On 5/4/24 I was reverse parking & heard a clunk as I was turning my steering wheel then immediately noticed the airbag light come on. Attempted to check any error messages using the only menu control for the vehicle on the steering wheel that did not work. That led me to attempt to test all other controls on the steering wheel which also did not work. During these attempts, I identified that my horn was also not working. Due to the large safety concern this caused, I quickly searched on Google what the cause may be then immediately made an appointment at an auto shop (Greulich's Automotive Repair) with the first available I could find. I did not know this issue was previously recalled as I was too concerned with my safety on the road, specifically not trusting other drivers, not having enough time to research, & the auto shop did not mention the recall either. Spent $1,000 on labor, diagnostic, & the clock steering part. When researching the history of my vehicle, I do not find that this recall was performed. I will be calling VW customer service for reimbursement. After the part has been replaced, the next day, I come to find out that the menu setting control on the steering wheel continues to not work which I have brought attention to the auto shop. Waiting for a call back about why all other controls on the steering wheel works now except the vehicle menu which might be the most important control on the wheel. In addition, the cruise control option does not work either because of this replacement which I come to find out it’s a separate part that needs to be replaced, hence, additional out of pocket costs. Not okay.
Volkswagen Passat harsh shifting problems
44 of the 7,709 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Passat describe harsh or hard shifting, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 44
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 38,000
By model year
Often reported together
Ball joint 10Jerking 8Grinding brakes 5Hesitation 3Won't shift 2Steering noise 2Slipping 2Knocking 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P1819 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the transmission was shifting hard, and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound while shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. The contact drove to the residence and parked the vehicle. The contact then shifted into reverse (R) and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound. The contact stated that the failure recurred while shifting into drive (D). The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,074.
Transmission clunks into gear and loses traction while shifting.
My 16 bought a car from bommarito vw hazelwood, they told us it had prior engine work and the customer couldn't pay for the charges so they sold us the car. When test driving we heard a clunk every time you would excel. The salesman said it was stuff in the trunk. Come to find out there are no motor mounts holding the motor and the motor goes up in the air when you give the car gas, the motor hit the exhaust and broke it. There is no way this car passed inspection with a motor hanging there, you can't see through the back window because the tint is so bad. A dealership should not of sold a vehicle with a motor like this, it's a bit dangerous to put a young girl in. It has taken me two weeks for someone to call me back.
The automatic transmissions used in the b6 volkswagen passat 2.0t along with several other vw models are notoriously problematic. There was a recall on the transmission control unit needing a software update which was done on my vehicle, however this does not address the real issue with these transmissions. The widespread and more serious issue with these transmissions is the valve body assembly part of the transmission causing hard shifts usually between first and second or third and fourth gear. These hard shifts cause the entire car and it's passengers to jerk violently during upshifts and sometimes downshifts between these gears. At only 91,000 miles and well taken care of my car has developed this problem between third and fourth gear making it feel very dangerous and unsettling for the driver and passengers of the vehicle when getting up to speed especially on on-ramps to the highway. I also want to mention that this problem has destroyed my motor mounts as well. Vw should take responsibility for this defective part of the transmission similar to the way honda did with their odyssey, only this does not require the whole transmission to be replaced like with the odyssey. This is an enormous safety concern that needs to be acknowledged and address by volkswagen, the largest automobile manufacturer in the world.
Misses shifting from 1st to second speed and 2nd to 3rd. Rough shifts. Difficulty to engage in the next speed causing the vehicle to lose propulsion. Malfunction observed when in motion.
There was a valve body recall for rough shifts. I had noticed these a couple of times. Also the vacuum pump, airbags ects.
Passat sel year 2013 2.5 gas engine. O9g transmission hard shifting clunky slipping very uncomfortable to drive especially on traffic stop and go jerky transmission it happened for very long time oil and filter was done still have the same issue
While braking on a hill the passat made a clunking sound and a wrench service light illuminated. The brakes become soft and do not respond as quickly as before. In addition, when reversing, the brake pedal will become non responsive while the calipers hold the car in place. I am unable to move the car until I place it back in park and try again.
Harsh downshift associated with a very audible clunk or bang in the drive train or transmission since new. Occurs when utilizing the auto-shift (aka tiptronic(tm)) shift to downshift when de-ccelerating to a stop. Bang occurs at low RPM (<700) and low speed (<10mph) and only when shifting 2nd gear to 1st gear. Problem can be reproduced and is associated with city street driving when using the tiptronic to cascade down through the gears when approaching a stop. I have demonstrated the defect/condition to volkswagen technical. It remains unresolved and was relegated to being a "normal" occurrence.
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
- Risk
- If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23W5.
Recall number 17V309000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
- Risk
- The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.
Recall number 14V182000 · Recall details
Questions about the Volkswagen Passat harsh shifting
Which Volkswagen Passat years have harsh or hard shifting problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (11 complaints), 2006 (8 complaints) and 2004 (6 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix harsh or hard shifting on the Volkswagen Passat?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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