Gearbox in emergency mode Tiguan 2017

[Nickfj]

Wow - have just joined this growing list. 2019 R-Line 75k on the clock - Gearbox Emergency Mode - loss of odd numbered gears on longer drives - getting the runaround from VW Service - no faults logged and can’t replicate the error. Insisting on photo/video proof. I find it so hard to believe that such a major issue with the DSG does not generate a fault log???? So disappointing as previous car (Golf 2012) had gearbox replaced within first year - should have known better I guess but thought they had ironed out the issues. Anyone know how to start a class action?

[nermal]

Wow - have just joined this growing list. 2019 R-Line 75k on the clock - Gearbox Emergency Mode - loss of odd numbered gears on longer drives - getting the runaround from VW Service - no faults logged and can’t replicate the error. Insisting on photo/video proof. I find it so hard to believe that such a major issue with the DSG does not generate a fault log???? So disappointing as previous car (Golf 2012) had gearbox replaced within first year - should have known better I guess but thought they had ironed out the issues. Anyone know how to start a class action?

Do you have access to an ODB scanner? Take a photo when the error comes up on the dashboard, then do a scan when you get home and save the scan file (OBDEleven will let you email it to yourself)...

I expect it would have to have logged an error if there was an error on the dashboard. Not saying they would intentionally be hiding/deleting evidence of a fault to avoid a warranty claim, but you'd expect that there'd have to be an error somewhere of something major that made it to your dashboard.

[smarty]

I think that why fault code thrown is logged. I wouldn’t think that it needs to demonstrate it then and there to be diagnosed. My mechatronics packed up and the day I finally took it to them (was a 5 week wait) the fault had gone (dash warning lights gone, gears were back) but they could still see the previous logged fault codes and could diagnose it still as a bad mecha

[Nickfj]

Update: Kept driving the vehicle with intermittent faults that could be rectified with a re-start or left to cool but the frequency was increasing until I lost all but second and reverse gears last night. Had it towed to nearest dealers and quoted 6-8 week wait for the part to get here from Germany. Also started throwing emission system faults as well. So glad for the 5 Year Warranty.

[smarty]

Mine packed up 3 weeks out of 5 yr warranty
Even though the last service I told them I reckon box was playing up as it has done a few hard up and down shifts on me
They honored but I had to cover labour

[LaNOS]

Well my 2017 VW 162 TSI Tiguan had its gearbox go into emergency mode for the first time at 114,000 kms. How has everyone generally approached this? Since my warranty has run out I have been getting the car serviced at Eurotune who do proper VW servicing.

Have people out of warranty taken the issue back to a dealership or gone non-dealership for repairs? Also did people ask for goodwill from VW Australia regarding prior to carrying out the repairs or after and then seeking reimbursement?

Also did anyone in this thread have a TCU tune done as well?

Thanks guys, i did not sleep well last night with all this on my mind!

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[Nickfj]

Advice/help - this is beyond a joke

My Tiguan has been in the shop for nearly a month now. Initially they claimed there were no faults logged when Emergency Gearbox error happened on a long drive and I lost all odd numbered gears. They asked for photographic evidence if it happened again.

Two weeks later, armed with photos after it happened again I was back in the workshop and after some investigations on their part I was told they would replace the mechatronic controller unit(under warranty). It could take 5-8 weeks for it to arrive from Germany. Inconvenient but ok…


They just called to say they installed some software and after 400km of test driving are unable to replicate the fault and want me to come and collect the car.


I have balked at this. I asked if any of the 400km involved large hills or long drives to which they said no. This was the only time that the fault occurred when I was driving.


So where do I stand? Accept the car as is? Refuse to take it until the mechatronic controller is actually replaced. It feels very much like they are fobbing me off and the dealership is playing the “poor little middleman” between myself and Volkswagen Australia which is a total cop out.


Any advice from the hive mind?

[nermal]

Does it have much warranty left?

It's a pain, but perhaps you could even pick it up, drive it directly to/up a hill, trigger the fault (or not), take a photo and then drop it back in? Or request/insist they do this before you pick it up?

Or perhaps the software fix might just work?.. Which dealership are you working with? Have you had good/bad experiences with them in the past (are they usually trustworthy)?

[Nickfj]

Does it have much warranty left?

It's a pain, but perhaps you could even pick it up, drive it directly to/up a hill, trigger the fault (or not), take a photo and then drop it back in? Or request/insist they do this before you pick it up?

Or perhaps the software fix might just work?.. Which dealership are you working with? Have you had good/bad experiences with them in the past (are they usually trustworthy)?

Unfortunately it was towed to the nearest dealers. Not prepared to name them yet but they don’t have a great reputation.

Yes the software update might fix it but I very much doubt it given all the posts on here and they said they were going to replace the part and have not. I think they resorted to a software update instead as there is obviously a serious delay in shipping from Germany and they are currently paying for a rental/loan at present.

I live in metro Sydney and the fault has only ever happened on trips to the Blue Mountains - never happens driving around town. It is definitely a combination of duration of trip and incline/pressure. Has about 6 months left on the 5 year warranty. I think for now they have me over a barrel and I’m going for a big drive this weekend… some kind of towing guarantee would go some way to making me more comfortable. I will update on progress.

[Nickfj]

Software update question

Really feel like I’m getting the runaround from the dealership.

Has anyone ever heard of a software update fixing this issue? Everything I have read here says that a replacement of the mechatronic controller unit is the only cure. Why have they made me wait for weeks for a part only to install some software and cure the issue?

Thanks…

[nermal]

How do warranty claims work for a VW dealership? I've wondered at times if the dealership is on the hook for all or part of a warranty claim... There may be an incentive to save money rather than fix the problem?..

Sounds like it's a common, widespread fault with the gearbox... I remember our 2008 Passats (R36 and 125TDI) were recalled years ago for a gearbox issue, I believe it may have been mechatronics also.

[Nickfj]

How do warranty claims work for a VW dealership? I've wondered at times if the dealership is on the hook for all or part of a warranty claim... There may be an incentive to save money rather than fix the problem?..
.

I’d love to know. Always assumed each dealership was a franchise and any warranty repair cost would be passed on to VW Australia. So where is the incentive to fob me off with fake software update solutions instead of replacing the actual faulty part? The only thing I can think of is the fact I have a loan car while waiting for the part and the dealer is wearing that cost.

If you break down, roadside assist will only tow you to the nearest VW shop so it’s not like they get to choose which cars to fix.

Anyone have advice on what steps to take when a dealer does not complete a warranty repair?

[Guest001]

I’d love to know. Always assumed each dealership was a franchise and any warranty repair cost would be passed on to VW Australia. So where is the incentive to fob me off with fake software update solutions instead of replacing the actual faulty part? The only thing I can think of is the fact I have a loan car while waiting for the part and the dealer is wearing that cost.

If you break down, roadside assist will only tow you to the nearest VW shop so it’s not like they get to choose which cars to fix.

Anyone have advice on what steps to take when a dealer does not complete a warranty repair?

There are endless posts about this Get onto VW Australia head Office. They have staff who look after this sort of thing

[Nickfj]

There are endless posts about this Get onto VW Australia head Office. They have staff who look after this sort of thing

Thanks for the info Hillbilly - Someone from VW Australia has finally called me. They had no idea I have already made a formal complaint and I had to quote all the interaction numbers back at him. They are collating and evaluating what has gone down.

In the meantime - can anyone explain to me how a software update can fix a faulty Mechatronic Control Unit when up until now every single person in this thread who has experienced the issue has had the faulty component physically replaced?

They are pulling a swifty here right? Or am I being paranoid?

I would love to hear the thoughts of anyone more mechanically minded than me…

[MIG]

By no means am I backing the dealer; they have done a crap job so far with this warranty job.

Here's my two cents on how a software update might address an issue with the Mechatronic, even if it seems like the unit itself is faulty.

The Mechatronic relies on a multitude of sensor inputs like temperature, clutch position, speed, and torque to determine how to control the vehicle's transmission. It's a complex and dynamic system, and sometimes, an error or 'fault' isn't as simple as a physical component being defective - it might be a problem with how the system interprets or responds to the information it's receiving.

For example, if a sensor reports an unusually high temperature or a clutch slip (Just two examples), the TCU might interpret this as a critical fault and put the car into 'limp home mode' as a safety measure. However, if this reaction is based on a brief, non-recurring event (like a momentary spike in temperature), it might be an overreaction. The TCU might not log this 'fault' because it doesn't see it as a persistent issue.

A software update could help refine how the TCU interprets sensor data or calibration data in such cases. For instance, the update could introduce a delay or tolerance where the TCU waits to see if the unusual sensor reading persists for a certain duration before it flags a critical fault or logs an issue. By doing so, the system could differentiate between actual, persistent faults and brief anomalies, reducing false positives.

Or the update could introduce better logging; the dealer hopes they have better data to go on the next time it happens.

So, in short, while it does seem like they are "pulling a swifty" just delaying you as they don't have the parts, it's quite possible that the software update could resolve the issue without needing to replace the component physically.

It's always worth getting a second opinion, even if it's from another dealer.

Keep us posted on how it goes! and good luck!