My husband let a friend drive our 2014 Jetta. It is a 5 speed manual transmission. When the friend brought it back it was smoking, smelled like a burnt vacuum cleaner belt, and is now not drivable

Burned the clutch up sounds like

It's not easy if it is clutch take out transmission and have to be very careful to how clutch goes in ID take it to mechanic if that's the case so if its put in backwards it his screw up not yours

so i need to replace the clutch?

approximately how much would this cost to replace if I take it to a mechanic?

It all just depends on the mechanic some won't touch vw because of price of parts and just about everything requires dealer tools. I'd call several that are vw licensed and compare prices

thank you for your help.

I wouldn't jump the gun on this one. I would have the car towed to the dealer. Your insurance most likely will have free towing. Instead of going to some "VW Specialist" who works out of his garage, take it to the dealer. They will charge you $90-$100 but they will know EXACTLY what is wrong with it. This car is new enough that you shouldn't be taking it to just anyone. If were a 2004, sure.. but a 2014.. absolutely not. They warranty the work, if it goes out, you get a loaner while they fix the Jetta. Best of luck!

Yeah if it's still under warranty definitely what he says when I say vw tech I don't mean Billy bobs friend that knows a guy that had a cousin I mean somebody that actually knows their stuff with them I wouldn't give up on it they are good cars

Sounds like a burnt clutch to me as well. A 2014 car should still be pulling a warranty so should be repaired free of charge. Tho if they do charge you any money i would recommend having this friend pay for any damages he did to your car while in his care. and if he does not want to pay thats what a law suit is for. cheers.

oh and yes vw dealer only if warranty is still good.