NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
245 reportsClear category filter67,000 miles · Feb 28, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. WHENEVER THE GEARS SHIFTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. WHENEVER THE GEARS SHIFTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THERE WAS ALSO A MASSIVE OIL LEAK IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS AND IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 04/12/11*LJ THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/29/11
NHTSA ODI #10384698
132,000 miles · Feb 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VIBRATING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM MOTOR AT IDLE AND WOULD STOP UNDER ACCELERATION. STOPPED VEHICLE AND MOTOR RATTLED LOUD. TURNED MOTOR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START. BROKEN SPRINGS WERE NOTED LAYING ON UNDERCOVER.
NHTSA ODI #10383870
170,000 miles · Feb 18, 2011
Power Train
MY CAR IS A 2006 VW GLI. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT 3 MONTHS AGO AND COST ME A FORTUNE, AND NOW THIS. I JUST HEARD FROM MY TRANSMISSION TECHNICIAN THAT MY MECHATRONIC UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN THE DSG TRANSMISSION. MANY, MANY VW AND AUDI BUYERS HAVE HAD TO HAVE THESE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE VARIOUS "LOANERS" SO THAT …
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MY CAR IS A 2006 VW GLI. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT 3 MONTHS AGO AND COST ME A FORTUNE, AND NOW THIS. I JUST HEARD FROM MY TRANSMISSION TECHNICIAN THAT MY MECHATRONIC UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN THE DSG TRANSMISSION. MANY, MANY VW AND AUDI BUYERS HAVE HAD TO HAVE THESE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE VARIOUS "LOANERS" SO THAT I CAN GET TO WORK ETC. VW SHOULD HAVE TO BACK UP THEIR PRODUCT AND MAKE IT RIGHT WITH US VW BUYERS. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10383281
57,000 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Fuel System, DieselPower Train
SUDDEN DECELERATION OR LOSS OF POWER MAINLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT OCCASIONALLY IN TOWN. THIS LASTED FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS AND THE CAR REGAINED POWER. THERE WERE SCARY SITUATIONS ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS BUT NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES OCCURRED. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER SEVERAL MONTHS BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO EI…
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SUDDEN DECELERATION OR LOSS OF POWER MAINLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT OCCASIONALLY IN TOWN. THIS LASTED FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS AND THE CAR REGAINED POWER. THERE WERE SCARY SITUATIONS ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS BUT NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES OCCURRED. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER SEVERAL MONTHS BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO EITHER DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR IDENTIFY ANY COMPONENTS THAT WERE FAULTY. AFTER MUCH PERSISTENCE AND FRUSTRATION ON MY PART, THE DEALER EVENTUALLY IDENTIFIED A FAULTY 'TANDEM FUEL PUMP' AND A FAULTY COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION (MECHATRON). BOTH COMPONENTS WERE PLACED ON FEBRUARY 17, 2010 AND I HAVE HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE THAT TIME. JETTA TDI. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10382563
60,850 miles · Feb 2, 2011
Power Train
THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAS FAILED ON MY CAR. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED IT COULD CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE TO SEIZE THUS LOCKING THE FRONT WHEELS AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/SERIOUS VEHICLE DAMAGE. THERE IS WIDESPREAD INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET DOCUMENTING THE FAILURES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE DES…
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THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAS FAILED ON MY CAR. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED IT COULD CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE TO SEIZE THUS LOCKING THE FRONT WHEELS AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/SERIOUS VEHICLE DAMAGE. THERE IS WIDESPREAD INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET DOCUMENTING THE FAILURES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE DESTROYED THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE IN THE PROCESS. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A RECALL IN EUROPE BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT IN THE US. I AM FORCED TO REPLACE THIS PART MYSELF SINCE VW WILL NOT COVER THIS PART DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY NOW HAVE AN UPGRADED REPLACEMENT PART AS THEY KNOW THE ORIGINAL IS DEFECTIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10380036
84,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Power Train
TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VW JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE POSITION THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND GEAR INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, BUT WAS ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHOM PERFORMED A DIAG…
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TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VW JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE POSITION THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND GEAR INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, BUT WAS ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHOM PERFORMED A DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND OFFERED MINIMAL ASSISTANT TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE, OR THE NEW TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10378416
30,000 miles · Jan 5, 2011
Power Train
A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AREA STARTING AT ABOUT 50,000 KM. I THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS A LOOSE EXHAUST COMPONENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE NEW BY A DEALER HERE IN EASTERN CANADA. MY REQUEST TO CHECK THE NOISE AT EACH DEALER SERVICE DID NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I DID NOT PRESS THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD…
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A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AREA STARTING AT ABOUT 50,000 KM. I THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS A LOOSE EXHAUST COMPONENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE NEW BY A DEALER HERE IN EASTERN CANADA. MY REQUEST TO CHECK THE NOISE AT EACH DEALER SERVICE DID NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I DID NOT PRESS THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD ONLY BE HEARD AT IDLE, OUTSIDE THE CAR. WELL AFTER THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, I DISCOVERED THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE TO BE THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL. THIS TURNS OUT TO BE A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM AND THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE IDENTIFIED IT FOR A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ORDERED A NEW OEM FLYWHEEL (NOT FROM VW) AND WILL BE REPLACING IT MYSELF, AS I DID WITH THE FAULTY CAMSHAFT LAST YEAR (ALSO A WELL KNOWN DEFICIENCY IN THIS VEHICLE). THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AND SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10374820
62,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Power Train
2006 VW JETTA TDI : RE: CRITICAL CLUTCH FAILURE ON HIGHWAY THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS CRASH. CLUTCH COMPLETE FAILED AT 62,000 MILES - CLUTCH WENT TO FLOOR AND WOULD NOT POP BACK OUT. COMPLETELY UNUSABLE AND STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. 46 OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE AT W…
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2006 VW JETTA TDI : RE: CRITICAL CLUTCH FAILURE ON HIGHWAY THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS CRASH. CLUTCH COMPLETE FAILED AT 62,000 MILES - CLUTCH WENT TO FLOOR AND WOULD NOT POP BACK OUT. COMPLETELY UNUSABLE AND STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. 46 OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE AT WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT.2006/VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA/CLUTCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373861
62,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CLUTCH SUDDENLY FAILED BY DEPRESSING TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CLUTCH SUDDENLY FAILED BY DEPRESSING TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
NHTSA ODI #10373860
39,000 miles · Dec 30, 2010
Power Train
THERE ARE ACKNOWLEDGED TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THE 2003-2008 VW JETTAS. THEY HARD SHIFT FROM 1/2 AND 2/3. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BE UNPREDICTABLE DURING ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY DURING MERGING WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. VW SENT NOTICES OF "WARRANTY EXTENSIONS" TO 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT COVER A M…
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THERE ARE ACKNOWLEDGED TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THE 2003-2008 VW JETTAS. THEY HARD SHIFT FROM 1/2 AND 2/3. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BE UNPREDICTABLE DURING ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY DURING MERGING WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. VW SENT NOTICES OF "WARRANTY EXTENSIONS" TO 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT COVER A MAJORITY OF EFFECTED VEHICLES. 2003'S WOULD ALREADY BE OVER 7 YEARS OLD AND AN AVERAGE MILEAGE. OWNER-[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373519
Official recalls
4Dec 10, 2010
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
May 19, 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE. THE FASTENING SCREW CONTACT SURFACES ON THE DRIVESHAFT COVER PLATE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. SOME SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED PROPERLY DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME, CAUSING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHES FROM THE GEARBOX.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING. A DAMAGE GEARBOX HOUSING COULD LEAK GEARBOX OIL ONTO THE STREET AND CREATE A RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS AND REPLACE THE SCREWS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Sep 24, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Jun 25, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L GASOLINE ENGINES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CHAFING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FUEL LEAK OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND WILL ALSO INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗