Volkswagen Jetta engine failure problems

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Engine · NC

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was shaking erratically, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel was firm, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with spark plugs and valve cover gasket failures and the engine was cleaned. The contact was informed that the engine was covered in oil. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a smoke and dye test was completed. The contact was informed that the spark plugs and valve cover gaskets needed to be replaced. In addition, a full engine cleaning was needed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the following morning, the contact noticed oil all over the ground underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic where the valve cover gaskets, sealants, and spark plug were replaced. In addition, the engine was cleaned again. The failure reoccurred with the low battery warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the serpentine belt was shredded. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was driven to the residence, but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that in addition, the vehicle was smoking and the engine seized. The contact referenced a recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure.

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Note: (never has any issues before ever as vehicle always maintained and taken directly to vw for maintenance.) /-/———————————————— I was driving: came to a stop: light turned Green proceeded to go through intersection YET VEHICLE. KT NOT MOVE! Put lever into park: turned off car and turned back on : put thr stick BACK INTO DRIVE - NOTHING HAPPENED I GUNNED it BY pushing my foot on the gas VW Jetta ALMOST REDLINED but didnt: was able to get across the interaction as I turned Left . Car sputtered: Car died: CAR CAUGHT FIRE! put fire out with towel: transmission fluid expelled: Car SEIZED ALL MOVEMENT Car would turned on with push start: could put in ALL GEARS BUT WOULD NOT MOVE

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Engine · AL

Car was started on afternoon of XXX and the Low Coolant alert sound and dashboard light came on. Opened hood and car was completely out of coolant. Took to Royal Automotive, Vestavia Hills, AL on Wednesday XXX to be fixed. Dealer assessment was “PERFORMED COOLING SYSTEM LEAK TEST. THE VEHICLE PASSED TEST. CHECK FOR VISUAL LEAKS. FOUND NO LEAKS, BUT FOUND SEEPAGE AT THE HEAD GASKET. VOLKSWAGEN SAID THIS WAS NORMAL PER 00-26-01 - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FLUID LEAKAGE AND SEEPAGE. TOP OFF COOLING SYSTEM.” The car was purchased new by me in October 2022 and my warranty expires in October 2022. It has just over 17,100 miles on it. Further, Volkswagen published a Technical Service Bulletin 15-23-01 - Head Gasket Leakage on XXX documenting known problems with head gaskets for my car’s engine. Despite dealership stating the head gaskets is leaking, Volkswagen stated to the dealership it doesn’t warrant repair. I believe Volkswagen should repair at their expense the defect of their vehicle. The dealership acknowledged the head gasket is clearly “seeping” coolant. Coolant shouldn’t be leaking at all from a closed loop system. This is causing a potential safety issue for my [XXX] daughter who drives the car, as when the head gasket fully fails as documented by Volkswagen, the car could be in traffic and put my daughter’s life and other peoples lives in jeopardy from a blown engine or an overheated engine. It’s unacceptable that Volkswagen’s direction is for us to carry around a gallon of coolant and constantly check the coolant levels because they don’t want to fix their known defect. I called Volkswagen customer care and complained. They refused to assist, stating they stand by the dealership’s assessment. I reminded them that the dealership was doing what Volkswagen directed, but that didn’t change their decision. I asked for escalation, was told it was escalated twice and that their decision is not changing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

Filed Jun 17, 2026 · Brakes · TX

My 2024 Volkswagen Jetta has about 14,429 miles, driven almost entirely on the highway between two Texas cities, with little city traffic and no mountain driving. The rear brakes are wearing out far faster than normal. At a dealer inspection on June 15, 2026, the rear linings measured 1 mm and 2 mm, nearly gone, while the front linings still measured 10 mm. This is the reverse of normal wear, since the fronts do most of the braking and should wear first. The vehicle is available for inspection. This is not sudden. A prior dealer inspection on July 7, 2025 already showed the rear linings (9 mm) more worn than the fronts (11 mm). Between the two inspections the fronts lost about 1 mm while the rears lost about 7 to 8 mm, so the rears are wearing many times faster than the fronts. Both inspections were done and documented by an authorized Volkswagen dealer. Given the low mileage and highway-only use, this cannot be normal wear. The rears are approaching metal-to-metal at very low mileage, which compromises braking and is unsafe. The pattern points to a mechanical defect, such as a seized rear caliper or a dragging or malfunctioning electronic parking brake that keeps the rear brakes partially applied. Premature rear brake wear is widely reported on this model, and the manufacturer issued a rear brake pad warranty extension for affected vehicles, acknowledging excessive wear and possible workmanship issues. No crash, fire, or injury has occurred. I am reporting this so the defect can be investigated and other owners protected.

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Engine · CA

Miles on car 79,000 December 1, 2025 Car started to slow down while driving on bay bridge, San Francisco speed went suddenly from 55 miles an hour to 30 miles and hour Lights went off EPC and RPM maximum was showing on dashboard. Car suddenly started running at 25 to 35 miles an hour while driving on the highway. I was at risk of getting hit by another vehicle since everyone else was driving at 55 and 65 miles an hour on the highway. I was Unable to drive to the mechanic or dealer and requested a towing company to take it to the dealer Important facts to add Transmission was replaced with only 50 thousand miles (2 years after bought from the dealer) On Feb 2025 Car was making noises and showing EPC light and RPM maximum. Car taken to dealer and dealer said that EVAP line was lose and fell from designated connection. Per dealer findings The Engine needs to be replaced at 79,000 miles The car was bought in December 2021 with 22,678 miles. In my opinion the car was sold defective and required two major repairs with less than 79,000 miles

Filed Oct 11, 2025 · Engine · OR

October 9, 2025 EPC light on. October 10, 2025, called Brown's VW in Charlottetown, PEI and brought the car in. The EPC light was off. The scan revealed that turbo on the vehicle had a seized wastegate. The cost of repair is $4,026.85 and a wait for parts. If the EPC light was flashing, the vehicle would buck and stop in the middle of the road causing a safety issue. There were no warnings previous to the EPC light going on. the vehicle is out of warranty but low mileage. Please note I spend 6 months a year in PEI, Canada and 6 months in the US. My address in Canada is: 81 Kilkenny Rd., Rte 250, Harrington, PE CIE 3A5. The vehicle is registered in PEI and had a RIV certificate. I was also told by an independent source that the above problem is common in the Atlantic Provinces because of the position of the wastegate and also the salt in the air in the Atlantic Provinces. I am certain in sea coast areas of the US, there is a similar problem with this VW turbo and the VW Tiguan is also affected. Many years of the VW Jetta have the same problem.

Filed Oct 1, 2025 · Engine · IL

Exhaust camshaft actuator oil cap bolts loosen and fall out and could cause engine failure. Volkswagen has issued a service bulletin for this problem but not a recall.

Filed Jun 19, 2025 · Engine · TN

My camshaft sensors went bad at 77k miles had it towed to auto repair. Auto shop said my timing tensioner and chain were worn and needed replacement. Cost was 6200.00. A month later the engine blew at 81k miles. This was a lease for the first 3 years so all maintenance was done by Volkswagen. I had it serviced three times after that. Sits in my garage half the year as I travel by airplane or tour bus for work so no need to drive all the time. This shouldn’t be happening.

Filed Aug 8, 2024 · Engine · PA

HI, I bought this 2014 VW Jetta with 87,000 miles on it for $12,000 from Conicelli Motors in Conshohocken, PA- Nov 2021. I put $8000 down and had $4000 left to pay on it. I kept up with my oil changes and everything. By Oct 2023, I am being told the engine needs to be replaced. I have let this car sit in the parking lot, and I am still making payments on it. There is no way this car should need a complete motor replacement. From a few mechanics, the cost for a motor to be replaces is about $12000. That is what I paid for the car. Looking at all the 2014 VW Jetta engine recalls, I believe VW is the issue. I don't see a recall with my VIN number, but there should have been one.

Filed Apr 4, 2024 · Fuel system · 108,000 miles · TN

The contact’s daughter owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle was running rough and seized. The contact stated that his daughter smelled fuel that was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated the intake valves were fouled due to the vehicle sucking air and gasoline at an incorrect ratio. The mechanic replaced the intake valves, the parts to the valve, and part of the fuel line; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the intake valve was fouled, and the previous mechanic had not performed the repair properly. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer wanted the contact to undo the work the previous mechanic had performed before performing the recall repair. The contact stated had not received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V648000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.