2009 Volkswagen Jetta

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Fuel system is the leading concern among 904 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 904

Of the 2009 reports, 31 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.

Primary concernFuel system227 reports · 25% of complaints
Owner complaints904Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship7 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Fuel system227
  2. Service brakes215
  3. Diesel195
  4. Power train142
  5. Electrical system112
  6. Fuel/propulsion system103
  7. Electronic stability control (ESC)98
  8. Engine95

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipDec 20, 2016

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.

    A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.

    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

    Campaign 16V913000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Fuel system, dieselOct 3, 2011

    VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.

    DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

    VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 11V490000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. 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

  6. Power train, automatic transmissionAug 20, 2009

    VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.

    THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 09V333000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. 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

Representative owner complaints: power train

142 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Fuel system, Diesel, Power train, Sep 24, 2010

    2009 VW JETTA TDI. ENGINE STALLS FREQUENTLY, WITH DELAYED RESTART. THE ECU WILL SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE IF THE RPM FALLS, EVEN MOMENTARILY, BELOW SOME PREDETERMINED LEVEL, I OBSERVE THIS THRESHOLD AT ABOUT 600 RPM. THE KEY MUST BE CYCLED TO THE OFF POSITION AND THEN BACK TO START TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT ONCE SHUT DOWN, THERE IS A BRIEF DELAY BEFORE THE ECU WILL ENGAGE THE STARTER, LEAVING THE DRIVER OF A STALLED VEHICLE IN POSSIBLE HARMS WAY, WITH THE KEY IN THE START POSITION WAITING FOR THE ENGINE TO RESTART. DISCUSSION OF THIS PROBLEM IS OFTEN OBFUSCATED BY SHAME, DENIAL AND RECRIMINATIONS ABOUT DRIVERS ABILITY TO ADEQUATELY OPERATE A MANUAL TRANS AND CLUTCH. VERY SKILLED DRIVERS MAY NEVER SEE THE PROBLEM, BUT MAY ALSO DENY IT. MANY DRIVERS, NEW TO THE CAR, ARE OFTEN UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT ALL. I, AS A MODERATELY SKILLED DRIVER, AFTER OVER A YEAR DRIVING THE CAR EVERYDAY, STILL STALL THE VEHICLE PERIODICALLY. THE SOLUTION IS TO UPDATE THE FIRMWARE IN THE ECU SO THAT THE LOW RPM THRESHOLD IS LOWER (APPROX 400 RPM), AND/OR THAT A SHORT DELAY BE ADDED TO THE SHUT DOWN FEATURE SO THAT BRIEF TRANSIENT LOW RPM EVENTS DO NOT TRIGGER THE SHUT DOWN. *TR

  2. Power train, Sep 1, 2010

    CAR SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING,ENGINE REVS AND CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. WHEN ENGINE GOES TO IDLE, TRANSMISSION WILL SOMETIMES ENGAGE. PROBLEM STARTED AT 4000 MILES (NOW 37000) MULTIPLE CALLS TO VW AND TRIPS TO VW SERVICE WITH ZERO RESULTS. NO FAULT CODES,NO REPAIR. LAST CALL TO VW CUSTOMER SERVICE I WAS TOLD BY THE REP. BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION AND SEE WHETHER THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED . THIS AUTOMOBILE WAS TROUBLESOME FROM THE BEGINNING WITH HARD SHIFTING AND SLAMMING INTO FIRST GEAR. I ALSO HAVE A 2006 TDI WITH ZERO PROBLEMS. *TR

  3. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Diesel, Power train, Aug 31, 2010

    I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI DIESEL CAR WITH A 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND 20,000 MILES. I HAVE NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS EXTREMELY EASY TO STALL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. IT SEEMS THE INJECTION TIMING MAY BE TOO FAR ADVANCED. I HAVE DRIVEN LOTS OF SIMILAR OLDER MODEL DIESEL CARS IN EUROPE AND ELSEWHERE WITHOUT ANY SUCH PROBLEMS. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED THAT YOU MUST SPEED UP SIGNIFICANTLY IN FIRST GEAR BEFORE SHIFTING TO SECOND. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE UNABLE TO LUG AT A LOW RPMS. *TR

  4. Power train, Aug 31, 2010

    DRIVING A 2009 JETTA TDI - THERE SEEMS TO BE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE CAR WHERE THE CAR WILL CONSTANTLY JERK FORWARD WHEN STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT OR STARTING ACCELERATION FROM THE LIGHT. AT TIMES, ACCELERATION OR BRAKING ON THE FREEWAY CAUSES THE CAR TO 'SHUDDER'. ALSO, 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS, THE CAR HAS STALLED WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A RED LIGHT, AND THE CLUTCH DOES NOT 'GRAB' THE GEAR SOON ENOUGH. STALLING REQUIRES ME TO THEN PLACE THE CAR IN PARK, TURN THE IGNITION COMPLETELY OFF, AND THEN RESTART THE ENGINE BEFORE I CAN CONTINUE DRIVING. TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES HAS NOT YIELDED ANY FINDINGS, WITH THE VW DEALERSHIP TELLING ME THAT THE PROBLEMS DO NOT EXIST AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE ANY ISSUES, AND THAT ALL PARTS OF THE CAR ARE UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY UNDER 25000 MILES, AND WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER. CONTINUOUS COMPLAINTS HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY. *TR

  5. Power train, Aug 9, 2010

    WHILE THE CAR IS IN THE "DRIVE" POSITION I CAN TURN OFF THE CAR AND TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS ALLOWS THE CAR TO ROLL FREELY IF ON ANY SORT OF A SLOPE. *TR

  6. Power train, Jun 14, 2010

    PLEASE REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION # PE09035. MY CAR HAS HAD THIS RECALL PERFORMED AND CONTINUES TO EXHIBIT THE BEHAVIOR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS SINCE HAVING THE RECALL PERFORMED IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND IT STILL OCCURS. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL IN NOVEMBER 2009, REPLACED THE AFFECTED TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN MARCH 2010, REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IN MAY 2010, AND REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN JUNE 2010. I JUST GOT THE CAR BACK FROM HAVING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED ON FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2010 AND THE "FALSE NEUTRAL" REFERENCED IN THE NHTSA ACTION # PE09035 OCCURRED AGAIN ON SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2010. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY WAITING ON A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!! *TR

  7. Power train, Apr 1, 2010

    THE DSG TRANSMISSION MECHATRONIC UNIT IS FAULTING CAUSING ROUGH SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. SOMETIMES IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR THE CONTROL UNIT TO CHOOSE A GEAR AND WHEN IT DOES, THERE IS A HARD HAMMERING BANG WHEN IT FINALLY GOES INTO GEAR. VW IS REPLACING THE UNIT - HOWEVER, IT WILL TAKE TWO TO THREE WEEKS TO GET THE VIN CODED UNIT. *TR

  8. Power train, Mar 20, 2010

    FOURTH INCIDENT: THREE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS BY DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES AND DRIVING CONDITIONS. SPEEDS RANGING FROM 65 MPH TO 20 MILES PER HOUR...GENERALLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. AUTO IS A 2009 VW JETTA EQUIPPED WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. CAR WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. WHEN THIS OCCURS, PRNDSL INDICATOR LIGHT WILL FLASH AS WILL "APPLY BRAKE" WARNING LIGHT. ON AT LEAST ONE OCCASION, SIMPLE APPLICATION OF BRAKE CURED THE PROBLEM. IN THE LATEST CASE (TODAY, MARCH 20, 2010) I HAD TO TURN OFF THE MOTOR TWICE BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL FUNCTIONING. AS STATED, THIS HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 8,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR

  9. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 8, 2010

    2009 VW TDI JETTA. ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, SUTTERS AT CERTAIN POINTS AND LACKS POWER. WILL SOMETIMES STALL IN TRAFFIC. HAVE DOCUMENTED WITH DEALERS. VW AMERICA REFUSES TO ANSWER. VW HAS SOFTWARE FIX, BUT WILL NOT APPLY IT TO VEHICLE. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE THESE PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION.

  10. Power train, Feb 5, 2010

    DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS IN NH. MY 2009 VW JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI HAS EXHIBITED A ENGINE STUMBLE PROBLEM WHEN IT IS STARTED. THE CAR WILL START BUT RUN ROUGH AND ABRUPTLY STALL. IT TAKES ON AVERAGE OF 5 STARTS BEFORE THE ENGINE WILL STAY RUNNING IN A SMOOTH MANNER. MOST OF THE EVENTS HAVE BEEN AFTER DRIVING MORE THAN 30 MILES AND PARKING IT OVERNIGHT IN A NON-HEATED GARAGE AT 44F. ONE OCCURRENCE WAS IN MY WORK PARKING LOT AFTER SITTING 8HRS IN 30F WEATHER. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED A TOTAL OF 10 TIMES. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. MOST RECENTLY IT STARTED AND DIDN'T RUN ROUGH UNTIL I HAD PULLED OUT ON TO THE ROAD. THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE. THE CAR HAD TO BE SHUTOFF AND RESTARTED BEFORE IT RAN SMOOTH. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 10F. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO VW SERVICE TWICE. THE CAR DOESN'T TRIGGER A CODE FOR VW TO DIAGNOSE, BUT THE PROBLEM IS VERY REAL. VW DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CAR COULD LEAVE MY FAMILY STRANDED IN COLD CONDITIONS OR POSSIBLY HIT WHILE THE CAR IS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR

  11. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Jan 13, 2010

    WINDSHIELD WIPERS SYSTEM FAILED IN SNOW STORM. PARTS REPLACED COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. 8 TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED. DEALER CAN NOT FIND CAUSE. NO START SITUATION, TWICE. DEALER CAN NOT FIND CAUSE. TRANSMISSION NOISE. DEALER CAN NOT FIND CAUSE, WILL REPLACE TRANSMISSION IF NOISE CONTINUES. *TR

  12. Power train, Jan 7, 2010

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH HER VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THERE IS A RECALL# 09V333000, POWER TRAIN, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL AT LEAST FOUR TIMES AND EACH TIME THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETE THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2009. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

  13. Power train, Dec 22, 2009

    2009 VW JETTA TDI (TURBO-DIESEL) EQUIPPED WITH DSG (DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX) TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE PREMATURELY DOWNSHIFTS FROM 2ND INTO 1ST GEAR AT SLOW SPEEDS. WHEN DRIVING IN 'TIPTRONIC' (MANUAL) SHIFT MODE AT SLOW SPEED CONDITIONS, SUCH AS RIGHT TURNS, PARKING LOTS/GARAGES, YIELD CONDITIONS, ETC., THE VEHICLE WILL DOWNSHIFT UNEXPECTEDLY FROM 2ND GEAR INTO 1ST AFTER REACCELERATION HAS ALREADY BEGUN, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE'S RPMS TO "SKYROCKET". IF THIS OCCURS WITHIN A TURN IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION IS STALLED DUE TO THE LOWER GEAR. PANICKING, ONE SHIFTS THE VEHICLE INTO 2ND AT THE HIGH RPMS AND THE TRANSMISSION JOLTS UNDER THE POWER AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD RAPIDLY UNDER POWER. THIS HAS CONTRIBUTED TO NEAR REAR-END CRASH SITUATIONS FOR BOTH DRIVERS FOLLOWING AT THE DOWNSHIFT/STALL CONDITION AS WELL AS VEHICLES IN FRONT AT THE UPSHIFT/ACCELERATION CONDITION. IN PARKING LOTS WHILE MODERATELY TRAVELING IN 2ND GEAR LOOKING FOR A PARKING STALL, WITHOUT WARNING, AGAIN THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES DOWNSHIFT INTO FIRST CAUSING THIS BRAKING "BUCKING' EFFECT AND THE ENGINE RPMS SKYROCKET UNTIL ONE EITHER LIFTS OFF THE ACCELERATOR OR SHIFTS BACK INTO 2ND. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AN OVERALL MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT AND UNNERVING TO DRIVE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, PARKING LOTS, AREAS WITH SPEED BUMPS, GARAGES, OR ANY OTHER SLOW SPEED ENVIRONMENTS WHERE ONE WOULD PREFER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN 'MANUAL' SHIFT MODE AS PROVIDED BY THE DSG'S DESIGN. IT SEEMS APPARENT TO ME THAT THE SOFTWARE AND/OR SENSOR COMPONENTS RELATED TO THE SHIFTING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DSG WHILE IN THESE MODES, SHOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO DOWNSHIFT INTO THE 1ST GEAR UNLESS THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP, OR AT LEAST AT AN ALMOST NON-DETECTABLE SPEED, THEREBY ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO REACCELERATE IN 2ND WHICH, IN COMBINATION WITH THE HIGH-TORQUE NATURE OF THE DIESEL ENGINE IS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT FOR THESE SCENARIOS. *TR

  14. Power train, Dec 1, 2009

    VEHICLE SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT VEHICLE STILL HAS PROBLEM AFTER RECALL SERVICE HAS BEEN DONE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V333000 IS FOR THE RECALL THAT WAS COMPLETED ON THIS VEHICLE IN OCT. 2009. AT VW DEALER WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. ON NOV 27, 2009 VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING AND HAS DONE IT ON 2 OTHER OCCASIONS. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER ON NOV. 29, 2009 AND AWAITING RESULTS OF THEIR DIAGNOSES. I AM SENDING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THIS DEFECT IS NOT GETTING FIXED WITH THE ORIGINAL RECALL, WHICH LEAVES A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM OPEN TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES AND OTHERS. *TR

  15. Power train, Oct 6, 2009

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE GEAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE DOWN-SHIFTED INTO THE NEUTRAL GEAR. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY RESTART THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

  16. Power train, Sep 30, 2009

    THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND DISPLAY STARTED TO BLINK JUST AS I WAS ENTERING AN INTERSECTION HAD TO STOP AND RESTART CAR. *TR

  17. Power train, Sep 22, 2009

    2009 VW JETTA TDI SPORTSWAGEN. WHEN MOVING FROM COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE SOMETIMES PAUSES, THEN LURCHES FORWARD WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION; EVEN THOUGHT STEADY FOOT PRESSURE WAS ON THE GAS PEDAL. *TR

  18. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 21, 2009

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A PULLING SENSATION AND BEGAN HESITATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURES PROGRESSED BETWEEN 0 TO 55 MPH AND THE ENGINE SURGED WHILE MAINTAINING SPEED. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A MANUFACTURERS DESIGN WITHOUT A REMEDY. THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM CODE WAS RESET TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,500.

  19. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 14, 2009

    THE VEHICLE HAS A 1 TO 2 SECOND LAG WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STANDING START OR WHEN I STEP HARD ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT ACTS LIKE IT HAS TO THINK ABOUT IT FOR A WHILE BEFORE THE MOTOR STARTS TO REV UP AND THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR-ACCIDENTS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, AND AT STOP SIGNS WHEN OTHER DRIVERS DECIDED I'D WAITED TOO LONG AND STARTED INTO THE INTERSECTION AT THE SAME TIME MY CAR FINALLY DECIDED TO GET AROUND TO GOING. THIS IS A TDI WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. I HAD THE DEALER RUN A FULL DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I SEE OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME BEHAVIOR HERE AND ELSEWHERE. I SUSPECT FAULTY PROGRAMMING IN EITHER THE ENGINE OR THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE, THOUGH IT MAY BE JUST THE INHERENT BEHAVIOR OF THE SYSTEM. I'LL PUT TODAY'S DATE ON THE "APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE" ALTHOUGH IT'S BEEN THIS WAY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN NOVEMBER 2008. *TR

  20. Power train, Sep 8, 2009, crash

    TURNING LEFT FROM TURN LANE WITH GREEN LIGHT. ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH AMPLE SPACE TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN. STARTED TO ACCELERATE INTO INTERSECTION AND AUTO TRANSMISSION (DSG) SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR CAUSING SLUGGISH ACCELERATION. I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR TO GET MORE POWER AND TO AVOID THE APPROACHING TRAFFIC. BY THAT TIME, IT WAS TOO LATE AND A COLLISION OCCURRED, TOTALING BOTH VEHICLES. *TR

  21. Power train, Sep 8, 2009

    I WAS DRIVING HOME IN RUSH HOUR AFTER WORK ON A FOUR-LANE ROAD, IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM. AT MILE 1,565, MY CAR LOST POWER, THE P R N D S TRANSMISSION OPTIONS WERE BLINKING, THE FOOT BREAK ICON CAME ON, AND WHEN I PUSHED ON THE GAS, MY RMPS INCREASED, BUT NO POWER. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE CAR OUT OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER, AND SAT THERE WONDERING WHAT JUST HAPPENED. BEING THAT THE CAR WAS NEW, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THERE WAS NO SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON. I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, SAT THERE FOR A BIT, AND THEN PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE. ABOUT 3 MILES LATER, THE TRANSMISSION OPTIONS BLINKED AGAIN. ONCE I ARRIVED HOME, I CALLED THE VW DEALERS SERVICE DEPT. WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THIS, TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER (I AM 100+ MILES FROM THE DEALER), TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THEM. I AM VERY UNSATISFIED WITH VW, JETTA, AND MY CAR. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE MY CAR IS SAFE, RELIABLE, OR TRUSTWORTHY. NOW, BECAUSE OF THE INSTANCES THAT OCCURRED, I WILL ALWAYS BE PARANOID WITH MY CAR, WORRYING IF I WILL BE ABLE TO SAFELY GET TO AND FRO THE PLACES I NEED TO BE. I RECENTLY WAS ON THE INTERSTATE WITH AN INCONSIDERATE TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND ME NOT GIVING ME A REASONABLE DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND HIS OVERSIZED VEHICLE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO CHANGE LANES FOR OTHER CARS WERE IN THE ADJACENT LANE. FEAR CAME OVER ME AS I KNOW I WOULD BE IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT IF THE TRANSMISSION DECIDED TO FAIL AGAIN RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER. THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY FOR THE OVERSIZED TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND ME TO STOP IN TIME WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR I WAS DRIVING LOST POWER. *TR

  22. Power train, Aug 27, 2009

    PURCHASED A 2009 VW JETTA SPORTSWAGON TDI ON 5/31/09. ON AUGUST 4TH, THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR A 90-INSPECTION. PRIOR TO THIS, I EXPERIENCED THE PANEL LIGHTS FLASHING AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID NOTHING AND APPEARED TO BE IN NEUTRAL. I STATED THIS TO THE VW SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. WE WERE GIVEN THE CAR BACK ON AUGUST 6TH, STATING THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY HARNESS CONNECTOR AND A WIRE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. BETWEEN AUGUST 6TH AND AUGUST 13TH, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATION APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES IN THE SPACE OF THREE DAYS. ON AUGUST 14TH I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SAME VW DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE 1ST REPAIR. WHEN TELLING THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHAT OCCURRED, THE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND INFERRED THAT PERHAPS MY DRIVING WAS AT FAULT. ON 8/20, THE VW DEALER CALLED AND SAID THAT THEY HAD SPOKEN TO A VW FACTORY REP AND THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY TEMPERATURE CONTROL PROBLEM. ON TUESDAY, 8/25, THE VW DEALER CALLED AND TOLD US THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. I PICKED THE CAR UP THAT EVENING (8/25) AND THE REPAIR NOTICE STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. WHEN DRIVING TO WORK ON WEDNESDAY, 8/26, I EXPERIENCED LURCHING, SEIZING AND NON-ACCELERATION OF THE TRANSMISSION APPROXIMATELY 4 TIMES. VW OF AMERICA HAS BEEN INCLUDED "IN THE LOOP" FROM THE BEGINNING (CASE # 90204213). ON THURSDAY, 8/27, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT VW DEALER, HOWEVER, WITH THE SAME BUSINESS NAME (DAVID MAUS). THIS IS THE THIRD TIME WITHIN A SPACE OF 3 WEEKS THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES (E.G., TRANSMISSION FAILURE). I AM FEARFUL OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE LURCHING, NON-ACCELERATION AND SEIZING OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE VW DEALER BECAUSE OF THE UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS I HAVE EXPERIENCED. *TR

  23. Power train, Aug 27, 2009

    TL*THE CONTACT OWN A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. HE STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WENT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR WHILE DRIVING AND HE WAS FORCED TO DRIVE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; HOWEVER, AFTER AN HOUR, THE VEHICLE RESET ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE TRANSMISSION OR REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE DEALER NOT TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS UNLESS THEY COULD DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. RECALL#09V333000, COMPONENT: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500.

  24. Power train, Aug 21, 2009

    OUR 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI STOPPED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT IN AN INTERSECTION THE FIRST TIME. THE SECOND TIME THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND WHEN THE CAR STOPPED. ALL OF THE GEARS WERE LIGHTING UP. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE INPUT SPEED SENSOR AND THE FLUID TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND WE FORTUNATELY HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM SINCE THAT TIME. *TR

  25. Power train, Aug 21, 2009

    I JUST READ THAT SOME VW'S ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A DSG TRANSMISSION DEFECT; I HAVE A 2009 JETTA SPORTSWAGEN THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT I HAVE EXPERIENCED HESITATION AND A PERCEPTION OF STALLING WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. USUALLY WHEN I AM TAKING OFF FROM A QUICK STOP, THE CAR WILL HESITATE ALMOST AS IF IT WERE STALLING; USUALLY I LIFT UP ON THE GAS PEDAL AND WHEN I REAPPLY IT, THEN THE CAR WILL MOVE. I HAD THE VW DEALER LOOK AT THIS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS OF THE TRANSMISSION GEARING AND THAT SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T "KNOW" WHAT GEAR TO CHOOSE TO MOVE FORWARD; THEY RESET THE TRANSMISSION MODULE SO THAT IT WOULD "RELEARN" MY DRIVING STYLE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM IN THAT IF YOU'RE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, AND THE CAR HESITATES OR "STALLS" THIS CAN BE HIGHLY PROBLEMATIC. THEREFORE, I ASK THAT YOU LOOK INTO A SIMILAR TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE NON DSG AUTO TRANSMISSIONS ON THE JETTA. BY THE WAY, THE DEALER SAID THAT I WAS NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO COMPLAIN OF THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO TEST DROVE A TIGUAN RECENTLY WHICH I WAS CONSIDERING BUYING AND ON THE WAY OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP, THE CAR LITERALLY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN JUST AS IF IT WERE STALLING - SO THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T SEEM TO BE RESTRICTED JUST TO MY CAR. *TR