2009 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA has 141 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, 16% of all 888 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest transmission complaint count among 21 Jetta model years. These complaints report 3 crashes and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 21,000 miles.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 141
- 16% of 888
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 21,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
When 2009 Volkswagen Jetta transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 1, 2009, latest Aug 25, 2025.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
- NHTSA 09V333000Aug 20, 2009Transmission & Powertrain16,000 vehicles
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. 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.
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.
- NHTSA 09V164000May 19, 2009Transmission & Powertrain25,594 vehicles
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. 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.
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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Jetta model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta have transmission problems?
- NHTSA has 141 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, 16% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 21,000 miles.
- Which Volkswagen Jetta year has the most transmission complaints?
- The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta has the most transmission complaints (245), compared with 141 for the 2009.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta?
- Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta concern the transmission: 09V333000 and 09V164000.