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2008 Volkswagen Jetta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Jetta years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

160 reports with mileage · 28 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports4 fire reports4 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

15 reports
Clear category filter
38,000 miles · Jan 11, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE PADS WERE WORN PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 07…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE PADS WERE WORN PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 07/06/12 *BF UPDATED 07/12/12.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10443444

39,247 miles · Jan 3, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I FIRST TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP JUNE 1ST FOR AN OBVIOUS RATTLING NOISE IN BETWEEN MY FRONT TIRES. ON JUNE 15TH BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO REPLACE MY BUSHINGS BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTED SO THEY ORDERED PINS FOR CALIPER BRACKET. IN JULY AFTER REPLACING STRUTS THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. AUG 31ST THEY REPLACED THE SWAY…

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I FIRST TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP JUNE 1ST FOR AN OBVIOUS RATTLING NOISE IN BETWEEN MY FRONT TIRES. ON JUNE 15TH BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO REPLACE MY BUSHINGS BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTED SO THEY ORDERED PINS FOR CALIPER BRACKET. IN JULY AFTER REPLACING STRUTS THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. AUG 31ST THEY REPLACED THE SWAY BAR AND DECLARED THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED AND THEY HAD LEFT MY CAR OUT OF ALIGNMENT IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. SEPT 14TH I RETURNED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED BOTH SWAY BARS. THE PROBLEM WAS FINALLY RESOLVED AFTER LOSING MY CAR FOR 6 FULL DAYS, HOWEVER MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE, THE SERVICE GUY DISCOVERED THE TECH HAD FORGOTTEN TO CONNECT MY BRAKES BACK. I DID NOT FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT AT THIS TIME BECAUSE I WAS SO RELIEVED THEY HAD FINALLY FIXED MY SUSPENSION ISSUE. IVE HAD TO BUY 2 BRAND NEW SETS OF TIRES SINCE JUNE BECAUSE OF ALL THE WARE ON MY TIRES FROM MY MESSED UP SUSPENSION. TODAY, JAN 3RD 2012 MY CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP YET AGAIN. THIS TIME FOR A REAR PASSANGER SIDE DOOR LOCK THAT HAD BEEN SET ON CHILD LOCK WILL NO LONGER LOCK. ORDERED THE PART, SINCE MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THE PART WITH LABOR 360. IN THE MEANTINE THE TECH DISCOVERED AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW SAYING MY VACCUM PUMP IS LEAKING AND IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY FOR THEM TO FIX IT. THEIR QUOTE 960. I CHECKED ON THE PART ITS 257 NEW. EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T FILE A COMPLAINT OR COST THEM MONEY WHEN THEY FORGOT TO CONNECT MY BRAKES BAKE THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE ME 700 DOLLARS IN LABOR. MY CAR IS ONLY A 2008 AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE IN ONE YEAR THAN ANY OF MY OTHER CARS COMBINED. IT IS DAILY A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE OF THE LINGERING OF FIXING MY CAR RIGHT THE VERY FIRST DAY I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP JUNE OF 2010. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442308

48,000 miles · Jun 28, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PAD LOCKED WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO THE BRAKE PAD BEING STUCK. WHEN THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE BRAKE PAD FELL OFF ONTO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PAD LOCKED WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO THE BRAKE PAD BEING STUCK. WHEN THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE BRAKE PAD FELL OFF ONTO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ODI #10409209

30,000 miles · Nov 22, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

REAR BRAKE PADS ON MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ARE WORN DOWN TO NOTHING AND MY FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE JUST ABOUT PERFECT. HAVE NOTICED MANY ONLINE FORUMS HAVE MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367145

83,950 miles · Nov 10, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 2008 VW JETTA AND I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS REPLACED NOW FOR A 3RD TIME. THE FIRST 2 TIMES HAPPENED WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365311

31,069 miles · Apr 18, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE EXPERIENCED A CHALLENGE WITH MY REAR BRAKES ON MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SO I BEGAN SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION FROM OTHERS ON THE INTERNET. REFER TO WWW.EDMUNDS.COM FOR OTHER CONCERNS REGARDING SIMILAR CONCERNS. I AM NOT THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCING THESE CHALLENGES. NOW LET ME DESCRIBE MY SITUATION. I NOTICED S…

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I HAVE EXPERIENCED A CHALLENGE WITH MY REAR BRAKES ON MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SO I BEGAN SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION FROM OTHERS ON THE INTERNET. REFER TO WWW.EDMUNDS.COM FOR OTHER CONCERNS REGARDING SIMILAR CONCERNS. I AM NOT THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCING THESE CHALLENGES. NOW LET ME DESCRIBE MY SITUATION. I NOTICED SOME SQUEAKING HERE AND THERE AROUND 26,000 MILES. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE NOISE AT THAT TIME. THEY DIDN'T SHARE THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG SO I DROVE OFF THE LOT. FROM THAT POINT FORWARD, I HEARD THE SAME SQUEAKING NOISE ONLY WHEN IT RAINED AND THEY MENTIONED THAT HAPPENS WHEN FROST GETS IN BETWEEN THE ROTORS AND PADS SO I DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT. WHEN I DROVE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AT 31,000 MILES THEY SHARED MY REAR BRAKES WERE BETWEEN 2-3; THEREFORE THE REAR ROTORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I SHARED MY CONCERNS AS A VOLKSWAGEN OWNER, (HAVE OWNED 4 IN THE LAST 5 YEARS), THAT IT SEEMED ODD THAT THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE OF 31,000 MILES. THEY ASSURED ME THAT THEY DID NOTHING WRONG AND THEY ASSURED ME THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ABOUT THIS ISSUE. OVERALL I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH MY DEALERSHIP IN THEIR RESPONSE CONSIDERING I HAVE BEEN A LONG STANDING CUSTOMER WHO DOES ALL OF MY SERVICE WITH THEM. AND I AM STILL LEFT WONDERING IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE MAKING OF THE CAR; THEREFORE CAUSING PRE-MATURE PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS. WHAT WOULD BE A NEXT STEP TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION? I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326193

17,000 miles · Apr 7, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PRE-MATURE REAR-BRAKE WEAR. THE REAR BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY WORE OUT AT ABOUT 17,000 MILES CAUSING METAL TO METAL CONTACT WITH THE REAR ROTORS. MOST OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY. MANY FORUMS REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR OTHER YEARS OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS THAT THE CAUSE COULD BE CALIPERS THAT DON'T DISENGAGE COMPLETELY WHEN THE…

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PRE-MATURE REAR-BRAKE WEAR. THE REAR BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY WORE OUT AT ABOUT 17,000 MILES CAUSING METAL TO METAL CONTACT WITH THE REAR ROTORS. MOST OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY. MANY FORUMS REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR OTHER YEARS OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS THAT THE CAUSE COULD BE CALIPERS THAT DON'T DISENGAGE COMPLETELY WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS USED. SINCE I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IT'S HARD NOT TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE. MY REAR WHEELS ARE ALWAYS COVERED IN BRAKE DUST AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE PADS WILL WEAR OUT SOON AGAIN (ABOUT 22,000 MILES LATER). I TRIED NOT TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR AND HAVE A COMMUTE CONSISTING OF ABOUT 85 PERCENT HIGHWAY MILES SO THIS KIND OF BRAKE WEAR IS INEXCUSABLE. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS DID NOT NEED ANY ATTENTION YET AND LOOK GOOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324324

22,900 miles · Feb 18, 2010
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. I PURCHASED IT NEW IN AUGUST 2008. THE REAR BRAKES WORE INTO THE ROTORS AT 12,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP HAD JUST INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE AT 10,000 MILES. THE ROTORS AND BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST AS IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM BUT A WEAR ITEM. AT MY 20,000 MI…

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I HAVE A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. I PURCHASED IT NEW IN AUGUST 2008. THE REAR BRAKES WORE INTO THE ROTORS AT 12,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP HAD JUST INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE AT 10,000 MILES. THE ROTORS AND BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST AS IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM BUT A WEAR ITEM. AT MY 20,000 MILE CHECKUP, I WAS AGAIN TOLD THAT MY BRAKES WERE FINE AND HAD 50% REMAINING. I TOOK THE CAR TO MEINEKE TO HAVE THE BRAKES DOUBLE CHECKED. I WAS SHOWN THAT THE REAR CALIPERS ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY DO NOT ALLOW THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO DISENGAGE. AS SUCH, MY EMERGENCY BRAKE IS CONSTANTLY ON, CAUSING MY BRAKES TO LOCK ON TO THE ROTOR. THE MECHANIC HAD TO USE A CROW BAR TO PRY LOOSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I WAS TOLD THAT I CANNOT USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UNTIL IT IS FIXED. I HAVE A 5 SPEED AND THIS IS CONCERNING THAT I CANNOT USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT THE WARRANTY WILL ONLY ALLOW THEM TO REPLACE ONE CALIPER AT A TIME. IF THE OTHER ONE IS BROKEN, THEN I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I DRIVE IT A WHILE AFTER ONE IS REPLACED. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF DATA ONLINE ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN SEVERAL MODEL YEARS OF THE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. INTERESTINGLY, MY DEALERSHIP WAS OUT OF THE CALIPERS AND HAD TO REORDER MORE. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED THAT MY SAFETY HAS BEEN IN JEOPARDY AS MY BRAKES COULD HAVE ONCE AGAIN FAILED. I AM UPSET THAT THE DEALERSHIP NEGLECTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC TO FINALLY HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED. INCIDENTALLY, PART OF MY ENGINE WENT OUT WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT END REPAINTED AS IT BEGAN CHIPPING IMMEDIATELY. NOW THE DOOR EDGES AND THE TOP EDGE OF THE HOOD ARE CHIPPING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311684

12,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

HORRIBLE BRAKE WEAR ON REAR BRAKES ON 2008 VW JETTA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304554

26,000 miles · Aug 18, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WE OWN A 2008 VW JETTA. 2.5 L THE JETTA HAS 25,000 MILES AND LESS THAN YEAR OF OWNERSHIP (PURCHASED AT 8000 AS PROGRAM CAR) REAR BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY GONE & RUINED ONE ROTOR -NO WARNING PRIOR? (PER DEALER) FRONT BRAKES ARE FINE TOLD REAR PADS AND ROTORS MUST BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280806

Official recalls

4

19V679000 · Unknown Or Other

Sep 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Remedy: 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.

10V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Dec 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

09V164000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

May 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

07V442000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Sep 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE09035 · Vehicle Stall/loss Motive Power

Opened Jul 17, 2009 · Closed Nov 19, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:manual Transmission

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH FEATURE A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX WITH TWO WET RUNNING CLUTCHES (DUAL CLUTCH) IN WHICH THE CLUTCH MECHANISM AND GEAR CHANGES ARE ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY OPERATED BY A MECHATRONIC CONTROL UNIT.THE DSG MECHATRONIC CONTROLLER INCLUDES EXTENSIVE SELF DIAGNOSTIC FUNCTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION AND PREVENT SYSTEM/COMPONENT DAMAGE IN THE EVENT OF COMPONENT FAILURES OR HARSH OPERATING CONDITIONS.THE BASIC HIERARCHY OF FAULT MODES INCLUDES SOME THAT ONLY RESULT IN THE STORAGE OF A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) AND CAUSE NO LOSS OF FUNCTION, SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND REDUCE VEHICLE OPERATION TO A LIMP HOME MODE, AND SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER (I.E., OPEN CLUTCH).THE DRIVER IS ALERTED TO THE LATTER TWO MODES BY THE DASH GEAR POSITION INDICATOR (PRNDS) FLASHING. ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT RESULTS IN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER IS EXCESS GEARBOX TEMPERATURE.THE SYSTEM INITIALLY RESPONDS TO INCREASED GEARBOX TEMPERATURE BY RAMPING DOWN ENGINE TORQUE.IF THE TEMPERATURE KEEPS RISING THE MECHATRONIC UNIT RESPONDS BY OPENING THE CLUTCH.IN A DEFECT INFORMATION 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) AND AUDI (A3 AND TT/TT ROADSTER) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 2009 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 09V-333, VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. 37E3/S7 AND AUDI RECALL NO 37E4/J7). VOLKSWAGEN PROVIDED THIS DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT, THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DSG MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED BY THE CONNECTOR SUPPLIER DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD.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.IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.VOLKSWAGEN ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN THE DEFECT CONDITION. ODI IDENTIFIED 40 COMPLAINTS THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR DEFECT CONDITION DESCRIBED BY VOLKSWAGEN.VOLKSWAGEN RECEIVED 139 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE CONDITION, WITH 7 INVOLVING VEHICLES REPORTED TO ODI, RESULTING A 172 TOTAL COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLKSWAGEN.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVE THE MY 2009 AN 2010 VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL 09V-333. ODI ALSO IDENTIFIED COMPLAINTS OF HARSH/JERKY SHIFTING IN SOME VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES WITH DSG.VOLKSWAGEN ATTRIBUTED THIS CONDITION, WHICH TYPICALLY OCCURS AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, TO EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE BUSHINGS OF THE TWO SOLENOID VALVES IN THE MECHATRONIC UNIT THAT CONTROL CLUTCH OPERATION.VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE THIS CONDITION IS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE THE CHANGES IN SHIFT QUALITY DEVELOP GRADUALLY OVER TIME, DO NOT CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND HAVE NOT RESULTED IN ANY FATALITIES, INJURIES OR SERIOUS CRASHES (THERE WERE THREE REPORTED PROPERTY DAMAGE INCIDENTS RESULTING IN MINOR BODY DAMAGE IN VERY LOW SPEED, PARKING MANEUVERS).VOLKSWAGEN ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM IN THE FIELD WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES THE REPLACEMENT OF POTENTIALLY AFFECTED MECHATRONIC UNITS AS WELL