I have a 2.0T 2007 Eos that has 73k miles. I went over to my mothers house to help her with some things around the house and then hoped back into the car and took off. About 1/2 mile from her house I experience the loudest noise accompanied with a very fast vibration. The RPM's went from 2k to 6k instantly and the car had no drive. I experienced the "Flash of Death" as it's been coined by many other's who have experienced this problem.

The DSG transmission had complete failure and has to be replaced. I've been quoted a price of $6571.00 for the replacement of the transmission as it is not salvageable.

VW along with the NHTSA and Good Morning America (yes the TV show) have documented that this issue exists and VW has issued a safety recall for some '08 '09 and '10 vehicles with DSG. VW has also extended the warranty on those vehicles effected by the recall to a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty for the drivetrain.

Unfortunately my car is not included in the recall even though the transmission is the same and the symptoms of the "flash of death" are identical to those documented. Additionally, I am outside of the VW warranty period. The only positive is that I purchased an extended warranty because of concerns with the retractable top. I have never purchased an extended warranty on any other product because I consider them to be a waste of money for the most part. Because of the "newness" of the VW retractable hard tops I felt that it may be in good interest.

I filed a complaint with VWoA and the NHTSA asking that the recall be extended to other people who are not as fortunate, and get stuck with the bill to replace their transmissions, and that the warranty be extended as provided for later year vehicles.

The reason for writing this here is because of the "possible" reason for the failure. I have always taken the vehicle to the original dealership where I purchased it for service and always on time. I have always performed all service requirements per the service personnel. From my conversation today, I discovered that the car was never given the proper 40k service. The DSG transmission, specifically, requires a special service at 40k, one that was never done on my vehicle. The dealership originally took full responsibility for this and said that it was their fault. However, they have slightly changed their mind. They dealership now states that I was given a service manual when I purchased the car and that it's my responsibility to make sure that the services listed therein are performed. I obviously made the comment that I would understand this if I would have taken my car to some other non-vw shop for repairs/service and that I entrusted them to service the vehicle as per manufacturer specifications. I also stated that unless they had proof of my denial of a specific, recommended, maintenance that it would be very hard to prove in court. Needless to say, they have provided me with a free rental for 1.5 weeks and full coverage of the replacement of the transmission.

I would still like to see that VWoA be held responsible for making sure that these other vehicles with the same issue/transmission be looked at and that appropriate recalls be issued.

If anyone else has had this problem please contact VWoA at (800) 444-8982 and the NHTSA at (888) 327-4236. For a complete documentation of what the issue consists of please search "VW flash of death" using your favorite search engine. Basically, your transmission goes out and the dash "PRNDS" lights flash.

Also, please be sure to have your DSG transmission serviced at 40K. It's important!

Wow, glad you're getting the repair covered. Seems like a lot of VW dealers aren't up to speed on DSG 40K fluid changes. A friend of mine recently had to gently remind his dealer about this task, because they weren't planning on doing it. It's unfortunately a PITA to DIY, because you need VCDS to monitor fluid temp, as well as a special fill tube doohickey.

Unfortuneately dealers are in business to make money first and foremost. My selling dealer has its own scheduled maintenance schedules which are generic and contains items not even required by VW. I have been using a different dealer for my scheduled maintenances. When I go in, they pull up a suggested service for the car I have. It didn't completely agree with what is in my owner's manual but was not too far from it. I would be anxious to hear from those with 09 and newer models to see what the dealer does now that VW is paying for the services. I did get the trans done at 40k (dealer and VW recommended) and the cost for that part of the service was almost $400. It would be nice if the dealer would do the right thing but they don't. It is still our responsibility to make sure that the required things get done. I also took out the extended warranty like you mainly to help with the roof and drivetrain. I hope I never need it.

Lucid and Cb thanks for the replies.

I have spoke with VW a number of times as you can probably tell. Here's some information regarding the '09 and above vehicles and touching on some of the comments made.

All '09 and '10 vehicles are REQUIRED to be serviced by the dealership in accordance with VW standards under the 3 year 36k mile service contract. Unfortunately for everyone who purchased a '09 '10 vehicle the DSG service is not required (as it's a 40k service) and will not be performed free of charge for vehicles covered under the new service contract. As mentioned above and as stated by VWoA, it is costly.

Although VWoA has stated that this specific 40K service on the DSG is the owners responsibility on every VW car equipped with DSG, they have also made the statement that a dealership should recommend the service as they are trained to do so.

Service Advisor (defined)
...The service advisor will be your first and primary contact at the dealership. The service advisor is responsible for understanding what needs to be done to your vehicle — normal maintenance or addressing a specific concern. This is a critical step in the process because the service advisor must interpret and note these concerns on the paperwork in terms the service technician will understand. Most service advisors will repeat all problems and services requested in a concise form in order to ensure that no miscommunication has occurred...

My dealership also made the comment that the service was not performed because the DSG transmission is so new that they had no knowledge of the service being needed.

Unfortunately my lesson has been learned and I hope other's also learn from this. Please be sure to check your service manual and make sure that the dealership has done the service as per specifications.

I for one will be changing dealerships upon completion of this service repair, for a number of reasons including: I took the vehicle in for a 60k service a while back at which time they performed the (however many) point inspection. Three days later I experienced very bad feedback while on the highway so I pulled into a Les Schwab tire center. I had 3 tires almost through the metal belt on the inner edges. The dealership informed me just 3 days before that my tires were in very good condition. Just a couple (no more than 4) days after the aforementioned incident my battery died. I opened the hood to look and I also noticed that the adapter that connects the air intake to the front of the car was no longer there and the air intake was just dangling, and rubbing, against the AC unit fan. They fixed it all free of charge and gave me 2 free oil changes. It's time to move on however!

Hi I had a 55 Golf 20 tdi and the gear box committed suicide at 39,590 miles two months ago and the quotes I got for repair were £2600 and £4400 for S/F new. So I wiped my nose sold a 7 grand car for £2800 and bought my 08 20 tsi dsg(with extended warranty) EOS so I suppose something good cam of it. I have not heard about a UK recall on the dsg yet so I had better contact my dealer and check

I have not heard about a UK recall on the dsg yet so I had better contact my dealer and check

No, nor have I, does anyone know if there has been one?

Mikejane2, what response did you get from your dealer? They seem reluctant to call vehicles in for fixes, surely they should have recalled all EOS because of the waterfall when the door is opened but mine was not.

I got the extended warranty on my 09 EOS for similar reasons of the roof newness. I also got the letter in the mail about VW extending the DSG to 100k. It didn't occur to me till later to think about it but it would seem to me that those of us who bought the extended warranty are due a refund on part of the warranty price given that the DSG was covered under the extended warranty and is now covered under the VW "improved" standard warranty. In essence, paying for something already covered. I asked my dealer about it and he was unaware of even the extention of the DSG warranty. He doubted that it was true cause he thought it would be a great selling point of a 100k warranty. yeah, sounds good. VW is afraid the transmission might fall out the bottom and don't want to be sued, so they are covering the transmissions under warranty. Can't wait to see that commercial on tv. "Black one. Where? Right over there on the side of the road. The one getting towed with its transmission lying on the ground. No, the other one..." ;)

Hi,

There is no such DSG recall in the UK as far as I am aware, but I did check some time ago.

S

I assume therefore it is only countries with strong consumer protection laws like the USA that have forced VW's always unwilling hand, unless Mexican DSGs aren't as good as Portuguese ones!

No, nor have I, does anyone know if there has been one?

Mikejane2, what response did you get from your dealer? They seem reluctant to call vehicles in for fixes, surely they should have recalled all EOS because of the waterfall when the door is opened but mine was not.

They did not want to know as the vehicle was long out of warranty and it had been serviced by myself (i am a mechanic).

Recalls are usually done for elements relating to the safety of a car. The door waterfall, which I quite like, is not going to cause any harm, it's just a minor inconvenience, albeit a fun one sometimes! :)

Recalls are usually done for elements relating to the safety of a car.

And the DSG disintegrating isn't a safety item?

Obviously only in the USA, not UK or Australia.

Hope I don't experience it on a crowded motorway then.