Concern about 2012 Tiguan auto transmission

[vw_nc_dude]

Heater issue fixed. See here:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...topped-working!

Didn't know about the heater issue. Thanks for the pointer. One more thing to watch out for.

[pookieprimmer]

Heater issue fixed. See here:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...topped-working!

Thank you!!! I called and the service manager is getting me in for Monday

[pookieprimmer]

Didn't know about the heater issue. Thanks for the pointer. One more thing to watch out for.

Oh yea. I've found more problems with this VW than I've had with all my used cars put together!

Does anyone else have Bluetooth problems using the recent iPhone version when streaming Bluetooth?

[vw_nc_dude]

Oh yea. I've found more problems with this VW than I've had with all my used cars put together!

Does anyone else have Bluetooth problems using the recent iPhone version when streaming Bluetooth?

The iPhone issue is iOS related and requires a solution from Apple. My wife has an iPhone and it has this problem with the bluetooth. I have an Android phone and it does not have any problem at all. So it is not all VWs fault.

[pookieprimmer]

The iPhone issue is iOS related and requires a solution from Apple. My wife has an iPhone and it has this problem with the bluetooth. I have an Android phone and it does not have any problem at all. So it is not all VWs fault.

But the local dealer keeps insisting that it's just MY phone. I haven't had any problems in the Jetta, just these two Tiguans I've had (same exact one each time! I called and complained and kept it up because in so unhappy with this transmission and other problems!)
The tech says their phones worked fine. The girl who sold it to me said Droids were a problem and iPhone was perfect. I've got so much conflicting info! I don't know if it's just a stupid thing with my Tiguan or MY phone or just an apple/AT&T issue.

[vw_nc_dude]

But the local dealer keeps insisting that it's just MY phone. I haven't had any problems in the Jetta, just these two Tiguans I've had (same exact one each time! I called and complained and kept it up because in so unhappy with this transmission and other problems!)
The tech says their phones worked fine. The girl who sold it to me said Droids were a problem and iPhone was perfect. I've got so much conflicting info! I don't know if it's just a stupid thing with my Tiguan or MY phone or just an apple/AT&T issue.

It's definitely an iOS/Apple problem. iPhone users who upgraded from iOS4 to iOS5 are reporting these problems.

I have paired both my Android phone (Google Nexus S) and my wife's iPhone with the bluetooth in the 2012 Tiguan. The iPhone has the problem(s) you described. The Android phone works flawlessly. In fact, I actually paired two different Android phones (I also own a HTC Aria besides the Nexus S) and they worked without any problem. So I am pretty sure that it is an iPhone issue.

According to some reports, the new iOS version will fix this issue but there is no set date when that will be released. So I would wait for that and hope that Apple releases it soon.

[TIGSEL]

I like how this thread became anything but the transmission thread.

[vw_nc_dude]

I like how this thread became anything but the transmission thread.

It would be great if there would be an app to update the transmission. Maybe Apple can work on that

[pookieprimmer]

I like how this thread became anything but the transmission thread.

Yea... But I could go on and on and on about how much I hate the transmission and the brand. I've never had such a terrible transmission in any car! If the dealer had told me this problem in more detail I wouldn't have bought the car. I'd have stuck with a jetta or (sadly) another brand. And my car is too new to be on any trade in list yet. So I'm stuck with a car that has a transmission which will soon ruin the engine, drives like crud, and makes me feel freaked it wants to stall. I wish VWoA would own up and let people who are remarkable unhappy out of the car.

[TIGSEL]

Yea... But I could go on and on and on about how much I hate the transmission and the brand. I've never had such a terrible transmission in any car! If the dealer had told me this problem in more detail I wouldn't have bought the car. I'd have stuck with a jetta or (sadly) another brand. And my car is too new to be on any trade in list yet. So I'm stuck with a car that has a transmission which will soon ruin the engine, drives like crud, and makes me feel freaked it wants to stall. I wish VWoA would own up and let people who are remarkable unhappy out of the car.

Be patient, I am sure VW will do something about it pretty soon. Audi had a tranny software fix not too long ago. I am sure the new software probably already in street testing stages. Try to train your tranny for now, it WILL help

[ChrisCooks]

Agreed. I've trained my 6spd tiptronic in my 2012 and it hardly lugs at all now unless I really feather the throttle.

[vw_nc_dude]

Agreed. I've trained my 6spd tiptronic in my 2012 and it hardly lugs at all now unless I really feather the throttle.

Can you explain what your strategy was and for how long you trained it? I do not drive very aggressively but also not very softly and still do not see any improvement. Do we need to push this very hard?

[ChrisCooks]

To tell the truth it was a bit of an accident. During my first couple hundred miles I definitely noticed the lugging and rumbling around 35-40 mph as the tranny tried to cruise around in 6th. I started putting my foot down a little more, not to the floor, but gave it about half throttle off the line most of the time to combat this. After a couple hundred miles I noticed the Tiguan became a lot more responsive and I could hit the gas more gradually and it wouldn't jump straight to 6 as quickly. Like I said, I can still get it to lug if I drive like I'm in a Prius, but for the most part the transmission seems to behave more on the normal side. I know this is kind of vague but it's all I can say. I've heard there's a way to put the Tiguan back in this "learning" phase once you're past the initial phase but don't recall how to do it. Maybe TIGSEL can elaborate.

[Pablo509]

We picked our SEL up on 25 February, and I have been trying to pay close attention to the transmission. I am not sensing or detecting the sluggishness that everyone has been describing. Perhaps they have started reprogramming the transmissions.

[vw_nc_dude]

We picked our SEL up on 25 February, and I have been trying to pay close attention to the transmission. I am not sensing or detecting the sluggishness that everyone has been describing. Perhaps they have started reprogramming the transmissions.

Hope that's true. Do any of the previous buyers have any update from VW?

[motechsc]

I"m forced to keep my 2012 pretty slow when I leave each day due to the large size of the neighborhood. That being said I've been more aggressive when leaving stop signs, etc., and I've noticed the Tig is starting to learn after only a couple of weeks. At first I was dropping into sixth at 35mph, since I've been going a little harder with the gas- not flooring it, just no feathering it- it doesn't drop into sixth until I'm over 40mph. This is much more tolerable and the rock-gargling noise I was getting has all but disappeared.

[mhackett]

Web research (aka google searches) I did during the time I had my automatic Golf indicated there are two shift maps in D and two in S, and it chose between them based on how aggressive it determined you were driving at the moment. While I did occasionally observe what seemed to be higher shift points in D as you describe, it only took a mile or two of steady 35mph speeds on flat terrain to have it revert back to the high-mpg low-shift-point lugging behavior. My understanding was that the adaptive behavior has a pretty short memory.

[vw_nc_dude]

Web research (aka google searches) I did during the time I had my automatic Golf indicated there are two shift maps in D and two in S, and it chose between them based on how aggressive it determined you were driving at the moment. While I did occasionally observe what seemed to be higher shift points in D as you describe, it only took a mile or two of steady 35mph speeds on flat terrain to have it revert back to the high-mpg low-shift-point lugging behavior. My understanding was that the adaptive behavior has a pretty short memory.

How do you like the manual in your GTI? The clutch pedal is electronic and not hard to press down, right?

When the time comes to trade in my Passat, I am seriously thinking of going back to manual transmission.

[mhackett]

That's first I'd ever read anyone saying the clutch is electronic, and I'm sure it is not. Maybe just something you've read that was confusing it with the clutches in the DSG or something. Regardless, it is a light push and easy to operate.

I'm am delighted to be back in a manual after my year with the slushbox. The car before that was a Mk4 1.8T 5M GTI. My favorite thing to say to anyone who would listen at the time was "Nothing sucks the soul out of a car like an automatic". I know DSG owners will argue with this, and they will have a point, to a point. But still, the simple act of disengaging and reengaging the drivetrain for each shift and lifting and pressing the gas pedal each time puts you more closely in touch with what the car is doing, and capable of doing, than any other transmission design. Even if it is old-fashioned.

There are a couple things to mention, however. Due to emissions reasons the revs drop fairly slowly so if you want to be smooth you can't rush your upshifts. This is mostly a challenge for the 1-2 shift since a large rpm drop is required, not so much the rest of them. But if you do wait around a little too long on the 1-2 shift to get the perfect rev-matched engagement you may find the car behind you (probably an automatic) right up on your bumper while leaving stoplights. So it's best to pull away fairly quickly in 1st to get some distance before shifting.

The other comment is that 6 speeds often seems like one too many for the broad powerband of this engine. 5 would probably have been enough. Especially since 6th is not super-tall like it is with the automatic (about 2300rpm/60mph in the GTI), don't know about the Tiguan or Passat.

[vw_nc_dude]

That's first I'd ever read anyone saying the clutch is electronic, and I'm sure it is not. Maybe just something you've read that was confusing it with the clutches in the DSG or something. Regardless, it is a light push and easy to operate.

I'm am delighted to be back in a manual after my year with the slushbox. The car before that was a Mk4 1.8T 5M GTI. My favorite thing to say to anyone who would listen at the time was "Nothing sucks the soul out of a car like an automatic". I know DSG owners will argue with this, and they will have a point, to a point. But still, the simple act of disengaging and reengaging the drivetrain for each shift and lifting and pressing the gas pedal each time puts you more closely in touch with what the car is doing, and capable of doing, than any other transmission design. Even if it is old-fashioned.

There are a couple things to mention, however. Due to emissions reasons the revs drop fairly slowly so if you want to be smooth you can't rush your upshifts. This is mostly a challenge for the 1-2 shift since a large rpm drop is required, not so much the rest of them. But if you do wait around a little too long on the 1-2 shift to get the perfect rev-matched engagement you may find the car behind you (probably an automatic) right up on your bumper while leaving stoplights. So it's best to pull away fairly quickly in 1st to get some distance before shifting.

The other comment is that 6 speeds often seems like one too many for the broad powerband of this engine. 5 would probably have been enough. Especially since 6th is not super-tall like it is with the automatic (about 2300rpm/60mph in the GTI), don't know about the Tiguan or Passat.

Thanks much for the info. My brother-in-law in Europe had a VW Polo with manual transmission (not DSG) and his clutch pedal was electronic; i.e., the clutch pedal was not mechanically separating the discs but rather electronically controlling a motor that would do the separation.

[TIGSEL]

The learning process of our transmissions never stops. It constantly updates/relearns your driving style. The reason why it feels that the process stopped is because your driving style usually stays consistent. I also see that some of you are complaining that they've got no results from trying to adapt/train your tranny. I can only think of few reasons: 1- You are not aggressive enough, 2- More than one person driving the car with completely different driving styles. There is no reason to reset anything, it will only prolong the adaptation process. In some cases when dealer needs to reflash your ECU you'd have to retrain your tranny.

[mhackett]

My brother-in-law in Europe had a VW Polo with manual transmission (not DSG) and his clutch pedal was electronic; i.e., the clutch pedal was not mechanically separating the discs but rather electronically controlling a motor that would do the separation.

I know this is a sidetrack but...that is pretty interesting. I wonder how they managed to incorporate any sort of engagement-zone feedback into that setup at a reasonable cost. I did some searches for that design and came up empty.

Anyway, I looked and can confirm the GTI clutch actuation is of conventional hydraulic design, sharing fluid from the brake reservior.

[hawaiivr6]

Here's the latest after contacting VWoA Customer Care.

Dear Mr. Edge:

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me regarding the concerns you are experiencing with the transmission in your Tiguan. We contacted Mr. xxx, the Service Manager at xx Volkswagen, and I appreciate the chance to provide you with an update.

Mr. xx explained to us that your Tiguan was found operating as designed when it was test driven on September 7th and on October 12th. Because of this, Mr. xx is not aware of any repairs or software updates needed to your Tiguan. As such, I regret we are unable to offer any repair solutions.

I understand you are dissatisfied with the way the transmission is performing. I’d like to encourage you to go for a test drive with a technician to point out the exact noise and vibration you are experiencing. The technician will be able to explain to you firsthand what is taking place in the transmission and why they feel this is considered normal operation.

If you would like me to follow up with the XX Volkswagen to ensure all resources are utilized to address this matter for you, please let me know when your appointment date is, and I will be sure to do so.

With you being a multi-Volkswagen owner, we recognize your loyalty to our brand, and we take your concerns seriously. I apologize for the inconvenience this matter has caused you, especially so early in your ownership. It is our desire that you are completely satisfied with your Tiguan and are fully enjoying your driving experience. Please be assured I have documented your comments internally, so we may have a record of them.

[vw_nc_dude]

Here's the latest after contacting VWoA Customer Care.

Dear Mr. Edge:

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me regarding the concerns you are experiencing with the transmission in your Tiguan. We contacted Mr. xxx, the Service Manager at xx Volkswagen, and I appreciate the chance to provide you with an update.

Mr. xx explained to us that your Tiguan was found operating as designed when it was test driven on September 7th and on October 12th. Because of this, Mr. xx is not aware of any repairs or software updates needed to your Tiguan. As such, I regret we are unable to offer any repair solutions.

I understand you are dissatisfied with the way the transmission is performing. I’d like to encourage you to go for a test drive with a technician to point out the exact noise and vibration you are experiencing. The technician will be able to explain to you firsthand what is taking place in the transmission and why they feel this is considered normal operation.

If you would like me to follow up with the XX Volkswagen to ensure all resources are utilized to address this matter for you, please let me know when your appointment date is, and I will be sure to do so.

With you being a multi-Volkswagen owner, we recognize your loyalty to our brand, and we take your concerns seriously. I apologize for the inconvenience this matter has caused you, especially so early in your ownership. It is our desire that you are completely satisfied with your Tiguan and are fully enjoying your driving experience. Please be assured I have documented your comments internally, so we may have a record of them.

Looks like you got the generic treatment and they're trying to shift this to the dealers who come back to us and say everything works normal. The transmission or the engine needs to fall apart I guess before they acknowledge that there is really a problem.

As punishment, every dealer and service manager who says the transmission is operating under normal conditions should be forced to drive in these for life

[artronics]

Just wanted to add my own findings about the 4Motion Tig noise described earlier in this thread.

I noticed that the noise seems to be rpm related and not necessarily speed related. It appears that around 1250 rpm, +/- 150 rpm, the vibration is present regardless of vehicle speed, while driven at constant speed, though. Since this rpm range seems to match up with the 40-60 KM/h speed, correlated to the corresponding gear, I think it might be a resonance frequency on the transmission.
I noticed that driving slower, at a constant speed of about 40 Km/h, the engine rpm drops to just over 1000 rpm, maybe up to 1150, and the vibration isn't noticeable.
And I also noticed a short hum as the engine is decelerating through that 1250 rpm range and it still makes the noise even though the engine isn't technically under load (while engine braking).
So after having driven the (brand new) car for a week, I believe it's not the up shifting, although that doesn't help, but it may be a resonance frequency in the transmission.
The fact that only 4Motion owners complain and that I can feel the vibration almost coming from the back, much like driving with an out-of-round rear wheel, adds to my findings.
Can anyone else verify this?

Thank you.

[AsianDude]

This 'out of round' vibration that you are getting is also present in the FWD Tiguan IMO.
So it may not be coming form the rear but rather vibrating up through the engine/gearbox area.

[artronics]

No, no, you're right. My analogy wasn't quite accurate.
You know how you can feel an out-of-round front tire in the steering wheel and a rear one in your seat?
Well, this vibration on the Tig is similar with the rear out-of-round tire, you can feel it coming from under the car and not the front.

Also, I didn't know the FWD ones do it as well. So far, all posts I read were for 4Motion Tigs.

Thanks

[vw_nc_dude]

No, no, you're right. My analogy wasn't quite accurate.
You know how you can feel an out-of-round front tire in the steering wheel and a rear one in your seat?
Well, this vibration on the Tig is similar with the rear out-of-round tire, you can feel it coming from under the car and not the front.

Also, I didn't know the FWD ones do it as well. So far, all posts I read were for 4Motion Tigs.

Thanks

Both FWD and AWD are affected. My wife owns a 2012 Tiguan with FWD and it has this issue.

[AsianDude]

No, no, you're right. My analogy wasn't quite accurate.
You know how you can feel an out-of-round front tire in the steering wheel and a rear one in your seat?
Well, this vibration on the Tig is similar with the rear out-of-round tire, you can feel it coming from under the car and not the front.

Also, I didn't know the FWD ones do it as well. So far, all posts I read were for 4Motion Tigs.

Thanks

From my drives, it appears to be more pronounced on the cars with the 19" wheels...
Folks with the 18"s generally experience a much smoother drivetrain performance...I don't know why

[artronics]

I'm running on 17" and it's there alright.

[vw_nc_dude]

I'm running on 17" and it's there alright.

So it's across the board with 17, 18, and 19 inchers

[d960]

Just picked up a brand new 2012 Tiguan and yes I have the exact same issue with transmission as everyone else has been talking about here. I pinch myself not seeing this before I buy or did not do a thorough enough test drive. I bought a Golf last year and loves it and did not have much 2nd thought when looking at Tiguan. A pricey lesson !

I have to do a lot of stop and go driving and the auto transmission decide to jump to 5 or 6 gear immediately after taking off at speed 40-60 km/h, and as a result it causes vibration and hum. I have to repeatedly switch to tiptronic and manually override it. It drives me nuts. The problem is that I never drop a manual car so when approaching stop sign I have to swtich back to D and then the cycle start again. There is 5 or 6 stop signs plus a bunch of lights on my way to work and it gets tiring quickly.

Hope VW can provide a software update soon as they really ruin an otherwise beautiful SUV. What a shame !

For those in Canada who want to let VW know about this issue, you can email them at:

vwcarecanada@vw.ca

the "contact us" on vw.ca never works !

[vw_nc_dude]

Hope VW can provide a software update soon as they really ruin an otherwise beautiful SUV. What a shame !

100% agreed. Other than the transmission, I really love the car. Hope that VW will come up with a software update for the Tiguan transmission soon!

[d960]

100% agreed. Other than the transmission, I really love the car. Hope that VW will come up with a software update for the Tiguan transmission soon!

Today I found something interesting and makes me wonder if something else went wrong: I had a 2011 Golf and today I try to see the gear chosen at 50-60km/h in residential area by switching to tiptronic right after acceleration from stop. Guess what: it's 5 or 6, same as Tiguan ! And now I do feel a very subtle vibration which does not bother me at all, as I would not be able to notice it had I not have any issue with Tiguan. It makes me wonder if my particular Tiguan are bad in terms of vibration when setting at high gear at low speed. According to what I see on these forums, this shifting behavior is very common among all 2012 tiguan owners, but I wonder how many of you have issues with vibration ? I decide to go to dealers to test drive another Tiguan and see how it behaves. It might be possible that my particular Tiguan are out of spec in terms of vibration ?

Comments ?

[NLGolf1.8T]

Just picked up a brand new 2012 Tiguan and yes I have the exact same issue with transmission as everyone else has been talking about here. I pinch myself not seeing this before I buy or did not do a thorough enough test drive. I bought a Golf last year and loves it and did not have much 2nd thought when looking at Tiguan. A pricey lesson !

I have to do a lot of stop and go driving and the auto transmission decide to jump to 5 or 6 gear immediately after taking off at speed 40-60 km/h, and as a result it causes vibration and hum. I have to repeatedly switch to tiptronic and manually override it. It drives me nuts. The problem is that I never drop a manual car so when approaching stop sign I have to swtich back to D and then the cycle start again. There is 5 or 6 stop signs plus a bunch of lights on my way to work and it gets tiring quickly.

Hope VW can provide a software update soon as they really ruin an otherwise beautiful SUV. What a shame !

For those in Canada who want to let VW know about this issue, you can email them at:

vwcarecanada@vw.ca

the "contact us" on vw.ca never works !

I spoke to customer service on Thursday night and they have not heard of any issues with the 2012 Tiguan transmission. Please everybody contact them if you want some results.