#1 July 262013 Jetta sedan 2.5L automatic transmission 87,850 miles a D V E R T I S E M E N T S I recently purchased a used 2006 VW Jetta with a dsg transmission and 2.5 L motor. The vehicle lurches and loses power as if gas had been switched off or the transmission has bogged down and seems to occur when shifting. It also happens from a dead stop, with the vehicle lurching forward with considerable force when the transmission engages. This has occurred on both very hot days, 100+ degrees, and also during evening and nighttime while driving on surface streets and on the interstate though on the interstate it doesn't lurch forward when power is restored. The vehicle usually regains power 3-5 seconds after loss of power most times this occurs but there were a few times the vehicle stalled. Once this happens this condition continues to occur more with increasing frequency until the vehicle is not drivable. Once the vehicle has cooled off for a period of time, 2 or more hours, it drives with out this problem for the same amount of time, or less, as when driven from a cold start. This has also occurred while passing and forced me to cancel my pass of a slower moving vehicle and merge into the traffic which on one occasion had closed ranks leaving me no room to merge. I have only been driving this vehicle for about a week. This statement was posted around 8-5-2013. The problem is still the same.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

In the morning I went to start my car and I shifted it into reverse and there was a loud noise. I then went to drive it and the transmission would not shift out of third gear.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

The dsg clutch on the 2006 VW Jetta tdi lost structural integrity and came apart completely while driving, destroying the automatic clutch and potentially the transmission. The springs are so damaged that they were ejected from the casing onto the engine protection matt underneath the vehicle. There is extensive damage to the clutch which will need to be replaced completely and potential transmission damage.

- Hanover, MD, USA

My wife and I were driving home and suddenly my car started jerking and made a "knocking" sound, without any warning (I.e. check engine light). We were close to home and decided to continue on; however, in the next couple of miles, the problems persisted, still with no check engine light or any indication of what was wrong with the vehicle. Over the next several days, while parked on a secured premise, I started the car up and it had an erratic loping sound. I proceeded to call a nearby Volkswagen dealer and spoke to two certified VW mechanics, who failed to acknowledge the issue that there was no warning indication before the car started to act up and said to bring it in to swap out the engine at approx. $7500; they dismissed the problem as "normal wear and tear". I researched the problem on the internet and it lead me to believe that it was a problem with the cam, which I had confirmed by an auto-mechanic after towing the car in. He told me the entire engine was warped due to the cam going out. Other 2006 VW Jetta tdi owners have commented on the same issues, which at this point leads me to believe that it is not "normal wear and tear", but a manufacture defect.

- Fallbrook, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 70 mph the transmission disengaged and the vehicle would not accelerate. The transmission position lights were illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. A dealer was notified of the symptoms and stated they knew the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 146,000.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the clutch failed and the contact was unable to shift gears. The vehicle was shut off and towed to a private mechanic, where it was determined that the driveshaft failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 09V164000 (power train:driveline:driveshaft). The failure mileage was 127,000.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

While traveling on interstate 4 at 65 mph the automatic transmission went from drive to second gear by itself even though the gear selector was in drive, nearly putting me through the windshield had I not had my seat belt on. I managed to get onto the burm of the highway and stop. At this point transmission fluid was dumping all over the road and the car would no longer move and the digital gear selection light was flashing on and off continuous(prnd). Had it towed to my VW mechanic and they found that the electronic valve assembly had quit working and that the mech tronic clutch assembly was destroyed by it going from drive to 2nd. After researching on the internet, I found that VW has known about this problem and has sent out letters to customers that have 2007-2010 vehicles with this same transmission that they would replace their defective transmissions under an extended warranty or re-imburse them for repairs if done prior to this letter up to 100000 miles. I contacted VW usa and asked about my car and was told because my car was a 2006 it wasn't covered even though I got them to admit that it was the same transmission that was used for 2005.5 through 2010.

- Deltona, FL, USA

I was on a freeway that was merging with another freeway, and the gear lights started flashing, the transmission quit, and I couldn't accelerate to get out of other vehicles way. I was doing 10 mph, and I had to cross two lanes of traffic doing 65 mph. Nowhere to go but that. I was so scared and was really lucky that no one hit me, although they did have to hit their brakes hard and swerve to avoid me. This is something I've seen on different forums now, and everyone says it is a mechatronic unit gone bad.

- Dallas, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the transmission failed. The contact stated he heard a loud noise underneath the engine. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop for inspection where the mechanic stated the dual mass fly-wheel and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Towson, MD, USA

I was sitting in traffic in minneapolis mn. The light turned green, traffic moved and when I pressed on the accelerator, the engine sped up as if it was in neutral. The shift selector was in D for drive. The prndl indicator on the dash flashed red with all five letters illuminated. I tried turning off the ignition and turning it back on with the same results. No movement with engine accelerating. After being pushed into a parking lot by passersby, I tried again and the transmission worked as it was supposed to. After researching the problem on the internet, I find that it is a common VW problem and the NHTSA action number is PE09035 opened July 17, 2009 covering 2008 and 2009 models. My tdi is a 2006 model purchased in May 2007 because VW kept selling 2006 tdis in 2007. There were no 2007 VW Jetta tdis.

- Woodbury, MN, USA

Recurring dsg transmission problems: First reported to VW in January of 2006 with failure to downshift at 22K miles (no problem found/no codes).in 2010 reported loss of power and or shifting in and out of gear during high ambient temperature. In June of 2012; from parking, delayed shifting into reverse or drive and then violently engaging. On return from Arizona, again high temp, for approximately 100 -150 miles would lose power to wheels and then would return to normal repeatedly. VW will not cover 2006 Jetta under dsg recall (I believe there are two recalls). Cost of new dsg transmission quoted at $7000!

- Rancho Dominguez, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, he noticed that the vehicle would not shift gears. He pulled over and waited until the vehicle cooled down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated that they were not sure what was wrong with the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance.the failure mileage was 29,000 and the current mileage was 94,000. Updated 08/23/12 updated 09/24/2012

- Rancho Dominguez, CA, USA

2006 Jetta 2.0T with a dsg transmission has a dual mass flywheel (dmf) which is failing: Chattering at idle, when shifting gears, and when slowing to a stop. Spoke with a few dealers in the area to ask about the repair and was quoted $2500 to repair (the dmf only!). contacted voa to find out if this issue was part of a recall, but no recalls for such failures. However, I was offered $1000 towards the purchase of a new VW - that won't fix my problem. All dealers I spoke with have no recollection of any other failed dmfs - at all. Through my own research, I discovered that Audi (VW partner company) issued a recall for a number of 2006 A3 models with the same part number (same part) to replace this defective dmf part (R/2006/031). Also learned that there was a recall issued for 1.9tdi model Jettas in australia (135C). There has been no such recall for us owners of VW models with the dsg transmission and the dmf. Why not? I also own a 2010 passat with the same engine, transmission and dmf part. I can only expect to have the same issues with that car later on. It would be nice even to have VW accept the responsibility of addressing the dmf part maker (luk and/or sachs) for a partial payment of the repairs. At this point I have two options; sell the car to an unsuspecting victim, or pay nearly 50% of the trade value of the car with 106,000 miles on it to have it fixed.

- Herndon, VA, USA

On highway going approx 60 mph, car locked up, skidding for about 50 feet. Was unable to engage clutch, engine was still running though. Got car towed to dealership, discovered engine mount bolt had sheared off, car has never been in an accident and has had all oil changes/etc ( 2K miles late for 60K service).

- Burlington, NJ, USA

We were driving in a residential neighbor hood at about 25mph and the car suddenly stopped accelerating as if the car was in neutral. Luckily, we were able to pull over and park. The car went into fail safe mode (which I now know). About 5 different error lights were on as well as the gear lights flashing. Put the car in park and shut off the engine, let it rest and then proceeded to restart with the same engine error. The car wouldn't reverse or go over 2nd gear. I can't even imagine if this happened on the freeway it has been serviced regularly at my local VW dealer on time and is now out of warranty. Prior to this specific engine failure, I have had numerous problem with my gli, from interior, electrical, to the turbo. I started having problems very early on with this car, some were covered by the warranty and some were not. Incredibly disappointed in the quality of my gli all around.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

The dual mass flywheel ( dmf ) failed at 90,801 miles.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

Dual mass flywheel(dmf) detached itself, causing enormous damage to the transmission(dsg).initially, I have to replace dmf, then crankshaft positioning sensor, crankshaft seal and bearing.this repair cost me $1,700. After taking a closer look at the car, the mechanic found out that, because of the damagesdmf has caused to the transmission, the transmission is now leaking oil.a pieces of the dmf cut into the casing of the transmission and created a number of holes.as a result of all this, the mechanic suggested, as my only solution, to rebuilt transmission, which cost an additional $ $3,300. VW of America, denied any reimbursement, because warranty expired in January 2011.they can not explain why dmf faild.they just lost one customer.

- River Edge, NJ, USA

This vehicle is a 2006 turbo diesel VW Jetta. I was driving on the highway when engine failed, no warning lights. Experienced loss of power, rough idling, valve train noise and transmission noise. Had vehicle towed to certified mechanic. Mechanic found complete loss of compression on one piston and scored lifters. Also dual mass flywheel was making loud noise and needs to be replaced. Volkswagen dealership quoted est 1800 dollars for parts and labor for flywheel and certified mechanic recommends rebuilt engine for appx 5000 dollars plus labor to install. Estimate will be complete next week. Total will est around 9 to 10,000 dollars for towing, inspecting vehicle to find issues, parts and labor. Spoke with Volkswagen of America consumer advocate who offered us $750 off a new VW. This vehicle has been well cared for with appropriate oil changes using VW approved oil. Most of the mileage was obtained as highway miles.

- Stevensville, MI, USA

2006 Jetta tdi serious clatter coming from underneath close to transmission. Sounds like tin can clattering while in park or idling. Took to dealership was told it was a normal diesel clatter. After research and getting much worse found it is a defective dsg flywheel hundreds of complaints found online about this. VW has now replaced the defective flywheel with a new one. But has not recalled this part!

- Farmersville , TX, USA

The car developed a rattle around 80000 miles, after searches on the internet I was sure the dual mass flywheel (dmf)was failing. I took the car to the dealer today and they confirmed it was the dmf. They also confirmed this is a common problem and volks refuses to do anything if car is out of warranty. Other countries are already making volks recall theses cars and replace the dmf. The cost of this repair is $1800. This problem affects about 30% of cars and can cause transmission failure which will lead to another $4200 dollar repair. I would really like to get help in getting volks to help with this repair.

- Dover, NC, USA