klepZ OwnerReports
Volkswagen / R32 / 2008

2008 Volkswagen R32 problems

Owners have filed 128 complaints about the 2008 Volkswagen R32 with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 64.8% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 15.6%.

Complaints128
Crashes0
Fires0
Injuries0
Deaths0

What owners report breaking

Power train 64.8% · 83
Fuel system, gasoline 15.6% · 20
Electrical system 4.7% · 6
Exterior lighting 4.7% · 6
Fuel/propulsion system 3.1% · 4
Engine and engine cooling 2.3% · 3
Tires 0.8% · 1
Air bags 0.8% · 1

Reading the numbers

Filings are rising — 10 in the last three years against 4 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 12,000 miles.

In owners' own words

Several symptoms related to dsg transmission switching gears: from a stop, car lunges and jerks into first gear. Rpm's sometimes dip and surge, and car sometimes feels like it is going to stall. When upshifting from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd, gear sometimes engages with a thunk. When downshifting 3 to 2 or 2 to 1, car often surges and jerks. In reverse, car sometimes loses power for a second or two. Power train · reported at 11,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen R32. While driving 45 mph the contact noticed that the vehicle would no longer accelerate without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the methapromic unit was replaced inside the transmission; however, after the vehicle was repaired the failure continued to occur. There were no prior warnings. The failure mileage was 25000 and the current mileage was 35000. Power train · reported at 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen R32. While driving at approximately 20 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the mechatronic unit failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Power train

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…