NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
84 reportsClear category filter93,000 miles · Oct 14, 2013
Power Train
07/22/13 I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN EARLY 100K MILE SERVICE BECAUSE I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY & WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I THOUGHT HAVING THE 100K SERVICE DONE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT, IT DIDN'T & IT GOT WORSE, SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VALVE BODY WAS FAUL…
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07/22/13 I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN EARLY 100K MILE SERVICE BECAUSE I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY & WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I THOUGHT HAVING THE 100K SERVICE DONE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT, IT DIDN'T & IT GOT WORSE, SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VALVE BODY WAS FAULTY & THAT IT WOULD COST $1000+ TO FIX. I JUST PAID OVER $1000 FOR THE 100K MAINTENANCE & OTHER REPAIRS; I CAN'T AFFORD THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE. [XXX], IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS ??NOT THAT BAD, ...THAT THEY SEE MUCH WORSE, ?WON'T BE A PROBLEM TO KEEP DRIVING IT...?. I WASN'T CONVINCED THAT A MALFUNCTIONING VALVE BODY WOULDN'T CAUSE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS, BECAUSE WHEN I AM DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO DROP OUT OF THE CAR & THE CAR HESITATES TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NOT SAFE! I DID SOME RESEARCH, FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VALVE BODY, HOWEVER, I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION IN ANYWAY REGARDING THIS, EVEN WHEN MY CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR SERVICE. I CONTACTED VW HEADQUARTERS & SPOKE TO [XXX] 8/30/13 WHO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VALVE BODY, APOLOGIZED THAT I DIDN'T RECEIVED NOTIFICATION, THEN INDICATED THAT VW COULD NOT HELP ME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE & SHOULD BE COVERED BY VW. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE CONTACT ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547823
118,000 miles · Aug 6, 2013
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
2005.5 JETTA--VEHICLE HAS ROUGH SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. AS WELL AS DOWNSHIFTING. WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAINSIDE, GOING 65 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, WITH CARS FLYING BY ME. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS UNTIL TURNED OFF …
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2005.5 JETTA--VEHICLE HAS ROUGH SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. AS WELL AS DOWNSHIFTING. WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAINSIDE, GOING 65 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, WITH CARS FLYING BY ME. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS UNTIL TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN. THIS IS NOW HAPPENING DURING REGULAR ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, AS I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO LOSS OF POWER/SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533883
86,000 miles · Apr 4, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
NHTSA ODI #10507065
97,350 miles · Mar 18, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
MY 2005 VW JETTA GLI STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING @ 35-MPH. AFTER PULLING OVER AND OPENING THE HOOD TO ASSESS DAMAGE, I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY BUT ALL I HEARD WAS THE STARTER BEING ENGAGED. ONCE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THE TIMING BELT BROKE/SNAPPED. I WAS SKEPTICAL …
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MY 2005 VW JETTA GLI STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING @ 35-MPH. AFTER PULLING OVER AND OPENING THE HOOD TO ASSESS DAMAGE, I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY BUT ALL I HEARD WAS THE STARTER BEING ENGAGED. ONCE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THE TIMING BELT BROKE/SNAPPED. I WAS SKEPTICAL BECAUSE MY OWNER'S MANUAL SAYS TIMING BELTS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT 110,000 MILES ACCORDING TO VW'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. DURING REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT MY VALVES WERE BENT BECAUSE THE 1.8T IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE WHICH MEANS THAT CAMS, ROCKERS AND LIFTERS MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER FOR THE CYLINDER HEAD TO BE SENT TO A MACHINE SHOP FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. TOTAL COSTS = $3,865.66. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST VW TIMING BELTS BUT I WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BY THE ADMINISTER/CUSTODIAN CLAIMS WERE NO LONGER ACCEPTED AFTER 2009. I SPOKE WITH [XXX] AT VW CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-822-8987 WHO SAID THERE ARE NO TIMING BELT RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN AND SEE OTHER IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/VOLKSWAGEN/T33RHDPDVBRPO8D2P/P3 FOR MORE INFORMATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503479
80,375 miles · Jan 31, 2013
Power TrainStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THE TRUNK FAILED TO CLOSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLAM THE TRUNK SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO CLOSE PROPERLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK AND THE OPEN DOOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THE TRUNK FAILED TO CLOSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLAM THE TRUNK SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO CLOSE PROPERLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK AND THE OPEN DOOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,375. ... UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF UPDATED 03/11/13
NHTSA ODI #10495344
68,235 miles · Jan 9, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
HI, SO MY 2005.5 2.5L VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STARTED MAKING NOISES UPON ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE WOULD SHIFT QUITE HEAVILY DURING IDLING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP. APPARENTLY, THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAINS OF THE ENGINE. NEVER MISSED A MAINTENANCE, AFTER ONLY 68,000 MILES IT DOESN…
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HI, SO MY 2005.5 2.5L VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STARTED MAKING NOISES UPON ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE WOULD SHIFT QUITE HEAVILY DURING IDLING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP. APPARENTLY, THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAINS OF THE ENGINE. NEVER MISSED A MAINTENANCE, AFTER ONLY 68,000 MILES IT DOESN'T SEEM OKAY THAT TIMING CHAINS ARE ALREADY AFFECTED. AFTER LOOKING AT A FEW FORUMS ONLINE, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS FROM THAT TIME. PLEASE INVESTIGATE! THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10492036
125,000 miles · Dec 5, 2012
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE INTO THIRD GEAR, THEN ENGINE REVS UP, THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. TRANSMISSION STAYS IN THIRD GEAR REGARDLESS OF SPEED. TRANSMISSION STAYS IN FIFTH GEAR REGARDLESS OF SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10487495
134,273 miles · Nov 13, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train
I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP ON 10-8-2012 UP IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA AND DROVE IT BACK HOME TO MY HOUSE IN SC. EVERYTHING WAS FINE ON THE WAY HOME. THE VERY NEXT DAY ON MY WAY INTO WORK THE CAR HESITATED WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO SHIFT FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR AND THEN SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED ALL THE WAY BACK TO 1ST G…
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I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP ON 10-8-2012 UP IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA AND DROVE IT BACK HOME TO MY HOUSE IN SC. EVERYTHING WAS FINE ON THE WAY HOME. THE VERY NEXT DAY ON MY WAY INTO WORK THE CAR HESITATED WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO SHIFT FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR AND THEN SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED ALL THE WAY BACK TO 1ST GEAR WHICH MADE THE CAR DE-ACCELERATE FROM 35-40MPH TO 10MPH WITHIN 40 FEET OR SO. THE ENGINE REVVED TO 6000 PLUS RPMS WHICH SCARED ME BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE BIG TRUCK THAT WAS TOWING A TRAILER THAT HAD TO SKID OFF THE ROAD AND GO AROUND ME TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOW A DAILY OCCURRENCE. I CARRY MY 16 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AROUND IN THIS CAR AND I'M SCARED TO DEATH THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO SMASH INTO THE BACK OF US. I'VE STARTED PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND LETTING CARS GO TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10484085
69,000 miles · Aug 20, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH AND THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHO STATED THAT THE DMF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE…
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
NHTSA ODI #10471609
69,577 miles · May 2, 2012
Power Train
VEHICLE HAS MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DRIVER SELECTED FIRST GEAR AT AN INTERSECTION, PULLED AWAY FROM LIGHT WHEN IT CHANGED TO GREEN, TRIED TO CHANGE TO SECOND GEAR, HOWEVER GEAR LEVER STUCK IN FIRST GEAR, WOULD NOT MOVE INTO NEUTRAL, LUCKILY DRIVER HAD ENOUGH FORWARD MOMENTUM TO CLEAR INTERSECTION AND ROLL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROA…
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VEHICLE HAS MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DRIVER SELECTED FIRST GEAR AT AN INTERSECTION, PULLED AWAY FROM LIGHT WHEN IT CHANGED TO GREEN, TRIED TO CHANGE TO SECOND GEAR, HOWEVER GEAR LEVER STUCK IN FIRST GEAR, WOULD NOT MOVE INTO NEUTRAL, LUCKILY DRIVER HAD ENOUGH FORWARD MOMENTUM TO CLEAR INTERSECTION AND ROLL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WITH ENGINE RUNNING DRIVER IS UNABLE TO SELECT A GEAR, ONLY WAY TO PUT TRANSMISSION INTO A GEAR IS TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, VEHICLE TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER FOR REPAIR, CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE HAD CRACKED IN HALF. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10457100
Official recalls
4Sep 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Feb 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Jul 5, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L GASOLINE ENGINE, A FUEL SUPPLY LINE CLAMP LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY NOT BE POSITIONED PROPERLY AND COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY LINE CLAMP AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CLAMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Dec 15, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL PUMPS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPER FASTENER, WHICH COULD ALLOW DIESEL FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE PUMP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗