This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. While operating the vehicle in hot and humid weather, the vehicle stalled due to a faulty transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the gear box oil leaked out. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
While driving down the highway my car shifted itself into neutral. This was a very dangerous situation and my wife and two children had to cross multiple lanes of traffic and were stranded on the side of a major highway. Brought to VW and they replaced the alternator, which makes no sense. They sent my family back out with car only to have the same incident recur, they then towed back the vehicle and replaced wiring harness on automatic transmission. This is the exact issue described in recall 09V333000, but VW has stated that this particular VIN is not covered. This is an extremely dangerous issue and a formal inquiry should be established to determine if additional vins should be covered.
Transmission jerking from 1st to 2nd gear set off glow plug/check engine light. Turned off ignition. Warning light reset. Jerking continued in gear 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 4th.
While driving, the car inadvertently disengages the dsg transmission resulting in no power transfer to the wheels. The car also displays an "esp error" (electronic stability program) in conjunction with the transmission problem. Once the car is shifted into park and turned off, and then back on, the problem is resolved temporarily. It happens without warning and poses danger for the driver and occupants. This initially happened 2 months prior after a headlight burned out and the bulb status light on the dash came on. The transmission disengagement event occurred once or twice before the headlight was replaced. After replacing the light bulb, the transmission error appeared to resolve itself. Two months later, the event occurred following the failure of a valve stem with TPMS sensor on the tire. The repair shop did not have any TPMS sensors in stock and replaced the stem with a rubber one. This resulted in the TPMS status light being on in the dash. Coincidentally, within a couple days of this, the dsg transmission /esp error re-emerged. This time around the error occurred every 5 to 10 minutes of driving. This disengagement happened during city and highway driving at varying speeds. Disabling esp and driving in manual mode did not fix the problem. This leaves the occupants in a dangerous situation, especially when driving through construction zones and other areas without adequate shoulders on the road. The car is up to date on preventative maintenance. Car is at 113,000 miles. Extended warranty expired at 109,000. Neither VW of America or warranty company say they can assist. Dealership service cannot specifically diagnose the problem and suggest either mechatronic unit replacement ($2,000) might solve the problem. If not, complete transmission replacement ($5,000) is recommended.
Driving on 2-lane level road, dry weather, dry road conditions, after driving for about 15 miles, at about 35 mph, vehicle dropped out of gear, appeared to be in neutral while moving. ABS/esp light came on dashboard. Put on flashers and hand signaled to vehicles behind me and came to a complete stop. I shut off engine and was able to restart car, and went a short distance to a store parking lot, and the esp light came back on; and this time the gear shift was locked in park and flashing. VW dealer had replaced original rear brakes (pads & rotors) on 4/16/15 at 104.734 miles. VW checked vehicle on 4/28/2015 and found an error code 01315 in the ABS and gateway modules which reportedly indicated intermittent no communication with the tcm; however it was functioning at that time. And cleared computer and said if problem returned mechatronic unit and transmission wiring would need replaced. At this time I also noted noise in brakes, as if they werent completely releasing or making rear brakes making noise when releasing brake pedal. The problem did not reoccur until about 3,000 miles later and again vehicle dropped out of gear while driving again on level road at about 35 mph. Car is currently at VW dealer service and mechatronic unit and transmission wiring is being replaced. I also have consistently noted to VW since 4,000 mileage, periodic slipping in lower gears, which VW said they were unable to duplicate. All service maintenance completed at same VW dealer, including all dsg transmission maintenance.
- Donora, PA, USA
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I took my 2010 Jetta tdi in to have the ECM reprogrammed per the notice I received from volkswagon that said the egr might not be read properly. The next day my check engine light came on. I called the dealership and today I had them look at it. They are advising me that my diesel particulate filter is cracked and has been for a while and needs to be replaced. The light only came on after the reprogramming. Volkswagon knew about an issue with the ECM and now I am stuck paying almost $2000 to get it fixed. There are a lot of other people having the same issue.
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled and the neutral and traction control warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000. MA 10/14/2017 updated 11/09/2017
Pulled away from stop sign into traffic. Engine quit as if fuel was cut off. Coasted to side of roadway. Car would not restart though it did crank. About a third of a tank of fuel, 80K service was two weeks ago. Car had to be towed to shop.
The contacts owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving, the vehicle shifted into neutral and then went back into gear. The contact stated that the esp warning light illuminated. The vehicle would not move and drifted back into neutral. The failure occurred often. The dealer diagnosed that the mechtronics failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 37,000.
I enjoyed this car for the first year from then on nothing but constant problems. The daul mass flywheel, the diesel particulate filter #1 at 98000 miles with a con artist service manager at lagdon VW in vernon ct. Telling me I needed another one 3 weeks later and it was my fault and not covered with vwoa standing by the dealer I took the car to a non VW repair shop and they laughed when I told them my story and had the diesel particulate filter fixed in 10 minutes with no charge. The car passed state emissions with no problem. The high pressure fuel pump went. Now with 6 payments left it needs too much to list and I may default on loan because of constant money spent on repairs. The credit union says they may stop financing VW tdi's because of all the complaints and defaults.
Transmission abruptly shifted to neutral. The selector lever position indicator flashed within the instrument panel. The vehicle had to be turned off before it would shift into another gear again.
Flew to dallas to purchase this car 2/27/15. Drove it home 1500 miles to los angeles over 2 days. Got to el paso on 3/1/15 & got into an accident traveling at a very slow speed (15mph or less) going downhill. My particular issue comes in the way of how the transmission behaves going downhill at high or slow speeds. When the cars ECU (electronic control unit) senses the car going downhill, and you transition from the throttle pedal to the brake pedal, the car behaves as if you were driving a manual transmission downshifting & staying in gear. Now you may think that's not a problem, but....since these transmissions technically are manual transmissions with an automatic clutch...if you were driving a manual transmission car & wanted to stop quickly as I did to avoid hitting another car, you would push the clutch in to disengage the transmission from the engine...& thus cause the car to lose it's locomotive force. Well, that is exactly what this car did during the accident. The automatic clutch did not disengage from the engine when slowing down to a stop, and, thus provided the massive low end torque the diesel engine provides even at very low engine speeds. So, that when I saw the car stopped in front of me, I responded with hitting the brakes, turning the ignition off, and even swerved to the left in an attempt to avoid hitting the back of the other vehicle. I could not stop the vehicle in time to avoid hitting the other car. My background: I'm a 32 yr pro-automotive tech who not only works on, diagnoses & repairs all sorts of vehicles using computer controls...but, I used to teach it as well. So, after driving this car now for several weeks, &...having researched this car & multiple other dsg owners complaints online about the way these transmissions shift...I can say for sure, VW's that use these dsg transmissions is/are a major issue when it comes to public safety.
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 50 mph, the shift lever independently shifted to neutral and back into drive. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the spark plugs and igniter coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
While driving home from work, about 30 minutes into a 40 minute drive, driving about 30 mph, in 16 degree F weather, my vehicle, a diesel with a 6 speed manual transmission suddenly stalled. I was able to engage the clutch, go to a lower gear, release the clutch and re-start the engine. With the engine bucking and hesitating, I was able to drive the rest of the way home. The next morning, the vehicle would not start. I had it towed to a VW repair shop where they found a completely blocked intercooler, full of ice. Doing some research, I have found that VW has a tsb to correct intercooler icing, which involves replacing the original factory unit with a new intercooler design. As I looked on VW forums, I found that many drivers have had similar unpredictable failure due to intercooler icing. When I requested VW correct this design flaw at their expense, they refused, claiming the vehicle is off warranty. I would like NHTSA to look into this, as I feel VW needs to either make a safety recall, or correct the problem on any car on which it occurs. This problem strikes me as similar to the recent GM ignition key failure issue. Thank you for your consideration.
I was driving my 2010 Jetta sportwagen tdi on a two lane state road at 45mph. The car was fueled two days prior with diesel (I am the original owner and have never misfueled) purchased at the fort knox army air force exchange services station. The car's glow plug caution light illuminated and an audible chime sounded as the RPM dropped to between 1000-1400 and an immediate deceleration occurred in traffic. The car would not accelerate and the engine shut down approximately 100 meters later. I had to push the vehicle to a gas station in order to clear the roadway. Vehicle was towed via flatbed to Volkswagen dealership for troubleshooting. The service technician informed me that the high pressure fuel pump failed and sent metallic shavings/material through my fuel system and that the repairs will be very costly. Researching further regarding the materiel failure revealed that there is a systemic problem with hpfp failures in model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen golf and Jetta tdi vehicles. At this time, I do not know if this costly repair is going to be covered by Volkswagen of America under warranty for a faulty pump. The failure did not occur due to any fault of my own and I am thankful that it did not happen with passengers at higher speed in more traffic due to the immediate loss of power to my drivetrain.
Purchased a 2010 Jetta sportwagen tdi in 2012. Pre-certified 2 years or 24000 miles. Had the routine maintenance done as required and suggested. August 2014, I paid $600 to have the routine maintenance done. September 2014, my car is dead. As I was driving up a hill at 55 mph my check engine light came on and I lost power. Wasn't sure I was going to make it home. Luckily I did. High pressure pump went bad, metal shavings found, clearly a design / engineering issue. I have seen several issues with this on the internet. Vehicle needs to be recalled. First estimate is 5000-6000, I have taken it to the dealer, so the service dept can tell me what is wrong. I am sure they will charge more. Worst part is I am 7000 miles over and do not qualify for the pre cert coverage anymore. Worst investment ever! VW should be ashamed to not have had due diligence and recalled for this issue. This may cost someone else their life.
Vehicle will stall going from reverse to drive or from park to drive. Also from while accelerating there is sputtering that I need to release the accelerator and then apply again to keep it from stalling.
False neutral symptoms due to dsg mechatronic. Hansel VW dealership in santa rosa, ca stated that our VIN number was not covered by the recall. Why not? it obviously is occurring with ours just like the others that have been recalled. NHTSA action number :PE09035 "report submitted to NHTSA on August 20, 2009, Volkswagen described a potential defect in the wiring harnesses of the dsg gearbox temperature sensors used in approximately 16,000 model year (my) 2009 and 2010 Volkswagen (eos, Jetta and gti) ". we have a 2010 VW Jetta sportwagon tdi that definitely has this defect. What was stated in that complaint happened to us: In heavy traffic, the abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning. They want $2473.63 to solve the problem.
When shifting gear, with the brake pedal depressed, the clutch makes click noise then slips to neutral. Then the prnds lights starts flashing, and check engine light come on. The only way to reengage the gear is by turning the ignition key off and on, restarting the engine. Then the gears start working again. But the check engine light will stay lit, and eventually turns off by itself after a few days of driving. It seems that when the brake pedal is pressed very hard, the clutch slip occurs less often.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mentor, OH, USA