Volkswagen GTI won't shift problems

Filed Feb 21, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · NV

the federal safety agency Recall 24V‑110 (VW 20UF). The vehicle is in Limp Mode and experiencing low oil pressure symptoms. It is also subject to Recall 24V‑110, which identifies a fire risk due to fuel leakage. Despite the safety hazard, the local Volkswagen dealership has refused to perform the recall repair or diagnose the vehicle, stating it is at their 'discretion.' I am reporting a failure by the manufacturer and the dealer to remedy an active safety defect, leaving me with an unsafe, undriveable vehicle."

Filed Nov 1, 2021 · Engine · WI

Linkage on the turbo wastegate actuator seizes if the car is not driven for more than a few months at a time. This causes the car to not produce any boost and leaves it in a state in between limp mode and normal rpm range. This makes it incredibly inconsistent with rpm and maintaining speed.

Filed Nov 10, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 148,000 miles · TX

During moderate acceleration, engine cuts power, epc light and check engine light comes on. Vehicle goes into limp mode, and engine will not turn more than 3000 RPM, and has no power to accelerate. Engine develops misfires and idles very roughly. Engine may stall. Turning key off and back on does not remedy the problem. Disconnecting the battery will turn the epc and check engine lights off, but under next moderate acceleration, epc and check engine lights come back on, and problems come back. Check engine dtc codes range from misfires to system too lean and air intake leaks, and for accelerator/throttle position sensor b malfunctions. These problems have happened multiple times in traffic on the interstate and in the city. The vehicle has stalled at stop signs and traffic lights. It has also stalled during acceleration. This problem started happening on august 6th 2019 and has continued to happen.

Filed Jan 18, 2017 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · OR

Dsg transmission mechatronics unit failed at 70,000 miles july 2016. Transmission goes into limp mode...won't go into reverse and jumps down to and remains in first gear when in d. All service done on schedule. Mfr refuses to cover replacement of unit due to limited warranty.

Filed Aug 15, 2016 · Driver assistance · 82,270 miles · AZ

At roughly 11pm at night while driving home from the gym the car started beeping and the epc light came on. Shortly after the ABS, check engine light, traction control, brake light(flashing), steering wheel icon, and a message saying engine fault workshop all lit up. I imagine all these lights prompting the car to go into limp mode. My gas gauge stopped working along with the spedometer and the car would only rec about 2k rpms trying to protect itself from further damage(limp mode). Problem would continue on from then. The car won't turn properly as it feels like it's really loose and isn't grabbing the road.

Filed Jul 19, 2016 · Transmission · 8,000 miles · AZ

In very hot weather (over 110 f) the transmission does not shift properly. It stays in low gears and rev's the engine far too much. At cooler temps it drives fine. Took it into the dealer in july 2016 and was told it was fine.

Filed Jun 15, 2015 · Transmission · 200 miles · IN

Was driving along with traffic and I heard a loud noise, the engine rpms jumped and there was a massive loss in speed and power. The transmission was stuck in 1st gear. Pulled over as soon as was safe. I was concerned an accident could have occurred due to the sudden loss in power and speed with no fault to the driver, myself. The dash showed "error: transmission. Reverse not possible." the vehicle was towed to a local dealer for evaluation. Updated 09/01/2015*lj updated 10/20/2017

Filed May 8, 2015 · Transmission · 110,600 miles · CT

I live in ct and was visiting cousins in nj on saturday october 25, 2014. I take the exit of the new jersey turnpike and stop at the first light. I start to go and then see that the car was revving but not changing gears. I see the prnds lights on the dash flash simultaneously non stop. I just barely pull off to the nearest parking lot since there was no shoulder on the 50 MPH road. I stop the car and put it in park and the car did not shift out of park after that. The nearest dealer had just closed and they said to wait until monday! I called my cousins who still lived an hour away to see if they had aaa and luckily they did. I then towed the car home over 300 miles! Apparently the mechatronics unit died (the brains of the transmission) without any error codes or warning. There seem to be quite a few complaints online about these units with some failing while people are driving on the highway!! I guess I should consider myself 'lucky' that it died when it did?! Vw dealer charged me over $2400 to replace it. What's even worse is that they only warrant the new part for 12 months/12,000 miles so I guess I better not take any long trips with this car.

Filed Feb 20, 2014 · Brakes, Transmission · 64,000 miles · MD

Car started to exhibit intermittent ABS faults which was indicated by dash mil and the following fault codes: transmission module 18255 - please check dtc memory of ABS controller ABS brakes 00290 - ABS wheel speed sensor; rear left (g46) 012 - electrical fault in circuit - intermittent 00290 - ABS wheel speed sensor; rear left (g46) 008 - implausible signal - intermittent with the codes present both ABS and electronic stability control are disabled. The safety complaint however is that the automatic transmission control is periodically locked out. When at speed (60+ MPH) the automatic transmission will shift into neutral. Manual gear select will not put the car back into a drive gear. Dash gear indicator will indicate 6th gear. At lower speeds (~25 MPH) the transmission will periodically lock in second gear and will not shift to a higher gear. Manual gear selection also fails. Problem sometimes will not clear despite restarting the car multiple times. There are no indications of an actual transmission problem. The cause seems to be software override of the transmission due to incorrect ABS module data. (transmission software seems to think the car is in a skid and is holding gear). So far the ABS module,wheel speed sensor, and tone ring have been replaced. Condition is still present. When the transmission problem is present shift lock also does not work. The dealer is currently in the process of replacing the wiring harnesses.

Filed Sep 28, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 78,400 miles · MO

While taking an on-ramp onto the highway my car got stuck in 2nd gear and would not upshift. I tried switching to manual mode but that did not work either. The prnds was flashing and I had to pull over and shut the vehicle off. It worked normal after that for a few miles. I filled up at a gas station and when leaving the car went into neutral and the prnds was flashing again.