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 2009 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stopped driving the vehicle due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
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 shift indicator lights. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Had drove the car little while, then made a stop, cranked the car to leave and sounded like it was low on oil, that kind of. Tapping sound. Oil was fine. But the sound still there the next day. After driving it a mile or two. It got louder, then the check engine light came on. I stopped at the closest part store about 5 min after the light came on. They checked it with the scanner. Said it was a knock sensor code. P0328, bank 1.took it to vw. To get a diagnosits done. And the man said it was due to a recall. The problem I was hearing, and the code. Was from the recalled part. They changed that part. Said it was a fuse panel on engine block. The problem was still the same. Then, he said it was not due to the recall. And I still had to pay the 120 dollar for the diagnostic. And said they would have to open the engine to check any further, and that the labor would be about 2000 dollars. …
I am requesting that the dot NHTSA investigate the timing chain tensioner in this make and model of car. I started my car one morning and the engine made a metallic rattling sound as I proceeded to back out of the driveway. No check engine light came on until reaching the end of the driveway. Car was then driven to dealership immediately and diagnosed as having "jumped time" due to the failure of the timing chain tensioner. Upon picking up the car several days later after the repairs were complete, the service advisor informed us that the metal ring holding the tensioner latch in place had fallen off; allowing the tiny adjustable latch to fall out, and that both pieces were lying, loose, in the compartment when the car was taken apart. This failure appears to be related to technical service bulletin 15-12-01. …
I was driving my Jetta tdi to work on I-270 in the morning,the check engine light turn on and the ABS light flashing and the transmission going to neutral and stop working , cannot accelerate the car just slow down on the highway, I turn my signal light to right and let it decelerated to the right lane .at my back was a truck its good that the driver of the truck was able to slow down if not my Jetta will be rear ended crush. Let the engine cool down and restart it and drove home quickly. I use my vag scanner on engine code I got 049409 and on ABS 01315 both about transmission module lost communications. Inside the dsg its the mechatronic unit failure. I check with vw dealer the mechatronic is out of warranty no extension too.anyway I bought the mechatronic and fluids replaces it and do the basic settings. …
I was driving on the highway at 65 miles per hour, and my engine stalled. This came without warning from the alert systems. I towed the car to the dealership, and the service department said that the high pressure fuel pump had malfunctioned. There is an extended warranty on the high pressure fuel pumps, and my car was in the mileage and age limits. They said they would test my fuel, and if it had a trace of gasoline in the diesel engine, then the extended powertrain warranty would be voided. The test results showed no trace of gasoline, but they still refused to pay for the repairs. This cost me over $4000. This is identical to the problems reported in NHTSA action number ea11003.
The car goes into neutral while driving it & will not return to gear. My car ending up stopping in the middle of the interstate! I was almost in a crash. The dealer repair said it was a mechatronic issue. The recall includes my year & model but somehow not my car? The dealer & vw corp told me my VIN specifically was not part of the transmission mechatronic recall but that's exactly what is happening. The VIN's need to be re-evaluated because the problem still exists. The car just comes out of gear & stops -- no warning!! Now I'm stuck with a car that I am afraid to drive & cannot afford $4K repair (the dealer also stated it's a "dealer only" type of repair).
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shifted into neutral on its own. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and turned off to reset the failure. The gear selector indicator illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (bob penkhus Volvo Mazda Volkswagen, 1101 motor city dr, colorado springs, co 80905) where it was diagnosed that the direct shift gearbox failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 09V333000 (power train), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 112,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. When the vehicle approached a stop, the transmission fluid leaked all over the ground without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (carousel Volkswagen, iowa city, ia, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the transmission pump malfunctioned and rushed the transmission fluid out of the transmission. The technician recommended that the transmission be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the electrical system failed and most of the warning indicators on the instrument panel illuminated. In addition, the instrument cluster panel was faulty. The vehicle leaked fuel and the power steering was faulty. The entire electrical system constantly failed. The vehicle was towed to crown Volkswagen of lawrence (3400 iowa st, lawrence, ks 66046, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the internal module in the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,376.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: 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
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 2009 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 141 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, 16% of the model year's 889 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (64 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Volkswagen Jetta transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-333 (automatic transmission, Aug 20, 2009); NHTSA recall 09V-164 (driveshaft, May 19, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Volkswagen Jetta transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles, and 53% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.