Well...is this a tiptronic problem beginning?!

[djg12]

Well, I just purchased a 2007 triple white NBC and have spent some time reading about the tiptronic 'issue'. Unfortunately my NBC has 100K+ so that leaves me out of the recall. It has done 'one' hard shift, decelerating from highway speeds. I guess I will get it to the dealer immediately. I guess I am wondering do 'most' tiptronics have this issue or may my hard shift be just a fluke.
When you buy a used car there are always things to fix.....I have other things to fix to make this a satisfactory ride and am not so excited about this potential transmission issue. Has anyone else experienced 'some' hard shifts but yet not had a full blown transmission problem.
Also, is it likely that changing the transmission fluid will help this and maybe prevent further problems? I will be asking the dealer the same questions.....ugh!

[D2Beetle]

All my NB's are manual so I am not certain what your benefits would be but, if it were me I would change the transmission fluid and the gear oil; then take it to the dealer.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by djg12

Well, I just purchased a 2007 triple white NBC and have spent some time reading about the tiptronic 'issue'. Unfortunately my NBC has 100K+ so that leaves me out of the recall. It has done 'one' hard shift, decelerating from highway speeds. I guess I will get it to the dealer immediately. I guess I am wondering do 'most' tiptronics have this issue or may my hard shift be just a fluke.
When you buy a used car there are always things to fix.....I have other things to fix to make this a satisfactory ride and am not so excited about this potential transmission issue. Has anyone else experienced 'some' hard shifts but yet not had a full blown transmission problem.
Also, is it likely that changing the transmission fluid will help this and maybe prevent further problems? I will be asking the dealer the same questions.....ugh!

The tiptronic transmissions have one big archilles heel, namely their valve bodies. Specifically solenoid N89 which when it starts to go out it causes the hard shifts in your transmissions. VW knew that the Valve bodies in their transmissions were weak and agreed to extend all their warranties on their automatic transmissions but if you are over 100k miles than I guess that ship has sailed. If you take it to the dealer they will tell you it will need a new valve body which they will gladly sell you for around 2000+ dollars. Or they may just skip that part and tell you that your entire transmission needs to be replaced and that will cost you 6300+ on up. I personally wouldn't take it to the dealer. I would however take it to a shop that can change your transmission fluid and filter. Preferably a shop that is familiar with the VW brand and has a good reputation. The dealer will overcharge you 9 out of 10 times where a VW shop will still charge you but be a fair about it. At least the good ones will.
A transmission fluid change on the 6 speed triptronic shouldn't cost more than $200-$250 dollars. Which should include New VW type fluid, new transmission filter and a new pan gasket. I would start there and then just see how it does. It may be a band aid but then again it may help you extend the life of your transmission for a little longer. Just watch for the hard shifts to increase. Once they do then it won't be long until the valve body goes out completely.

Sorry, but I would never buy a VW with an automatic transmission. Too many costly headaches.

[djg12]

Hmmm.....this is breathtaking! Two grand and that is the cheap route. Do they 'all' go bad or is hit or miss?
The dealer is a friend and seemed to be telling me that I should do a transmission oil change and spark plugs, or basically a 40,000 mile check up. I suspect that recommending a transmission oil change was because he was thinking 'tiptronic'=potential problem!!
I will go back there and ask about the price for the fluid change, they have always been fair and good with their service.....and I trust them. I know the shop manager, excellent mechanic, worked for VW most of his life, one of their very valuable employees.
Anyhow, not liking this at all.....I hope it remains in 'remission' for a long time. Or, I will just fix it, and be done with it. I like the car and really don't want to sell it, I've only had it for a week!! My other ride is a Prius!!!!! I need the mileage for a long commute.....so you can understand needing to have something that is more fun to drive, cause the Prius is a drag, but it delivers the mileage and 'no' repairs!
The price you pay for being a VW -aholic!!!

[IndyTom]

If the dealer is a friend then I would trust him to do the right thing and be honest with you. I would just start with the transmission fluid change and see how it goes. If it only shifted harshly one time than I wouldn't panic just yet. Perhaps it was just a fluke and the issue won't return. Have the fluid changed and see how it goes.

Beetle's are a lot more fun then a Prius. I owned a 2010 Honda Insight and HATED IT!!! That car was the most boring lackluster car I have ever driven. I got rid of it 4 weeks later. Just couldn't stand it anymore. The gas mileage was the only benefit but that was about it. No comfort, no style, no performance to speak off. Must as well drive a cardboard box.

[PaliPrincess]

You said it leaves you out of a recall? If the tiptronic has a recall on it, it does not matter if you have 100+ miles on your New Beetle. The dealer has to do your recall, I had recalls done on my old New Beetle and she had 150,000miles on her. Actually, I advise you to call up your dealer give them the VIN# and check to see what recalls have or have not been done on your NB, good luck Oh and the Beetle is SOOOO much more fun than a Prius!

[Smileybug]

Well its not a recall, its an extended warranty. There is a time and mileage limit on it. I think it was 7 years and 100k, but I don't know for certain. Wouldn't hurt to call the dealer though and ask.

[IndyTom]

Yup, it wasn't a "Recall" it was just an extended warranty for up to 100K miles but since she is over that mileage point that ship has sailed.

[PaliPrincess]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

Yup, it wasn't a "Recall" it was just an extended warranty for up to 100K miles but since she is over that mileage point that ship has sailed.

Awwww

[geniushanbiao]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

Yup, it wasn't a "Recall" it was just an extended warranty for up to 100K miles but since she is over that mileage point that ship has sailed.

Yes the car manufacturers tend to do this trick very much to fool their customers. Actually according to law ONLY ISSUES RELATED TO SAFETY HAS TO BE RECALLED. For example air bag issues, seat belt issues or gas pedal stuck, brake fail, etc. Like transmission design problem it's not related to safety too much so they won't do recall but customers complain too much so they extend warranty. I think extend warranty problems and recall problems have the same level of seriousness. However they are differently treated.

Also different brands have different attitudes toward their design flaw. O1M transmission have the known problem of failing valve body but VW never did anything for it. Also VW have so many extend warranties but they tend to work on them strictly that for example the catalytic converter on some AEG models have extended warranty of 10yrs/120k miles due to the bad material making it falls apart however even if you have 120001 miles they won't repair it for you. Compared with others, as far as I know the 00-01 Honda Accord have transmission design problem and Honda extended the warranty on these transmissions to 7yrs/100k miles(actually the warranty they extended was powertrain) while I know a lot of people have these models with around 110-120k miles and far beyond 7 years got their trans replaced free or almost free by Honda dealers. VW just sucks.

[djg12]

I did get my terminology mixed up. It is an extended warranty, sorry for the confusion. I had the transmission fluid changed today. Only $179.00, not so bad. It almost seems the transmission feels smoother. I guess I' ll find out...sooner or later.
Thanks for all the input, I got somewhat freaked out. The specter of a $2000-3000 bill is/was disturbing.

In the mean time I am loving the ride. I heard someone describe certain cars as "appliances"..... They do their job...lack 'fun', are reliable as can be....hmmmm, sounds like my Prius "appliance"!!!

Thanks again everyone.........

[geniushanbiao]

Originally Posted by djg12

I did get my terminology mixed up. It is an extended warranty, sorry for the confusion. I had the transmission fluid changed today. Only $179.00, not so bad. It almost seems the transmission feels smoother. I guess I' ll find out...sooner or later.
Thanks for all the input, I got somewhat freaked out. The specter of a $2000-3000 bill is/was disturbing.

In the mean time I am loving the ride. I heard someone describe certain cars as "appliances"..... They do their job...lack 'fun', are reliable as can be....hmmmm, sounds like my Prius "appliance"!!!

Thanks again everyone.........

Comparing with appliances is not very accurate. Most cars tend to be like appliance for the first 50k-80k miles or 100k miles for newer ones. However after that they perform different. Prius, Camry, Corolla, Accord, Maxima and some other model perform still like an appliance after 100k miles till like 150k or 200k miles while VWs will give you a lot of trouble. Again VWs are designed like this and they are working well for the dealers and manufacturers.