While in slow traffic and transmission in Drive position, if I slow down or stop for traffic in front of me or a red light, the transmission does not engage again when given acceleration. I have shut the car off and restarted again, sometimes more than once to get it to engage and get me out of traffic. I have held up traffic behind me. There are also loud clunking noises coming from what I believe is the transmission at each start causing the PRNDL to flash and no power for reverse and drive. I believe all of this will eventually cause a collision as it appears to other vehicles that I should be moving. People have also become very frustrated with my vehicle holding up traffic, especially on the busiest of days and long lines waiting to advance behind me. People have become impatient and angry to the point of road rage. Thankfully, no one has actually tried to hurt me physically. The date below would be the latest incident.
2009 Volkswagen Eos transmission problems
36 complaints (43% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 55,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 36
- of this car's complaints
- 43%
- typical mileage
- 55,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission9
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Volkswagen Eos transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Volkswagen Eos transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall began on october 20, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 09V333000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Vehicle stall/loss motive power
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 2009 Volkswagen Eos owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I slowly at 5mph went over a bump and my car went automatically into neutral, all of the P R N D S lights on the dash started blinking and the car just kept revving when I tried to put it into gear. I had the car towed to the dealership and it is currently there. I looked on Kelly Blue Book and saw there was a recall for my vehicle type and the recall states exactly what happened to my car. Can my VIN number be added to this recall since it is the very same mechanical issue? Here is the information I found on the recall the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN ID: 09V333000 Report Date: AUG 20, 2009 Vehicles Affected: 16000 What You Should Do: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, INSPECT THE DSG AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE AN AFFECTED DSG TEMPERATURE SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1‑800‑822‑8987. Summary: 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. To see if your specific vehicle is affected 1‑800‑822‑8987 or Please let me know if there is anything that can be done. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
Abs and brake lights are on, car shifts into neutral on it's own. Feels unsafe to drive, because of the neutral shift there is no power. I have had to pull over to the side of the road and restart the car.
Harsh/jerky shifting in dsg power train unit. Typically at very low speeds. This condition previous investigated through closed case # pe09035. Issue relates to excess wear in solenoid bushings. Previously report by the federal safety agency that vw issued extended warranty of 10years/100,000 miles. Car was within limits but vw refused repair saying mechatronic unit (where the defective valves are located) not covered by agreement with the federal safety agency. Current the federal safety agency web pages apparently incorrectly report that vw does replace defective units. Jerking is dangerous in parking maneuvers.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen eos. While driving 20 MPH, the transmission jerked and the rpms increased without warning. The vehicle also accelerated intermittently, which presented the potential risk of a crash. The vehicle was exlcuded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v333000 (power train). The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency action number: pe09035 (power train), but the failure was similar. Volkswagen van nuys (6115 van nuys blvd, van nuys, ca 91401, (818) 785-7571) was notified and was currently servicing the transmission assembly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested the dealer replace the same oem transmission assembly. The approximate failure mileage was 51,700.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen eos. While driving 60 MPH, the rpms accelerated on their own. The contact heard an abnormal noise and noticed that the gear lights on the instrument panel were turning on and off. The vehicle was taken to volkswagen van nuys (located at 6115 van nuys blvd, van nuys, ca 91401, (818) 785-7571) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 123,790.
On sunday, june 30th, 2019, @ about 6pm, @51k I was driving 25mph and car jerked, then the rpms revved really high and car slowed down, and "prnds" letters started blinking. I slowed down even more and car was still going at higher than normal rpms. I was able to drive it very slowly through residential streets to my house. When I was going to park it in my spot, I had to put it in reverse, and when I did, it did not move in reverse! During all this the "prnds" lights kept on flashing. I had to turn it off, put it in neutral, and get pushed into my parking spot. When I tested to see if car would start, it started perfectly, no flashing light or anything, no delay or trouble to start it. The check engine light never turned on either. The day before, I did have an issue with getting the car started, it needed a jump start, and when the battery was tested for its voltage, it was running on the lower side. I had not driven it all day on friday, and the starting issues were on saturday. I was told by mechanic that I must have left a light on, but nothing was left on to drain the battery. Earlier on sunday, I needed to go on one outing and the car did give me trouble to start, with a delayed slow start, and it drove fine to my destination less than 4 miles away. When I left there, the car managed to start with that delay again, and when I was driving home is when the crazy jerking, RPM revving, and car slowing down happened about a mile away from my house. Needless to say, this was very scary, and I have read many other complaints about this exact same thing! I am too scared to drive my car! I had it towed to the vw dealer, and I am waiting to hear back from them. When I was signing in at the dealer, another lady was registering her car for the same exact complaint and her car was the same exact car!!! Vw needs to address this very dangerous and scary problem and fix it!!!!
Without notice the transmission down shifts and the car comes to a quick speed reduction and you pull off the road and it will not go in revers. It will move then at a very slow speed. On busy street or highway in traffic hard to keep from being run over.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen eos. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle jerked back and forth and the gear shift indicators began to flash. When the contact placed the vehicle into park and then drive, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to heritage volkswagen of west atlanta (1981 thornton rd, lithia springs, ga, 30122, 770872-0033) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Questions about the 2009 Volkswagen Eos transmission
Does the 2009 Volkswagen Eos have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the transmission of the 2009 Volkswagen Eos, 43% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2009 Volkswagen Eos transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 55,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Volkswagen Eos transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 09V333000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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 2009 Volkswagen Eos problems
Brakes 22Electrical 15Engine 14Driver assistance 12Acceleration 5Fuel system 5Airbags 4Body 2Visibility 2Seat belts 1Steering 1
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