9.5
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $3,000
- Average Mileage:
- 78,100 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 4 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (2 reports)
- bought tranny from a 97 (1 reports)
- had to replace transmission (1 reports)
1994 - 1998 Jettas with automatic transmissions are awful. The transmission's lifespan is around 60,000 miles before it self-destructs (even the new replacement ones). According to several VW mechanics this is a known problem with this generation of Golf/Jetta. Stay away from the automatic transmission and get a manual transmission.
- Matt M., Vero Beach, FL, US
This car is a totally sucks ass! At the time of the transmission failing, I had only had the car just about a year, and had got suckered into paying $5000.00. A few months before it finally failed, I would have to warm up the car a good 1/2 hour, no sh*t! before it would bang into gear so I could go to work. Once it warmed up, it did just great. We drove to oregon to purchase the tranny oil at 29 freaking bucks a quart, put some in, and still the same thing. The dealer is the only one who can work on or diagnose this piece of crap, and VERY expensively I might add. They want 600 bucks just to hook it up to diagnostics! I also found out there are about 14-15 stupid sensors for the tranny- it could be any one or all of them at the least! And... there is no dealer here anyway, closest is 96 miles away. Anyway, one day, while out grocery shopping in July, which is very hot, I loaded my groceries, warmed up the tranny, and went to leave and absofrickenlutely nothing would happen. Why the heck would anyone make a car with a sealed transmission?!?!?! stupid bastards! I wish I had known about that before I bought the piece of crap, cause I sure never would have! Obviously to make money. Well, thats just evil. I paid alot for the car, and do not have the money for the tranny. So if anyone wants to buy 4 great tires and rims for about 3 grand, I'll throw in a VW jetta!! Oh, I guess I should mention that all the outside trim fell off and had to be reglued, and the oil sensors had to be replaced, and when its very cold, the door locks freeze and you cant even get in the little f*ucker!!
- Debby M., Yreka, CA, US
After having multiple shifting issues and being ignored by the Volkswagen dealer my transmission finally gave out, this is a huge problem with the 96, if anyone else has any problems please email me at xpcb80X@aol.com (or use the send comment feature below).
- Pete B., Indianapolis, IN, US
my car never changes gears properly, I either have to speed up or put my car in neutral to make it switch gears which is not normal. (again my friends vw does the same) This car has cost me thousands these things i have reported being horrible on here are just the major things that no one can figure out and if was figured out would NEVER be able to afford to fix. these cars need to be recalled.
- nelissamb3, Flemington, NJ, US