The Official Mk6 Golf DSG Clutch / Shudder / Squeal Issues Thread

[DUD_DSG]

Currently going through this with VWAus & Chatswood Classic VW.
My ex bought a 2009 Golf TSi 118 from them in Feb this year with a couple of months warranty left on it. As it was coming up to it's service she noticed a problem which I'd describe as a clutch slipping when going from 1st to 2nd gear. Got the dealer to check this out who confirmed the renowned clutch shim problem and the clutch packs needed replacing. Unfortunately by this time the warranty had expired by 7 weeks or so. She did purchase an extended warranty when she bought the car but this only covers $2k of repairs per 12 months (she was never offered a VW factory extended warranty!), so thought I try and VWA to cover the cost of $2800 as an act of good will due to the fact that the warranty had only just expired. They just said ......NO. So I went back to Chatswood to get a copy of the full service history to see if there was any previous history of the fault. They would not let me see the history due to privacy of the previous owner (!), and despite the fact her details are in the car logbook, but said they would approach VWA themselves to try and get a goodwill repair as it had got a full service history with them. Suspicious I thought....maybe there was something in the history??? Anyway, Chatswood wanted the car back in to run some tests again and see if it fell within VWA's parameters for a warranty repair. Progress I thought................
Over this weekend the car lost all drive just after her leaving home. Nothing in any gear. Engine would not rev above idle. Could start the car with the gear selector in any position. Managed to get the car towed to Chatswood thanks to the extended warranty where it is now sat awaiting a diagnosis. Not too impressed as she has had to rent a car at her own expense as no loan cars available for 2 weeks (not really their fault I guess).
So now awaiting a diagnosis to see where this is going to go, but either way I think this is going to end up as an argument between me on her behalf and VWA, and possibly a big $$$$$$ bill!!

I'm appalled at VWA's attitude to this horrendous situation, they are clearly shirking their responsibilities.
I can't believe there isn't a massive consumer backlash to these dsg issues in Australia, I heard in China VW were forced to extend the warranty to 10 years. If I don't get an appropriate response from VWA to my issue, I'll definitely be taking it further.

[DUD_DSG]

So what would you prefer? A 3 year warranty and they fixed the problem and you happen to own a 2009 model car? Or a 5 year warranty and a work in progress towards a fix? Maybe the designers could wave their collective magic wands and cure all the world's problems while they are at it. The DSG is a fairly high tech piece of kit. VW are not afraid to push design limits rather than re-hash old tried and tested alternatives.
Have some patience.

Sorry totally disagree, leave development to F1, do not put DUD technology into family cars, VW have to meet their obligations with respect to consumer protection laws and at the moment they are flying very close to the wind. Sorry but 2 clutch replacements in a family that has done just 60,00km is not on, the thing is seriously flawed and should not have been put into production. Yes a 5 year warranty is some comfort, but as for "Have some patience" I should be awarded a gold medal for patience, the car is currently sitting in the driveway unable to be driven due to extreme shutter and another weeks wait to have the clutches replaced.

[cktsi]

The DSG's biggest enemy in my view is unpredictable stop/start driving, where you're following someone slowly and don't know when they're going to stop or keep on rolling. Clutch just doesn't know what to do and it makes for a bad ride whereas in a manual you'd probably just keep the clutch in a lot of the time and roll.

True. I will admit these days I put the car in neutral as the car draws to a near stop. Just on the thought that the plates may be at friction point and needlessly causing premature wear

[kaktusdigital]

I didn't know that, thank you for the link, I would however say that this a blatant cop out by VW, they need to find a solution to the design fault and recall all affected vehicles and provide a reliable fix.

According to a guy @ the dealer the MK7 redesigned clutch pack is the long term fix (just for shudder) we shall see.

[Ryan_R]

The DSG's biggest enemy in my view is unpredictable stop/start driving, where you're following someone slowly and don't know when they're going to stop or keep on rolling. Clutch just doesn't know what to do and it makes for a bad ride whereas in a manual you'd probably just keep the clutch in a lot of the time and roll.

[cktsi]

Totally disagree, they shouldn't release a product that has as many problems as the DSG. Surely issues would have shown up in testing, or their testing is flawed.


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My recollection in my travels throughout Germany is most of their urban areas are relatively flat. Perhaps you're right about their testing. They need testers in Sydney which is far hillier which creates more stress on the drive train than their flatter terrain.

[Allegiance]

Golf 7 Speed DSG shudder / clutch issues

So what would you prefer? A 3 year warranty and they fixed the problem and you happen to own a 2009 model car? Or a 5 year warranty and a work in progress towards a fix? Maybe the designers could wave their collective magic wands and cure all the world's problems while they are at it. The DSG is a fairly high tech piece of kit. VW are not afraid to push design limits rather than re-hash old tried and tested alternatives.
Have some patience.

Totally disagree, they shouldn't release a product that has as many problems as the DSG. Surely issues would have shown up in testing, or their testing is flawed.


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[Ozram]

I didn't know that, thank you for the link, I would however say that this a blatant cop out by VW, they need to find a solution to the design fault and recall all affected vehicles and provide a reliable fix.

So what would you prefer? A 3 year warranty and they fixed the problem and you happen to own a 2009 model car? Or a 5 year warranty and a work in progress towards a fix? Maybe the designers could wave their collective magic wands and cure all the world's problems while they are at it. The DSG is a fairly high tech piece of kit. VW are not afraid to push design limits rather than re-hash old tried and tested alternatives.
Have some patience.

[DUD_DSG]

Clutch replacement on a DSG every 30,000km is not a given. It is disappointing that you've had problems with your DSG (as many have), but that doesn't mean that a recurrence is guaranteed. This isn't a universal problem.

I admire your positive outlook, and yes a recurrence isn't guarantee. However I wish I could be as certain of winning Lotto as i am of my car requiring yet a third clutch replacement at 90,000km. There is distinct pattern, 1st clutch replaced at 30,000km, second at 60,000km and logically a third at 90,000km !!!



You should have a read of the following thread - VW are now providing a 5-year driveline warranty (which includes the DSG), and this retrospectively applies to all vehicles still under warranty.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...dsg-80877.html

I didn't know that, thank you for the link, I would however say that this a blatant cop out by VW, they need to find a solution to the design fault and recall all affected vehicles and provide a reliable fix.

[AdamD]

I inquired with the dealer (Barloworld Five Dock) could I reasonably expect to replace the clutches at 90,000km as well? and the patronising idiot at the service desk said "No, think positive, it shouldn't happen again".

Clutch replacement on a DSG every 30,000km is not a given. It is disappointing that you've had problems with your DSG (as many have), but that doesn't mean that a recurrence is guaranteed. This isn't a universal problem.

With the warranty expiring in August, the estimate cost of installing a DSG repair kits is $4,000 - 5,000 dollars. VW Australia from what I can ascertain seems to ignore customer complaints and will not extend the warranty to cover an obvious design issue, let alone do a recall, well a recall is impossible given they have no permanent fix that I'm aware of.

You should have a read of the following thread - VW are now providing a 5-year driveline warranty (which includes the DSG), and this retrospectively applies to all vehicles still under warranty.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f40/5-year-vw-driveline-warranty-includes-dsg-80877.html

[Alok]

I just had my mechatronics unit replaced under VW '5 year driveline warranty'

[DUD_DSG]

My 2010 Passat TSI, 1.8 litre, 7 speed DSG, has had both clutches (dsg repair kit) replaced at 30,000km and again at 60,000km. The problem was shutter between 2-3 gear. My sister has a golf, same issue, shutter, requiring major work on the dsg on 2 occasions.

It your 7 dsg shudders, do not believe the dealer telling you it maybe a shim problem or a software upgrade issue, it isn't.

I inquired with the dealer (Barloworld Five Dock) could I reasonably expect to replace the clutches at 90,000km as well? and the patronising idiot at the service desk said "No, think positive, it shouldn't happen again".

Unfortunately the fact of the matter is, it will happen again and with the warranty expiring in August, the estimate cost of installing a DSG repair kits is $4,000 - 5,000 dollars. VW Australia from what I can ascertain seems to ignore customer complaints and will not extend the warranty to cover an obvious design issue, let alone do a recall, well a recall is impossible given they have no permanent fix that I'm aware of.

What amazes me is every DSG I have heard of has problems, yet VW continue to sell cars with dsg gearboxes at a rapid rate and the motoring press have nothing but glowing endorsements.

I'm very disappointed especially having owned many vw's, including, Beetles, Karmann Ghia, Combi and transporters, all of which have had outstanding reliability. The Passat is lovely car in every respect except the Dud dsg gearbox, I wish VW would accept responsibility as do the right thing.

Thanks

[Ryan_R]

I've had 30k and 60k done at Volkspower and 15k and 45k done at the dealer. No problem with DSG claim (one dealer were a pain so I went to another one who were national dealer of the year a few times in a row and they were fantastic to deal with).

VP also mentioned that the DSG7 doesn't need to have it's oil replaced (it has 1.7L of DSG oil) but they recommend to do it every few years. Not sure if that's genuine or just their way of making more money. I've seen it done before though and it's not a particularly difficult job if you're handy with a socket set.

[Alok]

I got a call from service centre saying that the mechatronic unit needs to be replaced. Apparently it would normally cost about 5k. They mentioned the VW drivetrain warranty but they want it serviced at VW dealerships - which I haven't done. They also want the 7 speed DSG serviced. When I took my car to VW Village in Sydney for 60,000km service I was told the DSG does not need servicing.

Anyway, I also have the extended warranty through Allianz so they will check if that covers it. From what I can tell the PDS has no mention about having the car serviced at VW specifically:

We may not pay your claim if you do not:
a. service your vehicle in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and
keep a record of the services undertaken on your vehicle.
b. take reasonable care to maintain and protect your vehicle

I figure that just means as long as it complies with the manufacturers service schedule then it should be fine. Anyone made a claim on the extended warranty that had their car serviced with independent?

[Ryan_R]

@kaktusdigital Wouldn't have a clue. Was fitted July '12, mechatronics done in September.