Five months of gearbox problems with a 2011 VW Polo GTI

biffarooney

Hello all, thought the 'consumery' guys on here might fancy having some input on the problems I have been experiencing with the DSG gearbox my 2011 Polo GTI. It was purchased new on 5th March.

About three weeks into ownership, I had a problem. I was using the manual paddle shift mode on the car and drove up to a speed bump. I changed down from 3rd to second, then went over the bump. When I went to put the power down, there was no throttle and the gear was stuck in 2nd - effectively frozen, as it would get going again in the full auto mode. The only way to free the system was to place into to Park and turn the car on and off.

This happened a couple of times that day on quiet streets, so I called VW Roadside Assistance to my house - who could find nothing wrong with the car so it was booked in with the dealer (Croydon Volkswagen) for further checks.

Prior to that happening, the fault occurred again, but this time on a busy roundabout - where I was a sitting duck for other vehicles.

It went back to the dealer ASAP after that, but they couldn't find any problems with the car and told me to bring it back if it happened again - which it did. This time the road it happened on was really quiet, so I filmed it to help the dealer see what was happening and so that they didn't think I was mad. Below is the first video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oKRLNjsoXg

After this video, they told me that the issue that could potentially put my safety in jeopardy was in fact, a gearbox protection feature called 'software shift lock'. Basically, I was told to go away, even though the dealer couldn't explain why this safety feature was cutting in.

By now we're in May, and the car is still experiencing the same problems, but the dealer is baffled. It wasn't practical to send the car back every time the fault happened, especially as it wasn't/hasn't happened (yet) when using full auto mode. The car was going back on average every three weeks and each time, the car received a clean bill of health, despite the fault happening. The dealer would not authorise any repairs or new parts because they couldn't see/experience the problem for themselves.

So I was in a loop really. Fault, dealer, all clear, car returned to me.

What really moved things on was last weekend. I was using the car in the manual shift mode and the gearbox stuck in 3rd gear and the revs stuck at 4,00RPM, despite not touching the throttle. The car was accelerating into the back of the car in front. Now, obviously I braked to stop this happening and pulled over. Once again, I whipped the camera out, because the lights on the dash were behaving differently to normal and I didn't have a chance to video this prior to this instance. When I stopped, it froze in gear again and didn't have any throttle response. Also worth mentioning was the fact that the car was rolling back down the hill even though it was in 1st gear. Video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=985G0EkiuJI

So, in a nutshell, I've had nearly five months of this problem and its getting worse. Its a potentially dangerous fault that could well catch someone else out.

I'm currently investigating how I can return the car, because at the moment, there isn't a fix and apparently, there isn't even a problem. In my opinion, the car is dangerous when using this mode, but Volkswagen seem happy for me to drive it. The car has been back seven times now for this problem.

Sorry its a bit of ramble - I would be happy to fill in any gaps and answer any questions.

Just for luck, here's another video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1TOhpLQ6QM

Thanks for reading

harveybobbles

The main reason why I prefer a "normal" auto.

Have you tried another VW dealer?

biffarooney

No I haven't, but I don't know if it would make a difference. They all use the same 5052 diagnostic software and if there are no problems showing on that, then another dealer probably wouldn't take the gearbox apart or replace any parts.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

clearly theres a fault. VW should do more than plugging into it own hardware computers, as if no EML comes on theres no fault that they could see.

take the manager out in it and not just a spin round the block, make sure you get to use the feature fully and see if it happens on when he is there, tell him take a mobile with him because if it does happen you want it in the shop ASAP.

is the car on finance, ring them and ask them for assistance (the car is theirs and should help sort this out if you experience difficulty with the car and dealer together).

have you asked VW head office to help you?

researched soga?

biffarooney

The dealer has the car at the moment in attempt to find/experience fault. Apparently this happened on Friday, so a slight positive. They have sent info to Germany, but I don't think it will be a quick fix.

There is a case open with VW Customer Services and they are investigating - as are VW Financial Services.

SOGA does apply I think. Its under six months old which is the main thing. But the full ins and outs - not sure yet. Was hoping Martin would help :money:

newfoundglory

I wanted to order a new Polo GTI, but i'm stunned and horrified at what you have shown here. I have to admit the semi auto kinda put me off.

This isn't mechanical, its totally a software issue (which is quite clear from the videos you have posted).

There may not be a fault code for this, as I suspect its not actually a fault but rather a software design flaw.

Due to the safety issues, I sense recall coming on :eek:

scheming_gypsy

it's even mentioned on the wiki page if you scroll right down http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct-Shift_Gearbox

biffarooney

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

it's even mentioned on the wiki page if you scroll right down http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct-Shift_Gearbox

Sorry, what are you referring to on the Wiki page?

scheming_gypsy

Problems and Recall of DSG-equipped vehicles

In August 2009, Volkswagen of America issued two recalls of DSG-equipped vehicles. The first involved 13,500 vehicles,[23] and was to address unplanned shifts to the neutral gear,[23] while the second involved similar problems (by then attributed to faulty temperature sensors) and applied to 53,300 vehicles.[23][24][25] These recalls arose as a result of investigations carried out by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),[26] where owners reported to the NHTSA a loss of power whilst driving.[23] This investigation preliminary found only 2008 and 2009 model year vehicles as being affected.[23][26] Other markets, such as Volkswagen group Australia, are yet to admit this being a wide spread issue and refuse to offer similar recall programs as their US counter parts, even though multiple reports of similar incidents and failures have occurred.

biffarooney

Ah that...

There are two versions of the DSG system and the recalls etc were based on the first generation (6 speed). My Polo has the second generation (7-speed), but the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree. I think the mechatronic units that control the gearbox aren't working properly.

scheming_gypsy

The Skoda had the same issue as well http://www.warrantyguide.co.uk/vehicle-recall-B86ED30248824F0E8025765C0031A74F-skoda-octavia-ii-&-superb-ii-%28with-6-speed-dsg%29-recall

both of them mention clutch temperature, so it could be a starting point for the garage.. I'm guessing that when you take it to them and they get around to looking at it, the clutch has cooled down which could be why they can't recreate it.