2019 Volkswagen Jetta: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · 45,000 miles · VT

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that after driving and shifting into reverse(R), the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the valve body, the wiring harness, and all fluids needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, after driving 5 miles, the vehicle started jerking and the message "Transmission Error - Please Pull Over Safely" was displayed. The vehicle was towed back to the same dealer, where the contact was informed that the seal was installed incorrectly, and the seal and the valve needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred the same day. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was determined that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the engine revved, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. There was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle lost motive power. The message "Error Start/Stop" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Engine · NJ

Started car in the morning to go to work and 20 minutes later heard loud clunking coming from engine bay. Pulled over and got towed. Upper timing cover was removed and found that screws from camshaft phasers had backed out causing issue. Issue was confirmed at German car shop. No prior problems. Mentioned at last service visit that a rattling was coming from the engine bay. Was told that it was normal. Googled issue and found multiple people complaining of same issue. Car has not ever had work done in that area. Seems like a failure of quality control in the factory.

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · KS

When the 8-speed automatic transmission attempts to shift from 3rd to 4th gear it will slip into neutral causing the engine to redline at maximum RPM. The accelerator pedal does not function and poses a serious safety issue. The vehicle will unexpectedly stall when the auto start stop is used and intermittently requires you to shift into park and restart the engine. The transmission also has difficulty shifting into reverse and puts the vehicle in neutral until it slams into gear.

Filed Aug 1, 2023 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Apr 10, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 39,000 miles · CA

Bought 2019 jetta in sept. 2018. Jetta se, habanero orange. Currently has 39,500 miles on it. Had been complaining to the service department ever since my first oil change (roughly 5000 miles). I change the oil every 5000, and every time I asked about it, they refused to acknowledge the issue. No recall. However, at 39,000 miles my car began "hard-shifting" and would get stuck/locked in gear at slow traffic speeds (20-40mph). It would then slam into gear, and I would continue on my way. Took the car into volkswagen, requested to see the foreman to replicate my issue. Talked to vw customer care in order to open a case. Replicated the issue with the foreman, and they took my car for inspection and repair. They found as follows: - burnt transmission fluid - metal shavings in the transmission fluid - metal shavings in the oil - metal shavings in the oil cooler. Car felt very unsafe for regular use. Car would not drive correctly. Being stuck in gear requires me to pull the vehicle over during freeway driving. Would not allow me to accelerate correctly. Happened during slow speeds, roughly 25-40mph, also, while speeding up to roughly 60mph.

Filed Jul 5, 2019 · Transmission · 2,700 miles · FL

Automatic transmission grinding, bogging, shaking while driving. When letting off the gas the transmission clunks and the car shakes. Happens while driving between 25-50mph.