2006 Volkswagen Jetta: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jun 27, 2020 · Transmission · 102,344 miles · FL

I have a 2006 jetta that I just got from a friend, they stated that it needed some sensors like the maf replaced. I spent the 39.99 and bought the carfax report as well to ensure it was a good car. Everything was great until I drove it for the first time longer than 20 or 30 minutes. I started to experience the transmission slipping when it got hot and the gears not shifting. As I began to look up these symptoms to verify what the issue was I ran into some very concerning statements. Multiple sources say the cars are known for having bad transmissions/ valve body issues. Hundreds of people driving 2006 vw jetta 2.5 liter automatic cars were having the same issue with the hard shifting and slipping and some were worse than that. My car only has 103,000 miles on it and many of these other vehicles were between 75k and 140k. Having to have entire transmissions replaced. I have not had any issues when I'm on the highway and not needing to switch gears but stop and go traffic is impossible to drive in. It discourages me that so many people are having this issue and a recall has never been issued for it. There is no warranty anymore . Multiple mechanics have looked at the car and immediately stated that the 09g valve cover that vw used was notorious for these issues and they are still pretty common. Https://www.transmissionrepaircostguide.com/volkswagen-jetta-transmission-problems/ https://m.carcomplaints.com/volkswagen/jetta/2006/transmission/transmission_failure.shtml https://youtu.be/impmdingzog https://youtu.be/glitvicekfc https://youtu.be/qegq0d2nmom https://youtu.be/5kvgsjaxato https://youtu.be/scj0fmncnnm https://www.jettaforums.com/forum/volkswagen-jetta-general-discussion/571-2006-jetta-automatic-transmission-problems.html#/topics/571 https://www.carproblemzoo.com/volkswagen/jetta/transmission-gear-slipping-problems.php.

Filed May 23, 2016 · Airbags, Transmission · 133,176 miles · VA

Transmission hard shifting within 15 minutes of vehicle start. Loud clunk noise thru 4 gears. Car in garage. Ost 50-75 degrees. Air bag light comes on with wiring extension completed.

Filed Jul 1, 2015 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · AZ

Transmission shifting problem. The transmission was not controlling at any nominal cruising speed, or when accelerating from a stop. Safety concern. Car was shifting when it didn't need to shift, I.e. Out of 6th at high speeds when the terrain and speed hadn't changed. It would shift out of gear the way you do in a manual transmission, but instead of shifting back in immediately, it would hesitate (rpms drop significantly) so that the car was essentially idling between gears. Then it would shift back in to a gear for a few seconds, and then shift again inappropriately with the same hesitation. When it would shift back in sometimes it would do the hard shift. The check engine light came on at times but not always. The car couldn't seem to figure out what gear it needed to be in, and it kept shifting in and out of the higher gears even though the driver hadn't changed the speed and the terrain was the same. It was much worse during the heat of the day. Whereas the problem is hardly perceptible at night. Still it seemed to be shifting between 6th down to 5th when it didn't need to. The problem seems to repeat over and over. The check engine light came on at some point, but was not on this morning.

Filed Jan 30, 2015 · Transmission · 134,975 miles · AZ

After replacing the cam shaft and timing belt I took the car for a test drive. The problems were apparent, a hard shift from a stop into first gear and hard shifts all the way to 4th gear. From a full stop it will not respond to the accelerator and if it does it jolts. Multiple times crossing traffic the accelerator does not respond, and I have nearly been hit multiple times. I brought it into a service shop and they have said it is the mechatronics unit that controls the transmission. I was told that is an issue in many vehicles like mine, and to report it to the federal safety agency and volkswagen.

Filed Jul 21, 2012 · Transmission · 22,314 miles · CA

Recurring dsg transmission problems: first reported to vw in january of 2006 with failure to downshift at 22k miles (no problem found/no codes).in 2010 reported loss of power and or shifting in and out of gear during high ambient temperature. In june of 2012; from parking, delayed shifting into reverse or drive and then violently engaging. On return from arizona, again high temp, for approximately 100 -150 miles would lose power to wheels and then would return to normal repeatedly. Vw will not cover 2006 jetta under dsg recall (I believe there are two recalls). Cost of new dsg transmission quoted at $7000.00!

Filed Mar 9, 2011 · Transmission · 29,476 miles · NE

While driving on a divided highway changed from 3rd to 4th gear. Vehicle clutch engaged odd and upon slowing to a red light vehicle would not shift properly. Attempted to go at green light and clutch gave out midway through intersection and stalled car. Got vehicle going before a collision. Had vehicle towed to local vw dealership (performance, omaha) who told me that the luk clutch was not a warranty item and the recalls only applied to sacs. Vw of america (the rep had only worked with vw for 3 months) seemed to be clueless and only backed up dealers assessment. Dealer informed me that many vw come in with less than 30k miles and clutch problems which is a poor and dangerous design to have it fail before 80k miles. Clutch linkage was found to be the problem and was broken, one hard shift due to a broken linkage caused the clutch plate to shred. Total charge quoted $2200 out of pocket for a manufacturer design flaw.

Filed Dec 30, 2010 · Transmission · 39,000 miles · CA

There are acknowledged transmission failures in the 2003-2008 vw jettas. They hard shift from 1/2 and 2/3. This causes the vehicle to be unpredictable during acceleration, especially during merging which is extremely dangerous. Vw sent notices of "warranty extensions" to 7 years or 100,000 miles. However, this does not cover a majority of effected vehicles. 2003's would already be over 7 years old and an average mileage. Owner-[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Apr 21, 2010 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · IL

2.0t engine with dsg triptronic transmission. I've noticed, this occurs when the car has been driven for about an hour (give or take) and it happens in stop and go traffic. This occurs usually during a stop light/stop sign or stop and go traffic. As you have come to a complete stop and release the brake pedal to start moving (in other words no pedal being pressed) the car tends shift/jerk before you press the accelerator. In many occasions, you need to slam the brakes so the car doesn't launch itself to hit a car/traffic in front of you. This "acceleration/launch/trans jerk" last about 1-3 seconds at that point you hear some "metal clunk or some type of metal hitting noise". In one instance, the car's shift indicator went blank and the car didn't respond in highway traffic. Pulled to the side, and car was normal again. There is serious accident potential with this problem. I see there are a lot of complaints with this transmission from other owners (from seeing complaints on this website) including a neighbor 2006 jetta with dsg transmission & friend who has a 2007 gti with a 2.0t engine & dsg trans-both have same problem. I really hope someone does and finally look into this problem and help us consumers and most importantly, before someone becomes hurt. Car is currently at dealer, however, they say they can't find nothing wrong with it.

Filed Sep 30, 2009 · Suspension, Transmission · 7,000 miles · CO

Transmission lurch forward, sometimes skip the shifts,also shifts are delayed or eng rev,too high and downshifthing it kicks 2 to 1and there's a clunking noise.

Filed Sep 13, 2009 · Transmission · 30,100 miles · WA

2006 jetta gli with dsg gearbox, repeated transmission clunking (in automatic mode) when downshifting from 2nd to 1st, and harsh thunking in first gear from a stop engine revs up but car will not move for 1 to two seconds then thunk and car surges forward. Also thunking when shifting gear selector into reverse. Has occurred intermittently and often since oct 2007. Poses dangerous situation at intersections and in stop and go driving with potential intermittent loss of forward motion and sudden forward surging affecting the safe driveability of the vehicle couple of times narrowly missed running into the vehicle in front of me due to sudden lurching of the vehicle. Dealer replaced transmission temperature sensor in late 2008, but problem recurred and persisted afterwards. After few more incidents and visits to dealer through jun 2009 was informed mechatronics unit was faulty and would be replaced. Waited 42 days with car left with dealer for new part to be delivered from factory " due to backlog' , in meantime car was recalled for transmission bolt replacement/inspection. Finally received "fixed" car with new mechatronics unit and problem recurred the same day three miles away from the dealership in stop and go traffic. Was told that transmission 'needed to re-learn my driving pattern" and to drive it around for a while to see if the issue would go away. Issue subsequently recurred repeatedly over a one week period especially when moving from a stop, with engine revving up then a sudden thunk and forward surge of vehicle. Returned vehicle to dealer last week still waiting for resolution.

Filed Jul 17, 2009 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · CO

When I bought my 2006 vw jetta tdi the dsg transmission worked fine. At about 50,000 miles the transmission has progressively become rougher and rougher and is now bordering on unsafe. When I start moving from a complete stop the car jerks back and forth making it frightening to pull out into traffic. Also the car slams into the lower gears when downshifting. Sometimes when I press the gas pedal from a stop the car hesitates for a few seconds before slamming into gear. When backing up it is hard to control because of the surging. Unfortunately my car is out of warranty and I cannot afford to spend $3000 to pay for vw to fix this know defect in the dsg transmission.

Filed Oct 20, 2008 · Transmission · 67,000 miles · MN

My 2006 tdi, vw jetta: about 6 months ago I began hearing clunking noise related to transmission/clutch. On friday october 17 on interstate highway 35e clutch failed completely. The vehicle has 67,000 miles on it.