The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle lost automotive power intermittently, and the vehicle shuddered abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer stated that the cause of the failure was unknown. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
Volkswagen Jetta shudder problems
42 of the 9,926 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Jetta describe shudder or vibration when accelerating, most of them for the 2009 model year.
- owner complaints
- 42
- worst model year
- 2009
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,300
- typical mileage
- 70,001
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 12Stalling 7Check engine light 6Transmission failure 4Fuel pump 4Won't shift 3Jerking 3Hesitation 3
What owners say
Car was great for first 100000 miles. Then it was not. While driving in heavy traffic on a three lane highway, car lost power, ability to accelerate and went into limp mode. EPC code went on. Very dangerous. Took it to several mechanics, VW dealerships, could find nothing wrong. Issue has happened over 100x since, but I am unable to afford another vehicle and pray over car continually to keep me and others on road safe. Few times car would suddenly shudder like engine was quitting. Canceled medical trip to city when this happened 50 miles from home. Have had to cancel work as well one day when this happened. Recently bought a FIXD sensor and it diagnosed issues with faulty gas cap and purge valve. Replaced both. That issue seems to have resolved. Car has been burning oil like crazy. Sometimes 1L after driving 150 miles. Fuel efficiency is terrible. Even running 91 grade fuel hasn't helped. In cold weather, around -30, sometimes driver door won't close. Literally have to drive with one hand holding steering wheel and one hand on door. Scary. Newest issue this week. While driving highway speed, low oil light flashed momentarily. Then speedometer and rpm gages quit. Then entire instrument cluster went black. Was almost at work, so prayed and got there safely. After work, instrument cluster worked, but car started and stalled immediately. Mechanic code reader pulls up nothing. My FIXD reader says it's a upstream oxygen sensor. Looking at youtube videos, the issue it describes sounds like this may have been what contributed to those EPC codes for last few years. Borrowing a vehicle from family - car is stranded at work. This is my first and likely last VW.
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.
July 2021, (roughly 80,000 miles) vehicle had sudden loss of drive power to motor while driving approximately 30mph and related warning lights came on, leading to Recall Repair in July 2021. Transmission electronic gearbox (mechatronic unit) and transmission accumulator housing replaced by VW Dealer. Car exhibited some shuddering at low speeds and occasional lurching forward from a stop after recall repair - dealer said this is normal behavior and to ignore. Transmission has total failure on October 4, 2023 (roughly 100,000 miles), only 20,000 miles after recall. Vehicle owner experienced the same sudden loss of drive power while driving in a parking lot with the same indicator lights as in July 2021. Car was towed to same dealer. Dealer states transmission problem is not related to recalled parts, but vehicle owner suspects replaced parts from the recall may have also been faulty, as there is not a permanent fix for the recall issue, just replacement of parts. Dealer estimate is $8,500 for a new transmission and $2,500 for labor, more than the total value of the car.
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. Additionally, the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and swaying in the rear of the vehicle. The contact slowed down and proceeded to drive. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,349.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the check engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact went to an auto parts store and replaced the battery however, the warning light illuminated again. Occasionally, the vehicle would fail to start immediately. The contact also stated that occasionally while driving, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle operated as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing belt failed due to damage to the water pump. The contact was informed that the water pump and timing belt needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14E007000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
As I was coming to an immediate stop, due to a deer jumping out in front of me, the car/ brake pedal shuddered and I had to perform an emergency braking procedure by swerving onto the shoulder of the road. Thankfully no one was injured, including the deer, however, my nerves were frayed, as had this been in the snow or any other adverse conditions, what would have been the outcome then? Immediately after this happened the ABS light and flashing brake light appeared on the dash. I have used a scan tool to diagnose the issue to which the code #01130 (ABS Operation Implausible Signal). Through research online- forums it has come to my attention that this is a very common VW issue to the point that the federal safety agency has requested/ mandated that a recall should be issued- www.automotive-fleet.com (January 7, 2017). When I went to the VW recall site and plugged in my VIN no recalls were listed?? I will be taking my car to the dealer tomorrow, as I am a one car household and need my '09 Sportwagen for daily transportation to and from work, I am hoping that they will honor the replacement of this faulty safety device.
The hill start assist is dangerous. Unlike most hill start assists, the one in this car doesn’t let go when you release the clutch, it waits about 2-3 seconds every time. I’ve had several incidents with this but just recently I was starting on a not very steep hill and forgot about the fact I have to compensate for this system, and tried to start normally and stalled. Thankfully the person behind me was my friend and was paying attention, but people don’t usually expect a car to sit there not moving once the brake lights go off, and then shudder to a stop because it has just stalled, and is possible for rear end collisions, as well as other more dangerous ones to happen depending on the situation. The system is working as designed; I’ve heard many complaints from other people that theirs does the same thing. It is dangerous as it doesn’t let you move for 2-3 seconds even if you really need to in an emergency situation.
The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission shuddered without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency for assistance. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- 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 transmission
- 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: driveshaft
- 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 shudder
Which Volkswagen Jetta years have shudder or vibration when accelerating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2009 (8 complaints), 2006 (6 complaints) and 2002 (5 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix shudder or vibration when accelerating on the Volkswagen Jetta?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,300 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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