2009 Volkswagen Jetta Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 141 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, 16% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 21,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “dsg transmission” (21% of reports).
- 141power train complaints
- 21,000median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 38%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Dsg transmission: mentioned in 29 of 141 complaints (21%)
- False neutral: mentioned in 9 of 141 complaints (6%)
- Temperature sensor: mentioned in 8 of 141 complaints (6%)
- Pressure fuel pump: mentioned in 8 of 141 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 135 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 141 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Volkswagen Jetta power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Jetta | 6 | 20% | — |
| 2024 Jetta | 7 | 16% | 17,600 |
| 2023 Jetta | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2021 Jetta | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2020 Jetta | 7 | 13% | 843 |
| 2019 Jetta | 162 | 30% | 888 |
| 2018 Jetta | 5 | 16% | 30,100 |
| 2017 Jetta | 15 | 9% | 27,750 |
| 2016 Jetta | 22 | 14% | 32,000 |
| 2015 Jetta | 23 | 12% | 45,500 |
| 2014 Jetta | 74 | 19% | 70,000 |
| 2013 Jetta | 141 | 27% | 67,000 |
| 2012 Jetta | 46 | 9% | 40,770 |
| 2011 Jetta | 54 | 9% | 17,500 |
| 2010 Jetta | 111 | 13% | 43,000 |
| 2009 Jetta | 141 | 16% | 21,000 |
| 2008 Jetta | 53 | 28% | 25,650 |
| 2007 Jetta | 33 | 16% | 60,000 |
| 2006 Jetta | 245 | 42% | 68,000 |
| 2005 Jetta | 84 | 34% | 78,000 |
| 2004 Jetta | 35 | 15% | 29,000 |
| 2003 Jetta | 54 | 12% | 33,985 |
| 2002 Jetta | 103 | 15% | 70,000 |
| 2001 Jetta | 62 | 9% | 40,850 |
| 2000 Jetta | 37 | 8% | 51,203 |
| 1999 Jetta | 30 | 9% | 69,950 |
| 1998 Jetta | 14 | 7% | 130,000 |
| 1997 Jetta | 8 | 15% | 55,117 |
| 1996 Jetta | 2 | 6% | 78,000 |
| 1995 Jetta | 22 | 10% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between september 2008 and august 2009. The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the direct shift gearbox (dsg) may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped. 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.
Risk: The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
Fix: Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall began on october 20, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The…
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the gear shift indicator started blinking on and off. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the road and restarted the vehicle to reboot the gear…
I have light come on when turn on car and abs light ccme on jerk the car whn move it itto gear. This does all the time i scared goin get car accident.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2009 Volkswagen Jettas have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 141 owner complaints about power train for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta (16% of the 889 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 21,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most frequent phrase is “dsg transmission”, in 29 of 141 complaints, followed by “false neutral” (9).
Other 2009 Volkswagen Jetta problems
See all 2009 Volkswagen Jetta problems or power train problems across all Jetta years.