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2008 Volkswagen Eos

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen Eos do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 40.

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How this year compares

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 7 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

47 reports
100 miles · May 4, 2012
Structure

I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN EOS. FROM THE START MY CAR HAS HAD A WATER LEAK ISSUE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER AFFILIATED WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR COUNTLESS TIMES IN ORDER TO HAVE THE ISSUE REPAIRED. EACH TIME I DO, THEY TELL ME IT'S REPAIRED & I COME TO FIND OUT THE NEXT TIME IT RAINS, SNOWS OR GOES THROUGH A…

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I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN EOS. FROM THE START MY CAR HAS HAD A WATER LEAK ISSUE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER AFFILIATED WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR COUNTLESS TIMES IN ORDER TO HAVE THE ISSUE REPAIRED. EACH TIME I DO, THEY TELL ME IT'S REPAIRED & I COME TO FIND OUT THE NEXT TIME IT RAINS, SNOWS OR GOES THROUGH A CAR WASH, THAT THE LEAKING HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE LEAK HAS EVEN CAUSED TECHNICAL ISSUES WITH THE CAR. ONE OF THE LAST TIMES I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR, IT SHIFTS AND CAUSES THE LEAK TO START AGAIN. BASICALLY, THEIR RESOLUTION WAS THAT IF I DON'T DRIVE MY CAR, IT WON'T LEAK. AFTER THAT, I GOT FED UP & CONTACTED THE MAIN VW HELP CENTER. THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND HAD A REGIONAL MANAGER HANDLING MY CASE. SHE TOLD ME THAT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PROCEED, I WOULD HAVE TO BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE LEAKING ISSUE VERIFIED. THE SERVICE CENTER VERIFIED THE LEAK & THEN TOLD HER THAT THEY REPAIRED THE ISSUE. SHE CONTACTED ME AND SAID THAT SHE REALLY BELIEVES IT WAS FIXED THIS TIME. I ASKED HER WHAT I SHOULD DO IF THE LEAK STARTED AGAIN, SINCE I KNEW IT WOULD, AND SHE TOLD ME IF IT DID, I SHOULD CONTACT HER. LO & BEHOLD, THE NEXT TIME IT RAINED, THE LEAK BEGAN AGAIN. I CONTACTED HER AND SHE TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO BRING IT BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE IT VERIFIED. AGAIN, I BROUGHT IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER, AGAIN THEY SAID THE FIXED IT, AGAIN IT LEAKED WHEN IT RAINED. I CONTACTED HER AND AGAIN SHE TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO BRING IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE THE ISSUE VERIFIED. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A NEVER ENDING CIRCLE AND THIS IS THEIR WAY OF HANDLING THE ISSUE UNTIL SOMEONE IS TOO FED UP AND GIVES UP. THEY'VE HAD MY CASE FOR SO LONG THAT THEY'VE GIVEN ME 3 DIFFERENT CASE NUMBERS TO KEEP THE CASE UP TO DATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457451

66,000 miles · Nov 16, 2011
Power Train

VEHICLE LURCHED DURING START OF ACCELERATION. ALSO SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE IT WAS SEARCHING FOR A GEAR AND COULDN'T FIND IT. SLAMMING OF GEARS FELT AND HEARD - INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN IN AND THE CLUTCH PLATES WERE REPLACED. PREVIOUS WORK RECORDED WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MECHTRONIC U…

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VEHICLE LURCHED DURING START OF ACCELERATION. ALSO SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE IT WAS SEARCHING FOR A GEAR AND COULDN'T FIND IT. SLAMMING OF GEARS FELT AND HEARD - INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN IN AND THE CLUTCH PLATES WERE REPLACED. PREVIOUS WORK RECORDED WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MECHTRONIC UNIT. SO FAR AFTER 100 MILES THE ISSUE APPEARS BETTER BUT NOT TOTALLY RELIEVED. STILL SLIGHT HESITATION BETWEEN GEARS. NO SLAMMING. ALSO PREVIOUSLY PARKING ON A HILL WAS AN ISSUE. NO ROLL STOP WITHOUT BRAKES OR BRAKING. NOW AFTER REPAIR THE VEHICLE WILL STOP ROLLBACK AFTER 1 FT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436160

328 miles · Nov 3, 2011
Electrical SystemStructure

I DON'T THINK A $38,000 CAR THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD SHOULD LEAK RAIN IN IT ALL THE TIME AND THE CONVERTIBLE TOP NOT WORK PROPERLY - IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FIXING A PROBLEM THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE FIXED LAST FRIDAY. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT MECHANIC EVEN T…

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I DON'T THINK A $38,000 CAR THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD SHOULD LEAK RAIN IN IT ALL THE TIME AND THE CONVERTIBLE TOP NOT WORK PROPERLY - IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FIXING A PROBLEM THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE FIXED LAST FRIDAY. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT MECHANIC EVEN TOLD ME THAT 98% OF EOS LEAK RAIN INSIDE THEM AND THE CONVERTIBLE TOPS DON'T WORK. DATEMILESPROBLEM 3/19/08328WIPER BLADES SPLIT APART (CAR WAS BRAND NEW) 6/17/0911400LEAKS RAIN INSIDE CAR ON DRIVERS SIDE - REPLACED HEADER SEAL AND MOUNTING BRACKET 6/17/0911400DRIVERS SIDE SUNVISOR CRACKED 6/23/0911540REPLACED DRIVERS SIDE SUNVISOR 9/4/1023056RECALL - MECHANTRONIC UNIT 9/4/1023056CONVERTIBLE TOP NOT OPERATING PROPERLY - FLAP TENSION STRING NEEDED NEW CLIPS 9/4/1023056SIDE WINDOW GRINDING AND HESITATING WHEN GOING UP AND DOWN - DEFECTIVE WINDOW REGULATOR 9/4/1023056VEHICLE HAVING TROUBLE STARTING - IGNITION/STARTER SWITCH ELECTRICAL FAULT IN CIRCUIT 9/13/1023355CONVERTIBLE TOP NOT OPERATING PROPERLY - INSTALLED HEADLINER TENSIONING STRING CLIPS 9/13/1023355FRONT DOOR HANDLE LOOSE 9/8/1134761WATER LEAKING FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP (RAIN INSIDE CAR)- SUNROOF DRAIN HOSE REPAIR 9/8/1134761PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TRIM IS PEELING OFF CAR 9/17/1135231WATER LEAKING FROM DOOR (RAIN INSIDE CAR)- REPLACED THE SEALS (IN A LOANER FOR 4 DAYS) 10/20/1137230REPLACED DEFECTIVE CRANK BREATHER 10/27/1137398CONVERTIBLE TOP NOT OPERATING PROPERLY - GETS STUCK WHEN OPENING - CABLE GUIDE BROKE OFF 10/27/1137398SERVICE NOW LIGHT ON AFTER IT WAS JUST SERVICED 11/1/1137450BACK IN SHOP FOR CONVERTIBLE TOP NOT WORKING PROPERLY KEY IS BROKEN, I KEEP THIS CAR IN THE GARAGE AND GET REGULAR MAINTENANCE WORK DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434168

5,843 miles · Dec 29, 2010
Electrical SystemPower TrainSeats

I HAVE HAD A 2008 EOS FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AFTER 4 MONTHS, IT HAS HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS INCLUDING ELECTRICAL SEAT NOT WORKING PROPERLY, LEAKS IN WINDOW, CHEAP MATERIALS FALLING OFF NEEDING REPLACEMENT, BRAKES NEEDING SOONER THAN MOST CARS (BRAKES ARE VERY LONG,TAKES FOREVER TO COME TO STOP…

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I HAVE HAD A 2008 EOS FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AFTER 4 MONTHS, IT HAS HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS INCLUDING ELECTRICAL SEAT NOT WORKING PROPERLY, LEAKS IN WINDOW, CHEAP MATERIALS FALLING OFF NEEDING REPLACEMENT, BRAKES NEEDING SOONER THAN MOST CARS (BRAKES ARE VERY LONG,TAKES FOREVER TO COME TO STOP). AT ABOUT 1YR I STARTED HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH HOW IT DROVE. IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP, ONE TIME IT WAS IN FOR ONE MONTH! IT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH LURCHING, SURGING, JERKING AND LACK OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING OR PUTTING INTO SPORT MODE, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND LEAKING FROM WINDOWS AS WELL. THEY REPLACED ONE PART (THAT WAS OFFICIALLY RECALLED) AND THE CAR DROVE WORSE. THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW HAVE A NEW RATTLING PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO COME FROM THE ENGINE, ALONG WITH WINDOW BUTTON ON DRIVER SIDE STICKING. THERE IS STILL TIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE AND THERE NO INCREASED POWER OR I PUT IT INTO SPORT AND THERE IS NO INCREASE IN SPEED OR RPM'S. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN AGAIN AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND I WILL HAVE TO COVER COSTS THAT ARE NOT UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. WITH AS MUCH PROBLEMS AS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR, EVERYTHING SHOULD BE COVERED. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND TRY TO STAY LOCAL AND DO NOT DRIVE MUCH IF I DON'T HAVE TO. AFTER READING OTHER PEOPLES PROBLEMS I CAN SEE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION. I BELIEVE IT IS A DANGEROUS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373330

14,700 miles · Feb 7, 2010
Unknown Or OtherCrashFire

2008 VW EOS I FOLLOWED BEHIND A CAR (TAXI) FROM A STOP LIGHT WHICH TURNED GREEN. THE CAB STOPPED SHORT TO LET OFF PASSENGERS IMMEDIATELY AFTER GREEN LIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION. I WAS GOING LESS THAN 25 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE …

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2008 VW EOS I FOLLOWED BEHIND A CAR (TAXI) FROM A STOP LIGHT WHICH TURNED GREEN. THE CAB STOPPED SHORT TO LET OFF PASSENGERS IMMEDIATELY AFTER GREEN LIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION. I WAS GOING LESS THAN 25 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE AND IMMEDIATELY ENGULFED THE CAR. *TW

NHTSA ODI #10307243

300 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Power Train

MY 08 VW EOS HAS BEEN HAVING A JERKING (FEELING LIKE BEING REAR ENDED) AND SPUTTERING IN THE TRANSMISSION SINCE I HAVE HAD IT, BOUGHT THE END OF JUNE 08 I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS SEVERAL TIMES TO INCLUDE JUST BEFORE MY SURGERY NOV 11, 09. IT WAS IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND I WAS TOLD EVERYTIME THERE WAS NO ISS…

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MY 08 VW EOS HAS BEEN HAVING A JERKING (FEELING LIKE BEING REAR ENDED) AND SPUTTERING IN THE TRANSMISSION SINCE I HAVE HAD IT, BOUGHT THE END OF JUNE 08 I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS SEVERAL TIMES TO INCLUDE JUST BEFORE MY SURGERY NOV 11, 09. IT WAS IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND I WAS TOLD EVERYTIME THERE WAS NO ISSUE. I FINALLY RECV'D A NOTICE IN THE MAIL DEC 22, 09 FROM VW SAYING THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE BUT NO FIX TILL SUMMER 2010. ON NOV 11 09 I HAD TO HAVE NECK SURGERY BECAUSE THE CAR JERK IS SO BAD IT FEELS LIKE I AM BEING REAR ENDED I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR TO SEE IF I HAD BEEN HIT. AND I HAVE TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THIS AS WELL. AFTER TELLING THE DEALERSHIP I HAD SURGERY BECAUSE OF THIS THEY ARE REQUESTING MY CAR TO COME BACK TO THE SHOP AND IT WILL BE DROPPED OFF TOMORROW 2/5/10 BUT THERE IS STILL NO FIX FOR THIS ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE LETTER I RECV'D IN DEC. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10306071

5,000 miles · Oct 27, 2009
Power Train

2008 VW EOS SWITCHED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITH HIGH ENGINE RPM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289942

29,500 miles · Sep 24, 2009
Power Train

MY 2008 EOS 2.0T WITH 6 SPEED DSG TRANSMISSION HAS ERRATIC ACCELERATION IN FORWARD AND REVERSE FROM STANDSTILL. USUALLY THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAVE COOLED. IT HAS OCCURRED OVER A WIDE RANGE OF TEMPERATURES ALTHOUGH IT DOES SOMETIMES DISSIPATE AFTER EXTENDED DRIVING. THE FAILU…

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MY 2008 EOS 2.0T WITH 6 SPEED DSG TRANSMISSION HAS ERRATIC ACCELERATION IN FORWARD AND REVERSE FROM STANDSTILL. USUALLY THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAVE COOLED. IT HAS OCCURRED OVER A WIDE RANGE OF TEMPERATURES ALTHOUGH IT DOES SOMETIMES DISSIPATE AFTER EXTENDED DRIVING. THE FAILURE CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS SEVERAL SURGES OF THE THROTTLE IN FIRST GEAR OR REVERSE GEAR. MY FOOT IS TYPICALLY DEPRESSING THE PEDAL WITH A CONSTANT VELOCITY TO A SHALLOW POSITION WHICH WOULD NORMALLY PERMIT ME TO SLOWLY PULL AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN OR BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. INSTEAD, THE CAR SEEMS TO SURGE AT A MUCH GREATER SPEED FOR AN INSTANT, COAST FOR ANOTHER INSTANT, AND REPEAT UNTIL I EITHER APPLY THE BREAK OR FURTHER DECREASE THE PEDAL. WHEN DECREASING THE PEDAL FURTHER THE SURGING STOPS ONCE I REACH AN ACCELERATION CONSISTENT WITH THE PEAK OF THE SURGE. MY PRIMARY CONCERN IS THAT THE INCONSISTENT ACCELERATION WILL LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE AND MINOR ACCIDENTS. A SECONDARY CONCERN IS THAT IF THIS PROBLEM WORSENS IT MAY CAUSE WHIPLASH FROM EVER MORE VIOLENT ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION CYCLES. NO CORRECTIVE MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN AS VW HAS NOT PROVIDED DEALERSHIPS AND SERVICE SHOPS WITH A WAY TO ACCURATELY REPRODUCE THE EFFECT OR DETECT IT'S OCCURRENCE VIA FAULT CODES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285090

9,667 miles · Sep 7, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE 2008 VOLKSWAGEN EOS' ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND LUCKILY, WE WERE ABLE TO GUIDE IT TO THE SIDE FOR SAFETY. WE TURNED THE CAR ENGINE COMPLETELY OFF AND LET IT REST FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. IT STARTED AND WE GOT BACK ON THE ROAD AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO A VW SERVICE THAT WAS CLOSEST TO US. THEY SAW "FAULT…

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THE 2008 VOLKSWAGEN EOS' ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND LUCKILY, WE WERE ABLE TO GUIDE IT TO THE SIDE FOR SAFETY. WE TURNED THE CAR ENGINE COMPLETELY OFF AND LET IT REST FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. IT STARTED AND WE GOT BACK ON THE ROAD AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO A VW SERVICE THAT WAS CLOSEST TO US. THEY SAW "FAULTS" OF BEING LOW ON FUEL AND STATED WE SHOULD FILL THE FUEL TANK BEFORE IT GETS TO THE RESERVE AMOUNT. IT HAS NOT STOPPED SINCE WE IMPLEMENTED THIS INTERVENTION. HOWEVER THERE WAS AN EARLIER PROBLEM WITH LOSING THE POWER WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THAT WE DID NOT REPORT AS IT SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF WITHIN ABOUT 60 SECONDS WHILE DRIVING. CONCERNS ARE RAISED ON 2 COUNTS: 1. IS IT REALLY ABOUT FUEL LEVEL, WHEN NO OTHER CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WHEN LOW ON FUEL (NOT EMPTY, LOW) AND, 2. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMPLAINT THAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY OTHERS BEFORE. THIS MAKES US CONCERNED ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, SAFETY AND THE RISK OF ACCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283102

500 miles · Sep 7, 2009
Power Train

THE CONTINUING PROBLEM FIRST REPORTED TO VW SERVICE IN OCTOBER OF 2008 HAS TO DO WITH THE BUCKING AND LURCHING OF THE CAR WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. IT OFTEN LURCHES AND DOES NOT START SMOOTHLY. WE HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND TAKEN IT INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WE WERE TOLD IT…

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THE CONTINUING PROBLEM FIRST REPORTED TO VW SERVICE IN OCTOBER OF 2008 HAS TO DO WITH THE BUCKING AND LURCHING OF THE CAR WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. IT OFTEN LURCHES AND DOES NOT START SMOOTHLY. WE HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND TAKEN IT INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WE WERE TOLD IT WAS OK AND JUST SOMETHING EOS'S DO. THE SECOND TIME WE TOOK IT IN BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING WORSE AND THEY ACTUALLY DROVE IT AND ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS "LURCHING" MORE THAN EXPECTED. THEY DID LOOK AT IT BUT IT CONTINUES TO LURCH. SINCE HAVING IT BACK THE LURCHING STILL OCCURS AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE CAR ENGINE IS WARM. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2008. I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX THE LURCHING. THIS CONTINUES TO BE OF GREAT CONCERN AS WHEN IN TRAFFIC AND NOT SMOOTHLY STARTING, THE POSSIBILITY OF ACCIDENTS IS VERY REAL AS CARS ARE WHIZZING AROUND US. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283100

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE09035 · Vehicle Stall/loss Motive Power

Opened Jul 17, 2009 · Closed Nov 19, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:manual Transmission

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH FEATURE A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX WITH TWO WET RUNNING CLUTCHES (DUAL CLUTCH) IN WHICH THE CLUTCH MECHANISM AND GEAR CHANGES ARE ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY OPERATED BY A MECHATRONIC CONTROL UNIT.THE DSG MECHATRONIC CONTROLLER INCLUDES EXTENSIVE SELF DIAGNOSTIC FUNCTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION AND PREVENT SYSTEM/COMPONENT DAMAGE IN THE EVENT OF COMPONENT FAILURES OR HARSH OPERATING CONDITIONS.THE BASIC HIERARCHY OF FAULT MODES INCLUDES SOME THAT ONLY RESULT IN THE STORAGE OF A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) AND CAUSE NO LOSS OF FUNCTION, SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND REDUCE VEHICLE OPERATION TO A LIMP HOME MODE, AND SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER (I.E., OPEN CLUTCH).THE DRIVER IS ALERTED TO THE LATTER TWO MODES BY THE DASH GEAR POSITION INDICATOR (PRNDS) FLASHING. ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT RESULTS IN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER IS EXCESS GEARBOX TEMPERATURE.THE SYSTEM INITIALLY RESPONDS TO INCREASED GEARBOX TEMPERATURE BY RAMPING DOWN ENGINE TORQUE.IF THE TEMPERATURE KEEPS RISING THE MECHATRONIC UNIT RESPONDS BY OPENING THE CLUTCH.IN A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT SUBMITTED TO NHTSA ON AUGUST 20, 2009, VOLKSWAGEN DESCRIBED A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE WIRING HARNESSES OF THE DSG GEARBOX TEMPERATURE SENSORS USED IN APPROXIMATELY 16,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2009 AND 2010 VOLKSWAGEN (EOS, JETTA AND GTI) AND AUDI (A3 AND TT/TT ROADSTER) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 2009 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 09V-333, VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. 37E3/S7 AND AUDI RECALL NO 37E4/J7). VOLKSWAGEN PROVIDED THIS DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT, THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DSG MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED BY THE CONNECTOR SUPPLIER DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD.WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL.IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH.IN ADDITION, THE DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.VOLKSWAGEN ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN THE DEFECT CONDITION. ODI IDENTIFIED 40 COMPLAINTS THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR DEFECT CONDITION DESCRIBED BY VOLKSWAGEN.VOLKSWAGEN RECEIVED 139 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE CONDITION, WITH 7 INVOLVING VEHICLES REPORTED TO ODI, RESULTING A 172 TOTAL COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLKSWAGEN.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVE THE MY 2009 AN 2010 VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL 09V-333. ODI ALSO IDENTIFIED COMPLAINTS OF HARSH/JERKY SHIFTING IN SOME VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES WITH DSG.VOLKSWAGEN ATTRIBUTED THIS CONDITION, WHICH TYPICALLY OCCURS AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, TO EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE BUSHINGS OF THE TWO SOLENOID VALVES IN THE MECHATRONIC UNIT THAT CONTROL CLUTCH OPERATION.VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE THIS CONDITION IS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE THE CHANGES IN SHIFT QUALITY DEVELOP GRADUALLY OVER TIME, DO NOT CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND HAVE NOT RESULTED IN ANY FATALITIES, INJURIES OR SERIOUS CRASHES (THERE WERE THREE REPORTED PROPERTY DAMAGE INCIDENTS RESULTING IN MINOR BODY DAMAGE IN VERY LOW SPEED, PARKING MANEUVERS).VOLKSWAGEN ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM IN THE FIELD WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES THE REPLACEMENT OF POTENTIALLY AFFECTED MECHATRONIC UNITS AS WELL