Volkswagen Jetta Transmission / powertrain problems
152 of the 843 complaints about the Volkswagen Jetta (18.0%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's second-largest problem area. That share is 1.6× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
Analysis
By model year, Transmission / powertrain complaints peak with the 2019 model (130, 24% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (1). 15 Transmission / powertrain complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
Owners most often describe: “grinding”, “transmission”, “noise”, “clutch” and “normal”. 2 of these reports (1.3%) describe a crash or fire, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
No recall campaign addresses Transmission / powertrain for the tracked model years.
By model year
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 15 · Previous 12 months: 3
Common terms in reports
- grinding69
- transmission89
- noise60
- clutch21
- normal40
- eco16
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle in a handicapped parking space, the vehicle failed to stop despite the contact's foot firmly depressed on the brake pedal.
Since day one car is shaking like a boat, when I drive it on a highway making it not stable. Brakes squeak and I see signs on the brake disk.I am with the original brakes. Car is shutting down when I park.
My 2024 Volkswagen Jetta experienced a transmission control module (TCM) failure. The vehicle began having transmission problems and became essentially undriveable. It would not operate/shift normally and required repair.
MIL light came on in November 2025, OBD-II diagnostic trouble code P0613 - TCM processor fault. Volkswagen has had a nationwide backorder on the replacement (part no. 09H-927-158) for MONTHS.
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal.
There is a noticable whine from the transmission or torque converted between 1000-2000 RPM that does not vary with speed and noticable when lightky pressing gas pedal on 8th geer.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
No recall campaign addresses Transmission / powertrain for the tracked model years.
Problem areas · Volkswagen Jetta
- Engine204
- Transmission / powertrain152
- Electrical148
- Interior & equipment83
- Brakes72
- Body & structure47
Volkswagen Jetta problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›
Related reading
- Transmission problems explained: shudder, harsh shifts, CVTs and what to test on a driveHow the main automatic transmission types fail, why some designs generate far more owner complaints than others, and a practical test-drive checklist built from what owners report.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Transmission / powertrain problems on the Volkswagen Jetta?
152 of the 843 complaints about the Volkswagen Jetta (18.0%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's second-largest problem area. That share is 1.6× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Volkswagen Jetta model years have the most Transmission / powertrain complaints?
By model year, Transmission / powertrain complaints peak with the 2019 model (130, 24% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (1).
Is there a recall for Volkswagen Jetta Transmission / powertrain problems?
No recall campaign addresses Transmission / powertrain for the tracked model years.