A rattling noise was heard from the engine area starting at about 50,000 km. I thought at first it was a loose exhaust component. The car has been maintained since new by a dealer here in eastern Canada. My request to check the noise at each dealer service did not identify the problem. I did not press the issue because it could only be heard at idle, outside the car. Well after the car was out of warranty, I discovered the source of the noise to be the dual mass flywheel. This turns out to be a widely known problem and the dealer should have identified it for a warranty replacement. I have ordered a new oem flywheel (not from VW) and will be replacing it myself, as I did with the faulty camshaft last year (also a well known deficiency in this vehicle). This is a manufacturing defect that could result in serious injury or death and should be the subject of a recall.

- Baddeck, 00, USA

I'm in the midst of getting a dsg transmission repaired and it could cost as much as $4000. The transmission began making "grinding" noises, and I was told that there are bearings that will need to be replaced. I know through various VW forums that there have been recalls on this transmission and I would like VW to back up their product.

- Ionia, MI, USA

2006 Volkswagen Jetta tdi dual mass flywheel is failing. Sound from bell housing getting louder. Other owners report drivetrain lockup when failing. Problem appears to be higher than normal incident rate.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

January 2nd 2010 my wife and I were in our 2006 VW Jetta tdi traveling South on the Kansas turnpike from topeka, Kansas. The vehicle was in cruise at 70mph it was 7:30am clear with temp of minus 2 degree's. approximately 35 miles South of topeka, the vehicle suddenly dropped down to 5th gear a sudden and abrupt bang noise was heard it seemed that the front wheels locked for a brief moment. My wife had just unclipped her seat belt to get something from the back seat when this occurred. This locking of the front wheels slammed her against the dash and front door post. I regained control of the vehicle and maneuvered it to the side of the turnpike. There was a rattling in the transmission area several months before when I had it at a dealership for transmission fluid change. I had asked them to check the rattle" when I picked up the vehicle it was still rattling, I thought it to be ok. However after this incident, I have been investigating the internet and found several dual mass flywheel failures with this vehicle and the dsg transmission, however VW America has done nothing about it. If I had been in heavy traffic it would have certainly caused a terrible accident, when it locked up the front drive wheel, we were lucky my wife only had a very badly bruised side, arm and back. We then spent two hours on the side of the turnpike in frigid temps awaiting a tow vehicle. We were enroute to a medical facility in Texas for surgery on both of my wives eyes we had no time to do anything but change to a more dependable vehicle 2000 Buick park ave and continue on our journey. I emailed three VW of America customer service officers, who turned my E mail report of the incident to a subordinate who wrote that my vehicle was out of warranty and they could not help me. 66,980 miles. This is a very dangerous reported condition that is going to take a fatality to get action..I understand europe safety board has already required a VW recall on this problem????????"

- Tecumseh, KS, USA

The volkwagen tdi 1.9L engine when coupled to the dsg( direct shift gear) transmission has an extremely high failure rate of the dmf (dual mass flywheel). Failures have occurred between 10K and 100K miles. The internal construction of the flywheel is improper and will separate leading to the total failure of the unit. When the unit fails it causes a very specific and potentially deadly set of circumstances. The dmf can separate and then fracture into large shrapnel type pieces. This shrapnel will the cause the transmission and possibly the engine to seize. When the seizure occurs is causes the front tires to lock and subsequent loss of control of the vehicle resulting in possible injury or death. The shrapnel can also cause the failure of the transmission case resulting it the loss of pressurized transmission fluid. This fluid can contact the turbocharger and result in an under hood fire. Catastrophic engine failure is common as well. Vwa(Volkswagen of America) is aware of this problem and has redesigned the dmf. The new design has not failed. The dmf has been recalled in the european union as a safety concern. Vwa has been successful in not covering this repair under even it's standard warranty. No voluntary recall has been issued. I currently have an example of the failed part available. This model has the potential to cause injury or death on a large scale if not addressed.

- Newark, TX, USA

Premature failure of clutch.

- Oviedo, FL, USA