Brand New 2012 GTI, 4K Miles, Clutch Failed

[Aquadooloop]

Today I was driving spiritedly, coming up to a turn where I decelerated to 60mph rev-matched preparing to downshift into 3rd. As I tried to shift I literally could not shift into gear, the gearshift would not move into gear. So I pulled the car to the shoulder and lifted my foot off the clutch and the pedal did not return. Anyone have a similar experience on an MK6 with such low mileage (4K)?

While I realize it could be due to my driving, I've been driving a manual gearbox for 20 years and feel fairly confident I'm not abusing the clutch.

Something that's coming to mind as I'm thinking about this issue is that every time I would return from a spirited drive and park I smelled a mild burning odor. This being my first VW I chalked it up to a characteristic of the car. Wondering now if this was an indication there was something amiss from the outset. I've never turned off the traction control and "popped the clutch" from a standstill, no burnouts, never experienced grinding of the synchros, really no abuse of the clutch that I can think of. I do engine brake often but release the clutch slowly as one should. Anyone have similar experiences?

[absoluteczech]

did you take it to the dealer?

[2011VWTDI]

Sounds like clutch master cylinder issue. I dont think you messed the clutch up.

[ThreadBomber]

Sounds like clutch master cylinder issue. I dont think you messed the clutch up.

Agree, or slave cylinder... Warranty fix and good to go

[maxedtdi]

That exact issue would happen on the corvette when the clutch fluid would get contaminated...

The "burned" odor is what concerns me, let the dealer check it out and let us know.

[Aquadooloop]

Thanks everyone. Yes, it's at the dealer.

[afrost]

The dealer will likely replace the whole clutch assembly along with the associated hydraulics and you will be good to go. Sounds like the hydraulics weren't disengaging the clutch properly when you were getting the burning smell...then the hydraulics completely crapped out.

[tmiw]

Might as well upgrade the clutch if you're planning on going Stage 1 or above soon.

[Aquadooloop]

what's the cost? ...roughly

[tmiw]

what's the cost? ...roughly

The clutch itself is about $300 online from what I've been finding. Not sure on labor because dealer might balk at the warranty repair.

[nick0188]

Definitely slave/master cylinder due to clutch not coming up off the floor. Or the fluid line to the tranny popped out causing no fluid to the tranny and the pedal sticking to the floor. It wouldn't suprise me if it was just the line due to it working fine and then all of a sudden not working.

[checkdalevel]

so these 02M have the same issue as the 02Ms in the 20ths and GLIs.

before i traded my 20th my slave cylinder went and it cost me 850 dollars including the tow to get a 100 dollar piece replaced that VW in there infinite wisdom put inside the tranny

[Aquadooloop]

heard from the dealer service manager and it was the master cylinder. He said he couldn't remember the last time he had to replace a MC, so clearly this was a defective part from the start.

[2011VWTDI]

heard from the dealer service manager and it was the master cylinder. He said he couldn't remember the last time he had to replace a MC, so clearly this was a defective part from the start.

I told you so....

[hussdog426]

warranty should cover this

[absoluteczech]

heard from the dealer service manager and it was the master cylinder. He said he couldn't remember the last time he had to replace a MC, so clearly this was a defective part from the start.

cool

[BsickPassat]

so these 02M have the same issue as the 02Ms in the 20ths and GLIs.

before i traded my 20th my slave cylinder went and it cost me 850 dollars including the tow to get a 100 dollar piece replaced that VW in there infinite wisdom put inside the tranny

it's actually 02Q (on mk5 & mk6)

[Aquadooloop]

So the dealer order the master cylinder, installed it then called to tell me that didnt fix the problem. Then they said it was the slave, the replaced that, didnt fix the problem. Now they're waiting for the clutch to come in so they can replace that. Insane on a car with 4000 miles.

[shankys_14]

So the dealer order the master cylinder, installed it then called to tell me that didnt fix the problem. Then they said it was the slave, the replaced that, didnt fix the problem. Now they're waiting for the clutch to come in so they can replace that. Insane on a car with 4000 miles.

Sucks man, hopefully the new clutch fixes it. Your gonna have to go through that damn break-in again tho.

[maxedtdi]

Sounds right to me a failing master cylinder won't cause a "burning" smell.

Sounds like the clutch was being "burned" for some time.

['89gli]

I told you so....

You sure did......

[absoluteczech]

So the dealer order the master cylinder, installed it then called to tell me that didnt fix the problem. Then they said it was the slave, the replaced that, didnt fix the problem. Now they're waiting for the clutch to come in so they can replace that. Insane on a car with 4000 miles.

sounds like the dealer doesnt know what they are doing

[ThreadBomber]

sounds like the dealer doesnt know what they are doing

agree

[Aquadooloop]

picked up the car yesterday. The sales guy that sold me the car is a really cool guy so while they were doing the final test drive I was chatting with him. He said he'd gone into the shop earlier in the day and saw my car so he went over to the mechanic to see what was up. He looked down to see the clutch plate in two pieces; it totally snapped in half. But he said there wasn't any wear that indicated abuse had caused it, just must have been a defective part from the beginning.

Of course on the drive home I'm rolling to a stop light and try to slip into first gear and grrrrind, wont go into first. I was able to gingerly get it into first. The next few times I stopped it didn't happen but it has happened again intermittently. All other gear shifts are fine--guess I'm going back on Monday.

[Jeffhubbydaddy]

I have a 2010 GTI and my clutch or gear box is messed up. It won't stay in gear if I am at any type of incline. As soon as I pull away it pops out of gear. I got an appt on Monday, I'll keep you posted!

[Aquadooloop]

The saga continues. So after having the clutch replaced as I mentioned in an earlier post I wasn't able to put the car in 1st gear as I was rollIng to a stop, at first it would litterally grind the gears. The service guy's reply when I called about the problem: "then don't do that".

The car was driveable and I wasn't able to take it back to the dealer straight away so I continued driving it for a few weeks, all other gear changes were fine. Then suddenly I wasnt able to downshift into any gear when at high RPMs. Finally it went back to the dealer who told me this morning the clutch plate is cracked again.

I realize anything is possible and the two identical issues could be freak occurrences but given that no one at VW has seen this type of issue I have to believe its unique to my car. Anyone have thoughts about what 'outside' factors might contribute to the problem. Remember first clutch plate cracked at a little over 4K and the new one a few hundred miles later. Could there be an issue with the frame or something causing the transmission to be misaligned? Now im in no way mechanically inclined so I'm talking out of my ass, but there's got to be something the dealer is not considering.

I was told I'll get the car back today, so well see what happens next.

[Aonarch]

Sprayed to early.

[surefooted]

If it happens again (3rd time), demand to have it lemon lawed. Seriously.

[Squirrel Nuts]

If it happens again (3rd time), demand to have it lemon lawed. Seriously.

this

[DLSTR]

Time to document to VW what you have done and what you are doing. Take it to another dealer for strike 3 if needed. Look up the lemon laws in your state. Do not tell VW you are thinking about this. Send an honest open letter detailing your experience and your intention to have the car fixed if possible. Your final paragraph should allude to your loss of time etc and you do not have unlimited time to deal with this.
Put the ball in VW's court and have a second dealer assess this for you. Then there will be no question about your intentions when you launch the lemon action if needed. You will have given 2 dealers the opportunity to make this right.

[afrost]

That "then don't do that" comment would irritate the **** out of me. You should be able to shift in to first just fine when rolling at 5mph or less.

[Smrtypants44]

That "then don't do that" comment would irritate the **** out of me. You should be able to shift in to first just fine when rolling at 5mph or less.

Yeah especially since 2nd bogs down at 2-3mph.

[Zoynks]

The saga continues. So after having the clutch replaced as I mentioned in an earlier post I wasn't able to put the car in 1st gear as I was rollIng to a stop, at first it would litterally grind the gears. The service guy's reply when I called about the problem: "then don't do that".

The car was driveable and I wasn't able to take it back to the dealer straight away so I continued driving it for a few weeks, all other gear changes were fine. Then suddenly I wasnt able to downshift into any gear when at high RPMs. Finally it went back to the dealer who told me this morning the clutch plate is cracked again.

I realize anything is possible and the two identical issues could be freak occurrences but given that no one at VW has seen this type of issue I have to believe its unique to my car. Anyone have thoughts about what 'outside' factors might contribute to the problem. Remember first clutch plate cracked at a little over 4K and the new one a few hundred miles later. Could there be an issue with the frame or something causing the transmission to be misaligned? Now im in no way mechanically inclined so I'm talking out of my ass, but there's got to be something the dealer is not considering.

I was told I'll get the car back today, so well see what happens next.

Do you have any news? Did they fix your car?

I had a similar experience as you did with a Service Advisor this morning re:"then don't do that"...my 2012 GTI is getting AWFUL mileage (19-22 across 5 tanks) & I'm not drivin' it like I stole it or anything. The guy started lecturing me on how to figure my mileage by filling up the car all the way & then letting it run out of gas. I asked him if he had a suggestion as to where I should try to run out of gas & then hung up on him...made an appt. with a different dealer.

[tmiw]

my 2012 GTI is getting AWFUL mileage (19-22 across 5 tanks)

Do you take a lot of really short trips? I've gotten as low as 12mpg (MFD) with a ~1.5 mile drive before, probably because the engine wasn't completely warmed up.

[Aquadooloop]

They replaced the clutch twice. After the second replacement I haven't had any issues.