Polo 7 Speed DSG Mechatronic and/or Clutch Failures - Please... please share yours !

[steveyoshi]

I have a 2012 GTI and about 1.5-2 years into ownership, had clutch slip and got clutches replaced. Also got many "updates" but I'm not sure if anything was even done...

Since the new clutch packs, I've been pretty predominantly driving in manual to not ruin the clutch now its out of warranty and no problems so far besides the computer thinking i want to downshift when i want to upshift or vice versa which results in a shud/jerk.

So clutches and software vut you are not sure it made any difference ?

How many kms at that time ?

So now driving manually but when you change up... the software makes it change down... is that how I understand the issue ?

That is rather concerning or is that when in auto ?

Regardless that is scary...

Can you please confirm ?

Cheers for your reply too ?

[HenryJr]

Mines a 2015 GTI with 48,000kms with a clutch pedal... zero problems

[jayc29u]

So clutches and software vut you are not sure it made any difference ?

How many kms at that time ?

So now driving manually but when you change up... the software makes it change down... is that how I understand the issue ?

That is rather concerning or is that when in auto ?

Regardless that is scary...

Can you please confirm ?

Cheers for your reply too ?

No more shudder after clutch replacement so thats a difference.

I mustn't have explained it very well. The mechatronics thinks I want to change down or up and when i dont do what it thinks, the car jerks. Not scary just how its programmed.

Other than that its been great. No problems whatsoever.

[car_nut]

Thank you for responding so promptly, so you had an issue with the stock DSG software and VWA wouldn't or didn't help so you went to Guy H.

Just wondering, how many kms you did in the 13 Model before trading at the 2 year mark ?

It had only done about 13,000 ks when I traded it so I'm probably not a good test case for the DSG. Traded because it was becoming an oil burner.

[steveyoshi]

Ok... thanks everyone for messages and replies, has given me a good insight into what is obviously a failure of the 7sp DSG in many cases.

If anyone needs a copy of the My13 Polo or Golf Brochures, just PM me.

Cheers.

[CraigR]

2010 MY11 Polo GTi
99,000kms
Violent shudder when taking off, mostly in second gear, low rpm, high load situation.
No updates/adaptation. VW got straight to the point and replaced clutch packs with the usual 100% parts and 20% labour covered.
2000kms on, still driving sweet. It's a different car! Still a little bit jerky at lower speeds, but I think that's just how these cars are.

[car_nut]

oops wrong thread, can't delete

[Tinker]

I have had my Polo for about a month it is not registered yet. I have just fixed my DPF issues and it has gearbox faults which I will paste in below. It has sat in a shed for over 3 years the previous owner got sick of the problems with it and trying to deal with VW.
I was told by the previous owner it had the mechatronics unit replaced and around a thousand k's later it started to intermittently fault and not select 1st gear. Not long after that it went into limp home mode because of being driven for to long with a faulty exhaust temp sensor and a faulty DPF pressure sensor. That's when they parked it. It is a 2010 diesel 7 speed comfortline.
2 Faults Found:
001836 - Gear 1
P072C - 008 - Not Selectable - Intermittent - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 10101000
Fault Priority: 0
Fault Frequency: 4
Reset counter: 40
Mileage: 193049 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.06.13
Time: 00:14:51


001852 - Gear 7
P073C - 000 - Not Selectable - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 0
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset counter: 40
Mileage: 193051 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.06.18
Time: 20:07:14

[Transporter]

so... we have the same issue with 1.8 Litre 7 Speed DSG Vehicles made in Nov 15... all the way down to 2011 (I know because I have been told by an Owner.

Seems that they can't get it right can they... and this is just on the Polo...

What on earth is going on ?

The internet will get you only people who complain about the DSGs, so I chip in here. it's very rare that I see a car with a faulty one.

However, when I compare "the DSG" to automatic transmissions from past, lets say a decade ago, they certainly are a huge improvement. Wouldn't that be a better project for you? You could also visit the automatic transmission specialists workshops and get their opinions.

[simdog]

2012 Polo GTI.
100000km on the clock
Shuddered in first gear, had an ecu update 3 weeks ago then couldn't start the car. I bought it from a local Audi dealership, it had a 12 month National Warranty. It took them 3 days to decide if it was covered, thankfully they said yes. Final bill was $2750 to replace the mechatronic unit.

[n3tw]

Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa!!!

Sadly have to add my name to this list - Ordered and collected a new PGTi and noticed an odd sounding noise on downshifting - was told this is quite normal.

I then put on about 800km on the car, booked it in, and got a call to say that the vehicle has experienced a mechatronics dsg failure and that the unit will need to be replaced.

I refuse to accept this - and they have ordered me a new vehicle now.

What is even more concerning however is the fact that they gave me another Polo GTi with 1750km on ... I drove it for about 500/600 km, and BOOM - same issue.

Took this car mentioned above to a DIFFERENT dealership today , and service manager confirmed - that THUDDING between 2&3 is NOT normal - and that this one has probably also failed or will fail soon.

In this thread I read somewhere that the issue goes away with higher engine temps - to a certain degree I will agree with this - but if you know how to, it can be reproduced on demand!

I am at the point now, where I have told VW SA that if this new, replacement unit they have ordered ALSO does it - I want the deal to be revoked entirely.

Waiting to hear more from you boys!

[Project 7]

Hi Steveyoshi

I bought a 2017 Polo GTI 6c - I had the mechantronics, both clutches and then the entire transmission fail within 2 months of owning it! It has been an absolute nightmare dealing with VW head office to resolve the situation - I even made a rant video which I posted all over the VW FB and social media pages to bring this to their attention! If you search "Project 7 broken GTI" in YouTube, you can watch if you're interested - bottom line, VW admits there is an issue with the DQ200 gearbox and offered me an upgrade...which I am still waiting for...2 months without my car, driving a courtesy car (which is a Kia mind you!!!). I hope you have better luck if you decide to go purchase a Polo.

Details:
2017 Polo GTI 6c
4000km
Mechatronics, clutch, transmission failure
All under warranty (2 month old car)

[waxgti]

not a polo but its brother

bought a 2013 a1 twincharge sport with 48000kms. felt a bit of shudder from first. took to audi dealer. out of warranty and needs new mechatronics unit. dealer contacted audi on our behalf and audi contributing 100% goodwill.

great result

[bushman]

Whatever, auto gearbox whatever type inc DSG in any car is always suboptimal. And expect problems if you hit it hard.
Always best to get proper manual, may not change as fast, but you always get better control & reliability + much funner to drive.
But you do have to know how to use.
DSG may be better in a drag race, but I doubt may buy VW for this purpose.
Its a pity VW only offered the Polo GTI in DSG format, then it would have been a really great car, but I think they are now available
Auto maybe best if you drive much slow city traffic, but then you don't need a performance car like GTI.
That's my two bobs worth from old race driver, who still likes to fang it in my 1.2 TSI 6 speed manual (with performance tune)

[TAS1981]

I see sooooo many Polo GTIs on the road it would really be interesting to know what % of cars actually ever have a problem and what is the average kilometres when it happens. I don't believe that many of these owners go on forums so I imagine a higher concentration forum users searching for answers will have issues than the general owner pool.

Reading on here it initially put me off but bit the bullet on a really good condition and low kms MY13.5. Hope I don't live to regret it!