108 complaints reported

2019 Volkswagen Jetta Power Train

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
108
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Sep 2025

There is a recall for certain VW models because the key may be removed when the vehicle is not in Park position. There is an issue with the micro switch mechanism, resulting in an error code. There is a wide recall for many models, except the 2019 Jetta. My dealer confirmed this is the SAME issue as the recall, but my car is not listed under it. The recall should be expanded for other models. Compliance Recall 37L5 – Shift Lever Micro Switch What vehicles are included in Compliance Recall 37L5? Certain 2015-2018 model year Volkswagen Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. What is the concern for Compliance Recall 37L5? Over time, a build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts can make it possible to remove the key from the ignition switch without the shift lever being in the "P" Park position. This makes the vehicle noncompliant with 49 CFR 571.114 Standard No. 114 Theft protection and rollaway prevention. If the ignition key is removed without the shift lever being in the "P" Park position, there is a risk that the vehicle may roll away, resulting in a crash that could injure people and damage property. What is the repair for Compliance Recall 37L5? When parts become available, dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board.The recall repair will be FREE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2025
Apr 2025

I went to leave my workplace and got into my car with a message of “Only Exit Vehicle in a P Position. Please Service Vehicle”. I turned off my vehicle and restarted it and the message went away The next morning I got in my vehicle and the same message came back. Leaving my workplace it shut itself off again I found that this year and model has been affected by a recall for that same issue before, but my VIN was not included in that recall order

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2025
Mar 2025

One Bolt to camshaft came loose and allowed for oil to leak into the cover, covering the timing belt with oil

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2025
Sep 2024

The dashboard has light on with error message: Only exit vehicle in P position. Please service the vehicle. The light is on and off randomly during driving. Car is drivable even with the light on, but it will have the warning beep which is distractive for driver. There are multiple recalls from VW for other models/years with same error message. The gear shift sensor is malfunctioning in those recalls.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2024
Mar 2024 Crash Injury

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle in a handicapped parking space, the vehicle failed to stop despite the contact's foot firmly depressed on the brake pedal. As the vehicle continued to move forward with the contact's foot depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle drove over the parking barrier, knocked over the handicapped post, and entered the sidewalk. The vehicle eventually decelerated and the contact managed to shift the vehicle into reverse(R) and regain control of the vehicle. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights appeared on the instrument panel during the failure. Despite the property damage and emotional distress suffered by both the contact and the passenger, no injuries were reported and no immediate medical attention was needed. A police report was not filed and the air bags did not deploy as a result of the failure. The incident was reported to the store manager. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back home without incident. The manufacturer nor the dealer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or serviced. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2024
Feb 2024

My son, [XXX] , bought a 2019 Jetta on [XXX] from Westside VW in St. Louis Park, MN. It was marked as a Certified vehicle. On [XXX] the clutch started slipping. Later that day it gave out completely, and had to be towed to Westside. After service looked, they said that the clutch was burned out, and that this is a “wear and tear” item like tires so that he was on the hook for the entire cost of repairs, $3,433.16. When we pushed harder, they indicated that the clutch had actually been replaced just before [XXX] bought the car, when it had 43,111 miles. It failed at 52,829 miles. He has been driving manual transmission vehicles for around 15 years. I first handed down a 2000 Passat 5-speed that I bought new, and he drove that until it fell apart with around 150,000 miles and the original transmission. Later he bought a 2015 Toyota Corolla with a manual transmission, and drove that for over 80,000 miles until it was totaled in 2023. The point is that he is an experienced driver of manual transmissions. Westside claimed that he caused the clutch to wear out in less than six months and 9,718 miles. Clearly there is a problem with the vehicle if it needs two completely-new clutches in that period of time and low mileage. We are very disappointed and dissatisfied with both Volkswagen quality and Westside VW for not standing by their product. [XXX] is terrified that, despite his most cautious driving, the clutch will again fail in six months or so. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2024
Dec 2023

Vehicle at 40,000 miles needs a clutch repair. I have owned a standard vehicle my whole life and never had this issue. Looking online there are tons of reports of others having the same issue and Volkswagen not saying there is an issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2023
Dec 2023

At ~44,000, in a vehicle we bought 3 months earlier from OffLeaseOnly, the clutch burned out and the car ceased forward propulsion on a deserted country road driven by a very experienced manual car driver who had not burned through a clutch in his driving career. There were no warning lights. It put three people at risk. OffLeaseOnly - had done a full inspection AND stood behind their sale by paying for the new clutch assembly. The clutch and associated mechanism was fully replaced by 12/17/2021 by Niello VW. Vehicle was driven from January - August by same driver. There were occasional clutch burning smells but mechanical inspection did not reveal any issue. The car was not driven regularly from Sept - March 2023. Prior to our daughter driving it starting at the end of March, we had it reviewed by a local mechanic who found no issues with the vehicle. At ~54,000 miles, on May 10, the vehicle was being driven on US HWY 280 between San Carlos and Redwood City, CA. Suddenly, the vehicle would not shift and would not go above 40 mph. The very new driver was able to successfully maneuver to the shoulder and bring the car to a stop. Her safety was definitely at risk as 280 is a congested, fast moving highway where the average speed is 75 mph. The clutch was burning. CA HWY Patrol pulled the car to a park in Woodside where it was collected by a flatbed and brought to Boardwalk VW. Once again, the clutch is completely burned out. Boardwalk VW is tearing down the transmission to see if there is a cause for the multiple clutch burnouts. We have multiple manual vehicles - this is only happening with the VW Jetta. I’ve driven manual cars since 1987 and this has NEVER happened with any of them. We are awaiting Boardwalk VW assessment of the cause. There were no warning lights. There were no symptoms of the problem until the car ceased to operate. Both times, we have brought the car to a VW dealer for inspection and repair.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2023
Feb 2023

Vehicle has auto hold feature which activates on an incline. UNABLE TO TURN OFF. when driving a manual transmission car, this is causing premature clutch wear. Brake will be engaged for 3 seconds even when gas pedal is depressed. people unaware of this feature can let go of gas pedal and brake causing a roll back into another vehicle or object.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: May 2022
Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at slower speeds or slowing for traffic signals at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle would jolt as the transmission automatically downshifted. The contact stated that the vehicle would also jolt into gear and hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal to accelerate. The contact stated that the transmission in emergency mode warning light recently illuminated during a transmission hard shift failure. The contact stated that almost one year ago the check engine warning light illuminated while the transmission was shifting roughly. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure and the jolting of the transmission while shifting, with the vehicle shaking abnormally. The contact had taken the vehicle to an auto parts vendor who ran a diagnostic test and retrieved the following codes: P0562 (Power Train - System Voltage Low); P0733 (Gear 3 Incorrect Ration); P072B00 (Stuck In Reverse). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2022
Oct 2022

I have had to replace two manual transmission clutches. The first was at 19,261 miles. The second was at 50,358 miles. Both times the engine excessively revved up while driving without shifting and there was a putrid and foul smell of burning rubber along with smoke. VW repair shop isn't taking ownership of a defective transmission, defective clutch, or defective material. I had to have the vehicle towed both times because the vehicle was not safe to drive.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2022
Mar 2022

2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER IS ALSO SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE ON VEHICLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2022
Sep 2021

NOISE ON DRIVELINE 25 TO 35 UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE ESPECIALLY IN ECO MODE. SOUNDS LIKE METALLIC RATTLE. MOMENTARILY LOSES POWER AT THAT TIME. ALSO, WHEN IN ANY SELECTION EXCEPT SPORT MODE IT DOESN'T SHIFT DOWN UNY GEARS UNTIL ALMOST WOTH THROTTLE FLOORED. THEN SHIFTS DOWN 2 OR 3 GEARS AND RACES AT A FAST SPEED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2020
Aug 2021

2019 VW Jetta SE 1.4 tsi *82000 miles *regular car maintenance There is a weird grinding/ whirring noise when accelerating around 1500-2500 rpm id say 2ed or 3ed gear so around 25-35mph. I havent got any warning lights and from what i can read online from numerous others with the same year make and model i have this is a known problem. Ive tried getting it into the dealership but they keep telling me they dont have any loaner cars for me to use because 2021 customer's are priority reason for the loaner is because it takes 3 days for them to be able to proform a full diagnosic on the car but i have took the car to the VW dealer in union city ga 2 times the first time they said the noise was the turbo wastegate and after 8 long hours in the waiting room i get the car back and the dar after the noise is back (on the paper from them the part number isnt a wastegate repair its a boost sensor and my research shows the turbo that VW puts on the car dont make just the wastegate to repair the whole turbo has to be replaced) the second time i took it up there for the same problem they lied about having a loaner car and made me waste a hour drive and gas and i had to ask for the day off to do this. The safty issue concerned with is that when this noise happens its like the car has low power the the specified rpm/mph and when it passes that threshold it takes off and jerks my head back to the headrest reguardless how much the gas pedal is being pushed with the sudden power it could cause me to rear end someone. Another thing im concerned about is that this problem could be due to another car component failing witch could become something serious to be a newer car i dont believe this should be happening ive tried to get it seen about and have had nothing but problems and feel like its getting worse is there anything that could be done to get this looked at and again there are numerous reports online about the same exact problem im having with the 2019 VW jetta se 1.4tsi

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2021
May 2021

TRANSMISSION MAKING A RATTLING NOISE, LIKE LOOSE METAL. ENGINE LAGS POWER BETWEEN 35 - 45 MPH. THEN THE NOISE FADES AWAY. ITS MORE NOTICEABLE ON ECO MODE. VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE ABOUT THIS SITUATION, THEY HAVE SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO HELP THE POWER LOSE ISSUE. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION SEEPS OIL AT THE MATING SURFACE WITH THE ENGINE. DEALER SAYS IT'S NORMAL NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE OIL LEAK IS NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR THEM TO FIX IT. I DON'T THINK THAT'S NORMAL, I HAVEN'T HAD A CAR THAT MADE A NOISE LIKE THAT, IT'S NERVE WRECKING I DON'T WANT MY YOUNG SON GET STUCK ON THE FREEWAY ITS DANGEROUS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2018
Dec 2020

TRANSMISSION IS MAKING THIS AWFUL GRINDING NOISE AND WHEN IT MAKES THE NOISE THE VEHICLE HAS LITTLE POWER TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. IVE NEVER HAD A CAR MAKE SUCH AN AWFUL NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO LOSE POWER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2000 MILES IT NEVER DID THAT PRIOR TO THE 2K MILE MARK. THE CAR HAS 6800 MILES ON IT AND IT DOES THIS EVERYTIME I DRIVE NOW.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2020
Nov 2020

VEHICLE MAKES AN INFREQUENT AND INTERMITTENT GROWL AT ABOUT 25 MPH UNDER MILD ACCELERATION.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2020
Nov 2020

HAS HAD A GRINDING SOUND IN TRANSMISSION BETWEEN 35-45 MPH. WHEN THIS SOUND IS HEARD THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER AND IS VERY RELUCTANT TO DOWNSHIFT, SINCE DAY ONE. IT CAN BE HEARD IN ANY DRIVING MODE BUT IS WORSE IN "NORMAL" AND ALMOST NOT DRIVABLE IN "ECO". MANY HAVE SUBMITTED THIS ISSUE, AND HAVE RECEIVE THE SAME RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, "IT'S NORMAL" BUT IT IS ANYTHING BUT NORMAL FOR A CAR TO BEHAVE THIS WAY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2020
Nov 2020

HAS HAD A GRINDING SOUND IN TRANSMISSION BETWEEN 35-45 MPH. WHEN THIS SOUND IS HEARD THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER AND IS VERY RELUCTANT TO DOWNSHIFT, SINCE DAY ONE. IT CAN BE HEARD IN ANY DRIVING MODE BUT IS WORSE IN "NORMAL" AND ALMOST NOT DRIVABLE IN "ECO". MANY HAVE SUBMITTED THIS ISSUE, AND HAVE RECEIVE THE SAME RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, "IT'S NORMAL" BUT IT IS ANYTHING BUT NORMAL FOR A CAR TO BEHAVE THIS WAY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2020
Nov 2020

I WAS GETTING READY TO PULL OUT OF TACO BELL (JUST LEFT DRIVE THRU WINDOW AND PULLING UP TO CROSS THE STREET) WHEN THE ERROR MESSAGE "ONLY EXIT VEHICLE IN P POSITION" & "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" POPPED UP AND HAS THE ORANGE TRIANGLE(WITH EXCLAMATION MARK IN IT) LIT UP

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2020
Nov 2020

THE CLUTCH IS WEARING OUT IN 6,000 MILES. THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH WAS REPLACED AROUND 6,000 MILES. THE SECOND CLUTCH IS NOW IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AFTER ANOTHER 6,000 MILES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2020
Nov 2020

THE TRANSMISSION OR TORQUE CONVERTER IS MAKING A GRINDING NOISES AT 28MPH AND 39MPH. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR WITH UNDER 100 MILES ON IT. THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON THIS ISSUE. VW NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2020
Oct 2020

GRINDING / SCRAPING NOISE SHIFTING FROM AROUND 3RD TO 4TH GEAR WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2020
Sep 2020

2 SECOND DELAY FOR TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT WHEN PASSING CARS. DANGEROUS WHEN PASSING CARS ON 2 LANE HIGHWAY DUE TO LACK OF POWER. .

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2020
Aug 2020

THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS GROUND GOING INTO REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE JETTA'S. WHILE DRIVING, I WILL PUT IT INTO 1ST GEAR AND START MOVING, AND THEN IT WILL EITHER GET "STUCK" INTO FIRST OR SECOND GEAR, I CAN TAKE IT OUT OF GEAR BUT CANNOT ENGAGE ANOTHER GEAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU CAN SMELL THE CLUTCH BURNING. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ASSURED ME MY TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH WERE FINE. DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, ONLY ABOUT ONCE A MONTH AND IT HAPPENS IN VARYING WEATHER CONDITIONS. NO TWO TIMES WERE THE CONDITIONS THE SAME. I HAVE NOT CHANGED MY DRIVING, I AM NOT HARD ON MY VEHICLES. MY 2014 FIESTA ST HAD THE STOCK TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH UNTIL I SOLD IT IN 2019, NEVER SLIPPED OR GROUND INTO GEARS, ALONG WITH MY 6 OTHER MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES I'VE OWNED. I FEEL LIKE VOLKSWAGEN JUST DOESN'T WANT TO FIX THEIR TERRIBLE TRANSMISSIONS AND CLUTCHES AND TRIES TO BLAME IT ON USER ERROR.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2019

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta has 108 Power Train complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.