VW Aust have agreed to replace my mechatronics unit 100% parts 30% labour

[Christine]

I am writing to let you know that on the advice of my mechanic who does not work at a VW dealership I contacted VW Australia to request replacement of my car's mechatronics unit and they have agreed to cover 100% parts and 30% labour. My car is a 2010 2.0 TDI Passat. I have owned it since new and have done 132,000klms. It's a 6 speed with a DSG. My car only ever had it's very first service done at the VW dealership in Rockhampton where I live. I was totally unimpressed with their customer care when I initially purchased the car and that feeling didn't improve after the first service so I never returned. I had to provide copies of the invoices from the services showing that the gear box oil was replaced at 60,000 & 120,000.

[saint70]

That is unusual...but good for your. I have serviced car since new at vw dealership but i do not think they would change mechatronics unit 100% and 30% labour...maybe i am wrong...maybe depens of dealership...who knows. In any case, you are lucky one B-)

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[Christine]

That is unusual...but good for your. I have serviced car since new at vw dealership but i do not think they would change mechatronics unit 100% and 30% labour...maybe i am wrong...maybe depens of dealership...who knows. In any case, you are lucky one B-)

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Thanks saint70. Nothing to do with the dealership, I initially contacted VW Australia as I had a really bad experience with the dealership when I purchased the car and wasn't keen to go back there ever. VV Australia insisted the dealership inspect the car and on their findings VW Australia made the offer. It was my mechanic who suggested I contact VW as the DSG problems are a VW fault. If drivers don't ask for compensation VW aren't offering that's why I'm keen to spread the word.

[Umai Naa!!]

Good to hear they're helping you out.

I wouldn't consider it as compensation as such. It's goodwill assistance. The DSGs in the diesels are relatively trouble-free these days. That it has failed this far into its life, is also unusual.

[Christine]

Good to hear they're helping you out.

I wouldn't consider it as compensation as such. It's goodwill assistance. The DSGs in the diesels are relatively trouble-free these days. That it has failed this far into its life, is also unusual.

You obviously have a much higher opinion of VW than I do. VW Australia should have had to recall their 6-speed DSG cars when they recalled the 7-speed, they did in other parts of the world where they value their market share. The parts are faulty. It shouldn't have failed at five years of age, not for the money I paid for the car. We also have a Subaru Forester purchased new the year before the Passat, faultless car, cost less to buy and has cost less to run.

[Amalgam]

We also have a Subaru Forester purchased new the year before the Passat, faultless car, cost less to buy and has cost less to run.

I couldn't agree more. Our previous car was Gen4 3.0L Outback. It was rock solid. The Passat has a few niggles and don't instill the same confidence.

[kleung]

We also have a Subaru Forester purchased new the year before the Passat, faultless car, cost less to buy and has cost less to run.

Hopefully you won't get the dreaded head gasket failure then.

The mechatronics is a sophisticated piece of technology, and unfortunately yours has let you down, but even the most reliable car can have breakdowns. I know it's annoying, but at least VW have come to the party to an extent. Try not to get caught up in the media hype - the reality is that, aside from some teething issues in the earlier applications, the 6 speed wet clutch DSG has been generally reliable, and if you take away the media hype, I don't see any reliable or compelling evidence that the DSG6 is significantly less reliable than conventional torque converter autos.

Think about it - there are millions of DSGs in the wild around the world today, and you only ever hear about the failed ones. You never hear about the vast majority of the ones that are working perfectly. You also don't hear about torque converter auto failures because it's a very mature technology, and people just accept that there will be the occasional failure. Ford, for example, after more than 10 years, four vehicle generations and three different transmissions STILL haven't fixed the design flaw that commonly results in the transmission milkshake in Falcons - but you never hear about those, despite the existence of a known, cost-effective, and permanent fix for that design flaw.

Hopefully once your Passat is repaired it won't let you down again.

[Christine]

Hopefully once your Passat is repaired it won't let you down again.

Turns out my VW Australia dramas are not over yet. When the dealership first inspected the car before Christmas they put in a goodwill request to VW Australia to replace the mechatronics unit AND the clutch. VW Australia agreed to 100% parts and 30% labour for the mechatronics but no mention of the clutch. Yesterday the mechatronics unit was replaced but now it's obvious the clutch has major issues. SO back to VW Australia we go. I phoned VW Australia when they first made their offer to ask about the clutch and spoke to a John who fobbed me off, I'll be calling him again today. The whole this has me feeling sick in the stomach.

You don't hear about the DSG problems as much anymore cause VW recalled them world wide, only in Australia they only recalled the 7speed. It's a manufacturer fault, that's why they agree to pay the cost to replace.

[Christine]

Good to hear they're helping you out.

I wouldn't consider it as compensation as such. It's goodwill assistance. The DSGs in the diesels are relatively trouble-free these days. That it has failed this far into its life, is also unusual.

Take a quick look at this article, they were recalled worldwide, except in Australia
VW recalls 2.6m cars, over 44,000 in Australia- Car News | CarsGuide

[prn31]

Take a quick look at this article, they were recalled worldwide, except in Australia
VW recalls 2.6m cars, over 44,000 in Australia- Car News | CarsGuide

This article is talking about the 7 speed DQ200 DSG gearbox that is built in China, which has all the problems and was recalled in Australia. in 2013

As other posters have said, the German built 6 speed DQ250 DSG gearbox which you have in your TDI Passat has been relatively trouble-free.

[Christine]

As other posters have said, the German built 6 speed DQ250 DSG gearbox which you have in your TDI Passat has been relatively trouble-free.

Relatively trouble-free, I guess the definition depends on whether or not you're unfortunate enough to own one.

https://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1048861

Volkswagen Australia recalls DSG cars - motoring.com.au

Today I've learnt that replacing the mechatronics unit has not fixed my problems, the dealer now tells me they have to replace the gearbox and the clutch. They have gone back to VW Australia with another goodwill request. This car is only five years old, it cost me $43,000. I think I'm entitled to better.

[bon123456789]

I've heard Australia's lemon car laws don't have much bite but that will change soon with local production ceasing soon, the government is going to get tougher on the car makers.


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[Umai Naa!!]

The car isn't a lemon. It has a worn-out transmission.

They will put another one in, and all will be right with the world again.

[XXX-1.8T]

Sounds like the problem was mis diagnosed.

This should be VW problem not yours.

I had the same issue but my car was under warranty.

Reverse wouldnt engage i thought 100% it was the mechatronics but turned out to be the clutches.

[kleung]

Relatively trouble-free, I guess the definition depends on whether or not you're unfortunate enough to own one.

That statement can apply to any car that has a failed transmission.

https://www.recalls.gov.au/content/i...itemId/1048861
Volkswagen Australia recalls DSG cars - motoring.com.au

Again, those recalls were for the 7-speed dry clutch DSG. There is a reference to a recall for the 6-speed DSG but that was only for 2009 and earlier DQ250s, and was for a defective temperature sensor.

Today I've learnt that replacing the mechatronics unit has not fixed my problems, the dealer now tells me they have to replace the gearbox and the clutch.

If that's the case, I'd be having a discussion with them about the labour costs for the mechatronics replacement - if it didn't fix the problem, I'd be arguing that you shouldn't have to pay for it.