I stopped counting days and then even months…
It’s certainly been more than a half a year since submission of my case.
Last year… October or something…
But I am still waiting for the closure in the case, about problems with gearbox vows I have had since I bought my current VW car with DSG7.
Unbelievable that it takes a big corporation 2 years and counting, to fix a car problem. Or at least offer a new car, after all I did not buy a car, so that VW mechanics can practice on my car.
In the last few months, some major media, here in Denmark, reported on DSG7 problems, and had interviews with PR-reps from VW Denmark. VW Denmark is not budging in DSG7 problems. Journalists were mostly asking same questions, and getting the same answers. Or, perhaps VW Denmark only answered on selected questions.
But, common theme in the articles were mostly asking, if VW thinks they have general problems with DSG7 transmission (internally known as DQ200). They of course answered with “no”. Volkswagen is claiming that they know about very few cases with problems, and that these were taken care of, either under warranty or ex-gratia, where consumers were asked to pay a part of the repair.
Another common theme in the VW answers were, indirect blame of the consumer for the problems. Declining to acknowledge the problems and responsibility, VW is automatically blaming consumer for the problems. They even used numbers to deflect the blame, and informed journalists they sold 8.500 cars with DSG7 transmission, out of those VW claimed “only” 311 had problems. This is a 3,66% error margin, if we are just to take look at their numbers. Which I am not completely confident that the numbers are true. Even if the numbers are true, there is a question about what models it was sold with.
There are some models and engines more suitable for DSG7 specifications, and others are less suitable. Eg. engine torque, and the size/weight of the car.
Another example of this (bad engine combinations) could be following;
DSG7 is rated at max. output of 250 Nm of torque.
As you can see… Touran with TDI engines is riding on the limits of the DSG7 gearbox specifications. And this is only asking for troubles. That VW went anyway with this combination of engine and gearbox is beyond my understanding.
And consumers are to be blamed and pay for their design/manufacturing flaws?
So, now if I could only get VW of publicising the numbers of sold Polo’s and other models well within limitations of the DSG7 gearbox, and deduct that number from those 8.500, I am pretty sure error rate will be a lot higher, than 3.66%.
While I am waiting for the verdict of my complaint to danish authority for car complaints, I have discovered an article from Teknikens Värld (Swedish car mag). This article is rising an important point in the defective DSG7 gearboxes from VW.
Some taxi companies in Sweden, have been advised, by VW, not to buy models with DSG7 gearboxes. As they are not suitable for this behaviour, again, according to VW. As the gearbox and its clutches wear prematurely because of the high frequency of starts and stops. Which basically in my opinion means, that VW is selling cars where they are well aware that combination, engine and gearbox is not optimal. More precisely, in one specific case, VW is claiming that Passat EcoFuel DSG7 is not suitable for taxi behaviour. And VW is proposing their VW Touran with DSG7 as a better option for taxies.
But then, I own a Touran DSG7, that they are claiming is better then Passat, but as you can read here, I have plenty of problems with the gearbox or overall combination, TDI engine with DSG7 gearbox. So much for their expert opinion!
In my search for a solution, and research of the problem with my car, I came across lot of different car models (VW, SEAT, Škoda) with same problems. And one thing that is notable for me is, that very few Polo’s have this problem. All larger/heavier models, and more powerful engines have problems with this specific transmission (DQ200 – DSG7 with dry clutches). So I am tempted to conclude, that this gearbox seems to be too weak for anything that has more than 90 bhp (break horsepower). If it’s gearbox itself, or the clutches/flywheels that are problems, I am not sure. But one thing is, that they keep on selling a combination, that will cause problems for a buyer.
Last time, my car was serviced for DSG7 problems, was in August 2012, where VW refuse to do anything to the car, as they deemed it as working. Now, 5-6 months later, previous symptoms with gearbox/transmission are coming back again. I have lost all confidence in VW that they are willing to fix this.
Anyway, read the original article in Swedish here: http://www.teknikensvarld.se/2013/02/08/37996/volkswagens-dsg-skador-drabbar-alla/
So, the authority I complained to regarding my vows with my VW and its DSG7 gearbox, finally got the dealership to respond to my complaints. And basically, they do not see it as their responsibility. Case is not done, and is now up to the authority to decide what should be next step in the process. Below, I’ve translated the response from the dealership. Not that there is anything useful said, but still. To give an indication, what I am up against. Declining all responsibilities because importer has been involved in the case. Internal policies are not concerns of mine, I bought the car from the dealership. They bought it from the importer. I am complaining about my car to dealership, they should to importer.
Here is the response from the dealership.
Company agrees with the information the consumer has indicated: No.
We did not consider it appropriate to comment on the case history that does not involve us, but we can confirm that we have sold the car to the consumer and made a warranty repair on the instructions of the manufacturer / importer of VW.Company agrees with the user’s production of proceedings: No
We are not able to comment on a case history that does not involve us – but can confirm that we have carried out a warranty repair as directed by the manufacturer / importer of VWThe company is prepared to meet consumer demands: No
In our opinion, the VW importer with customer acceptance has intervened in this case and therefore we can not accept any responsibilities in this case and repairs not carried out by us.
As agreed last time I spoke to the Service Partner, where they are looking to find a reference car to compare it to mine. No news yet and they are not going to do anything before they can find this reference car.
While we are waiting, I have finally decided to file a complaint to Danish officials. So we will see what comes out of this.
Have been waiting for 3 business days, for my VW Service Partner to contact me, and no contact… So I just sent an email to them. Forwarding entire mail from VW Denmark… So, again… waiting …