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Volkswagen Jetta knocking problems

58 of the 9,925 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Jetta describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
58
worst model year
2006
typical repair cost reported
$3,800
typical mileage
57,800
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2023
    1
  • 2022
    1
  • 2019
    4
  • 2016
    2
  • 2015
    3
  • 2014
    3
  • 2013
    3
  • 2012
    2
  • 2011
    4
  • 2010
    5
  • 2009
    4
  • 2008
    2
  • 2007
    3
  • 2006
    7
  • 2004
    1
  • 2003
    1
  • 2002
    3
  • 2001
    5
  • 2000
    2
  • 1999
    1
  • 1997
    1

What owners say

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Driver assistance, Engine · SC

Initial call out for oil change and investigation of oil consumption and knocking from engine. Upon examination in person the timing cover was found to be heavily leaking and had pools of oil around the valleys that surround it. further examination if taking the cover off revealed metal shavings and debris caked all around the interior of the cover and deep inside the engine and oil in areas where there should not be. Even further investigations revealed that one of the bolts on the cam gear was missing and after researching it was found that this is a common issue/failure found on many of the 1.4tsi engines but is not widespread enough to form a recall as of yet. Many reports state very similar issues of the cam gear/phaser bolts becoming loose and falling down into the engine causing catastrophic failure and metal shavings/debris/fragments inside the engine. I paid nearly 18k$ just to drive the car about 10k miles and still owe 6300$ on the vehicle. This has completely turned my life upside down. Now I have no job, no way to take car of my elderly mom and barely able to take care of myself now that my engine has almost completed failed, if continued to drive the way it is, it may catch fire/explode. Im going to have a professional try to fix this issue but its going to cost more than I have. VWOA refused to help in any way since the vehicle is out of warranty. Vehicle is at 62388 in miles. I noticed the engine knocking while in a McDonald's drive thru i was about 800 miles until oil change was needed. So I took it home to check oil and it was extremely low.

Filed Sep 26, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

2013 Jetta TDI with 92k miles. I am the third owner of this car which has been regularly maintained since new with all service records, including a 2019 emissions modification per VW recall. I bought this vehicle less than a year ago. My son was driving to work when the car shut off without warning. He was able to restart it and park safely and had it towed home. After replacing the battery and a fuse, the car continued to show a code for the ECM Power Relay Load Circuit . We took it to the mechanic to have it inspected, and learned that the high pressure fuel pump had imploded and metal shavings were found throughout the entire fuel system. This is evidently a common and very costly issue that VW has an obligation to fix. They knowingly continue to use a defective part that is essentially a ticking time bomb without regard to the owners safety and the financial ramifications of the repair. All VW vehicles with this defect should be covered by VW, not just selected model years and models. This causes catastrophic damage and VW is completely negligent by not doing what is right by the customer. The VW dealer quoted a $9,000. repair and VW North America declined any assistance with the vehicle. The car is not worth that, and it would be absurd to pay out of pocket for the repair; especially since VW continues to use a defective designed HPFP that can eventually fail again. VW was selective in the model years that they recalled, but only after the parts failed. They should have applied the recall and repairs to ALL vehicles proactively. I now have a 2013 paperweight in my driveway. The reason I purchased this specific car was for the longevity that diesels are known for. What a shame that VW does not rectify the situation in lieu of the previous diesel scandal. I'll be going back to Volvo or Subaru, two companies that I have had great experiences with, both in safety and reliability. VW should do the right thing, but I guess that's of no importance anymore.

Filed Aug 8, 2024 · Engine · TX

My car has been recalled twice for a camshaft which is making a ticking noise inside still. I reached out to dealership and they said they can only handle the situation once they get approval from the federal safety agency. Please help me out with this issue. Below are the recall codes 23R1 - Camshaft 24DR - ECM Thankyou.

Filed Jun 12, 2024 · Fuel system · UT

High pressure fuel pump failed on a 2013 TDI diesel. Every other manufacturer was forced to recall / replace the Bosch CP4 hpfp , why was volkswagen's not recalled? The failure of this component stops the car on the interstate. VW offered a 10 year extended warranty while all other manufacturers recalled and replaced the pump. The failure mode is a slow degradation of the internal components becuase it is not designed properly for ultra low sulfur diesel in the united states. It's not acceptable to just extend the warranty on a component that is a ticking time bomb. The failure can be at 2,000 miles, or it can be at 200,000 miles, but it will fail due to the missed engineering specification on diesel fuel. These are very common failures continuing to happen with VW diesel cars and continuin to put people at risk for a known problem that was not properly addressed.

Filed Feb 4, 2024 · Brakes, Steering · MD

Rear brakes grinding after 1 year. It also took 8 months for dealer to repair knocking sound on driver side while turning steering wheel to the right.

Filed Nov 18, 2023 · Engine · NJ

Engine experienced excessive oil consumption for years, especially following emissions control software update. Repeated EPC errors where encountered and brought back to multiple dealers who dismissed the issue recommending the use of higher octane fuels and more regular engine oil replacement. Advice was followed. Oil consumption eventually became extreme to the point that in excess of 4 liters where required to fill without any indication of low oil levels. Despite best efforts to maintain engine with sufficient oil to maintain recommend levels many times a year eventual engine knocking was encountered and costly engine replacement was recommended. Issue is well documented publicly with little to no recourse. Car is available for inspection upon request, engine replacement has not been pursued at this time.

Filed Apr 27, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 4,500 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, a knocking sound was coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle started shaking and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine and electronic power control (EPC) warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder of the highway where the vehicle remained. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 4,500.

Filed Mar 16, 2023 · Engine · 77,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a humming and knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 77,000.

Filed May 16, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Motor was replaced at 104,714 miles due to knock in engine. Got car after motor replacement and car is doing same exact thing with less than 5000 miles on new motor. Codes that are appearing are oil pressure switch and power train computer issues.

Filed Mar 15, 2022 · Visibility · GA

The windshield wiper motors are extremely noisy. There is a knock technical service bulletin on this issue but VW says it is not covered as a recall. The issue is that water gets into the improperly sealed motor and then starts to rust the internal metal and then a very loud, noisy whining sound emits from the motor. It should be a recall and it should be replaced for free by Volkswagen. I don’t understand why I should foot the bill for their mistake or their parts supplier’s defect. It does affect safety because the loud wiper motor is a distraction to driving, as well as the unit can potentially seize in the future and cause complete failure of the wiper system.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported February 3, 2017 · 2 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine. These vehicles have an engine that may seize due to an improper casting of the block.
Risk
If the engine seizes, the wheels may suddenly lock up, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen will either buy back the vehicle or replace the engine block, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F4.

Recall number 17V070000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust systemReported September 7, 2011 · 30,294 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 jetta sedan vehicles manufactured from march 18, 2010, through august 22, 2011. Some vehicles had a stainless steel exhaust tip installed at the port during importation. These exhaust tips may extend beyond the original length of the factory-installed exhaust pipes. It is possible for inadvertent contact to occur with a person's leg.
Risk
If the tailpipe extension is hot during inadvertent contact, a burn could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the stainless steel exhaust tips as necessary free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during november 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.

Recall number 11V466000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported September 20, 1995 · 34,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Improper material was used in manufacturing the radiator fan motor shaft causing the shaft to wear and become noisy.
Risk
A worn and noisy fan motor shaft can seize renderingthe fan motor inoperative, eventually causing the engine to overheat and stall. A stalled vehicle in traffic can increase the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the complete cooling fan assembly on vehicle having the potential shaft material problem. Dealers will install a new fan blade including a new lock nut on vehicle with loose fan blade lock nuts.

Recall number 95V178000 · Recall details

Questions about the Volkswagen Jetta knocking

Which Volkswagen Jetta years have engine knocking or ticking problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (7 complaints), 2001 (5 complaints) and 2010 (5 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix engine knocking or ticking on the Volkswagen Jetta?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,800 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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