Volkswagen Jetta transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
226 of the 1,190 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Volkswagen Jetta 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2019 (162), 2016 (22), 2017 (15). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Volkswagen Jetta transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 4 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 6 | 21% | — | 8 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 7 | 16% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 2 | 5% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | 26 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 7 | 13% | — | 21 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 162 | 30% | 2k | 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2018 | 5 | 16% | — | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 15 | 9% | — | 39 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 22 | 13% | — | 62 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 15 · 2019: 87 · 2020: 49 · 2021: 8 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2026: 18
Across the model years, half of the 130 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 0 and 13,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Transmission grinding noise from driver side of vehicle when at or passing 29-31 MPH. Noise diminishes and then returns again at 39-41 MPH
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 25 MPH or higher, the contact heard a loud buzzing and grinding sound coming from the transmission. The manufacturer stated that they would contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 250. Consumer was told by the dealer no "repair" would be needed that they felt it is normal
The vehicle lost it's ability to shift into gear and accelerate on a busy road, almost causing a collision. Pulled over and it failed to shift into any gears, (as if it was in neutral with a higher engine RPM).
The problem happens when the car is on, and when attempting to accelerate the car will feel like it was put into neutral and you cannot do anything other than coast. The car has done this a few times while driving.
July 2024 my 2017 VW JETTA SEL PREMIUM at 153,253 miles without notice had TRANSMISSION FAILURE where a major oil and transmission fluid leak occurred. I was sitting at a red light, the light turned green I tried to go and ended up flooding the engine thus preventing the car to ever move again.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNHTSA investigation
- DP19003 Vehicle Stalling - Manual Transmissionopened Sep 3, 2019 · closed Jun 30, 2020
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a defect petition received on 14 August 2019 requesting an investigation of an alleged defect of the manual transmissions in Model Year (MY) 2019 Volkswagen (VW) GTI, Golf GTI and Jetta GLI vehicles. The stalling incidents cited occurred without warning as the vehicle slows to a stop or prepares to make a turn across traffic wit…
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 11, 2026
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- Aug 10, 2026
- Replacement instruction
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Volkswagen Jetta
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Volkswagen Jetta problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Volkswagen Jetta years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2019, 162; 2016, 22; 2017, 15. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (30%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Volkswagen Jetta?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Volkswagen Jetta?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 6,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 0 and 13,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.