2005 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO MISFIRE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE B VALVE, THE GLOW PLUG AND THE GLOW PLUG HARNESS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A RECALL FOR THE 2009-2010 MODELS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V333000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2005 MODEL VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 04/02/12*LJ

NHTSA ID

10450345

Incident

Aug 15, 2011

Mileage

118,000 mi

I HAVE A 2005 NEW JETTA AND AT AROUND 60,000 MILES IT SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. IT ALSO DOWNSHIFTS ABRUPTLY. THE HARD JERKING SCARES ME WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. AT SOME POINT VW HAS TO REALIZE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I GOT THE RECALL LETTER ABOUT THE VALVE BODY AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO A VW DEALER FOR SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR DIDN'T HAVE A VALVE BODY ISSUE. THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. COST $6,000. I CONTACTED VW BY PHONE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. NOW AT CLOSE TO 70,000 MILES THE JERKING HAS WORSEN AND I HAVE BECOME VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR WHILE I'M DRIVING IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10407154

Incident

Sep 1, 2010

Mileage

60,000 mi

I PURCHASED A 2005 NEW JETTA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN JULY OF 2010. IT CURRENTLY HAS 72,000 MILES. 3 ISSUES. ONE, WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED UP, A CLANGING NOISE OCCURS AND LASTS FOR APPROX 30 SECONDS, THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE A VENT CLOSES AND THE SOUND GOES AWAY. TWO, THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF SOMETIMES WHEN I PULL ALONG SIDE A CURB. I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR, BACK THE CAR UP, THEN PULL THE CAR FORWARD TO GET IT TO TURN OFF. THE THIRD ITEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY NOT ALWAYS AND INVOLVES SHIFTING OF GEARS. WHEN THE CAR IS GOING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR, IT SEEMS TO BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR A LITTLE ROUGH BUT NOT JERKY AND SOMETIMES WHEN COASTING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION THE CAR SEEMS TO HESITATE WHEN I AM READY TO PUSH ON THE GAS. BUT THEN, AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS, ENGAGES INTO GEAR WITH A LUNGE. I RECENTLY TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR ANALYSIS AND THE MAN SAID HE COULD NOT PRODUCE ANY CODES. I TOLD HIM I HAD RECEIVED THE LETTER ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION'S VALVE BODY WARRANTY EXTENSION. HE DROVE THE CAR AND SAID THE CAR DEFINITELY LUNGES AND TOLD ME TO GET IT TO A VW DEALERSHIP FOR A CHECK UP AS HE WAS NOT AN AUTHORIZED VW TECH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHICH IS 2 HOURS AWAY FROM MY HOME. THEY DROVE THE CAR 3 SEPARATE TIMES TRYING TO PRODUCE THE SCENARIO I DESCRIBED BUT COULD NOT. THE TECH TOLD ME IT SOUNDED LIKE I WAS DESCRIBING THE VALVE BODY ISSUE AND HE WOULD TELL THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT HE HAD FELT THE PROB AND THAT MY CAR NEEDED A NEW VALVE BODY. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR, THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE ABOVE 20 MPH WITHOUT THE ENGINE ROARING AND THE SHIFTING HARD INTO GEAR EVERYTIME. ME AND MY DAUGHTER HAD PULLED OUT INTO A VERY BUSY 40 MPH TRAFFIC. IT WAS SCARY. AT ONE POINT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR! I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM SOMETHING WAS SERIOUSLY WRONG. NEXT DAY, THEY TOLD ME MY CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AT MY COST OF $5000. WHAT HAPPEN? *TR

NHTSA ID

10405449

Incident

Jun 1, 2011

Mileage

71,000 mi

I HAVE A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE BATTERY BLEW UP UNDER THE HOOD. TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD IT JUMPED TIMING TOOLS AND PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED THIS TOOK THREE MONTHS AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING THE VOLKSWAGEN MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND IS 8 MILES OVER WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NO FIX THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10380828

Incident

Sep 28, 2010

Mileage

100,000 mi

2005 JETTA GLI - THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF AN OIL SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING COMPLETELY AND WILL STOP WORKING IN THE ROAD AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I REPORTED TO VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID IT WAS TOO BAD YOU NEED TO FIX IT. NEED YOUR HELP ON THIS MATTER PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10378549

Incident

Oct 10, 2010

Mileage

125,000 mi

HARD SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. PROBLEM CAUSES CAR TO VIOLENTLY JERK AND POSES A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE OR STOP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10372179

Incident

Oct 30, 2010

Mileage

160,000 mi

THERE IS A LONG RUNNING ISSUE WITH THE 2005 1/2 VW JETTA V TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE TRANS GETS HOT SITTING IN TRAFFIC. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR OR SHIFTS VERY HARD OR WILL NOT SHIFT AT ALL AND MAY CAUSE A REAR END ACCIDENT AS THE JETTA DOES NOT SHIFT. VW AMERICA DOES KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES OR 7 YEARS. BUT AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THERE ARE JETTA'S THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT HAVE MILEAGE OVER THE 100,000 MILES. WHEN YOU CALL VW, THEY REFUSE TO HELP AND DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE THAT OWN THEIR PRODUCT. THERE IS ALSO ISSUES WITH PREMATURE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS AND HEAD LIGHT BULBS BURNING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10370794

Incident

Jan 1, 2010

Mileage

80 mi

WHEN SITTING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD IN AND OUT OF THE SHIFTING SEQUENCE. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE TRANSMISSION WILL TAKE A FEW SECONDS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND THUMP VERY HARD. AFTER CALLING A VW DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE NEW JETTA'S AND BEETLES. ALSO THERE IS VERY HEAVY CRAZING WITH THE HEAD LAMP FIXTURES AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND CAUSES SERIOUS IMPAIRMENT AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE ON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10341725

Incident

Jul 7, 2010

Mileage

108,000 mi

WHEN I AM DRIVING AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP MY CAR DOES A SUDDEN JERK. WHEN ACCELERATE MY CAR ALSO JERKS WHEN I STEP ON MY GAS PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10327044

Incident

Apr 22, 2010

Mileage

55,000 mi

WE HAVE A 2005 JETTA TDI AUTOMATIC. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AT EVERY INTERVAL BY VW. WE HAVE HAD A COMMON CONCERN ABOUT THE CAR MOVING FORWARD IN DRIVE IN ERRATIC FASHION WHEN COLD AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS. WE INFORMED VW ABOUT THIS CONCERN AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. LAST WEEK MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET IT STARTED BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. WE HAD IT TOWED TO OUR VW DEALER WHO INFORMED US THAT IT WOULD COST $600.00 JUST TO MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. WE GAVE THEM THE GO AHEAD AND A DAY LATTER THEY INFORMED US THAT THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAS DISINTEGRATED WHICH IN TURN DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DMF APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW'S IN GENERAL. IN EUROPE VW WILL FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE, BUT NOT IN THE US. WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM VW ON WHAT IF ANYTHING THEY WILL DO. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS NO HELP IN THIS MATTER, EXCEPT TO TELL US IT WAS NOT COVERED. STAY TUNED AS WE ENTER THE TWILIGHT ZONE OF DESIGN DEFECTS WITH VW! *TR

NHTSA ID

10295439

Incident

Dec 9, 2009

Mileage

60,000 mi

ON 11/11/09, I PARKED MY CAR ON MY APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT. I LEFT MY CAR IN FIRST GEAR AS A SAFETY MEASURE. NEXT MORNING (11/12/09) I TRIED TO START MY CAR, BUT THE CAR WAS LOCKED IN FIRST GEAR EVEN AFTER PRESSING THE PEDAL CLUTCH. THE CAR DID NOT TURN ON BUT STALLED AND MOVE SLIGHTLY FORWARD. FORTUNATELY I HAD THE HAND BREAK ON. IF I DID NOT HAVE THE PARKING BREAK ON, I WOULD HAVE MOVED FORWARD INTO A BUSH IN FRONT OF MY PARKING LOT SPACE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR, SWITCHED TO NEUTRAL GEAR AND TURN THE CAR ON. THE CAR TURNED ON AND I THOUGHT I SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I PUT THE CAR ON REVERSE, TO EXIT MY PARKING LOT SPACE AND AGAIN THE CAR STALLED AND MOVED BACKWARDS. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO CAR OR PEOPLE BEHIND ME. AT THAT POINT I REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT ENGAGE THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR AND THAT THE CLUTCH WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 46,000 MILES AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE CLUTCH WOULD FAIL SO EARLY IN LIFE. I READ IN MANY FORUMS THAT THE 05-06 VW JETTA HAS A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH AND IT COULD BE HAZARDOUS FOR PEOPLE IF THE CLUTCH FAILS WHILE DRIVING. MY CLUTCH DID NOT GIVE ME ANY SIGNAL OF WEAR AND TEAR, NO SOUNDS OR DIFFICULTY WHILE DRIVING, IT WAS WORKING VERY WELL ONE DAY AND NEXT DAY IT BROKE DOWN. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPECTED TO BE A SMALL FIX, SINCE THE CLUTCH WAS NORMALLY OPERATING ON 11/11/09 AND IT SUDDENLY FAILED ON 11/12/09. AFTER A REVIEW, THE DEALER IS CHARGING ME $2200, BECAUSE THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH, THE FLYWHEEL AND THE PRESSURE PLATE. IT APPEARS THAT A VW FAULTY PRODUCT IS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT VW DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THEIR MISTAKE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10292423

Incident

Nov 12, 2009

Mileage

46,000 mi

THE VOLKSWAGEN TDI 1.9L ENGINE WHEN COUPLED TO THE DSG( DIRECT SHIFT GEAR) TRANSMISSION HAS AN EXTREMELY HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE DMF (DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL). FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 10K AND 100K MILES. THE INTERNAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLYWHEEL IS IMPROPER AND WILL SEPARATE LEADING TO THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE UNIT. WHEN THE UNIT FAILS IT CAUSES A VERY SPECIFIC AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES. THE DMF CAN SEPARATE AND THEN FRACTURE INTO LARGE SHRAPNEL TYPE PIECES. THIS SHRAPNEL WILL THE CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION AND POSSIBLY THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. WHEN THE SEIZURE OCCURS IS CAUSES THE FRONT TIRES TO LOCK AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. THE SHRAPNEL CAN ALSO CAUSE THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE RESULTING IT THE LOSS OF PRESSURIZED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS FLUID CAN CONTACT THE TURBOCHARGER AND RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IS COMMON AS WELL. VWA(VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA) IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS REDESIGNED THE DMF. THE NEW DESIGN HAS NOT FAILED. THE DMF HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND AUSTRALIA AS A SAFETY CONCERN . VWA HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN NOT COVERING THIS REPAIR UNDER EVEN IT'S STANDARD WARRANTY. NO VOLUNTARY RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I CURRENTLY HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF THE FAILED PART AVAILABLE. THIS MODEL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH ON A LARGE SCALE IF NOT ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10272658

Incident

May 31, 2009

Mileage

62,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. IN APRIL OF 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BEGAN TO FAIL AGAIN. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WOULD NOT STOP ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES AND, FINALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT DIMMED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME MOBILE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ONE MONTH AND THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN TWELVE MONTHS LATER, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,707 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,207. UPDATED 03-09-09 *BF THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOISEY AND WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. UPDATED 03/12/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10257289

Incident

Jan 6, 2009

Mileage

71,207 mi

2005 VW JETTA CLUTCH FAILURE AT 26K MILES. THERE IS NO WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE, BUT MY CLUTCH WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. WITH CAR DISABLED, THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. VW WON'T COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY DEEM THE CLUTCH AS A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS DISCUSSION BOARDS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S TIME FOR A RECALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE CLUTCHES. THEY ARE NOT GOING OUT BECAUSE OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. DEFECTIVE CLUTCHES WERE MADE AND PUT IN THESE CARS AND VW IS MAKING CUSTOMERS PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES. IF I HAD BEEN IN A REMOTE LOCATION, I COULD'VE BEEN STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR HOURS AND COULD'VE BEEN STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, WITH THE CLUTCH NOT WORKING, IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING FAST, WHEN I APPLIED THE BREAKS, IT COULD'VE JERKED TO A HALT AND I COULD'VE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10255037

Incident

Jan 4, 2009

Mileage

26,000 mi

I HAVE A 2005.5 VW JETTA TDI WITH A 5 SPEED MANUAL. IT HAS A SACHS CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN GIVING ME ISSUES FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES. IT FINALLY FAILED ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK IN RUSH HOURS TRAFFIC AND DISABLED ME. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AVOID INJURY ON I-96 IN NOVI MICHIGAN. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BTY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY ARE NOT HELPING OUT THE CONSUMERS. THEY HAVE A TSB ISSUED ON NOV. 7, 2007 #03 07 01. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET VW TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND HELP US OUT? IT IS GOING TO COST ME $3,000 FOR THE REPAIR NOT TO MENTION I WAS LUCKY TO AVOID INJURY ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. PERHAPS THE NEXT PERSON WILL NOT BE SO LUCKY? *TR

NHTSA ID

10240162

Incident

Aug 26, 2008

Mileage

53,000 mi

THURSDAY AUG 14, 2008 I WAS EXITING OFF THE HIGHWAY RT 9 EXIT 5 IN CT. THE EXIT IS AT THE TOP OF A HILL SO I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND COASTED TO THE BOTTOM. MY CAR IS A 2005 NEW JETTA WITH 2.5L 5 CYL 5 SPEED MANUAL. I HAVE ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH OR TRANSMISSION. AS I STARTED COASTING I SHIFTED THE CAR TO SECOND GEAR NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE EXIT BUT DIDN'T RELEASE THE CLUTCH. I HEARD A LOAD BANG SOUND AND THE CLUTCH ENGAGED. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY NOSE DIVED AND THE ENGINE RACED TO REDLINE. THE CLUTCH PEDDLE WAS ON THE FLOORBOARD AND WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAD TO LOCKUP THE BRAKES TO FORCE THE CAR OUT OF GEAR AND COASTED TO THE STOP SIGN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING ME AT THE TIME AS I WOULD HAVE REARENDED FOR SURE. AT THE STOP SIGN THE CLUTCH PEDAL CAME UP OFF THE FLOOR AT THE CLUTCH PARTIALLY WORK SO I DROVE THE CAR TO THE COMMUTER PARKING LOT AND LEFT IT TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. FRIDAY AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT BUT THEY DON'T COVER WEAR AND TEAR ON CLUTCH PARTS. THE BILL WOULD BE ABOUT 2400.00 DOLLARS. BECAUSE I HAD 70000 MILES ON THE CAR I WOULD HAVE TO SEE THE PARTS BEFORE I COULD MAKE THAT JUDGMENT AS TO WEAR AND TEAR. SO I TOLD THEM TO FIX IT BUT I WANT THE PARTS. THE FINAL BILL CAME TO 2164.71 DOLLARS. THE PRESSURE PLATE AND FLYWHEEL SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ABUSE OR BURNING. THE CLUTCH HAD PLENTY OF PAD LEFT BUT WAS BROKEN DUE TO THE FORCE OF ENGAGING AT 60 MILE PER HOUR IN SECOND GEAR. THE MECHANICS REASON FOR FAILURE WAS "PRESSURE PLATE BLEW OUT" AND MY BOSS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER SAID IT LOOK LIKE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE NOT A WEAR ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW WHY VW GET TO WASH THEIR HANDS OF THIS UNDER A CAME OF THEY DON'T COVER CLUTCH PARTS UNDER WARRANTY AND WHY I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. IF THIS COULD HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY IT COULD ALSO HAVE HAPPEN AT A STOP LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10239572

Incident

Aug 14, 2008

Mileage

71,899 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE GEAR WOULD NOT CHANGE INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR, AND THE CLUTCH JAMMED INTO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND ARE CHARGING $360 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR OR A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IT ONLY COVERS THE REPAIR IF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ADMIT THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT. THE CONTACT WILL LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER UNTIL THEY REPAIR IT FOR FREE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

NHTSA ID

10231453

Incident

Jun 13, 2008

Mileage

55,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. ON APRIL 25, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE CLUTCH INTO THIRD GEAR, BUT THE CLUTCH NEVER SHIFTED BACK INTO POSITION. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PIN FOR THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY CHAFFERED AND FAILED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WONDERS IF THE TWO FAILURES ARE RELATED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,210.

NHTSA ID

10226414

Incident

Apr 25, 2008

Mileage

49,210 mi

CAR DEVELOPED PRONOUNCED ENGINE VIBRATION AT 100,000 MILES. VIBRATION WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SIGNIFICANT NOISE AT IDLE WITH CLUTCH ENGAGED. CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS REMOVED AND INSPECTED. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAD FAILED AND WAS THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE AND VIBRATION. CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL WERE REPLACED WITH AN AFTERMARKET SINGLE MASS FLYWHEEL AND MATCHING CLUTCH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10223454

Incident

Apr 5, 2008

Mileage

108,000 mi

PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE AT 40,000 MILES. CAR AT DEALER FOR CLUTCH REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10216140

Incident

Jan 23, 2008

Mileage

40,180 mi

CLUTCH GAVE OUT AT 32,000 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN CONSIDERS THIS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10215348

Incident

Jan 12, 2008

Mileage

32,300 mi

CLUTCH COMPLETELY FAILED AT 35,000 MILES, SUDDENLY ON A HIGHWAY (THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE, IT WOULD JUST REV REALLY HIGH). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL VW DEALER. THE VW DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAULTY VW PARTS; FAILURE WAS DUE TO A WORN CLUTCH, WHICH I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH VW OF AMERICA. I WAS SUSPICIOUS OF THIS DIAGNOSIS, SINCE THE CLUTCH FAILED SO SUDDENLY & IN ALL OF MY YEARS OF DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS (16 YEARS), I HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE A WORN OR DAMAGED CLUTCH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, WHICH COST ME $2,070. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, & THAT HE WOULD SHOW ME THE WORN CLUTCH WHEN THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED. WHEN I PICKED UP THE REPAIRED CAR, I ASKED TO SEE THE CLUTCH & FLYWHEEL (FOR SIGNS OF WEAR & HEAT MARKS). THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION; THEY WERE ALREADY DISPOSED OF & IN THE GARBAGE DUMPSTER. AFTER READING SO MANY COMPLAINTS MADE BY EXPERIENCED MANUAL TRANSMISSION DRIVERS ABOUT VW CLUTCHES WEARING PREMATURELY, I BELIEVE THAT THIS CASE MAY BE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE READ ON VW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT FAULTY PRESSURE PLATES AND/OR FLYWHEELS IN THESE NEWER JETTAS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE DAMAGE & EXCESSIVE PREMATURE WEAR TO THE CLUTCH. IN MY CASE, I WASN'T ABLE TO INSPECT THE OLD CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FOR OTHER SIGNS OF MECHANICAL FAILURE (SINCE THE DEALER DISPOSED OF THE OLD PARTS BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO SEE THEM). SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT VW CLUTCHES, I HOPE THEY ISSUE A RECALL & REIMBURSE THE MANY CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE NEEDED TO REPLACE THEIR CLUTCHES SO SOON. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT HAVING TO SPEND $2,070 TO REPAIR A FAULTY CLUTCH IN A CAR THAT IS ONLY 2 YRS OLD. FOR MY NEXT CAR PURCHASE, I AM CONSIDERING BUYING FROM A DIFFERENT CAR COMPANY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10201024

Incident

Aug 22, 2007

Mileage

35,720 mi

TL*THE CONTACT LEASES A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO SECOND GEAR. SHE ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NEGLIGENT DRIVING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,500. WHILE TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH WHILE SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR, THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PRESSURE PLATE WAS HAD CRACKED INTO 3 PIECES WHICH DESTROYED THE ENTIRE CLUTCH. UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB

NHTSA ID

10199678

Incident

Aug 10, 2007

Mileage

15,500 mi

MY 2005 JETTA HAS A BROKEN PRESSURE PLATE IN THE CLUTCH. THE INCINDENT MUST HAVE HAPPENED WHILE IT SITTING AFTER BEING DRIVEN, BECAUSE I PARKED IT AND IT WAS ACTING FINE, THEN I GOT BACK IN LATER AND IT WASN'T WORKING. THE CAR HAS ONLY 15K MILES ON IT AND IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR HARD AND ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 10 MILES A DAY, AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL FOR 12 YEARS. VW IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY AND IS TELLING ME THE CLUTCH PROBLEM IS MY FAULT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CLUTCH GOING IN 15K MILES, EVEN IF I WAS A TERRIBLE MANUAL DRIVER WHICH I AM NOT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB, AND IT LOOKS QUITE COMMON FOR THESE CHEAPLY MADE VW CLUTCHES TO BREAK DOWN AND FOR VW TO FIND A WAY TO NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. I NEED HELP STANDING UP AGAINST THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10199534

Incident

Aug 9, 2007

Mileage

15,000 mi

MY FLYWHEEL EXPLODED EARLIER LAST YEAR AND NOW I KNOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN DIESEL JETTAS. I HAD TO HAVE THE CLUTCH AND THE FLYWHEEL REPLACED, AND VOLKSWAGEN WOULD NOT DO IT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10192295

Incident

Dec 8, 2006

Mileage

35,800 mi