Two problems related to manual transmission have been reported for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta based on all problems reported for the 2008 Jetta.
2008 vw Jetta 2. 5 with 5 speed manual and 25,300 miles. Unable to shift into reverse and shifting into first gear was difficult. Dealer stated that clutch was bad from wear and tear.
Purchased a 2008 vw Jetta with dsg transmission. Have taken to dealer 3 times since purchasing for same problem. The transmission downshifts "clunks" hard in stop and go traffic primarily 2nd to 1st to neutral. This is worse the longer and hotter transmission gets. Also transmission jumps or surges forward or back after putting in drive or reverse. This primarily happens when putting into gear with foot on brake, then taking foot off brake and slightly pressing accelerator pedal. The vehicle jumps several feet forward or reverse. The dealer tells me that this is to be expected from a manual transmission that is operated by software. I like the car and have no problems with the transmission at highway speeds. They need to do something to"soften" the stop and go jerkiness of this supposedly cutting edge technology.