; recurring intermittently. One incident at 70 mph on freeway; another at 40 mph on city street. Total power loss at 26,000 miles (narrative #3).
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes stiff and locks; Loss of power steering control; Brakes become stiff or unresponsive; Vehicle reduces speed on its own; Multiple dashboard warning lights flash (EPC, tire warning, motor lights); Vehicle will not restart for 10-30 minutes; Shift stick becomes stiff; Ignition won't turn over during lockout
Repairs/costs cited: No repair successful reported. Dealership appointment scheduled but no resolution noted in narrative #1. Complaint describes waiting 15-20 minutes for vehicle to restart and repeating 6 times during one drive.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA Campaign 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) issued. Multiple owners report repair parts unavailable for extended periods; manufacturer did not assist owners when parts were unavailable.
Persistent right-pull alignment issue unresolved by service
Vehicle pulls consistently to the right at all speeds and accelerations. Four alignments, tire balancing, rotation, and new Michelin tires have not corrected the pull. VW service dealership resolved issue by aligning vehicle out of specification rather than identifying root cause. Warranty coverage partially denied; owner paying for unsuccessful repairs and rental cars.
When: Reported as ongoing since at least November 2018; vehicle aligned 4 times in 2018.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle consistently pulls to right while driving; Pull increases during acceleration; Pull present on any surface street at any speed; Issue persists after new tires installed (11/5/2018)
Repairs/costs cited: Four alignments performed in 2018. Tires balanced and rotated. Four new Michelin tires purchased 11/5/2018. Final 'repair' involved aligning vehicle out of specification to compensate. Owner notes future alignments will likely require correction again.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle under factory warranty at time of complaint. Dealership did not properly inspect front-wheel-drive components to identify actual cause. Service department altered service date on paperwork. Second dealership confirmed vehicle returned with out-of-spec alignment printout.
Loss of steering control at highway speed resulting in crash
Vehicle went out of control while driving at 60 mph. Driver lost steering control completely; vehicle slid across street and hit tree and utility pole. Driver sustained minor injuries; passenger died in crash. Vehicle was totaled.
When: Failure mileage 26,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of steering control while driving at 60 mph; Vehicle unresponsive to driver input; Vehicle slid across street uncontrollably
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to impound lot for police investigation. Investigation ended 12/04/20. Vehicle held for insurance settlement; declared total loss.
Brake failure during low-speed maneuver resulting in collision
While turning into a complex at 25 mph, brakes failed to slow or stop vehicle. Driver applied brakes multiple times with no response. Vehicle struck curb and then a wall to come to stop. Related to recall NHTSA Campaign 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering).
When: Low-speed turning maneuver at 25 mph. Failure mileage 25,000.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes difficult to depress; Brakes fail to stop vehicle; No warning indicators illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to independent mechanic. No diagnosis or repair performed. Airbags deployed on impact.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA Campaign 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) applies. Manufacturer not contacted by owner.
Complete loss of power, steering, and braking at city speed
Vehicle lost all power while driving at 40 mph on city street. Steering and brakes became inoperable. All dash lights flashed, indicating multiple system failure. No diagnostic codes showed despite system failures. Vehicle ended in ditch.
When: Occurred at least twice. Most recent incident at 40 mph on city street.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power; Loss of power steering; Loss of braking ability; All dash lights flashing simultaneously; Whining sound from engine (worse on day of failure); Vehicle coast into ditch
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle checked for diagnostic codes; none found despite symptoms. Radiator found damaged/leaking after incident. Owner unable to afford radiator repair.
Clockspring failure disabling airbag and steering wheel controls
Clockspring in steering column fails, rendering driver-side airbag inoperable. Horn and steering wheel-mounted controls (audio, cruise, etc.) also stop working. Critical safety failure as airbag will not deploy in collision. One owner reports clockspring replaced twice by dealership without resolving clicking noise.
When: Not specified in narratives; one owner had part replaced twice.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light illuminates on dashboard; Driver airbag non-operational; Horn inoperable; Steering wheel button controls inoperable; Clicking sound when turning steering wheel (suggests internal mechanical damage)
Repairs/costs cited: Clockspring replaced; one owner reports replacement done twice without resolving clicking. No resolution noted.
Unintended forward jerking while in drive or at speed
Vehicle jerks forward suddenly and without warning when placed into drive or while traveling at various speeds. Humming sound heard from engine on startup. Occurs without driver input. Related to recall NHTSA Campaign 19V615000.
When: Failure mileage unknown. Reported after receiving recall notice.
Symptoms owners cite: Humming sound from engine on startup; Unintended forward jerk when placing vehicle in drive; Unintended forward jerking while traveling at various speeds; Occurs without warning or driver input
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired. VIN tool confirms repair parts not available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA Campaign 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) issued. Repair parts unavailable; no alternative provided.
Steering wheel lock during turn
Steering wheel locked while driver was turning to the right. Steering remained locked for approximately 40 seconds, preventing vehicle control during the maneuver.
When: During right turn; exact mileage not stated.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks while turning; Lock duration: 40 seconds; Complete loss of steering control during lock
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owned a 2017 Volkswagen jetta. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH and the vehicle went out of control. The contact lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle slide across the street and hit a tree and a pole. The contact had minor injuries but a passanger died in the crash. A police arrived at the the crash sceen and the contact did not recieve notice if a police…
When turning the steering wheel it clicks as if something is loose. Dealership has replaced airbag and clock spring twice, steering wheel still clicks.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen jetta. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19v615000 (electrical system, steering). While driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal became difficult to depress and failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. There were no injures and a police report was filed. The air bags deployed. There were no…
Had steering trouble with your 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
It's a serious issue. 14 complaints have been filed, including 3 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 21,000 and 26,000 miles, with the median around 23,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,000; a quarter make it past 26,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Volkswagen/Jetta.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.