Volkswagen Jetta Engine Problems

Engine complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Engine
  180
• Engine › Gasoline
  75
• Exhaust system › Emission control
  64
• Engine › Diesel
  52
• Cooling system
  51
• Exhaust system
  43
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  19
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  9

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  36627%
• 25k–50k
  23918%
• 50k–75k
  27120%
• 75k–100k
  23117%
• 100k–150k
  18914%
• 150k+
  665%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH up an incline, the hill assist system engaged. The contact stated that while descending the incline, the hill assist was still engaged. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle to disengage the feature. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had gradually become a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had additional failures with the transmission and the rear brakes due to the hill assist not disengaging as needed. The contact stated that the manual transmission was slipping out of gear and the rear brakes showed premature wear on the pads. The contact had taken the vehicle to several dealers. The contact stated that one dealer recommended that the transmission be replaced. …

Zero warning lights, dash clusters only allowing two options to show, oil temperature reading 200degrees Fahrenheit or higher, floor board feels like the firewall is almost in the interior of the vehicle and not engine port. Upon performing a thorough investigation of my own, the manifold, intake valve and wires are visibly damaged and BURNT, coil two is visibly damaged and was smoking. The battery generating system is also malfunctioning, with visibly burnt ground wires. Additionally the thermostat and temperature gauges both are not giving out any signal or alert for faulty electrical activity. However the vehicle was so hot from only driving 6 miles from my house that the arm to hold the hood up was legit bending and folding as it become unusually soft from the hot intake. Transfer case has been clicking, as well as the intake sizzling like making repeated sounds of sparking. …

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the engine coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the coolant reservoir, but one week later the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that engine coolant had leaked into the head gasket and that the head gasket and sealant needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 43,000.

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH in traffic, the vehicle lost motive power and shut off. The contact was able to steer into a parking space. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cam magnet needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that an expert would be contacted for assistance with repairing the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, a knocking sound was coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle started shaking and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine and electronic power control (EPC) warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder of the highway where the vehicle remained. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 4,500.

Electronic Power Control (EPC) issue: The car unit bogs down the acceleration and limits the RPMs, making it dangerous to drive on high way or even local road. The issue pops up spontaneously but went away after car was OFF for hour and restarted. Engine runs ruff and shacks along with laud banging sounds from under car. Suspect sensors, other messages seem to be out of place, such as "turn lights on" in morning when driving directly into sun light or the large red accident display with nothing around at all, different locations. Scan taken of car by dealer, nothing to explain why, however 2 plugs were somewhat dirty & will be replaced, only 1800 miles on car. Other errors on display, the yellow Front Assist which switched between that and the ECP, to far left under the temperature a yellow triangle priority symbol (some what red) These all came on at time of fault. …

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

I've owned my car for 3 weeks and have driven it ~10 times in total. On 2 different occasions (most recently yesterday), it has stalled out while standing in traffic. On both occasions, it was a "soft stall" just as a vehicle with auto on/off would have. I had no warning lights, and wasn't even aware that the car had stalled until I put it in gear and began to let the clutch out, at which point I discovered that the engine was off.

Related recalls (4)

NHTSA investigations