2008 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 53about this part
- Share
- 28%of 188 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,650miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta, 28% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,650 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car while driving immediately slows like it was shifted into neutral. When you press the gas car races but does not move. The prnds flashes and the car had to be shut down and restarted. I heard there was a recall but it never showed for my car nor will they help, because my VIN was not listed. This is a serious safety hazard. Especially at 55 MPH in heavy traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #11207572, filed 2019-05, 101,230 miles“Just after I purchased the used vehicle from a private party, I was driving on the interstate at approximately 70 miles per hour, when the vehicle without warning slammed into second gear, sending my face into the steering wheel, while the cars travelling behind me had to brake to avoid collision. I pulled over, and turned the car off to assess the reason, to no avail. When I re-started the car and put it in gear, it drove fine until the next time I drove it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11407606, filed 2021-04, 183,219 miles“Vehicle has started to display some of the characteristic slipping and lurching dsg issues that vw knows about. I took it to the dealership and when the tech took it out for a test drive, he actually experienced the issue himself. Unfortunately, the computers aren't throwing any codes so their only advice was to keep driving it until it gets worse and I can bring it back and they can more easily duplicate the problem. So basically I'm driving a time bomb. …”
NHTSA complaint #10876296, filed 2016-06, 62,000 miles“The car initially had troubles when it would be hot outside it would and the temperature gauge would go high in temperature also if it was cold outside and you were driving slow temperature gauge down below safe temperature. After applying 2-5 bottles in a month the car started shuting down on its on . After an oil change in april, I experienced the most scary incident... While driving on freewaay I felt kerking a seen smoke from under the hood. I oulled in s gas station and let the car cool topk over 4hrs to do so. …”
NHTSA complaint #11160846, filed 2018-12, 200,000 miles“Since I purchased the car it has been exhibiting erratic behavior. For example when I press on the gas there is a delay of a second or two before the transmission engages and provide power to the wheels. Everytime I stop and then start again there is a sudden jerk. It is a safety hazard when merging onto highways.”
NHTSA complaint #10281864, filed 2009-08, 1,000 milesRelated recalls
- 09V164000May 19, 2009Volkswagen 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…Covers: Volkswagen Jetta 2006–2009
Related service bulletins
- 10214473Jun 14, 2022Auto Trans fluid requirements.
- 10161203Jun 11, 2019Addressing Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Concerns, update authing system metadata.
- 10161202Jun 11, 2019Addressing Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Concerns, update authing system metadata.
- 10161457Nov 3, 2018Addressing Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Concerns, update authing system metadata.
- 10161456Nov 3, 2018Addressing Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Concerns, update authing system metadata.
- 10157830Sep 15, 2017Update to model year applicability and existing tip for Dual clutch basic settings procedure.
- 10157829Sep 15, 2017Update model year applicability and existing tip for transmission basic settings direction.
- 10157304Sep 15, 2017Update to model year applicability and existing tip for Dual clutch basic settings procedure.
- 10157303Sep 15, 2017Update model year applicability and existing tip for transmission basic settings direction.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 25% |
| 2024 | 7 | 15% |
| 2023 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 7 | 13% |
| 2019 | 163 | 30% |
| 2018 | 5 | 16% |
| 2017 | 15 | 9% |
| 2016 | 22 | 14% |
| 2015 | 23 | 12% |
| 2014 | 74 | 19% |
| 2013 | 141 | 27% |
| 2012 | 46 | 9% |
| 2011 | 54 | 9% |
| 2010 | 111 | 13% |
| 2009 | 141 | 16% |
| 2008 | 53 | 28% |
| 2007 | 33 | 16% |
| 2006 | 245 | 42% |
| 2005 | 84 | 34% |
| 2004 | 35 | 15% |
| 2003 | 54 | 12% |
| 2002 | 103 | 15% |
| 2001 | 62 | 9% |
| 2000 | 37 | 8% |
| 1999 | 30 | 9% |
| 1998 | 14 | 7% |
| 1997 | 8 | 15% |
| 1996 | 2 | 6% |
| 1995 | 22 | 10% |
| 1994 | 8 | 7% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1990 | 1 | 5% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 4 | 31% |
Other parts of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
42 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsEngine
20 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology