Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and swaying in the rear of the vehicle. The contact slowed down and proceeded to drive. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,349.
While entering a parking lot, parking space, after stopping completely, the car would not move when accelerator was lightly depressed, there was a 1 to 3 second delay, and then the car lunged forward crashing into the opposing parked vehicle, damaging the fronts of both vehicles. This hesitation was noted once before at about 3800 miles while entering a highway from a stop. Again, the hesitation was followed by a sudden lunge. Selling vw dealer said it sounded like a dsg trans problem, bring back fpr evaluation after its repaired. This unexpected surge problem is the direct cause of the accident. There should be a safety recall. Note: while this vw Jetta is 7 yrs old, it is not driven often as can be seen by less than 500-800 miles per year.
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. Then it did a repeat of the previous action, sending the transmission into safe made without any notice or provocation, and again, when I restarted the vehicle it drove perfectly normal while I drove it directly home. When I performed an obdii scan, it generated p0746 as the problem, with no other problems being reported. …
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. I had to drive back home on the streets and the car wpuld not stay at a stable heat. I had to stop my car in multiple unsafe area after'11 in the night. Now the car will not start unless give a jump for over an hour. Obly satys in for about a min the loses power all over again
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. While the vehicle was parked with the key out of the ignition, the contact entered the vehicle on the passenger side. Half of her body was inside the vehicle and one leg was hanging outside the vehicle. The contact heard a clicking noise and the vehicle started to roll back across the parking lot. The vehicle crossed four lanes of traffic until it was stopped by steel cables that were securing a light pole. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. Afterwards, the contact experienced body soreness. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
While my 17 year old daughter was driving down a city road, going about 30mph, the car stopped accelerating. She then noticed prnds was flashing on the dash. Luckily, she was not far from home, she was able to continue driving it home. We parked the car until we were able to have it towed to the nearest dealership, which is 88miles away. The car is undriveable at this point. . The dealership informed me that the mechatronic unit has failed and needs replaced, quoting me $2800.00. I've tried contacting Volkswagen about this issue and all they tell me is her VIN number is not included in the recall even though her car is having the exact same issues as the other recalled 2008 vw jettas.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the transmission. The instrument panel display showed that the transmission independently switched from drive to neutral as the vehicle lost motive power. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the driveshaft bolts loosened and a hole was present which caused transmission fluid to leak from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
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. Vw knows there's issues with this transmission, the vw dealership tech experienced the actual issue himself, but they won't do anything until it gets worse.
My pcv valve got clogged which caused the rear main seal to blow out causing a lot of damage. This is not supposed to happen at this mileage. Volkswagen has acknowledged they are receiving a lot of these vehicles between 80K and 100K, unacceptable. They are not covering any repairs. There has been 3 revisions by Volkswagen to the pcv valve thats in my vehicle but they won't acknowledge mine is faulty..why did they remake it 3 times? Also model years before me had pcv valve recalls for this exact reason. Thank you
The gear selector indicator display on the dash is flashing and the car is doing its own thing changing gears. It will not properly accelerate causing a major safety issue anywhere but especially on the highway. The car was properly accelerating on the highway before the display starting flashing and the car downshifted (into either 3rd or 4th) and refuses to upshift again. I think this is related to a mechatronic unit failure in the 2009-2010 recalls.
Related recalls
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Vehicle stall/loss motive power
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…
Transmission complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta, 28% of the model year's 188 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Volkswagen Jetta transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-164 (driveshaft, May 19, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Jetta transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles, and 46% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.