2008 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 190 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 4 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Other or unspecifiedSep 25, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
Campaign 19V679000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 10V621000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftMay 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 09V164000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsSep 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.
NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 07V442000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
190 reports, newest first.
Power train, Aug 25, 2009
08 VW JETTA DSG TRANS. AFTER THE TRANS IS WARMED UP, THE CAR IS JERKY TAKING OFF FROM A STOP, AS IF THE CLUTCH IS NOT ENGAGED PROPERLY. ON A FEW OCCASIONS, IT SEEMED THAT NO POWER WAS BEING TRANSMITTED TO THE WHEELS, LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. ONCE THE RPMS CAME DOWN, THE TRANS. ENGAGED, AND THE CAR BECAME MOBILE AGAIN. THE "JERKINESS" FROM A STOP IS ALMOST ALL THE TIME ONCE THE CAR WARMS UP, THE TOTAL LACK OF POWER TRANSMISSION HAS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE OR TWICE. THE CAR WAS TESTED BY THE VW DEALER SERVICE DEPT. A NEW MECHTRONIC UNIT IS ON ORDER. *TR
Power train, Aug 25, 2009
1. THIS EVENT OCCURS CONSTANTLY UNDER ALL CONDITIONS 2. THE TRANSMISSION WILL JERK FROM A START CAUSING DISCOMFORT AND IRRITATION 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO PREVENT THIS ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Aug 23, 2009
I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY OF 2008. IT IS NOW AUGUST 23, 2008 AND IT IS GOING INTO THE SHOP THIS WEEK FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE MECHATRONIC UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AS WELL AS THE CLUTCH PLATES. IT IS A 2008 JETTA WOLFSBURG EDITION 2.0T WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM IS A JERKY, SURGING FEELING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS WARMED UP. YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND IT STARTS TO JERK AS IF YOU'RE TAPPING THE GAS AND LETTING OFF. IT HAPPENS 2 OR 3 TIMES A DAY WHEN I DRIVE A LOT. NOT SURE WHAT ELSE IT COULD BE. THE CAR WAS BUILT IN MAY 2008 AS FAR AS I KNOW, MEANING ITS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AS OF TODAY AUGUST 21, 2009. I CAN'T BELIEVE A CAR THAT HAS 18,000 MILES ON IT IS HAVING THESE MANY PROBLEMS. *TR
Power train, Aug 21, 2009
WE PURCHASED A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WOLFSBERG EDITION. FROM A DEALERSHIP ON STATEN ISLAND. THE CAR NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WE BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE CAR WOULD LUNGE FORWARD FROM A STARTING POSITION WHILE IN DRIVE OR LUNGE BACKWARDS FROM A STARTING POSITION WHILE IN REVERSE. THE CAR MAKES VERY JERKY, JOLTY MOVEMENTS FORWARD. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OPEN ROAD IN BROOKLYN, NY. THE MECHANICS BELIEVE IT IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. THE PART IS ON ORDER, BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS SAID IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE PART COMES IN FROM GERMANY. ALTHOUGH THEY OFFERED US A "RENTAL" CAR JUST IN CASE WE FELT UNCOMFORTABLE. I READ TODAY (AUGUST 21ST) THAT VW IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NHTSA IS RECALLING SEVERAL VW'S DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE DCT IN THE TRANSMISSION. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY INVOLVE MORE THAN THE CARS LISTED, AS I AM SURE THAT OUR VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT. *TR
Power train, Aug 21, 2009
FAILURE OF VW DSG TRANSMISSION AFTER 7000 MILES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 18, 2009
WE OWN A 2008 VW JETTA. 2.5 L THE JETTA HAS 25,000 MILES AND LESS THAN YEAR OF OWNERSHIP (PURCHASED AT 8000 AS PROGRAM CAR) REAR BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY GONE & RUINED ONE ROTOR -NO WARNING PRIOR? (PER DEALER) FRONT BRAKES ARE FINE TOLD REAR PADS AND ROTORS MUST BE REPLACED. *TR
Power train, Aug 17, 2009
I HAVE HAD MY 08 VW JETTA WOLFSBURG WITH DSG TRANSMISSION FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND HAVE DRIVEN IT 25000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION HAS NEVER REALLY BEEN PERFECT BUT I PUT THE VARIOUS CLUNKS, HESITATIONS AND HARD SHIFTS DOWN TO THE TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY RATHER THAN A POTENTIAL FAILURE. HOWEVER, AS TIME HAS GONE BY I HAVE NOTICED AN INCREASED TENDENCY FOR THE CAR TO SURGE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOWLY REVERSE. THIS CAUSES REPEATED SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS MUCH GREATER THAN ANTICIPATED WITH THE SMALL AMOUNT IN THROTTLE INPUT. GIVEN THAT I NEED TO NEGOTIATE MY CHILD'S DAYCARE FACILITY PARKING LOT TWICE A DAY THIS SITUATION HAS BECOME A REAL SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. A SIMILAR PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN VERY SLOWLY STARTING FORWARD FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THIS SITUATION IS NOT QUITE AS SERIOUS A CONCERN FOR ME BUT IS AT LEAST VERY ANNOYING. PRIMARILY I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABILITY TO SAFELY REVERSE MY VEHICLE AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF MY SPEED IN DOING SO. *TR
Power train, Aug 14, 2009
2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR HAS A FAULTY DSG TRANSMISSION WHICH MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR SHIFTS ROUGHLY, BUCKS WHILE ROLLING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, AND ROLLS BACKWARDS AN EXCESSIVE DISTANCE WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK ON A HILL (NOSE POINTING UPHILL). THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR
Power train, Jul 27, 2009
2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WOLFSBURG W/ DSG TRANSMISSION, 22K MILES. AFTER WARMING UP, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT LURCHING AND STUTTERING FROM A STOP WHEN IN D(RIVE), S(PORT) OR "MANUAL" MODE. WHEN IN D & S, THERE IS OFTEN TIMES A HARSH DOWNSHIFT INTO 3RD OR 2ND GEAR. ENGINE ALMOST DIES WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON OCCASION, THEN LURCHES FORWARD. IN REVERSE, THERE IS ALMOST NO RESPONSE TO PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR FOR A SPLIT SECOND, THEN THE CAR LUNGES BACKWARDS VERY NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR APPROX 6 MONTHS. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT MAY NEED A REGULAR SERVICING TO FIX, BUT THE RECOMMENDED INTERVAL ISN'T UNTIL 40K MILES. CURRENTLY WAITING ON APPT AT DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 27, 2009
I AM SUBMITTING A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, WOLFSBURG EDITION.WE PURCHASED THIS CAR 8-08 FROM A VW DEALER, IT WAS BRAND NEW. WITHIN SEVERAL MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE WHEN IN DRIVE, THE CAR WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONDITION KEPT GETTING WORSE AND BEGAN ALSO LUNGING FORWARD WHEN IDLING. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE DEPT. OF THE VW DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY SAID IT HAD TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER MEMORY IN MY CAR AND IT WAS MEMORIZING HOW I DRIVE AND IF I SWITCHED OVER TO ANOTHER DRIVER IT WOULD BE CONFUSED AND LUNGE. THIS IS WRITTEN ON MY RECEIPT FOR THE WORK: "ADVISE CUSTOMER TO ONLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT IS ACTING AS IF TWO PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AND THE ADAPTIVE LEARNING IS CONFUSED. NO CODES STORED." MY CAR IS CONFUSED, THEREFORE THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE DRIVER???? SOUNDED SILLY TO ME, BUT I NEEDED MY CAR AND I ACCEPTED THAT EXPLANATION AND LEFT. THE CONDITION ONLY WORSENED. THE LUNGE OR SURGING FORWARD BECAME SO NOTICEABLE THAT IT WAS EMBARRASSING. MY HUSBAND SAID HE ALSO NOTICED IT LUNGING OR SURGING IN THE REVERSE GEAR AS WELL AS FORWARD AND IDLE. I RETURNED IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE VW DEALERSHIP JULY 13, 2009. THEY HAVE DETERMINED THAT IT IS A FAULTY MECHATRONICS UNIT. THEY CANNOT EVEN GET THE PART UNTIL THE FIRST WEEK IN AUGUST. THEY TOLD ME THAT PROBLEMS WITH THE MECHATRONICS UNIT ARE RARE. HOWEVER, I DID MY OWN RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE VW JETTAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AND, THIS PART IS A BIT WEIRD...MANY OF THEM HAD TO WAIT WEEKS FOR THE PART. ONE PERSON REPORTED THAT THE "SURGING FORWARD" WAS SO BAD THAT HE HIT ANOTHER CAR. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE THIS CONDITION COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.IT IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING TO OWN A NEW CAR THAT HAS SOMETHING SO MAJOR WRONG WITH IT. AND IT WAS VERY UPSETTING TO FIND SO MANY OTHERS (ONLINE FORUMS) WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND CONSIDERATION OF THIS SITUATION. *TR
Power train, Jul 26, 2009
1. THIS ISSUE IS MORE PREVALENT WHEN THE CAR IS WARMED UP, LIKE AFTER DRIVING FOR 20 OR 30 MINUTES OR SO. 2. MY CAR (VW JETTA '08 DSG) AUTOMATIC TRANNY OPERATION FAILS USUALLY WHEN IN 1ST GEAR (WHILE IN 'D' MODE) OR IN REVERSE SO THAT YOU EXPERIENCE VERY BAD "LURCHING" AND SURGING EFFECT. THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY REV AND JUMP FORWARD A FOOT OR TWO THEN FEEL LIKE IT WAS IDLING WRONG AND FEEL LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE, THEN RUN FINE THEN DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE CAR WOULDN'T HAVE POWER TO MOVE WHEN ITS NEEDED FOR EXAMPLE IN T-JUNCTION. 3. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY WANT TO GET THE CAR IN TO FIX THE BAD MECHATRONICS UNIT. THE NEW MECHATRONICS UNIT PART WAS ORDERED AND IT WILL TAKE "SOME TIME" (NO LESS THAN ONE MONTH), NO EXACT DATE WAS GIVEN WHEN THEN NEW PART IS AVAILABLE AND READY FOR REPLACING. I FEAR THAT THE DSG REPAIRING IS NOT THE FINAL SOLUTION AND IT WILL TAKE LOTS OF REPAIRS TO GET THIS THING EVENTUALLY FIXED. *NOTE* CAR VIN SITE DIDN'T ACCEPT IT FOR SOME REASON. *TR
Power train, Jul 25, 2009
I'M GOING ON MY 3RD DSG/MECHATRONICS UNIT. I HAVE A 08 WOLFSBURG WITH 31,000 MILES. THE VERY FIRST DAY I HAD THE CAR IN BROKE DOWN WITH 101 MILES ON IT. FLASHING PRNDS AND IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEARS OR REVERSE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER AND WAITED 3 WEEKS FOR NEW MECHATRONICS UNIT. FOR A FEW DAYS IT WAS FINE THEN IT STARTED WITH JERKING,HARD DOWN SHIFTS FROM 3 TO 1 IN DRIVE. BACKING UP WAS SCARY AT TIMES. BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER 4 DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY SAID THIS WAS NORMAL FOR DSG. GOT TIRED OF HEARING THE SAME STORY FROM THEM AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS MECHATRONICS UNIT AND ITS ON ORDER SINCE JUNE 12,2009 AND TODAY IS JULY 25, 2009 AND STILL WAITING FOR MY CAR TO BE FIXED. *TR
Power train, Jul 24, 2009
PURCHASED A 2008 VW JETTA WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING FOR SAME PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS "CLUNKS" HARD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC PRIMARILY 2ND TO 1ST TO NEUTRAL. THIS IS WORSE THE LONGER AND HOTTER TRANSMISSION GETS. ALSO TRANSMISSION JUMPS OR SURGES FORWARD OR BACK AFTER PUTTING IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THIS PRIMARILY HAPPENS WHEN PUTTING INTO GEAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, THEN TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE AND SLIGHTLY PRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE JUMPS SEVERAL FEET FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED FROM A MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT IS OPERATED BY SOFTWARE. I LIKE THE CAR AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO"SOFTEN" THE STOP AND GO JERKINESS OF THIS SUPPOSEDLY CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY. *TR
Power train, Jul 23, 2009
MY JETTA WOLFSBURG IS CURRENTLY IN SHOP DUE TO A DSG MECHATRONIC UNIT FAILURE. PRIOR TO BRINGING IT IN THE CAR WAS 'JERKY' AND 'JUMPY' AS THOUGH I WAS DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND RELEASING THE CLUTCH TOO FAST. THIS HAPPENED IN BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS ~ 12000 MILES ON IT AND THE ISSUE BEGAN AROUND 10000 MILES. THE JUMPINESS OF THE CAR WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT I BACKED INTO A WALL (LUCKILY AT LOW SPEED) EVEN WITH SLIGHT BRAKE PRESSURE (THE CAR LURCHED BACKWARDS SUDDENLY). THE DEALER BELIEVES THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MECHATRONIC UNIT SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE PART TO COME IN FOR 2 WEEKS NOW AND AM DRIVING A LOANER IN THE MEAN TIME. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 23, 2009
WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GLI SEDAN EQUIPPED WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION I HAVE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS EITHER WHILE ACCELERATING OR SLOWING HAD SUDDEN, ROUGH SHIFTS, AND AT TIMES HAVE BEEN LITERALLY BUCKED AROUND IN THE VEHICLE WHILE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR WHEN LEAVING A STOP LIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE FEBRUARY 2009...POSSIBLY BEFORE, AND HAS BEEN INCREASING IN FREQUENCY. I HAVE ALSO HAD ROUGH SHIFTS DOWNSHIFTING AT TIMES CAUSING THE ESP TO BECOME ACTIVATED IN MY VEHICLE MAKING IT FEEL LIKE I AM LOSING TRACTION. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION IN TO THIS AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY STORIES ADDED TO THE INVESTIGATION. PE09-035. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON THIS BEFORE AND THEY DENIED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Jul 23, 2009
I HAVE A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.0T WOLFSBURG EDITION WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. AROUND 5,000 MILES, I STARTED EXPERIENCING BANGING OF GEARS WHEN I WAS START UP AT A LIGHT, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO GET WORSE TO THE POINT MY NECK WAS HURTING AND THE FRONT SEAT OF THE CAR HAS BECOME LOOSE DUE TO THE CONSTANT FORCE OF THE BANGING. MOST RECENTLY ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER, THE CAR BANGED INTO GEAR AND STARTED TO ROLL BACK (NOT LIKE IT DOES NORMALLY ON A HILL, THIS WAS AFTER THAT SHOULD OF HAPPENED) BEFORE IT MOVED FORWARD. I'VE ALSO EXPERIENCE THE CAR REVVING AND NOT GOING INTO GEAR THEN IN BANGS INTO GEAR AND SURGES FORWARD AT A HIGHER SPEED THEN WHICH YOU HIT THE GAS. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING LOOKED AT. BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ARE POSTED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND RECALL THE TRANSMISSIONS, AS THE SYMPTOMS GET WORSE THE CAR BECOMES A DANGER TO DRIVE. *TR
Power train, Jul 22, 2009
2008 VW JETTA WOLFSBURG WITH 2.0T & DSG TRANSMISSION 21K MILES. TRANSMISSION CONSISTENTLY LURCHES FORWARD AT A STOP ESPECIALLY AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS MAGNIFIED WHEN THE A/C IS ON. RPM'S WILL FLUCTUATE +/- 200 AS YOU FEEL THE GEAR ENGAGE. SYMPTOMS ARE WORSE WHEN THE CAR IS IN REVERSE. HAS THE SAME FEELING AS SOMEONE NOT KNOWING HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE "JERKINESS" CONTINUES FROM A STOP UNTIL UNDER ACCELERATION INTO 3RD GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO DOWNSHIFTS UNUSUALLY HARD INTO 2ND & ESPECIALLY 1ST GEAR. ALL THESE SYMPTOMS HAVE SLOWLY BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED OVER THE LAST MONTH. THE WORST & POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM WAS WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO A BUSY ROAD WITH MY ENTIRE FAMILY IN THE CAR. I WAS AT A STOP & SHIFTED THE CAR INTO "SPORT" MODE WHICH GIVES THE CAR MUCH QUICKER SHORT TERM ACCELERATION, WHICH WOULD HELP IN THE BUSY SITUATION. AS TRAFFIC CLEARED ENOUGH I PRESSED THE GAS & THE CAR SIMPLY ROLLED WITHOUT POWER INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD TO SHIFT QUICKLY INTO REVERSE TO AVOID BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I ATTEMPTED THIS A 2ND TIME & THE SAME THING HAPPENED...NO POWER, JUST ROLLED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I HAVE NOT RUSTED THIS CAR IN THESE SITUATIONS SINCE. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER IN 1 WEEK TO ADDRESS THIS & A RECALL ON THE DRIVESHAFT BOLTS. I AM FILING THIS BECAUSE AS I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE FROM CREDIBLE SOURCES, IT IS APPARENT THIS IS A BIG ISSUE FOR THE DSG TRANSMISSIONS & THE CONSUMER IS GETTING THE RUN AROUND. I COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS/FATAL ACCIDENT WITH MY FAMILY & IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN UP AT THE SCENE THAT I PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN IN REALITY THIS TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE (TWICE) AND JEOPARDIZED OUR LIVES. I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS ISSUE GAINS THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES AND VW STEPS UP AND MAKES A PERMANENT FIX. THE PARTS THE ARE REPLACING (MECHATRONIC) IS FAILING AGAIN AFTER TIME. I EXPECT A DEALER RUN-A-ROUND. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Power train, Jul 21, 2009
TRANSMISSION SURGES/BUCKS DURING LOW SPEED OPERATION SUCH AS PARKING. REVERSE IS WORSE THAN FORWARD. REVERSE OPERATION CAN BE DANGEROUS AS EXTRA THROTTLE MUST BE APPLIED TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE BUT THEN THERE IS A RAPID ACCELERATION THAT IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. TRANSMISSION ALSO DOWN SHIFTS VERY HARD WHILE SLOWING FOR A STOP, 2ND TO 1ST DOWNSHIFT. CAR IS INOP. SINCE 6/26/09 AWAITING REPAIR PART. PART ETA IS LATE AUGUST 2009. TRANSMISSION IS DSG MODEL. *TR
Power train, Jul 16, 2009
MY VW 2008 2.0T, SHIFTS VERY HARD WHEN DRIVING WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. IT ALSO LURCHES FORWARD FROM A STOP; AT TIMES IT ALSO LOSES POWER WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS STEPPED ON. THE VEHICLE JERKS VERY HARD AND HAS ALSO WHEN REVERSING ALMOST HIT THE GARAGE. THE CAR CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO GO FROM PARK TO DRIVE SMOOTHLY, AT TIMES VIOLENTLY JERKING FORWARD. *TR
Power train, Jul 10, 2009
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IT DROVE PERFECTLY NO HESITATION NO PROBLEMS WHAT SO EVER. OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE I WILL PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR WILL HESITATE AND THEN LURCH BACKWARDS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT OCCURS 1 OUT OF EVERY 25 TIMES. SINCE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL OF THE TIME I REALLY HAVE KNOW IDEA HOW MY VEHICLE WILL REACT WHILE BACKING. ALSO MORE RECENTLY OCCURRING IS WHILE DOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE I WILL ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP INTO A NEUTRAL STATE. I WILL HAVE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER AND RE-START THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THEY HAD VERIFIED MY COMPLAINTS AND ORDERED A NEW VALVE BODY (MECHTRONICS UNIT) AND ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR SINCE IT COULD BE UNSAFE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER FOR 4-6 WEEKS AND THE ONLY ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION THEY COULD PROVIDE FREE OF CHARGE WAS A COMPACT CAR. I DECIDED TO KEEP MY VEHICLE UNTIL THE PART COMES IN HOPING I WILL NOT HAVE ANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL OF THIS PART IS NEEDED. *TR
Power train, Jul 7, 2009
I DRIVE A 2008 VW JETTA WOLFSBURG EDITION EQUIPPED WITH THE DSG (DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX) TRANSMISSION. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 1000 MILES I STARTED TO NOTICED VERY HARSH 2 TO 1 DOWNSHIFTS AND SURGING WHILE IN DRIVE. BY THE HARSH DOWNSHIFT I MEAN WHEN SLOWING DOWN COMING TO A STOP WHEN THE GEARBOX WOULD SHIFT FROM 2ND GEAR DOWN INTO 1ST GEAR I WOULD ALWAYS EXPERIENCE A LOUD METALLIC "CLUNK" NOISE. IN REGARDS TO THE SURGING WHILE IN DRIVE I MEAN WHEN AT A DEAD STOP AND YOU GIVE EVEN/SLIGHT PEDAL PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD SURGE FORWARD OVER AND OVER AGAIN LIKE YOU WERE STEPPING ON THE GAS AND THEN LETTING OFF. THIS CHARACTERISTIC WAS VERY PREVALENT ON AN INCLINE. THE VW DEALERSHIP I WORK WITH DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY MECHATRONICS UNIT WHICH CONTROLS THE FUNCTIONS OF THE COMPLEX DSG TRANSMISSION. IT WAS REPLACED AT 5000 MILES. AFTER DRIVING WITH THE NEW MECHATRONICS UNIT INSTALLED FOR ROUGHLY 6000 MORE MILES I STARTED TO NOW EXPERIENCE THE SAME SURGING ISSUES BUT WHEN THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RPM'S WOULD ALWAYS DROP LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO STALL EVERYTIME I WOULD SHIFT INTO DRIVE FROM PARK. AND LASTLY WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, APPLYING EVEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL PRESSURE, THE CAR WOULD ALWAYS "JUMP" OFF THE LINE. BROUGHT IT INTO THE VW DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. AFTER THE NEW DSG TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN INSTALLED THE CAR DRIVES VERY SMOOTH NOW WITH NO SURGING AND NO HARSH 2 TO 1 DOWNSHIFTS. THE NEW TRANS ONLY HAS 300 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY BUT I HOPE THE SAME ISSUES DO NOT OCCUR AGAIN. *TR
Visibility, Jun 15, 2009
DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR WINDOW AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND REAR WINDOW LEAK WATER. *TR
Air bags, Jun 5, 2009
THE AIR BAG LIGHT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. IT WILL COME ONE FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEN BOTH PEOPLE ARE PRESENT IN THE CAR. I HAD IT FIXED ONCE BEFORE AND NOW IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 19, 2009
2008 JETTA SE HAS HAD RECURRING SQUEALING BACK BRAKES SINCE DAY 1. MURRIETA VW IN CA SAYS IT IS NORMAL. THEY CHECKED AND SPRAYED. GOOD TO GO, BUT NOW AT 14K MILES, NOISE HAS RETURNED. ONLY HAPPENS AT SLOW SPEED (BACKING UP/PARKING). IS THERE A DEFECT ON THE CALIPERS/PISTON ASSEMBLY? VW DEALER SAYS IT IS "NORMAL." IN 25 YEARS OF DRIVING NEVER HAD A CAR DO THIS. IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND SOUNDS DANGEROUS. CARS SHOULD NOT DO THIS, ESP AT 14K MILES. BRAKE FAILURE COULD BE ON THE WAY, CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE, OR DEATH. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 25, 2009
ON A COLD MARCH MORNING, WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF UNSUCCESSFULLY TRYING TO FORCE THE KEY IN, VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. WHEN DEALER LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TUMBLER IN THE CYLINDER WAS IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE DEALER SPRAYED WITH SILICONE LUBRICANT TO COAX THE TUMBLER TO RELEASE. *TR