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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
141about this part
Share
16%of 889 total for the year
Median mileage
20,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 141 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, 16% of the 889 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“3 weeks after purchasing my pre-owned vehicle in may 2019, smoke started pouring out of the engine on my way to work. I had my car towed to a shop and was told the cause of the issue was broken engine hose clamps. The shop charged me almost $700 for brand new hose assemblies and clamps. Also, my transmission is slipping intermittently and I do not feel safe driving this vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11242913, filed 2019-08, 123,800 miles

“Check engine light comes on frequently and when I take to dealer it is always a sensor problem I have also had some electrical issues replacing bulbs frequently. Also while driving the shifting lights will all light up prnds, sometimes there is a loss of power. Also one of the overhead light seems to have melted due to a high heat source of some kind.”

NHTSA complaint #10863523, filed 2016-05, 60,000 miles

“My Jetta is experiencing the same safety issues as indicated in report NHTSA campaign number: 09v333000. While in drive the transmission goes into neutral, uncommand. However, my VIN number is not included in the recall vw 37e3/s7 for NHTSA campaign number 09v-333. Please consider adding my VIN number to the vw recall. I will contact vw and request the same.”

NHTSA complaint #10908457, filed 2016-09, 107,000 miles

“Oil seals leaking oil all over engine, major carbon build up failing axles. I was driving on the road and the car made a major thud and check engine light came on. Took car to dealer next day and they found all seals on the engine are leaking oil and water pump has failed and major carbon build up in engine. Found oil on ground of my garage. Front suspension known to make crunching sounds when going over major bumps when cold.”

NHTSA complaint #10980782, filed 2017-04, 64,200 miles

“My dsg transmission is throwing codes 18232-pressure control valve 3 n217 and pressure control valve 3 n215. Transmission reverse will stop working. Have to tun off car and tunr on will work. Also driving high speeds in freeway car begins to slip gears and then swithes to n. Have to ry and pull over on side. Turn off car and turn back on. Car will then work in limp mode. Appapernetly this is a know issues with dsg trans but my VIN is not reported to to qualify?”

NHTSA complaint #11183546, filed 2019-03, 108,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025825%
2024715%
202325%
202123%
2020713%
201916330%
2018516%
2017159%
20162214%
20152312%
20147419%
201314127%
2012469%
2011549%
201011113%
200914116%
20085328%
20073316%
200624542%
20058434%
20043515%
20035412%
200210315%
2001629%
2000378%
1999309%
1998147%
1997815%
199626%
19952210%
199487%
199316%
199213%
199126%
199015%
198617%
1985431%

Other parts of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta

Fuel system
307 complaints
Brakes
205 complaints
Electrical system
107 complaints
Engine
96 complaints
Electronic stability control
93 complaints
Engine cooling
72 complaints
Air bags
35 complaints
Other or unknown
35 complaints
Vehicle speed control
29 complaints
Exterior lighting
24 complaints
Steering
24 complaints
Body and structure
16 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 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