2016 Volkswagen Jetta: complete transmission failure

Filed Jun 27, 2025 · Transmission · NC

Vehicle begins to shudder and slow with no response to attempts to accelerate and eventually stop completely though engine is still on. This has happened on multiple occasions and in many driving situations including on busy streets or in the middle of turning which is a huge risk for an accident! Can restart with regular acceleration after a few minutes. Service indicators will come on with codes indicating transmission related issues. Have had transmission flushed without significant change with transmission replacement as next step.

Filed May 7, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · IL

The transmission failed due to mechatronics failure without warning

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Transmission · NY

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). According to the technician at the Volkswagon dealership it was a complete internal failure of the transmission, with an estimated cost of $8,600 for a new transmission. Looked up the issue on a popular car complaint site and saw the exact same symptoms from another driver but their technician suggested to replace the Mechatronic J743 with the transmission hydraulic pressure sensor G270. Their repair estimate was approximately $3,800. I brought this issue up to my technician's representative but I feel it fell onto deaf ears. Considering commission being attributed to the cost of repairs, I don't think it would be unbiased. I contacted VW customer service as I was told this was a "known issue" for the hybrid models and my year being the last of the 4 years in production. They were no help either. Major loss of trust on this car and Volkswagon in general.

Filed Nov 3, 2021 · Transmission · MI

This driver has been quoted for a new transmission by VW. There is an existing recall for 2013-2015 Jetta hybrids for the same symptoms as listed below. The issue was preceded by a check engine light and a service hybrid system light and inconsistent braking force that would often pose a system risk as regenerative braking would often stop working forcing the driver to quickly apply more pressure unexpectedly (almost resulting in front end accidents). Now , the car is jerky while stopping and still unpredictable in its application of brake force. When taking off from lights, occasionally the transmission will stop providing power from the hybrid system to the wheels forcing driver to stop and restart the car in the intersection resulting in near accidents. The car’s gas engine often will fail to start while driving resulting in a loss of power when the car’s hybrid battery is depleted. The driver has had to pull over to stop and restart the car. Failure to start often happens on first startup as well. The car will no longer remain in electric mode due to this issue and often cycles the engine on and off many times while sitting at red lights.

Filed Dec 21, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · FL

2016 jetta se1.4 new for 18 year old son for college. Within a week car was in the shop with electrical issues for lighter and USB shorting out phone + radar while the car was driving. No issue found we drove 1000+miles to school, center console would blink on and off during the trip. New dealer also did not find any issues. Car then started shutting off while driving under 5 MPH in traffic in nyc. When coming out of the driveway the rear view camera turned off, the car turned off. Vw was called they had him turn off the power by holding the pushbutton and break which restarted the car. New dealer still no issue found. The car continues to loose power all except auxiliary several incidents very unsafe. Was going up a hill and the car shifted into neutral and started rolling back, applied the handbrake the back wheels locked and the car stopped thankfully it was at night and no traffic. Two days later at jfk in the arrival line the car shut off while creeping forward. Took it to another new dealer they kept the car for one week, no issue found. Issues continued now including slipping out of gear revving to 8000rpm, having to push far down for the brake to engage. All the lights turn off while driving intermittently very unsafe. Took it to new dealer they found no issue I refused to pick it up and called vw corp they had them drive the car for 50 miles finally an error message. They replaced the transmission solenoid. It is still having issues.the car overheated and the electrical stopped working. He smelled the coolant threw the vents he was about to pull over when the car revved to 8000 RPM and dropped out of gear so he pulled over and slowed down the lights and radio turned off. When he looked the exhaust manifold was glowing red. The car took an hr to cool down and electrical to come back. Back to the dealer again no issues again called vw corp for complaint.