Volkswagen Defective (7-speed DSG) 21 models such as “Polo” and “Golf”, around 50,1024 units rolled back globally.
On April 2, Volkswagen Group Japan informed “Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism” that 21 models including “Polo” and “Golf”, automatic transmission “7-speed DSG” cars had a problem. The import period of the vehicle is from May 16, 2008 to April 11, 2014. The number of incidents that have occurred so far is 599 however fortunately there is no major accidents. I don’t think this problem is only in Japan even Australia I had bad experience when I sent out my VW for repair last year, I will detail that later in this article.
The problem is mechatronics of a 7-speed DSG type automatic transmission, the housing processing accuracy of the accumulator mounting part is inadequate, so if the hydraulic pressure fluctuations are repeated at the time of start-up or traffic jam, minute cracks will occur in the housing. Therefore, if the oil pressure gets low and the warning light is turned on and if you keep driving with that car, the vehicle may not go very far.
As an improvement measure, automatic transmission control program of all vehicles are updated with countermeasure program. However, some vehicles take time to prepare for the countermeasure program, so countermeasures will be taken as soon as the preparation is completed. Also, if the fault code for low oil pressure is input, replace the mechatronics component.
I currently live in Australia and actually driving Volkswagen Golf. A 2012 car that has only run 40,000 km. I got it from my friend and noticed the vibration coming from my feet while driving. The car has a Takata airbag in it, so I had to recall it. Also, after receiving it from a friend, I went to My Car for a full inspection. “My car” is automotive subsidiary of retail chain K-Mart which is very famous brand in Australia. I lived in Brisbane, Queensland. Since this repair place is located in the mall, it is very convenient that you can spend the waiting time at the mall while checking up. (You get FREE parking ticket once you leave the car for service)
First of all, I knew that there is something wrong with the car and sent it to a full inspection, I told the person in charge of “My car” that I can feel the vibration from my feet strangely when I accelerate. Then the staff told me to take a look at the problem. In addition, he told me that it may be the transmission, if so, it cannot be repaired done in My car but he will check it first. I was prepared to pay up to $ 1,000. I have got that car for free so I did not mind paying up to $1,000. I was thinking it would cost about $ 230 to go through a full inspection, and probably about $ 750 to pay for the repair. My car people will call me if the cost is going to be higher than $1000 once inspection in done. That day, I got a call then the service person told me, there is something wrong with my parts, and he thinks the vibration coming from feet because of that. And it costs $570 he said and I was ready to pay that amount so told him I would like to have it repaired. He told me that my car should be ready within one hour.
Usually, I get text message to my phone and saying your car is ready! However, one hour and a half later, I was contacted again and the person told me that replaced it with a new part but the vibration cannot be repaired so there is no extra charge for that. After that I went to pick up my car and was told that transmission may need to be repaired. However, the staff at My car are so kind that I definitely shouldn’t bring them to Volkswagen because car dealer usually repair things with high cost. First, he told me to take it to a transmission specialty repairing store and made a phone call for me. Then, when I went to a transmission specialty repairing store, I was so lucky that the owner of the store was extremely nice. First, they took a test drive together and confirmed that there was vibration. Still, he told me that it is at a level where I can drive no problem at all, but if I drive 10,000 kilometres the car might stop working. And I was told it would cost me around $ 3,000.
I was shocked, but I was ready to pay that amount. However, the owner of the shop recommended me that it was strange that the transmission was broken with a car that was only running 40,000 km, and he called Volkswagen to see if it was a recall target car or not. He told me to make a phone call but he told me he would ring phone me because when a woman like me no knowledge of transmission, the dealer may not even tell you whether they are recalled or not, so the store owner called. And he told me the dealership try to repair extra part not only transmission. Volkswagen then said my car is not scope for recall. Therefore, I was already prepared to repair it at this shop, but the owner recommended me to go to Volkswagen and only updated the software and get quote to repairing transmission. And software update may help fixing up the problem.
Owner said that repairing at that shop cost $ 3000, and if it would be cheaper than that, he told me I should repair it at Volkswagen, but if it was expensive, I was told to take it back to transmission repair store. The next day, I booked my car service because I needed to go to Volkswagen Takata airbag for recall. So I went to service and the poor attitude of the dealer’s reception staff depresses Volkswagen. I said I want to update the software and see if there is something wrong with the transmission. I also asked for an airbag recall. The mechanic who works inside was a nice person, but I can’t forget the attitude of the receptionist. The reason my car was not subject to recall in Australia because of the transmission, but there was an example where it was subject to recall in Germany. I showed it to the receptionist, but she didn’t take it seriously. She told me What is this? Just an article, right? If I had an accident with this, can that person take responsibility? Even though it is concerned with the lives of people, it is very disappointing to see such an attitude. They are the face of VW Australia.
I repaired the airbag and updated the transmission software. One of their service department ladies told me that the result was transmission still defective. However, since I am the second owner, the car is only running 40,000 km, there is still a problem somewhere, and Volkswagen may bear a few percent of the repair cost. After all, I was shocked because I knew that there is something wrong with my car and receptionist did not take it seriously, but I was happy if I could make the repair cost a little cheaper. The person in charge contacted Volkswagen in Australia 100% Volkswagen would cover the repairing cost. In this way, the transmission was replaced with a new one without paying for the repair. However, when it comes to covering the repair costs for a car that has been seven years old, I still suspect that it is somehow a Volkswagen faulty. It is because they don’t usually cover 100%? Maybe they knew that there is something wrong? The repair was completed successful finally I was able to relax.
After a couple days later another person from the Volkswagen service contacted me. He left a message saying I need to call back as soon possible because of the airbag again also he left warning that I should not be driving with that car. I thought I already replaced the airbag though I did not have any idea. When I called back, the receptionist with a bad attitude answered, and told me no one was calling. Of course, I got call back right after perhaps they wanted to inspect the car again because looks like they made some mistake last time. The next day, I sent it to the inspection again and the repair of the second airbag was completed, I got complimentary washing service which was good anyway. But I decided not to buy Volkswagen anymore in future. So if someone who thinks there is something wrong with your car, please make an appointment with Volkswagen especially if you drive with 7-speed DSGI and at least you can do software update and if you cannot fix your problem and then it is better to get a quote from them. Then if they cannot cover the cost, I recommend your car to be fix in the transmission specialty store but if they can cover 100% then better to solve the problem quickly before other parts gets bad.
In spite of all hard learning and experience, I wish to thanks nice people from “My Car”-Garden city and people from transmission specialty repair center Brisbane.
Stay safe and enjoy driving!
