Check a VIN

Volkswagen Jetta hesitation problems

168 of the 9,926 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Jetta describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2010 model year.

owner complaints
168
worst model year
2010
typical repair cost reported
$2,000
typical mileage
30,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Stalling 42Check engine light 25Jerking 22Loss of power 15Fuel pump 11Won't shift 8Harsh shifting 7Grinding brakes 7

Trouble codes mentioned

P2004 1P1472 1P1435 1P1421 1P1198 1P1117 1P0733 1P0562 1P0343 1P0140 1

What owners say

Filed Aug 15, 2024 · Brakes, Fuel system · AZ

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The components that failed or malfunctioned include the rear brake system and the EVAP (Evaporative Emission Control) system of my 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SE 1.5T FWD. Both components are available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The safety risks include premature wear of the rear brakes, which could lead to reduced braking efficiency or failure, especially under emergency braking situations. The EVAP system malfunction poses an environmental risk by potentially releasing excessive emissions, and it could also lead to engine performance issues, including stalling or hesitation during acceleration, which may cause hazardous driving conditions. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the issues with both the rear brakes and the EVAP system have been reproduced and confirmed by the service departments at two authorized Volkswagen dealerships. Despite multiple repair attempts, the problems have not been fully resolved. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by Volkswagen service departments, but no inspections have been conducted by the police or insurance representatives. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, for the EVAP system, the check engine light illuminated repeatedly, indicating a malfunction. The brake issues were not accompanied by warning lamps but were noticeable through audible grinding noises and reduced braking performance, which started occurring within the first few thousand miles after purchasing the vehicle. The brake issue was first reported to the dealer when the vehicle had less than 10,000 miles.

Filed Jun 10, 2024 · Fuel system · 36,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 15 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate and lost motive power. The driver was able to drive to the destination, after which the driver observed fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel rail. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V648000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the VIN was included, and the vehicle was repaired, but the failure occurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed Nov 17, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Engine misfire on all cylinders. Engine start/stop failure, check engine light illuminates. Vehicle hesitates and looses power when accelerating. Vehicle then stalls while operating. Happens while in traffic or trying to pull out from intersection causing vehicle to stop in roadway. Almost causes crashes from rear due to sudden stop and sides due to not clearing the intersection. Dealer confirmed the issue but states there is no repair or known fix. Dealer said to use premium fuel which is not required by manufacturer. Problem still occurred with premium fuel. Several trips to two separate dealers and both state there is no fix for the dangerous issue just to keep driving it. The vehicle is available for inspection. This issues is occurring in other 2022 jettas and Taos models. Dealer stated they were aware of the issue but vw does not have a fix. Has occurred multiple times with my vehicle.

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 Jul 27, 2023 · Fuel system, Transmission · 52,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to merge into another lane, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · FL

So it appears to be fine until about 30/45 mins drive time Then it starts shifting/slamming real hard and hesitates to shift in the next gear To the point where stopping and going isn’t an option or it slips After about 45 mins all the prnds lights turned on and did the same in manual mode.. I read someone it’s a valve body that leads to a faulty Tranny I’ve read almost 150 of the same exact accounts on here and Reddit With the same 2006 Vw Jetta 2.5 It’s too common of an issue Most of them were under 100k miles and never dealt with by the manufacturer Myself my car has roughly 168k miles and I’ve been working to fix it up I just got it a month or so ago And now I have to deal with this Honestly is sad that VW hasn’t been held accountable for an issue that is WAY TOO COMMON to not be their fault. I understand the car is almost 20 years old but a bunch of these accounts i were reading dated as far back as 2009 with 86k miles it’s a shame..

Filed Aug 27, 2022 · Transmission · IN

This is a hybrid car and the power train at low rpm’s should transfer the fuel source from gas to battery. This function should occur in a stop position as well. The car now shifts in and out of battery power source and hesitates severely from a stop position. It sounds very much like the recall of over 25% of these vehicles for the mechtronic issues. My car was not included in the recall but I believe this is the same or similar dangerous issue. I have communicate that with VWoA with no results.

Filed Jun 4, 2021 · Acceleration · MI

Vehicle hesitates on takeoff. It's a huge safety concern. When you push the throttle from a stand still or low speed, it doesn't respond..

Filed Mar 16, 2021 · Fuel system · 125,000 miles · GA

Car is randomly bucking and or hesitating. Many times in the middle of a busy intersection, and kills the engine. I'm going to get killed if this continues to happen. Its been doing this for months.

Filed Aug 9, 2020 · Transmission · 60,264 miles · NY

When accelerating or decelerating, the vehicle bucks forward or hesitates. This happens at lights and stop sign. The car was bought certified used the warrant was up in january 2019 and/or 60,000 miles. The problem started in may 2019 with 60264 miles. Local dealer told us that clutch 1 and 2 reached their tolerance call corporate and ask for a good faith repair. Corporate told us to get in touch dealer where car was bought and ask them for a good faith repair. Seller where we purchased it told us corporate needed to authorize a good faith repair. Bucking and hesitation could cause collision.

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and linesReported April 15, 2014 · 26,452 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
Risk
The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.

Recall number 14V182000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported August 20, 2009 · 16,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between september 2008 and august 2009. The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the direct shift gearbox (dsg) may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped. With insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the transmission to abruptly shift to neutral. If this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash. In addition, the "depress brake pedal" indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes.
Risk
The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
Remedy
Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall began on october 20, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.

Recall number 09V333000 · Recall details

Power train: driveline: driveshaftReported May 19, 2009 · 25,594 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen is recalling 25,594 my 2006-2009 jetta 5th generation equipped with 2.01 engine. The fastening screw contact surfaces on the driveshaft cover plate may not have been manufactured to factory specifications. Some screws may not have been torqued properly during assembly and could loosen over time, causing a knocking sound when the vehicle is in motion. The driveshaft screws could loosen to the point where the driveshaft detaches from the gearbox.
Risk
If the vehicle is moving when this happens, the detached driveshaft could cause damage the gearbox housing. A damage gearbox housing could leak gearbox oil onto the street and create a risk of a vehicle crash for both the driver and other motorists.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the driveshaft screws and replace the screws free of charge. The recall began on june 24, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.

Recall number 09V164000 · Recall details

Questions about the Volkswagen Jetta hesitation

Which Volkswagen Jetta years have hesitation when accelerating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2010 (27 complaints), 2009 (19 complaints) and 2006 (11 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix hesitation when accelerating on the Volkswagen Jetta?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,000 (median of 18 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Volkswagen Jetta?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history