2008 Audi A3: jerking or lurching

Filed May 15, 2011 · Transmission · 47,000 miles · MA

Dsg transmission harsh engagement and banging bucking when starting from stop or in reverse also when engaging form park. Will go into neutral and bang/lurch forward or back when it engages making it very difficult to park and pull out into traffic. Dealership could not repair until tsb for mechatronic released. New unit cured problem for aprox 15k miles now back and getting progressively worse. Dealership advised to "wait until it got bad" to bring it in sine they did not know what fix was. Brought back in at 47k miles and they re-adapted transmission and it got worse. Technical support told them to order another mechatronics (2nd replacement) as they did not know what else to do. Waiting on part now.

Filed Jan 18, 2011 · Transmission · 22,200 miles · NJ

When in traffic the car lurches forward without any input from driver. The car bucks back and forth, almost like the car is stalling. On a hill, if you take your foot of the brake, the car begins to roll backward - flooring the gas pedal causes the car to stop rolling backwards.

Filed Dec 6, 2010 · Engine · 50,583 miles · WA

As I was accelerating upward onto the highway ramp the vehicle stalled and jerked for about 3 seconds. It stopped for about approximately 7 more miles until I got off the highway. It occurred after the stop I made after I left the highway.

Filed Jul 22, 2010 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · NC

My 2008 audi a3 2.0t dsg (direct shift gearbox) has been having abrupt shifting and hesitation. The three main times issues occur are: 1.) moving from a stop, either in forward or reverse. With light throttle input, similar to in parking situations or slow moving stop/go traffic, the car/transmission feels like it's not engaged and then suddenly engages and lurches forward/backwards. This is when I feel the car is most likely to cause an accident. 2.) when slowing down to a stop (such as at a stop light/sign or for traffic), there is an abrupt thud which appears to be when the car is downshifting automatically into 2nd gear. This feels like it's doing damage to the car. 3.) when slowing down, followed by mild acceleration (such as when turning right/left onto a perpendicular street without requiring a stop), the car hesitates, then revs very high (appears to choose too low of a gear), immediately followed by going into the "right" gear. This is alarming to driver/passenger and is annoying and distracting. I brought it in to the local dealership and they said it is the mechatronics unit, however there's no recall for my car so they just gave me the car back and said "call back in a month, maybe then there will be a recall".

Filed Dec 26, 2009 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · UT

2008 audi a3 with 2.0 engine and 6-spd auto dsg gearbox. During summer of 2009 started having problem in which from a stop (red light, etc.), when letting off the brake and giving it gas it would hesitate for 1-2 seconds before finally jerking or lurching (somewhat violently) into gear. Sometimes it would jerk twice. Also the downshift from 2nd to 1st is somewhat rough. The problem is still present but not as bad, however it seemed there was a strong correlation between how hot it was outside and the symptoms being worse. Took it to cutrubus audi in layton, ut at end of summer, they said there was no problem, that how it was shifting was normal for the dsg. Just got a letter from audi of america that they are developing a way to diagnose faulty mechatronic units (which causes jerking) in late spring of 2010, but I don't want to wait that long to have this problem rectified. Will be trying a different dealer soon.

Filed Sep 8, 2009 · Transmission · 15,000 miles · TX

I have an audi a3 2008 2.0 model that was purchased new in 11/07. I started experiencing a hesitation with the transmission a few months ago. Basically, from a rolling start in 1st gear, there can be a jerky action with the car. I don't think this is turbo lag because I can hear the clutch trying to catch onto the gear. On top of that, when I slow the car down (I.e. 40 MPH to 0 MPH), I feel a jerk every time the transmission downshifts. To my passengers, they feel as if I am slamming on the brakes and then releasing the brakes sporadically. A few online posts tells me that this is possibly a defect with the mechatronics unit and that if not replaced as soon as possible, it could cause serious damage to the transmission.

Filed Sep 2, 2009 · Transmission · 7,000 miles · MN

From a stop, or slow speeds, transmission was lurching w/out an apparent pattern.

Filed Aug 5, 2009 · Transmission · 14,875 miles · NY

When feathering the gas pedal through traffic, the car surges/lurches trying to find gear. Also, there are times when pulling out of a side street or taking off from a red light, when pushing on the gas pedal, all of a sudden it seems like there is no power. We bought the car in early '08 and the problem randomly started towards the end of '08. At that time we thought it may have been just bad gas. It seems the problem is getting worse and more frequent as of late. Reading forums and articles online, it seems to be the symptoms of the transmission which is a dsg/s-tronic transmission. At this time, the dealer is stating nothing is wrong with the transmission. I own another car with the same transmission, and that seems to have none of the above problems.

Filed Aug 5, 2009 · Transmission · 21,000 miles · WA

I have a 2008 audi a3 2.0t dsg. My problem is with the dsg. While sitting at a stoplight I will lift off the brake to go, the car will lurch forward and the transmission will disengage. I then must wait a few seconds for the transmission to re-engage. This can be a problem if there are people behind me. I have been nearly hit on a few occasions. This problem is random and the dealer service tech's have not been able to replicate it to their satisfaction. The car did not do this when I bought it brand new.

Filed Jul 3, 2009 · Transmission · 16,500 miles · IL

Direct shift gearbox (dsg) transmission started jerking when starting from a stop. Second to first downshift would be severe with a loud "clunk" from the dsg. Went to dealer and vehicle was diagnosed with a faulty tcu(mechatronics module). Part is on backorder and will take over 1 month to get in. Was told that vehicle is okay to drive but with the uncertainty of reliable performance and potential damage to other transmission components I don't agree. Have researched and found many other audi and vw owners with this same problem and similar experience with significant delays in getting the replacement part. Apparently vag is focused more on producing new vehicles than making sure the vehicles already on the road are operating properly. This company has no concern for customer service once they have your money.