The Lemon Index
Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.
What owners describe
Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.
Transmission and power train recalls
- 2014 2014
In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
- 2013 2013
Due to gearbox fluid additives, the control module within the gearbox may corrode.
- 2013 2019
Hairline cracks can develop within the transmission electronic gearbox (mechatronic unit), causing an internal transmission oil leak and a decrease in oil pressure.
- 2010 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009.
- 2009 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In owners' words
Automatic transmission shifts hard and sometimes fail to shift. The is a major safety concern while operating the vehicle.
2006 Volkswagen Jetta owner · NHTSA complaint
1 clutch pedal when depressed stays down. 2 intermittent 3 , fly wheel damage, return bearing damage, cost of repair $2400.00.
2006 Volkswagen Jetta owner · NHTSA complaint
Quick answers
Which Volkswagen Jetta years have transmission problems?
By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Volkswagen Jetta years are 2006, 2019, 2009.
What are common Volkswagen Jetta transmission problems?
Owners most often describe lost power while driving, hard or jerky shifting, delay or hesitation.
Which Volkswagen Jetta years have the fewest transmission complaints?
Since 2010, the Volkswagen Jetta years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2023, 2021, 2020.
See every problem, not just the transmission: Volkswagen Jetta reliability by year. How we count