2002 Volkswagen Jetta: complete transmission failure

Filed Jan 24, 2012 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · MA

Transmission failure resulting in inability to shift above third gear without allowing the car to warm up for 20+ minutes. Sometimes the transmission will slip out of gear and the car will lose all power from the engine. (rpms drop to 0, car will coast).

Filed Dec 30, 2011 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · CA

The transmission started slipping and shifting hard between 2nd and 3rd. This occurrence is due to a faulty transmission control unit and transmission solenoid. If not properly taken care of this might cause a transmission failure and ultimately a transmission crash. This means a new transmission and the cost can range from 3000-7000 dollars. This has happened to many vw owners. Especially volkswagens between 2001-2003.

Filed Oct 7, 2011 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen jetta. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate and jerk forward. The check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostics. The technician stated that there could have been a computer or transmission failure. The technician then advised that the transmission would have to be taken apart to locate the source of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2011 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the transmission would jerk as soon as the vehicle was started. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred four times and he had to replace the transmission once prior to the most recent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offered any assistance since the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jan 5, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 110,000 miles · CA

First issue, the engine is burning oil. I've noticed that my car engine started burning oil when it had about 50,000 miles on it. It took me almost two years to prove to the vw dealership mechanics that the engine is burning oil. At 73,000 miles the vw dealership mechanics rebuilt the engine. My oil consumption normalized. Now, at around 115,000 miles, I've noticed that the engine started burning oil again. 1,800 miles after an oil change, jiffy lube mechanic had to add 2.5qt of oil. Shouldn't the engine last at least 100,000 miles after rebuild? It seems that this engine only lasts 45,000 miles. This feels like a major defect and vw has to recall the engine. Second issue, my car is only 8 years old but it's on its third transmission. I had to replace transmission at 32,000 miles and again at 73,000 miles. I'm at 115,000 and I'm getting very worried because I'm starting to feel little jerks. This looks to be a 40,000 miles transmission. How can vw do this to consumers? It would seem reasonable to me if this transmission gets recalled. I'm not even mentioning many other malfunctions. One of which includes getting flooded during rainy season. I can't believe my car, 2002 vw jetta 2.0l gls was allowed to be on the market.

Filed Sep 3, 2010 · Transmission · 124,600 miles · CO

We have a 2002 volkswagen jetta with the 1.8t engine and the transmission is failing. At times it has gotten stuck in first gear while on the highway. It also slips between second and third gear causing the car to lose all power. In general, it has been a danger to drive on the highway and you cannot get out of the righthand lane because you need to be able to pull quickly to the side in case of a rapid downshift or loss of power while it can't find the gear. Vw repair shop says it is a known problem with this transmission (09a) and that volkswagen has refused to deal with it. The repair cost for a new transmission is $5k!

Filed Jul 20, 2010 · Transmission · CA

At 70000 miles, jetta gls sedan with automatic transmission stopped being able to shift into reverse and started revving hard between 1st and 2nd. Dealership claims no knowledge of the problem, though these forums are full of reports of similar problems. After a series of expensive tests (400$ total) dealership recommends a new transmission to the tune of 5000$, which is approximately 70% of the car's blue book value. Despite the numerous complaints vw refuses to acknowledge the issue or compensate those who have experienced it.

Filed Dec 13, 2009 · Transmission · 9,500 miles · MI

I have spent over 9000.00 since 2004 on repairs on my vw jetta. I complained to the authorized repair shop that my car had to warm up when it was 90 degrees outside for it run without slowing down and almost stopping. I took my car in had bushings replaced and they said my temperature sensor needed replacing. When I got the car back I was having the same problem. I took the car back now they are saying that I need a valve body replaced to the tune of $1600.00. Even then there is no guarantee the problem will be fixed. The other option is to get a new transmission replaced for $3500.00. I honestly think all of these cars are lemons and I would never buy another volkswagen product in my life.

Filed Mar 26, 2009 · Transmission · AR

2002 volkswagen jetta 1.8turbo automatic transmission. Transmission shifts hard from 3rd to 4th gear. Needs new transmission. $4500.

Filed Feb 25, 2009 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · FL

I bought my 2002 jetta 1.8t with an automatic transmission in august of 2006. The day I picked it up, the transmission blew while I was driving. After about 2 months, I finally got it back but the car was still shifting hard and had to bring it back. The car dies randomly, I have had to replace the entire A/C unit as well as numerous other repairs. This morning the car started shaking violently when stopped and when accelerating up to 60 MPH. I have noticed there are over 35 other complaints regarding the transmissions on jetta and from what I have learned informally online, I am not the only one experiencing these problems. Apparently the 2002's were built in mexico and have had a large amount of problems. I am only a college student and would appreciate help resolving the issue of owning a faulty car. I cannot afford to keep up a car that was not made properly in the first place. Thank you!

Filed Feb 19, 2009 · Suspension, Transmission · 87,000 miles · NC · crash

I purchased a 2002 vw in 2005. I had a car accident in dec '08. Shortly after the collision place repaired my car. The vehichle started misfiring and essentially wasn't drivable. The control arm bushing were replaced $800 (at the vw place) and the service dept said that they would check fluids in particular the transmission fluid. I was told that the transmission didn't have the updated tranmission control module (TCM) and had to replaced ( $700 part and 300 labor) the service technican did state that this was the first step in diagnosing and correcting the problem and that that this was a known issue but not a recall. Well $1000 spent on this still did not fix the problem and now they say the next step is to replace the transmission on a car that has 87k miles another 4k. Well, I can honestly say that vw is unreliable and does not stand behind their name, product or reputation. This is shameful. I am very dissafied and learned that there are numerous customer complaints on the web related to transmissiion, TCM on the vw 2002 - 2006 model. Vw should be held liable and compensate for this a defective/inferior product.

Filed Nov 2, 2008 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · IL

I have a 2002 volkswagen automatic tdi jetta and the car will not engage when I shift it in reverse. It either rolls forward or just revs without engaging. I called the dealership and they said the transmission needs to be replaced and it is a common problem with 2002 jetta's. It is not under any warranty and will be costly to fix.