1997 Volkswagen Jetta Suspension Problems
10 owner-reported suspension complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (10)
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF, AND THE BRAKE DRUM SPLIT IN HALF. CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED THAT WHEEL BEARING FAILED, AND RIGHT SIDE WHEEL BEARING WAS VERY WEAK.*AK
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. *JB
PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCH AND TIRE EQUIPMENT.*MR THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND STARTER ASSEMBLY. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, THE REAR TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE, THEMECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS DUE TO BALL BEARING SEIZING WHICH CAUSED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF HEAT. *CB *JB
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER CHECKED DRIVE TRAIN AND WHEELS AND FOUND CUPPING OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED, BALANCED AND ALIGNED. NOISE AFTER TIRE CHANGE. DEALER REPLACED FRONT AND REAR FACTORY INSTALLED WHEEL BEARINGS. *TT, AK
CONSUMER IS HAVIN PROBLEMS WITH THE BALLJOINT. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE RIGHT PASSANGERS WHEEL CAME OFF CAUSING A BALLJOINT SEPARATION. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS BADLY RUSTED WHICH IT SHOULD HAD NOT OCCOUR . TS
WHILE DRIVING AT NO MORE THAN 5 MPH BOLT JOINTS BROKE IN TWO PIECES, CAUSING FRONT PASSANGER WHEEL TO LOCK UP UNDER THE FENDER.*AK
THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE CAME OFF ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE GOING 35MPH. THE WHEEL BEARING AXLE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND WITH THE BRAKE DRUM STILL ATTACHED TO IT .THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO NEGLECTING THE WHEEL BEARING FOR REGULAR SERVICE. NLM THE BRAKE DRUM OUTER AND INNER WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS LOOSING COOLANT AT TIMES. *YH
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER SWERVED TO AVOID A DOG, WHEN HE DROVE BACK ONTO PAVEMENT VEHICLE HIT SHARP EDGE OF PAVEMENT. VEHICLE THEN WENT INTO A UNCONTROLABLE SPIN, SKIDDED AND SLID DOWN A 4 FOOT EMBANKMENT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE USED ALL PROPER ANTI SKID STEERING PROCEDURES, HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE *SLC
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP AND INFORMED THAT CONSUMER NEEDS TO REPLACE TIRES. CONSUMER COMPLIED, AND CONDITION STILL OCCURS. DEALER STILL INSISTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS STILL IN CONSUMER TIRES. DEALER NOW SAYS THAT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *ML
WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH CONSUMER HIT A PIECE OF RUBBER ON THE ROAD AND THE SUSPENSION DID NOT HOLD, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK