6.6

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
3,550 miles
Total Complaints:
16 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (16 reports)
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2019 Volkswagen Jetta transmission problems

transmission problem

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2019 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments

problem #16

Oct 072019

Jetta S 1.4t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Same noise everyone else is pissed about. Went to 2 different dealers and got 2 different answers but both were related to the torque converter. One said it was normal torque converter noises and the other said that it was the torque converter clutch upon engaging the torque converter. I’m a maintenance mechanic and I work on industrial machinery and none of our torque motors make any noises like this unless they have failed or are starting to fail.

- Robbie J., Anacortes, WA, US

problem #15

Nov 012019

Jetta

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

Transmission failed after 5,000 miles because I was told by VW dealer that this new 8-speed transmission is now made by Toyota, which owns Aisin transmissions, and Toyota, today, now have a bad reputation on reliability that is worse than most American cars, and they are harming automakers that supply to them. Times have changed now, and go Japanese is a huge waste of time and energy now. I feel very upset and betrayed by Toyota here, because VW/Audi worked really hard providing the most-reliable 2019 Jetta on earth in history (by design), but Toyota's continuing aggressive cost-cutting production methods with cheap-quality parts used are going to get worse for years to come. VW/Audi was very surprised too, actually, and feel betrayed by Toyota. This new Aisin transmission was designed to offer the highest MPG in industry, but there's always a catch. More MPG = Less Durable. So, cheap-quality, lightweight steel parts were used to build Toyota's new Aisin 8-speed auto transmission, not for the better at all.

- Walter C., Long Beach, US

problem #14

Oct 062020

Jetta S 1.4L Turbo

  • Manual transmission
  • 18,000 miles

The problem is that on some occasions (not all the time), mostly after driving more than 30 minutes, I have difficulty in applying reverse gear. When I apply reverse, you can feel and hear a loud bang in the transmission in addition to the strong cloche smell that it emits after driving. I have already taken the vehicle to the dealer on multiple occasions and they always answer me the same thing: "the mechanics cannot duplicate the problem or it is normal in that model, the transmission responds that way".

Today 9/10/2020 I told the dealer that it was necessary to drive the vehicle and do the test after driving it. In addition, I sent you a video as proof. I hope to have the results next week.

- Angel C., Williamsburg, VA, US

problem #13

Jun 302020

Jetta S 1.4L Tsi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brand new car. Fourth VW in a row. Noise from car is intermittent grinding or low rattle. Light load, slower speeds. Dealer checked, said they tightened heat shield, but it did not fix. Very concerned this is a transmission issue. Glad it has 6 yr warranty.

- tomvw5, Furlong, US

problem #12

Jul 012020

Jetta Highline 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,398 miles

2019 Jetta Highline. Same transmission grinding noise as everyone else. Will never buy another VW. Well documented issues and is undergoing class action suit.

- Gotham C., Halifax, NS, Canada

problem #11

Jan 152020

Jetta SEL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,537 miles

Grinding noise during acceleration, very noticeable in Normal and ECO modes. Exactly like the videos already posted on youtube. This is my first VW and will be my last if action is not taken by Volkswagen.

- Trevor C., Conway, SC, US

problem #10

Dec 062019

Jetta S 1.4L T

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Any speed up to more than 25 is bad,Dealers said the problem is normal, can't accept it

- Jian S., rosemead, US

problem #9

Sep 182019

Jetta SEL 1.4L Tsi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75 miles

Purchased a Brand new 2019 Jetta SEL on 9/16/2019. Absolutely love the car aside from the terrible grinding noise coming from either the transmission/ torque convert or the turbo grinding itself. Happens under light normal acceleration in ECO/ Normal driven modes and occasionally in sport mode also. Took it to the dealer drove it with the tech and he told me his daughters new Jetta does the same thing and it drives him crazy. The service advisor told me he’s received several complaints and they’re just awaiting a recall to be issued at this point from VW. To be honest I’m fed up with the noise makes me want to bring the car back or trade it in. First VW owner and it’s about to be the last.

- Tyler M., Orlando, US

problem #8

Apr 102019

Jetta SE 1.4t 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

I bought my car a few months ago brand new from Rochester Volkswagen in New Hampshire, after two weeks of owning the vehicle I noticed a groaning / growling noise coming from the transmission in area. I brought it in after I tried to ignore it they told me it was a heat shield that came loose and that they fixed it. On the way home I started to hear the noise faintly again and now it has just gotten worse and here I am 2 weeks later just got off the phone with the same Volkswagen place and they told me that that is absolutely a normal noise the Volkswagen Jetta has to be making and that they all make this noise and that I'm pretty much crazy. It is not a normal noise or any new cars could be making the issue is probably a torque converter which is not a good thing to just leave it alone. Volkswagen of Rochester told me that they are unaware of anything and if the Volkswagen Corporation comes out with a recall then they can fix it but there's nothing they can do because there's nothing wrong. I am kind of confused and upset with this answer because it sounds like pretty much every Volkswagen Tech I have talked to is trained to say this exact same thing over and over again like a zombie. It is a lease that I have but I just don't want to be stuck with a crappy car when clearly Volkswagen knows something is wrong and they are just waiting to be sued something needs to be done and more people need to speak up about this to get the ball rolling. Thank you

- Amber T., Sanford, US

problem #7

Nov 012018

Jetta Execline 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62 miles

Grinding noise while accelerating under light load. Thought at first it was a loose heat shield rattling underneath but I can now tell it's similar to others complaints. Was told by my dealership that it is a normal noise and does not need fixing. I disagree. A brand new car shouldn't have to be a compromise.

- Mike H., Calgary, AB, Canada

problem #6

Sep 292018

Jetta SEL 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have read several VW blog sites and this is a known problem with the car. I didn't think much of it until it was pointed out to me that this problem could be the sign of causing damage, transmission failure, high costs (after the warranty runs out) and resale value. VWoA is refusing to do anything about this problem and they are saying that it is "normal" however I heard there this may become a national headline in a few months much like Diesel-gate.

I love my car and it is fun to drive, but I don't want to have this turn into a real problem. The dealer isn't much help either, they are skirting around the issue and won't even use my very specific verbiage on the complaint.

At this point, I don't think VWoA wants to initiate a buy-back of any of these cars as it will cause a nationwide situation PLUS if they did, their future sales in this country would wreak havok on their bottom line. How many consumers are willing to buy from a manufacturer who has had two major problems in a row causing vehicle buybacks?

- David F., Palm Coast, US

problem #5

Dec 102018

Jetta Highline 1.4L Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,243 miles

I really wish I wasn't one of the few affected by this transmission problem because this is such an awesome car. LOVE the car, love the look, love the features...

I picked up the car on September 5th, 2018. I had always noticed a soft noise while accelerating, but by the time I brought it to the dealership in December (with almost 2000km), the noise got much worse. It sounded like a harsh 2-second growl when changed from 4th to 5th gear. The dealership assured me that there was no safety concern, and that it was a "small glitch" when the transmission clutch engages and disengages. I was told to be patient because Volkswagen was releasing a software update to correct the timing of the clutches.

The noise got worse --literally every week-- so I brought it back to the dealership. The loud growl got louder, and now there is a CONSTANT growl/grind while driving. There is also a vibration under my foot (on the gas pedal) that pretty much shakes and echos the entire car. Same result at the dealership. So I went to another dealership for a second opinion. They contacted Tech-Line / Head Office. Again, they assured me that the software will be released soon. A few days ago, I got a call from the dealership saying that Volkswagen has basically 'closed my case' and will not be looking into this matter anymore because the transmission is not being damaged.

I am totally disgusted with VW service. This is a brand new car and the noise is embarrassing. The first year with my new car should be the happiest, yet I've been arguing nonstop for months. There is no way that my transmission is not being affected by the noise and vibrations.

- Cassandra M., Woodbridge, ON, Canada

problem #4

Aug 012018

Jetta SEL Premium 1.4L Tsi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15 miles

I purchased my 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL-Premium brand new. The 8 speed automatic transmission emits a grinding noise that sounds metallic when up-shifting under normal or light acceleration. Vibrations and resonance can be felt in in the accelerator pedal and floorboard. I have not taken the vehicle to the dealership at this time as I do not want to waste my time sitting around for several hours, only to be told by a service advisor that Volkswagen feels the sound and transmission behavior is "Normal" as that is their OFFICIAL stance on the matter as of November 2018. The sound is NOT NORMAL Volkswagen, do something to fix these garbage transmissions that your engineering team haphazardly chose to implement into the MK7 Jetta!

- Glyn M., Roanoke, TX, US

problem #3

Sep 012018

Jetta SEL Premium 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles

As soon as I got the car, I noticed that there is a grinding noise when the car speed is around 45 km/Hour (30 miles/hour). Took it to the dealer and I was told that it is the turbo. They did not even take it for a drive. The noise happens when the car is on Eco or Normal mode. They did not document the issue so I will be looking into going to another dealership.

Update from Aug 20, 2019: Update, I decided to take the car one more time to the dealership so I can get a written report about the grinding noise. Here is what I got:

" When the vehicle is accelerating under load the turbo makes an aggressive sound as it spools to provide more power. This is a characteristic of VW and designed to make these sounds as VW customers like to hear the aggressiveness of the engine."

Update from Aug 20, 2019: Went to the dealership again and had them document their comments on the sound. This is what I go:

" When the vehicle is accelerating under load the turbo makes an aggressive sound as it spools to provide more power. This is a characteristic of VW and designed to make these sounds as VW customers like to hear the aggressiveness of the engine."

- isalsa, Mississauga, ON, Canada

problem #2

Sep 012018

Jetta ALL 1.4L 4i

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,022 miles

THE NEW 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD GRINDING/BUZZING NOISE AS IT ENGAGES INTO 5TH GEAR. THIS CAN BE HEARD AS THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING BETWEEN 30-40MPH IN THE 1200 - 1500 RPM RANGE.

THE NOISE CAN EASILY BE HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ENGAGED IN "ECO" MODE AND "NORMAL" MODE; BUT MUCH LOUDER IN ECO MODE. AS THE TRANSMISSION MAKES THIS NOISE IN 5TH GEAR, IT PRODUCES A VIBRATION THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE GAS PEDAL.

VIDEO HAS BEEN UPLOADED TO THIS COMPLAINT.

- mustangfever83, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, US

problem #1

Aug 302018

Jetta S 1.4t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

I recently bought a 2019 Jetta S with 8 speed auto and having the same grind/gurgle type noise at 30 mph. Only seems to happen when the rpm's are under 2000. I also get a similar sound when I hold the speed steady between 40 and 50 mph. Seem to occur in Eco mode and normal mode, but not in sport mode, or just not noticeable.

I took it back to the dealer and had a tech go with me on a drive. He said that it was "normal" that the turbo valve was releasing air. They did not document the issue. This still bothers me, I called customer care to open a case and have another appointment with a different dealer and will make sure this gets documented.

Update after service appointment today, 9/12/18 19 Jetta S Automatic

Had the car looked at by a different dealer today. Tech took it for a ride than he drove with me. He does confirm there is a noise present. When we went out for our drive, I drove the car in all 3 modes. The noise is most present in Eco mode. In Drive mode it is still there but is a little better. In Sport mode I really do not notice it at all. At this time the tech feels that the noise issue is normal due to the 8 speed transmission being hooked up to a small 1.4t engine. He also mentioned giving the car more time to break-in and see if there are any changes once I get closer to 2,000 miles.

I just wonder how much damage this torque converter vibration is doing to the rest of the engine and transmission. This was my first VW ever, probably my last one too.

- S P., Crystal Lake, IL, US

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