Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My car goes into a false neutral and shifts out of gear while driving. The "PRNDS" indicator on dash had a blinking "D" alternating with a wrench. I have to come to a complete stop turn the car off and right back on and it goes away for about 5-10 minutes only to reoccur. This started happening when weather became hot, and only occurs after driving for an hour or more. Only when hot outside. I performed transmission fluid service with no resolve. There was no debris in the old fluid to indicate mechanical issues. I also get error code P2711- "unexpected mechanical failure". This has almost caused me to wreck several times putting my life and others at risk until I turn car off and immediatly restart engine which allows normal operation for a few minutes. It doesn't operate normally until car cools down. My engine is not overheating. …
My automatic transmission is slipping and then clunks into gear. I bought the car used at the end of April 2017. I took it to the vw dealership and they found metal shavings in the transmission fluid. The "warranty" ran out at 60,000 miles, I have 64,000 miles on it. They want $7100 to replace the transmission and vw headquarters refuses to offer any help at all.
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen EOS. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle stalled. The message "Transmission Overheating. See Owner's Manual" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. However, the failure reoccurred increasingly while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V333000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer advised the contact to follow up with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen EOS. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle loss motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that white smoke started coming from the vehicle. The contact steered the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where the water pump was replaced. She also stated that the ABS warning light had illuminated on the instrument panel which resulted in the engine not starting. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired for the ABS failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The VIN was not available.
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. …
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 NHTSA 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 [phone]. …
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. …
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 NHTSA and correction by Volkswagen and payment for motor replacement.
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
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.
NHTSA 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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Eos years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (36), 2008 (26), 2010 (22), 2007 (7) and 2012 (5) model years. Transmission complaints make up 43% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Volkswagen Eos transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 09V-333 (automatic transmission, Aug 20, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volkswagen Eos transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles; 52% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (32 mentions).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.