Owners filed 115 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the transmission. It has been recalled 2 times.
When it fails
01200012,000 milesMedian miles at failure
109 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.
Most common 2008 Volkswagen R32 problems
81 of the 115 complaints (70%) are about the transmission.
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission
59
0
0
0
Power Train · transmission
17
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline · fuel system
17
0
0
0
Power Train › Manual Transmission · transmission
5
0
0
0
Exterior Lighting · headlights
4
0
0
0
Fuel/Propulsion System · fuel and propulsion system
3
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine
2
0
0
0
Electrical System
2
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
1
0
0
0
Tires
1
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly09V093000
Filed Mar 20, 20095,000 vehiclesVolkswagen of America, Inc
Defect. VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MY 2008 R32 (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES. WHEN CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE MAY NOT REMAIN FULLY CLOSED. IF THIS HAPPENS, LIQUID FUEL MAY ENTER THE FUEL TANK VENTING SYSTEM AND MIGRATE INTO THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM, SATURATING THE CARBON CANISTER. SHOULD THIS OCCUR WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE PERFORMANCE ISSUES (I.E., VEHICLE JERKING) AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COULD ILLUMINATE. FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM LEAK DETECTION PUMP FILTER.
Risk. A FUEL LEAK, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WITH AN IMPROVED VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Filed Sep 24, 2007340,000 vehiclesVolkswagen of America, Inc
Defect. CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.
Risk. NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Apr 3, 2024CA
My vehicle started to develop a crank no start and intermittent stumble when idling at a light shortly after starting. I chalked it up to a possible fueling issue since I had lean codes. I replaced the fuel pump and filter with OE supplier parts. Within two months the crank no start situation returned. I began to research the concern and buried in a forum someone mentioned checking fuse 43 in the underhood fuse box. I went out to my car, removed the fuse and found that there was arcing on one of the legs and extending upwards into the fuse itself. I researched what the fuse is for on the VW service information page and it supplies power to the ignition coils. When I got home I removed the fuse box, opened it and found that the terminals for that fuse were slightly opened when compared to the rest of the box. I have not taken my car to any shop since as I was a certified VW tech and have the appropriate tools, education and training to work on my car. I have attached pictures of the fuse and the interior of the fusebox that shows the slight spread on the terminals. This thread covers what was happening to my car almost exactly, post 27 is where I learned about that fuse.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 19, 2020112,856 milesCA
I EXITED FROM A DRIVEWAY AT A RITEAID TO GET TO THE LIGHT ACROSS THE STREET, I HAVE ABOUT 3/4 TANK OF GAS AND THE ODOMETER READS 175 MILES, WHEN I GET TO THE MY NEXT DESTINATION, A DRIVE THRU, THE FUEL MARKER STARTS DROPPING FAST AND SO DOES MY ODOMETER, IT GOES DOWN TO ABOVE 1/4 OF A TANK AND MY MILES READ 110 LEFT, IN A SPAN OF ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE DRIVE THRU EXCEPT WHEN MOVING
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 27, 2020133,000 milesTX
WHEN CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE MAY NOT REMAIN FULLY CLOSED. IF THIS HAPPENS, LIQUID FUEL MAY ENTER THE FUEL TANK VENTING SYSTEM AND MIGRATE INTO THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM, SATURATING THE CARBON CANISTER. SHOULD THIS OCCUR WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE PERFORMANCE ISSUES (I.E., VEHICLE JERKING) AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COULD ILLUMINATE. FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM LEAK DETECTION PUMP FILTER. CONSEQUENCE A FUEL LEAK, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE. *TR
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 21, 2019117,000 milesNM
RAW FUEL SPEWING FROM LEAK DETECTION PUMP (LDP) FILTER LOCATED UNDER PASSENGER SIDE FENDER WELL. CHARCOAL CANISTER, LDP, EVAP LINES, & N80 VALVE ALL CONTAMINATED BY RAW FUEL. FUEL ENTERING EVAP SYSTEM WHEN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPS ARE PRESENT. P026 RECALL WAS ALREADY PERFORMED (IN 2012) BUT ISSUE HAS COME BACK. CONTACTED VWOA THEY SAID IT'S BEYOND THE RECALL'S 1 YEAR 12,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD THAT COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH. BECAUSE VW KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. VEHICLE WAS DRIVING IN NORMAL CITY TRAFFIC WHEN I SMELLED RAW FUEL. PULLED OVER TO SEE FUEL SPILLING OUT OF REAR PASSENGER FENDER WELL.
Air Bags
Filed Mar 13, 201936,000 milesOH
SUSPECT CLOCK SPRING FAILED. AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. LOST ALL FUNCTIONS TO STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED CONTROLS. VW WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR.
Power Train
Filed Jan 29, 2019134,650 milesCA
ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THIS OCCURRED ON BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS, BOTH WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE BRAKING (DOWNSHIFTING). THE LEVER SELECTOR POSITION FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE "DEPRESS BRAKE" INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE REQUIRED SHIFTING TO PARK AND TURNING ENGINE ON/OFF (SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES) BEFORE BECOMING DRIVE-ABLE AGAIN. REPAIR FACILITY REPORTS TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE FAULT, AS DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING RECALL FOR OTHER VOLKSWAGEN/AUDI VEHICLES WITH THE SAME DSG TRANSMISSION: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 09V333000 VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. 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. REPAIR FACILITY RECOMMENDS REMEDY OF REPLACING TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. SAFETY RISK CAUSED BY INABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHEN CAR SPONTANEOUSLY SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL AND DRIVER IS UNABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO SHOULDER/SAFE ARE
Power Train
Filed Sep 3, 201743,000 milesVA
VEHICLE FALSE NUETRALED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A 18-WHEELER SOLENOID FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION. NO POWER ON VEHICLE UNTIL FIX. THIS COULD CAUSE AND PROBABLY HAS CAUSED DEATH OR INJURY
Power Train
Filed Apr 13, 2016103,000 milesID
I AM EXPERIENCING THE WELL KNOWN SYMPTOMS OF A FAILING MECHATRONIC UNIT IN THE VOLKSWAGEN DSG GEARBOX. THERE WAS A RECALL FROM PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. SYMPTOMS ARE LURCHING/HARSH ENGAGEMENT WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. JERKY/ ALMOST BOUNCY REVERSING. HARSH/CLUNKY SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS. LOSS OF DRIVE OPERATION AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS IN MANY SITUATIONS. MY RECALL WAS COMPLETED THROUGH VOLKSWAGEN AT ROUGHLY 55,000 MILES. I STARTED TO NOTICE THE SYMPTOMS ARISE AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 103,000 MILES. THIS IS LITERALLY JUST AFTER THE VW "EXTENDED" WARRANTY ON THE DSG GEARBOX AND REPLACED MECHATRONICS UNIT EXPIRED. (10 YEAR/100,000 MILES) I FIND IT VERY ODD THAT THE FIRST MECHATRONICS UNIT LASTED JUST 50,000 MILES AND IT SEEMS AS IF THE 2ND HAS FAILED IN NEARLY THE EXACT SAME TIME FRAME. I HAVE CONTACTED VWOA AND THEY REFUSED ANY KIND OF GOODWILL OR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
Power Train
Filed Feb 29, 201657,000 milesNC
DSG TRANSMISSION FAILED @ 57,000 MILES
Power Train
Filed Jul 9, 2015CA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN R32. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MECHATRONIC UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 2, 201485,000 milesHI
VW R32 HID HEADLIGHT SYSTEM BURNS OUT BULBS AND SMELLS LIKE BURNT WIRES. THE BULB IGNITER WIRES INSIDE THE LIGHT HOUSING HAVE THE INSULATION FALLING OFF LEAVING THE WIRES EXPOSED AND TOUCHING EACH OTHER. I ATTEMPTED TO INSULATE BARE WIRES, BUT THEY STILL KEEP DETERIORATING FARTHER DOWN THE WIRE. THERE ARE 3 WIRES THAT RUN TO THE BULB IGNITER SOCKET THAT CONNECTS TO THE BULB. I FEEL THIS INSULATION HAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. OTHER ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE HOUSING ARE STILL FINE. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Feb 16, 201463,740 milesFL
BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED. HEADLIGHT WIRING IS DETERIORATED. WIRE INSULATION IS BRITTLE, CRACKED AND SEPARATED, LEAVING THE WIRING EXPOSED CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES, BULB AND BALLAST FAILURE. LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSES DURING THE 60000 MILE MAINTENANCE UPON MY REQUEST. "FOUND INTERNAL HEADLIGHT WIRE HARNESSES IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS COMING APART (DETERIORATED), ESTIMATE TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS ASSEMBLIES AND REPROGRAM LIGHTING SYSTEM $1,517.00. MAY ALSO NEED BULBS ($168.00 EACH PLUS TAX) AND ALSO MAY NEED IGNITERS ($272.08 EACH PLUS TAX) TECH CAN NOT MAKE THE DETERMINATION UNTIL HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED." *TR
Power Train
Filed Aug 22, 201380,000 milesTX
DSG TRANSMISSION LAGS IN APPLYING THE CLUTCH AND WILL SOMETIMES APPLY THE CLUTCH EXTREMELY HARSH AFTER A SECOND OF LAGGING. IF THE CAR IS ON A HILL IT WILL FALL BACK A FEW FEET BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES IN AN EXTREMELY HARSH MANNER. IF I'M AT A STOP AND ACCELERATE IS WILL NOT DO SO FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND AND THEN JERK FORWARD ABRUPTLY. *TR
Power Train
Filed Jul 26, 201344,521 milesIN
SHIFTS VERY HARD AT SLOW SPEEDS. GOING INTO REVERSE SOMETIMES HESTATES FOR A COUPLE SECONDS. SARTING FROM A STOP WILL NOT GO FOR A SECOND OR 2. *TR
Power Train
Filed Apr 25, 201354,000 milesWA
EXTREME HARSH SHIFTING UP FROM FIRST TO SECOND DURING ACCELERATION. ALSO EXPERIENCE HARSH SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO FIRST AND THEN INTO REVERSE. MOST COMMON OCCURRENCE IS DURING SLOW SPEEDS IN PARKING LOTS AND COMING TO AND FROM COMPLETE STOPS. THE ISSUES FEELS TO BE COMING DIRECTLY FROM SHIFTING AND CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT. *TR
Engine
Filed Feb 6, 201343,600 milesTX
SUDDENLY STARTED HEARING LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE THEN IT STOPPED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD SHATTERED. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THE TENSIONER BEARING FAILED AND THAT CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO FAIL. THEY ARE QUOTING $760 TO REPAIR (PARTS AND LABOR). 1000 MILES PRIOR I DID THE 40K SERVICE WHICH INCLUDED TENSIONER AND BELT ADJUSTMENT. *TR
Power Train
Filed Dec 27, 201260,129 milesFL
2008 VOLKSWAGEN R 32 IS HAVING ISSUES WITH DSG TRANSMISSION OPERATION VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY ROUGH SHIFTING INTO FIRST FROM NEUTRAL AND ENGAGING INTO REVERSE FROM A STOP. VEHICLE ALSO SHIFT EXTREMELY ROUGH IN SPORT MODE. THE CAR JERKS INTO AND OUT OF EACH GEAR AT ANY SPEED. BEEN TO VW 3 TIMES AND COMPLAINED! THEY SAID THAT'S NORMAL. I LOOK IT UP AND WENT BACK AND TOLD THE SERVICE REP. WHY DIDN'T HE KNOW OUR TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL. HE SAID THAT HE DIDN'T KNOW! HE HAS BEEN A SERVICE REP FOR OVER 10 YEARS?? FINALLY THE SAID THAT THE GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM! NOT A NEW TRANSMISSION. BUT ITS RECOMMENDED... *TR
Power Train
Filed Apr 2, 201232,000 milesIL
THE CAR HAS VERY ROUGH SLOW SPEED LURCHING AND JERKING WHEN MOVING IN REVERSE AND ALSO IN SLOW FORWARD. ITS WORSE ON COLD START MOVING. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 7, 201129 milesMO
HESITATING AND JERKING FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN IN REVERSE OR DRIVE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. *LN
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 16, 201063,000 milesFL
MY CAR BEGIN MAKING A LOW WHISTLE NOISE A WEEK AGO WHENEVER I ACCELERATED FROM STAND STILL AND A WEEK LATER IT BEGIN SKIPPING GEARS AND THEN THE CAR BECAME INOPERABLE. *TR
Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 14, 201063,000 milesFL
FRONT RIGHT LIGHT BULB WENT OUT, WENT TO DEALER, THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, REPLACED BULB $256.00. 1 WEEK LATER THE BULB GOES OUT AGAIN AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT WATER LEAKED INTO THE CONTROL UNIT AND THAT THE UNIT COSTING $600.00 HAS TO BE REPLACED OTHERWISE THE LIGHT WILL KEEP GOING OUT. THEY ALSO TELL ME THAT THE SEAL AROUND THE HEADLIGHT UNIT WILL BE LEAKING WATER SOON. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 29, 201017,556 milesOR
LOSS OF POWER WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN A FEW TIMES. FORTUNATELY, IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN A SITUATION WHERE A CRASH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. MY VW SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME A RECALL FOR THE DSG TRANSMISSION IS IMMINENT. THAT WAS IN AUGUST. SO FAR, I'VE HEARD NOTHING. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 18, 201065,000 milesCA
WHEN MY VW 2008 R32 IS IN 2ND GEAR IN THE PARKING LOT IT IS NOT SMOOTH. IT JERKS AND LURCHES LIKE I'M PUMPING THE GAS. ALSO DURING VARYING TIMES, MY CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHY. IT LAGS AND FEELS LIKE ITS SLIPPING. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 10, 201017,700 milesPA
DSG TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO GEAR VERY HARD. GOING FROM R TO D SEEMS TRANSMISSION SLIPS GOING INTO GEAR. IN DRIVE, ACCELERATION IS DELAYED. WHEN ACCELERATING, CAR JERKS 3 TIMES AND THEN BACK TO NORMAL. THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 10, 201039,000 milesTX
2008 VOLKSWAGEN R 32 IS HAVING ISSUES WITH DSG TRANSMISSION OPERATION VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY ROUGH SHIFTING INTO FIRST FROM NEUTRAL AND ENGAGING INTO REVERSE FROM A STOP. VEHICLE ALSO SHIFT EXTREMELY ROUGH IN SPORT MODE. THE CAR JERKS INTO AND OUT OF EACH GEAR AT ANY SPEED. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 10, 201025,000 milesPA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN R32. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE METHAPROMIC UNIT WAS REPLACED INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35000.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 28, 201022,000 milesPA
MY 2008 VW R32 IS STARTING TO HAVE DSG TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT 22,000 MILES. IT CLUNKS WHEN GOING IN AND OUT OF REVERSE AND DRIVE; IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT WILL NOT DISENGAGE THE FORWARD GEAR WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THEN SUDDENLY DISENGAGES, JOLTING THE WHOLE CAR. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN DRIVING. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND SAID THEY WILL GET A PART TO TRY TO SOLVE IT, BUT NOT UNTIL SEPTEMBER (AND IT IS JUNE NOW). THEY SAID TO KEEP DRIVING IT THIS WAY. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 2, 2010200 milesTX
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN R32. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HIS TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE HE WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THAT IF HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO INCREASE HIS SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 7, 201024,500 milesPA
AFTER THE CAR GETS TO IT'S WARM TEMPS (ROUGHLY 30 MINS OF DRIVING), IT STARTS TO JERK THROUGH LOW GEARS, HARSH DOWNSHIFTING WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP. TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE FROM A STOP THE CAR WILL LURCH/SPUTTER FORWARD RATHER THAN SLOWLY ROLL FORWARD, AT TIMES (VERY INCONSISTENT, ROUGHLY 2-3 IN AN HOURS DRIVE) THE CAR WILL SURGE THEN SLAM INTO GEAR BEFORE I'M ABLE TO PRESS ON THE GAS TO DRIVE, IT FEELS ALMOST AS THOUGH IT'S ABOUT TO STALL. *TR
Power Train
Filed Dec 30, 200922,000 milesIL
1) PURCHASED THE CAR AND NOTICED THE JUMPS TWICE ON MY WAY HOME. IT HAS SINCE CONTINUED TO BE AN ISSUE FOR THE WHOLE TWO WEEKS OF MY OWNERSHIP. 2) ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP THE CAR HESITATES, HANGS, AND THEN JUMPS FORWARD AFTER A MOMENT. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT HALF THE TIME. I NOTICE WHEN I ROLL SLOWLY ~5 MPH IT DOES NOT HANG OR JUMP NEARLY AS MUCH OR AS OFTEN. 3) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AS OF YET. I PLAN TO TAKE MY 2008 VW R32 TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT MAY BE THE CAUSE. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 23, 200980 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN R32. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND THEN SHIFTS INTO GEAR. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO SHIFT FROM FIFTH TO SIXTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 11, 200927,000 milesCT
DSG TRANSMISSION DROPS INTO THEN OUT OF THEN BACK INTO 1ST GEAR. ALSO ENGINE REVS AND THE CAR JERKS IN REVERSE. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 5, 200920,000 milesCA
WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW IT WAS SMOOTH AND RIDE WAS GREAT SHIFTING WAS PERFECT, AS TIME AND MILES PASS THE CAR GOT REALLY JERKY WITH THE TRANSMISSION, CAR NOW RIDES SMOOTH BUT THE SIFTING IS TERRIBLE, AND TRANNY IS MAKING ALOT OF NOISES WHEN BACKING UP AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL I ALWAYS HEAR A CLUNK, LOUD AND YOU CAN FEEL IT, EVERY TIME I TAKE IT TO MY DEALER IT MAGICALLY GOES AWAY FOR A WEEK OR TWO WEEKS OR SO THEN ITS BACK ITS REALLY FRUSTRATING THAT NO ONE AT THE DEALER SHIP REALLY CARES THEY MAKE IT SEEM LIKE I'M DOING SOMETHING WRONG PLEASE HELP!! *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 31, 200923,100 milesWA
WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP HILL (ABOUT 30MPH) AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME MADE A LAST MINUTE DECISION TO BRAKE HARD AND MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN WITHOUT SIGNALING. I SLOWED TO A STOP BEHIND THE VEHICLE WHILE THEY TURNED. ONCE THE VEHICLE COMPLETED IT'S TURN, I PROCEEDED TO PASS THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I MASHED THE THROTTLE (THE LIGHT HAD JUST TURNED YELLOW) TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. FINALLY, AFTER ABOUT 2 SECONDS, THE DSG WENT INTO GEAR AND I WAS ABLE TO PROCEED. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION FOR ABOUT A SECOND BEFORE THE DSG BEGAN TO WORK. ADDITIONALLY, THE DSG IN THE VEHICLE ROUTINELY TAKES A MOMENT TO ENGAGE. THE ABOVE INCIDENT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE DSG'S FAILURE TO WORK LEFT ME VULNERABLE. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 25, 200911,000 milesMA
DSG TRANSMISSION SLAMS WHEN PLACED INTO "D" OR "S" MODE EVEN THOUGHT BRAKE IS PUSHED. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 15, 200922,000 milesFL
MY 2008 GOLF R32 EQUIPPED WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION IS HAVING ROUGH SHIFTING, ROUGH CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT, CHOPPY REVERSE AND POWER LOSS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. PLEASE PUSH VW OF AMERICA TO HAVE A RECALL CAMPAIGN DONE. HOW LONG DO OWNERS HAVE TO WAIT FOR THIS? I GUESS VW AND NHTSA WANT SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE ANY ACTION IS TAKEN. THANK YOU. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 3, 20099,200 milesNY
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH SOME CORRECTED BUT THE HESITATION OF POWER AND SHIFTING ISSUES WITH DSG CONTINUE TO PERSIST. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY, THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE EXPRESSWAY SEVERAL TIMES. THERE IS ALSO SOME JERKING IN THE CAR AS IT TRIES TO GO THROUGH GEARS. IT ALSO FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL BEFORE IT ACTUALLY GETS GOING. FINALLY, THE CAR HAS RUMBLE FEEL THROUGH THE PEDAL AND FEELS LIKE IT IS FIGHTING ITSELF AND WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT IT STARTS AN ON AND OFF RUMBLE. OTHER PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WERE A LOUD KNOCKING WHICH WAS EVENTUALLY FIXED BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THEY FIRST REPLACED THE FLYWHEEL THINKING THAT WAS THE ISSUE. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 2, 200917,646 milesNV
AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND LETTING OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHILE THE CAR IS STILL IN DRIVE, IT WILL LURCH OR JUMP FORWARD - ALMOST AS THOUGH I'VE PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS SEEMS TO GET WORSE AS THE OUTSIDE AMBIENT TEMPS INCREASE. IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE CAR IS A NIGHTMARE TO DRIVE, AS IT WILL LURCH AND JERK HEAVILY. I'VE ACTUALLY HAD MY STARBUCKS COFFEE SHOOT OUT OF THE CUP AND SPILL ON ME BECAUSE OF THIS - YES, IT LURCHES THAT MUCH. I'VE ALMOST REAR-ENDED A FEW CARS AND HIT MY GARAGE WALL. ALL OF THIS IS ACTUALLY OUR SECOND GO AROUND AS WE'VE HAD THE MECHATRONICS UNIT REPLACED BY VW WITH 17646 MILES ON THE CAR. THE CAR NOW HAS 21500 MILES ON IT AND THE SYMPTOMS ARE BACK AGAIN. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO? THE FIRST TIME OUR VW DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A MONTH TO GET IT FIXED BUT THEIR FIX ONLY SEEMED TO WORK FOR A SHORT TIME AS WE'RE STARTING TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE CAR IS JERKY AND CLUNKY WHEN SHIFTING AT LOW SPEED DRIVING. I'VE HAD THE DEALER TELL ME THIS IS NORMAL DSG BEHAVIOR BUT WE OWN (2) 2008 VW R32 - MY WIFE AND I EACH HAVE OUR OWN. THE OTHER CAR DRIVES MUCH SMOOTHER AND DOES NOT EXHIBIT THE BEHAVIOR THAT THESE CAR DOES; HOWEVER, I'M NERVOUS THAT OUR OTHER TOO WILL SOON START HAVING PROBLEMS. I'M HOLDING OFF BRINGING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER UNTIL THEY COME UP WITH A PROPER FIX. VW PLEASE REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. OUR FAMILY HAS BEEN A LOYAL VW/AUDI CUSTOMER OUR ENTIRE LIVES. *TR
Power Train
Filed Sep 1, 20091,000 milesCA
1. UPON DECELERATION AT ANY SPEED 2. JERKY, HARSH, JARRING DOWNSHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST GEAR WHETHER IN DSG MANUAL OR DSG AUTO MODE. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. 3. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. I WAS TOLD THAT IS THE NORMAL DSG BEHAVIOR. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 31, 20098,000 milesFL
LURCHING MOTION OF CAR AS TRANSMISSION ENGAGES AND DISENGAGES. THIS HAPPENS MAINLY WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A COMPLETE STOP. LOSS OF POWER/FORWARD MOMENTUM. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DOWN SHIFTING MANUALLY AND PRESSING GAS TO GAIN SPEED QUICKLY TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC (HIGHWAY/INTERSTATE TRAFFIC). THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN ALLOWING THE DSG TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT AUTOMATICALLY WHEN PRESSING THE GAS (HARDER THAT NORMAL ACCELERATION TO MERGE WITH HIGHWAY/INTERSTATE TRAFFIC). *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 31, 200912,000 milesCA
AFTER PURCHASING MY 2008 VW R32 IT WAS A VERY SMOOTH VEHICLE. THE DSG TRANSMISSION WAS ADVERTISED AS DRIVING EXACTLY LIKE A CONVENTIONAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION-EQUIPPED VEHICLE. AFTER A YEAR AND 12,000 MILES I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT DISENGAGES. THE ENGINE REVS UP, BUT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO MOTIVE POWER. THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH ON THE EXPRESSWAY AS WELL AS ON THE STREET. IN ALL OCCURRENCES THE VEHICLE REGAINS MOTIVE POWER WITHIN 5-10 SECONDS. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE PUBLIC HIGHWAYS, LOSING MOTIVE POWER IN A VEHICLE CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS, AND HAS PUT MY LIFE AT RISK WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS ISSUE IS INVESTIGATED, AS I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER 2008 VW R32 OWNERS THAT THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO THEM AS WELL. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 26, 20095,000 milesNY
MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN R32 HAS CONSTANT TRANSMISSION ISSUES WHERE THE CAR BUCKS AT LOW SPEEDS AND HAS A VERY CHOPPY REVERSE. I'VE TAKEN IT FOR ITS ALLEGED RECALL AND THE CAR STILL ACTS THE SAME WITH BUCKING AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 26, 200926,000 milesAZ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN R32. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV EXCESSIVELY HIGH. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO GEAR AND RESUMED TO NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A HARD SHIFTING FROM "REVERSE" TO "DRIVE" AND "PARK" TO "REVERSE" POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FLY WHEEL. THE FAILURES CONTINUED AND THERE WAS NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. BL
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 25, 200928,990 milesCA
2008 R32 ON OCCASION DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY WHEN IN D MODE. IN ADDITION, WHEN STARTING FROM A STANDSTILL IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THE CAR TO JERK WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS APPLIED. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 25, 200919,500 milesMO
HAVE A 2008 VW GOLF R32 DSG. SHIFTING IS EXTREMELY ROUGH AND APPEARS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. IN FACT SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT RESPOND TO MY SHIFTS AND ALL AND "COASTS" UNTIL ENGAGING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS PROBLEM CAN BE FIXED BY REPLACING THE MECHATRONIC UNIT, BUT VW DENIES THE ISSUE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE SEARCHED ISSUES WITH IT ON THE INTERNET FORUMS AND I AM FOR SURE NOT ALONE. I THINK THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR BOTH SAFETY AND RELIABILITY REASONS. *TR
Power Train
Filed Aug 24, 20096,500 milesFL
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND MOBILITY FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STAND STILL .... THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES A WEEK IN THE MONTH I'VE HAD THE CAR . IT SEEMS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ON COMING TRAFFIC ..!! ALSO WHEN BACKING/REVERSE SLOWLY INTO MY GARAGE , THE CAR IS VERY JERKY ...? *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 24, 2009FL
MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R32 HAS DSG ISSUES. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SMOOTH WHEN GOING FROM A STOP (BRAKE APPLIED) TO GO (GAS PEDAL). SOMETIMES THE DSG GEARBOX GOES INTO NEUTRAL AS WELL WHILE HAVING THE GAS PEDAL PRESSED AND IN MOTION. I KNOW THERE IS A CURRENT VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR SOME MKV VW VEHICLES, BUT R32 GOLF'S SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AS WELL. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Power Train
Filed Aug 23, 2009200 milesMD
RANDOM LOSS OF POWER/TORQUE COMING OUT OF DSG TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING INTO CERTAIN GEARS, JERKY REVERSE, HESITATION STARTING FROM STOP, JERKY DOWNSHIFT TO FIRST GEAR. HESITATION HAS RANDOMLY OCCURED MULTIPLE TIMES INCLUDING AT AN INTERSECTION. JERKING (OR PULSATING POWER DELIVERY) DURING REVERSE AND WHEN DOWNSHIFTING INTO FIRST IS ALWAYS THERE. HESITATION WHEN STARTING FROM STOP IS ALSO ALWAYS PRESENT. I BELIEVE THIS PROBABLY AS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE MECHATRONICS UNIT OF THE DSG. I AM WORRIED ABOUT SAFTEY DUE TO THE ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR OF THIS TRANSMISSION. LOSSING POWER AT AN INTERSECTION OR OTHER CRITICAL LOCATIONS CAN EASILY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. ALSO I AM AFRAID THAT THIS ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR IS GOING TO LEAD TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ABNORMAL CLUTCH PACK WEAR WHICH MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED LATER DOWN THE LINE AFTER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY IS UP. *TR
Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 23, 200911,650 milesCA
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO EXECUTE A LANE CHANGE, THE CAR BECAME NON- RESPONSIVE BY HESITATING (APX 2 SEC) AFTER SHIFTING FROM "D" TO "S" (SPORT MODE). ALSO, THE CAR HESITATES AND "JERKS" OFTEN WHEN SHIFTING FROM P TO R OR N TO D. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 22, 200912,000 milesNJ
YESTERDAY I CHANGED LANES IN ORDER TO PASS. I STOMPED IT, AND ALTHOUGH THE RPMS SHOT UP, NOTHING HAPPENED -- NO POWER. I THOUGHT I HAD SOMEHOW BUMPED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. IT WAS NOT IN NEUTRAL, IT WAS IN "S". I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, SHIFTED TO "D", AND THEN REAPPLIED THE ACCELERATOR. ALL WAS BACK TO NORMAL. BECAUSE ALL OF THIS HAPPENED SO QUICKLY, AND BECAUSE I MAY BE CONFUSED, I'M GIVING THE TRANSMISSION THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT -- BUT I'M PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION NOW. IT'S NO FUN TO NEED POWER, EXPECT TO GET IT, AND INSTEAD JUST GET NOISE FROM REVVED RPMS. *TR
Complaints 1-50 of 115, newest first, reproduced as filed.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Mar 20, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.