2017 Volkswagen Jetta Airbags Problems
12 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (12)
Your daughter was in a rear-end collision at approximately 45 mph that caused significant front-end damage when her car was pushed into another vehicle ahead. The airbags did not deploy despite what appears to be sufficient impact to trigger them. She sustained a mild concussion and whiplash from the crash.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your airbag system is showing a diagnostic code related to the brake system. The owner has provided a diagnostic report from September 12, 2025 that shows details under the airbag tab. The exact nature of the connection between the airbag and brake system codes is unclear from this report.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
The contact owned a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle struck a deer. The contact's daughter lost control of the vehicle, crashing head-on into a tree. No warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's daughter was shaken up, but she had no visible injuries and did not receive medical treatment immediately following the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard and was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The contact stated that a few weeks after the crash, her daughter had approximately 80-90 seizures and was receiving medical treatment at the hospital. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle operated properly by not deploying the air bags because the rate of deceleration criteria were not met during frontal impact. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The only airbag that went off in the vehicle during a collision was the steering wheel airbag none of the side airbags deployed the driver hit his head on the window in the car there were no warning lights on prior to the accident to indicate that there were any malfunctions the police did get called to the scene and vehicle was towed insurance representatives have not inspected vehicle yet.
My vehicle was involved in a collision in which it hit the back of a 18 wheeler causing major frame damage. None of the airbags deployed.
On Saturday March 25th I was in an accident in my 2017 jetta. A Tahoe last second lane changed into the front end of my jetta. The impact was at 30mph but no air bags deployed. When starting the car now after the accident there are airbag warnings all over the dash. The air bags failed to deploy properly in an accident.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that upon picking up his vehicle from the dealer, the air bag warning light illuminated. The mechanic informed him that the failure was related to the driver’s side seat belt and was not covered under recall. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
Airbag wiring under front seats deteriorate over time causing an error to the airbag system, disabling the airbags.
My daughters car was hit on highway on drivers rear quarter panel. Major damage, frame and axle on car bent. Airbags did not deploy. No serious injuries. Occupants head hurts from impact, w steering wheel, seat belt was on.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH IN TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOT AND DEEMED IT TOTALED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG INDICATOR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNIVERSITY VOLKSWAGEN MAZDA (5150 ELLISON ST NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87109, (505) 761-1900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,750.
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT PROVOCATION IN THE CAR I HAD JUST PURCHASED ON MARCH 21, 2017. I HAD JUST PULLED TO A STOP TO ALLOW A PASSENGER TO DISEMBARK IN THE PARKING LOT OF A CONVENIENCE STORE. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED MAKING A HORRIFIC NOISE AND ENGULFING THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WITH WHITE SMOKE. THE CAUSE OF THE DEPLOYMENT IS UNKNOWN. THE CAR DID NOT COLLIDE WITH ANYTHING. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 5, 2017 AND TO THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS OF VOLKSWAGEN ON APRIL 7, 2017. THE CASE # IS 170305419. TO DATE THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED. NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE AN EXPLANATION FOR WHAT HAPPENED, AND THE CAR IS STILL STILLING ON THE LOT OF THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS RETURNED.