Check a VIN

2008 Volkswagen Eos transmission problems

26 complaints (55% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 12,000.

owner complaints
26
of this car's complaints
55%
typical mileage
12,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    17

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Eos transmission problems in other years

200720082009201020112012201320142016

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Volkswagen Eos transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 10

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Vehicle stall/loss motive powerOpened July 17, 2009, closed November 19, 2009

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 the federal safety agency 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 (the federal safety agency 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

PE09035

What 2008 Volkswagen Eos owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 12, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · TX

While in drive, the car jumps out of gear and PRNDS lights are illuminated. The car is no longer able to put back in gear and is idle.

Filed Nov 21, 2019 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · OK

Car was in morning traffic and failed due to timing belt failure at 85000 miles. Car was maintained by dealership at recommended intervals. The manuals and dealer recommended belt replacement at 110000 miles. Fortunately my wife was not injured or killed in what could have LED to a serious accident. After looking at the internet and talking to mechanics, this appears to be a major safety flaw that should lead to a recall of these motors by the federal safety agency and correction by volkswagen and payment for motor replacement.

Filed Jan 25, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 14,700 miles · CA

Even though the car is in drive it will go down I feel backwards this is going to cause accidents. The electric windows go up and down continuously yes, this is a known issue but they refused to fix this the distraction is going to cause people accidents. This makes texting while driving seem like a safe way to behave.

Filed Jul 15, 2018 · Transmission · 9 miles · VT

Gearbox failure! Direct failure to gearbox causes car to malfunction while in motion. Vehicle will stop abruptly (travelling on the interstate!) and refuse to go back into any gear, including but not limited to, reverse and drive. Repeatitive problem and isn't isolated to one specific event (but many occasions)

Filed Sep 23, 2017 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · TX

I was driving my car on a local city street and halfway through a turn all of a sudden it went into neutral on it's own, all the gears on the dash started flashing (the park, reverse, and drive) they started flashing on and off as my transmission went haywire. I had to pull over and avoid being hit as I had no control over my speed, I could not accelerate. The engine was racing and there was no forward motion at all. My car has a dsg (direct shift gearbox).

Filed Jul 22, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 101,841 miles · CA

First incident (many more to follow) occurred while driving downhill on highway. The entire dash panel appeared to have gone haywire and then car just turned off. Coasted off of the road and was towed down the hill. Charged the battery and it started just fine, for about 20 miles, then the same thing occurred and car turned off. Had car towed to dealership, after diagnosis, had fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and gasket replaced. During their test drive, car stalled out again. Had to also replace alternator, freewheel pulley and battery. Picked up car, before I even got home engine lamp came on again, took back to dealership in a closer location to me. Now the problem was turbo underboost and evap system leaks, reccommended replacement of turbo purge valve, evap purge valve and evap vent hose. Volkswagen is aware of and has had many complaints for these same problems, yet they have done nothing about it, and can only apologize to their customers that they are having a problem with "their" particular vehicle. I am concerned that my vehicle will not even pass smog next year at this rate, given I could not find any smog records at all for this vehicle...is it possible to fake a smog check to dmv and re-sell a lemon?? I was definitely duped!

Filed Jul 23, 2014 · Transmission · CA

The car slipped out of gear and the engine revved up to 5k rpms almost got hit from behind due to the rapid reduction in my speed. This is the 4th time this transmission has been worked on and vw will not work with me to remedy the problem for a reasonable price.

Filed Jan 21, 2014 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · IN

The car unexpectedly jumps gears when slowing down and or speeding up. The problem is especially bad while going in reverse. After a bit of research, it looks like this is an issue with the dsg component of the transmission that many people have experienced in this model/make of the eos. This unexpected jumping and jerking has the potential to cause an accident on the road.

Filed Nov 16, 2011 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Dec 29, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 5,843 miles · CA

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.

Questions about the 2008 Volkswagen Eos transmission

Does the 2008 Volkswagen Eos have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the transmission of the 2008 Volkswagen Eos, 55% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Eos transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 12,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Volkswagen Eos transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Volkswagen Eos have bad transmission?

The Volkswagen Eos model years with the most transmission complaints are 2009 (36 complaints), 2008 (26 complaints) and 2010 (22 complaints).

Other 2008 Volkswagen Eos problems

Body 7Electrical 7Engine 6Tires 3Visibility 2Acceleration 1Airbags 1Brakes 1Fuel system 1Locks 1Seats 1Steering 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2008 Volkswagen Eos?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history