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Volkswagen Jetta whining noise problems

23 of the 9,926 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Jetta describe whining or grinding noise, most of them for the 2012 model year.

owner complaints
23
worst model year
2012
typical mileage
59,700
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2025
    3
  • 2019
    2
  • 2017
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2012
    3
  • 2011
    2
  • 2010
    1
  • 2009
    2
  • 2004
    2
  • 2003
    2
  • 2001
    1
  • 2000
    2
  • 1997
    1

What owners say

Filed Jun 9, 2026 · Transmission · VA

There is a noticable whine from the transmission or torque converted between 1000-2000 RPM that does not vary with speed and noticable when lightky pressing gas pedal on 8th geer. This happens only when transmission is waremed up and indicates an issue with 2025 Volkswagen tranmissions. I am afraid to drive it, because it can go bad in the highway and cause crash. Volkswagen dealers and manufacturer ignore this issues and state that all Jetta's make that "hormonic" whine. This is not normal and should be reported and investigated. Too many issues and could cause loss of lives in the future.

Filed Mar 22, 2026 · Transmission · VA

The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SE transmission making whining and whistling noise from 1000 to 2000 rpm when on light load or coasting. There is a high probability of transmission failing on 2025 car with 12700 miles and danger of failure on the highway while driving.

Filed Mar 17, 2026 · Transmission · VA

2025 Volkswagen Jetta SE with 12,000. Developed transmission whine from 1200-2000 RPM. During low speed acceleration and when engine is under slight load. It is whining sound coming from transmission.

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.

Filed Jul 1, 2020 · Steering · 61,500 miles · MS

The car lost power on a city street at about 40 MPH then my son couldn't steer or brake. All dash lights were flashing so we have no idea what is really wrong. Trying to get off of the road he went into a ditch. The radiator was busted/leaking so he had to get his step father to come get it. I cannot afford the radiator to get it fixed at this time due to the note on it. It has done this to me in the past. I noticed the odd whining sound it makes when cranked was worse the day it happened to me. I was on the highway at 55mph so I stopped and about 10 minutes later cranked it and it made it home. We had it checked for codes and it showed no problem codes.

Filed Feb 3, 2020 · Engine · 2,600 miles · NY

The vehicle has a high pitched whine coming from the engine area under acceleration. Dealer can not find issue and fix. Vw has sent engineer out twice so far.

Filed Dec 19, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 27 miles · PA

I recently started a lease for a 2019 jetta se. I started to notice a strange sound like scrapping and grinding as the car accelerated and particularly around the 20-30 MPH mark. It is almost like a shallow howling and seemingly from the transmission. Please also note that I brought the car new about 25 miles on it and the noise started almost instantly. The vw dealership I went to gave no good resolution and informed me that the noise was 'normal' of this transmission. A noise coming from the transmission of a new car should never be taken as 'normal'. I have enjoyed driving the 2017 model the last 3 prior years and am very disappointed with this response and the way the vehicle is functioning. I hope vw does the right thing with either a proper fix or a recall. I am very concerned about the longevity of this issue and what it means safety wise now and down the line.

Filed Oct 6, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 66,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen jetta. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle accelerated forward in a jerking motion without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced per a recall related to the failure; however, the failure recurred. Also, a howling sound emitted from the engine and the oil and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the failure was not diagnosed. In addition, the contact stated that the headlights became inoperable intermittently without warning. The contact also mentioned that the front driver seat independently readjusted and the steering wheel shook violently when the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the purge valve and the steering rack failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 66,000.

Filed May 14, 2015 · Fuel system · 59,700 miles · MD

During february, the 2012 vw tdi jetta sportwagen with 59,7000 miles stalled twice when trying to start the vehicle. On the third start the vehicle started but the glow plug light was flashing and the car would not accelerate to more than 45 MPH. The vehicle limped to the dealership, who found metal flakes in the fuel filter and stated that the in-tank fuel pump had failed. The in-tank fuel pump was replaced and the fuel system was apparently cleared of metal. At 63,000 miles, the glow plug light began to flash while at highway speed and the vehicle began to lose power. I got the vehicle to an exit, stopped it, turned the vehicle off and restarted. The glow plug light was no longer flashing and the car was drivable although it was lacking some acceleration and there was a moan/whine noise coming from the engine. Got the car back to the dealership and learned that the high pressure fuel pump has failed and that the entire fuel system needs to be replaced. There is no mis-fueling issue, and diesel receipts are kept at fill up.

Filed Nov 8, 2014 · Fuel system · 67,833 miles · MD

High-pressure diesel fuel pump (hpfp) began to fail. Heard high-pitched whine coming from hpfp after engine had been taken at least once past 2100 rpms after startup. Vw dealership service department confirmed hpfp imminent failure and replaced it under warranty.

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 whining noise

Which Volkswagen Jetta years have whining or grinding noise problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2012 (3 complaints), 2025 (3 complaints) and 2000 (2 complaints).

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