VW DSG Recall *Update*

[PhoKingGuy]

I had my GTI in for for 11k service last week, they gave me a call saying my transmission was affected by the recall and my mechatronics unit would need replacement. Except this replacement is custom ordered from Germany and needs some special VW master tech to install and would take about 4-5 weeks to be completed.

At least I got a brand new Jetta as a service loaner for the time being.

BTW, whoever the poster was that said they got 45MPG or whatever in this thing is full of crap. I've been babying it with about 90% freeway at 70mph and have been getting 30mpg tops over 1 tank so far.

9/14 Update:
Got a call from VWoA today telling me after analysis of my unit it was determined that it would take longer than my quoted time to repair/replace and that for my convenience and support they have decided to buyback my GTI and replace it with another VW model. I got this in a message so I'll figure out more when I get a chance to give them a call back.

Shit just got real

 

[Synomenon]

I think you need to be driving ~15mph slower to get those figures.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
I think you need to be driving ~15mph slower to get those figures.

That's nearly impossible on socal freeways, even the right lane flows at about 65-70 mph

 

[brblx]

why didn't they just order the part and have you leave the car when it came in?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Originally posted by: brblx
why didn't they just order the part and have you leave the car when it came in?

The computer defect causes excessive clutch wear as a result, its just a precaution for myself so I dont have to replace both sets of clutches on this thing early (very expensive service)

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: brblx
why didn't they just order the part and have you leave the car when it came in?

Because the problem can make they car lose power in the middle of traffic. It's not really safe to drive.

 

[Synomenon]

Originally posted by: PhoKingGuy

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
I think you need to be driving ~15mph slower to get those figures.

That's nearly impossible on socal freeways, even the right lane flows at about 65-70 mph

Then it'll be nearly impossible for you to get those high mpg figures.

Nice of them to give you a loaner though.

 

[Fenixgoon]

brand new jetta as in jetta2.5 or jetta TDI?

sucks to hear you'll be out of your GTI for a while

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: PhoKingGuy

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
I think you need to be driving ~15mph slower to get those figures.

That's nearly impossible on socal freeways, even the right lane flows at about 65-70 mph

uh, did they give you the Jetta TDI or the 2.5? The former would easily get 40+ on the freeway even at 70mph. For the latter, 30mph @ 70Mph sounds just right.

 

[brblx]

i'd be bitching to have those clutches replaced, if that's the case. car companies simply band-aiding something until it gets out of warranty coverage is pretty damn lame.

how long are the clutch discs supposed to last? i had assumed that would pretty much be a 'lifetime' part and not intended to be replaced as much as a standard clutch (which really barely ever needs to be replaced if used properly).

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Its a 2.5, really fun thing to drive around town. Loads of low end torque, I really dont know why anyone would cross-shop a civic/corolla/focus against this for driving dynamics, its really no contest.

I dunno how long the clutch discs are supposed to last really, but people haven't been complaining about wear problems on VWvortex or mkvgolf so I think i'm ok in that regard. It really does suck to have it gone for so long though, but i'm already intending to put as many miles on this loaner as possible

 

[Excelsior]

Good to know about that engine. I've never driven one, but it appears ok.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Reason #4,675 that people should just stick with traditional manual transmissions.

 

[iamwiz82]

Leave it to the Germans to determine that only a master German mechanic could possibly replace it

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Leave it to the Germans to determine that only a master German mechanic could possibly replace it

Shh, it's part of the mystique.

 

[LTC8K6]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Leave it to the Germans to determine that only a master German mechanic could possibly replace it

Isn't that true of a certain Nissan transmission as well?

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: PhoKingGuy
Its a 2.5, really fun thing to drive around town. Loads of low end torque, I really dont know why anyone would cross-shop a civic/corolla/focus against this for driving dynamics, its really no contest.

I dunno how long the clutch discs are supposed to last really, but people haven't been complaining about wear problems on VWvortex or mkvgolf so I think i'm ok in that regard. It really does suck to have it gone for so long though, but i'm already intending to put as many miles on this loaner as possible

Compared to the real reason for the recall clutch wear is minor.

From Edmund's

Volkswagen is continuing to wrestle with problems related to its direct-shift gearboxes. On Friday, it announced that it will fix a "faulty component inside the Mechatronic unit" of about 43,000 Volkswagens and 10,300 Audis from the 2007-'09 model years. The so-called "customer service program" to address this new problem is on top of an August 20 recall of the DSG transmission in 2009-'10 Volkswagen and Audi vehicles to fix a component problem that could cause an abrupt shift to neutral while the vehicle is being driven.

Edmunds article

From what I've read the car could abruptly shift to neutral and lose all power. People have had it occur in traffic. If that happened while you're in the middle lane of the highway that could be dangerous.

 

[ViviTheMage]

That sucks! Seems like a really weird issue.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Leave it to the Germans to determine that only a master German mechanic could possibly replace it

when in reality it's only the master's apprentice doing the job

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Leave it to the Germans to determine that only a master German mechanic could possibly replace it

After WWII all the unemployed german rocket scientist that didn't get employed by other countries went into auto repair. This has caused German auto maintenance to evolve to the point that it now requires a double PhD in mechanical engineering and physics.

While German automakers make some nice cars they do seem to be a bit more temperamental than cars from other countries.

 

[NaOH]

I just had mine have it's 20K (scary that you just had your 11 and I got mines after you) tuneup. I asked them about that and they said they'd get back to me if mine is faulty or not. I should really call them back, seems to be fine though, except a few rough starts from a stop.

 

[NaOH]

I call BS on 45mpg as well. Highest I get is like 33ish by cruising (keeping the pedal steady) in D at 65-70mph in <80 degree weather.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Originally posted by: NaOH
I just had mine have it's 20K (scary that you just had your 11 and I got mines after you) tuneup. I asked them about that and they said they'd get back to me if mine is faulty or not. I should really call them back, seems to be fine though, except a few rough starts from a stop.

Make sure they check it, I thought mine was fine. Then I test drove an Eos for a friend of mine and noticed how much smoother the starts and stops were so I had them check it. Sure enough mine was faulty.

My dealer was really good about it, since you're local to me you should go there to if you can. They set me up with everything.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Originally posted by: NaOH
I call BS on 45mpg as well. Highest I get is like 33ish by cruising (keeping the pedal steady) in D at 65-70mph in <80 degree weather.

I'm actually got better mpg with my GTI than I am with the Jetta. About 26-28 average with the GTI and like 25ish with the Jetta.

 

[NaOH]

Yeah, they checked it and told me it was fine =/. But they said they'd get back to me if they hear more about the recall. Which dealer do you go to?