We are going to get an updated shift program for our 2012 transmissions!

[vw_nc_dude]

Update:

I finally got my feedback from the dealer today. He said that at this time there is no TSB for the transmission update. However, he also told me that when I take the Tiguan to them that they can hook up the car to the computer and that they can call tech-line to see if there is any update. So there is a possibility that there is a software update for us via tech-line as there is for owners in Canada.

I am pretty much swamped for the near future and will not be able to take the car to the dealer. If anyone of you guys have an upcoming service appointment and can try to see if their dealer is willing to hook up their cars to the computer and check with tech-line and report back, that would be great.

[BITRBO]

Bradsvw,
I'm sure that you know more about how much fuel the engine is utilizing than do VW's engineers. Yup...I'm sure that they programmed the transmission to shift in such a way as to make the least efficient use of fuel possible, to hurt their car's mileage and its marketability. That makes total sense. It would be totally illogical to think that the powertrain was designed to function exactly how it functions, making full use of the relative abundance of low-end torque that the turbocharged 4 cylinder makes. It would also be illogical to think that a driver such as yourself could be competent enough to manage how the car drives by doing something like adjusting how much pressure you're putting on the throttle pedal.

Et tu, vw_nc_dude? Really? You don't think it "shifts correctly"? I'm amazed--I've never been on a forum with this many automotive engineers on it before. Nor have I ever been on a forum with so many people who bought $30-40k without having a clue how they drove. Seriously. Did you all sleep through the test drive?

My engine doesn't groan at low RPMs. It shifts completely properly. If I want to hold a gear longer and accelerate faster, I can apply more throttle. If I'm driving normally, I can take advantage of the great fuel economy. It drives how it is supposed to drive. And if we lived in a perfect world where owners could know everything within any given PCM upgrade from the manufacturer, and pick and choose what changes they wanted, your suggestion would make total sense. But we don't live in that world.

So instead, because you're an incompetent test driver, I'm supposed to accept changes to my car, because it drives the way it's supposed to drive? I'm supposed to fend off PCM updates because the car drives like it drove on the test drive? And you're normal for wanting the car to drive totally differently than it drove on the test drive and totally differently from how it was designed to function? Who's the one?

LawFarm, you're an idiot plain and simple. You clearly don't know **** about cars, and you need to listen to yourself for a second. You're claiming that we all slept during the test drives, yet you're the only one that is claiming the car drives and shifts normally... Sounds like YOU may be the problem sir, NOT all of us... You do know that automobile manufacturers make mistakes all the time, right? They're called "recalls" My wife had at least 3 recalls on her '08 Mini S only a month after she bought it in '08, two of which could've caused serious economic backlashes to BMW if they hadn't addressed them. Oh, but I guess that would be totally illogical for them to do something like that, right??? Get your head out of your ass and look around for a second...

There is at least 2 different threads on this forum (with multiple pages, mind you) of people complaining about the same thing. There is clearly something wrong with the transmission program in the '12's, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist (or PHD - no offense guys) to realize that VW changed the program from the '11's to shift earlier and stay in lower gears for better fuel economy (as they have been clearly marketing). Makes total sense actually. Unfortunately they probably didn't study this "tweak" long enough, and here we are today. If this wasn't the case then why would VW of Canada have already acknowledged the problem and be preparing to issue a TSB?? They would've told us all to piss off if they hadn't confirmed the problem for themselves

And regarding your comment about the "abundant low-end torque" of the 2.0... This isn't a 3L V6 we're talking about here, you know that right? Even still, there's not a 3L V6 on the planet w/o a 150-shot of N02 that has an "abundance of torque" at 1,200, especially a medium displacement 4-cylinder engine with a turbo choking up the exhaust. You do know what "spool" is, right?

So sit back, shut the fvck up, and keep driving your Tiguan the way it is until you rattle all the bolts loose from the engine bay... That way you can proudly say that you "fended off PCM updates because the car drives like it drove on the test drive!"

Dumbass

[bradsvw]

BITRBO...you are correct and hit the nail on the head...he prolly shoots himself in the foot every day in court That's what I'm thinking anyway

[donmarrow]

I drove two of these and both rattled - nice feature.

[BITRBO]

BITRBO...you are correct and hit the nail on the head...he prolly shoots himself in the foot every day in court That's what I'm thinking anyway

Yeah, I hope for his sake (and that of his clients) that he's really not a lawyer, cause he wouldn't notice glaring evidence if it landed in his lap... I mean, if you've got several multi-page threads on the same forum with dozens of people (who know/understand cars, mind you) all complaining about the same problem; basic statistics (read: common sense) would tell you there is a problem.

/thread

[garethusa]

Yeah, I hope for his sake (and that of his clients) that he's really not a lawyer, cause he wouldn't notice glaring evidence if it landed in his lap... I mean, if you've got several multi-page threads on the same forum with dozens of people (who know/understand cars, mind you) all complaining about the same problem; basic statistics (read: common sense) would tell you there is a problem.

/thread

taking a stats course right now, i thought it would be interesting to see what is going on with this particular thread (1 out of 2 threads complaining about the tiguan transmission here in the USA) as of this point and time:

number of 2012 tiguan models sold to date (from march 2012 VW sales report): approx. 7247 March 2012 YTD (does not include 2012 models already sold prior to Jan 2012).

number of individual vwvortex members adding comments to this thread: 25
number of pages this post has: 3
number of comments/replies: 74
most comments made by one member: 24
number of members only commenting once: 9
average comments made by a member: 2-3

number of members responding actually owning a 2012 tiguan (based on comments): 21
number of these 21 members actually complaining of the transmission: 16 (only 5 of these members have commented once)
number of these 21 members not complaining about the transmission: 5 (only 2 of these members commented once)

number of members responding not owning a 2012 tiguan (based on comments): 4

16 members in this post only represent about 1/5 of 1 percent of total 2012 tiguans sold in 2012 so far in the USA. of course this is only based on what is in the post.

for this post, for every 3 people dissatisfied with transmission operation, there is at least 1 person not bothered by it.

if this is representative of the USA market, then yes, VW, hurry up and get the software update here.

[vw_nc_dude]

taking a stats course right now, i thought it would be interesting to see what is going on with this particular thread (1 out of 2 threads complaining about the tiguan transmission here in the USA) as of this point and time:

number of 2012 tiguan models sold to date (from march 2012 VW sales report): approx. 7247 March 2012 YTD (does not include 2012 models already sold prior to Jan 2012).

number of individual vwvortex members adding comments to this thread: 25
number of pages this post has: 3
number of comments/replies: 74
most comments made by one member: 24
number of members only commenting once: 9
average comments made by a member: 2-3

number of members responding actually owning a 2012 tiguan (based on comments): 21
number of these 21 members actually complaining of the transmission: 16 (only 5 of these members have commented once)
number of these 21 members not complaining about the transmission: 5 (only 2 of these members commented once)

number of members responding not owning a 2012 tiguan (based on comments): 4

16 members in this post only represent about 1/5 of 1 percent of total 2012 tiguans sold in 2012 so far in the USA. of course this is only based on what is in the post.

for this post, for every 3 people dissatisfied with transmission operation, there is at least 1 person not bothered by it.

if this is representative of the USA market, then yes, VW, hurry up and get the software update here.

Very cool analysis. To add to this, the following thread "Concern about 2012 Tiguan auto transmission" is the 6th most viewed thread with +14,000 views on the Tiguan subtopic.

And then of course, the number of complaints is most likely already statistically significant, at least in Canada, since an update was issued there.

And from our communication with VW of America, they are working on an update.

--

[vw_nc_dude]

taking a stats course right now, i thought it would be interesting to see what is going on with this particular thread (1 out of 2 threads complaining about the tiguan transmission here in the USA) as of this point and time:

number of 2012 tiguan models sold to date (from march 2012 VW sales report): approx. 7247 March 2012 YTD (does not include 2012 models already sold prior to Jan 2012).

number of individual vwvortex members adding comments to this thread: 25
number of pages this post has: 3
number of comments/replies: 74
most comments made by one member: 24
number of members only commenting once: 9
average comments made by a member: 2-3

number of members responding actually owning a 2012 tiguan (based on comments): 21
number of these 21 members actually complaining of the transmission: 16 (only 5 of these members have commented once)
number of these 21 members not complaining about the transmission: 5 (only 2 of these members commented once)

number of members responding not owning a 2012 tiguan (based on comments): 4

16 members in this post only represent about 1/5 of 1 percent of total 2012 tiguans sold in 2012 so far in the USA. of course this is only based on what is in the post.

for this post, for every 3 people dissatisfied with transmission operation, there is at least 1 person not bothered by it.

if this is representative of the USA market, then yes, VW, hurry up and get the software update here.

Hey, wait a minute, forget my previous post

I took a statistics course as well. You have a sample size of 21 members of which 16 are complaining about the transmission. That's 76% of members complaining.

The best way to understand this would be to start a poll.

--

[garethusa]

Hey, wait a minute, forget my previous post

I took a statistics course as well. You have a sample size of 21 members of which 16 are complaining about the transmission. That's 76% of members complaining.

The best way to understand this would be to start a poll.

--

yep.

that was my conclusion based on the sample size of this particular thread.
for every 1 non-complaint customer, there are 3 complaint customers.

so approximately 75-76% unsatisfied due to transmission programming vs 24-25% not bothered by it.

if that is what it looks like across the board for all 2012 tiguan consumers, then yes, it would seem statistically important to address this issue with a software update sooner rather than later.

happy driving.

[BITRBO]

yep.

that was my conclusion based on the sample size of this particular thread.
for every 1 non-complaint customer, there are 3 complaint customers.

so approximately 75-76% unsatisfied due to transmission programming vs 24-25% not bothered by it.

if that is what it looks like across the board for all 2012 tiguan consumers, then yes, it would seem statistically important to address this issue with a software update sooner rather than later.

happy driving.

Sorry, but this is so befitting I can't resist... "I rest my case."

[cbs19862]

"You're claiming that we all slept during the test drives, yet you're the only one that is claiming the car drives and shifts normally... Sounds like YOU may be the problem sir, NOT all of us..."


I bought my 2012 Tiguan in October. My wife got her 2012 Tiguan this February. Both of them, since taking delivery, have both had transmission issues that make the experience less than enjoyable. My Tiggy has almost 6000 miles on it now, and it seems to have "gotten better" but, that simply means it makes the load groan less often now. My wife's has around 3500 miles, and it is still giving us the noise all the time. And... we test drove at least three Tiguans, each of which made the noise. The first one I drove... my first experience in a VW ever, made it right off the bat. The dealer tried to explain it away as being "flat spots on the tires." Yeah... I don't think so.

I hope they give us an update soon. Having TWO of them with the issue, among other minor concerns, doesn't instill confidence...

[vw_nc_dude]

"You're claiming that we all slept during the test drives, yet you're the only one that is claiming the car drives and shifts normally... Sounds like YOU may be the problem sir, NOT all of us..."


I bought my 2012 Tiguan in October. My wife got her 2012 Tiguan this February. Both of them, since taking delivery, have both had transmission issues that make the experience less than enjoyable. My Tiggy has almost 6000 miles on it now, and it seems to have "gotten better" but, that simply means it makes the load groan less often now. My wife's has around 3500 miles, and it is still giving us the noise all the time. And... we test drove at least three Tiguans, each of which made the noise. The first one I drove... my first experience in a VW ever, made it right off the bat. The dealer tried to explain it away as being "flat spots on the tires." Yeah... I don't think so.

I hope they give us an update soon. Having TWO of them with the issue, among other minor concerns, doesn't instill confidence...

Did you file a complaint with VW thru the below link? If not, please do so that our voice is heard.

http://web.vw.com/templates/Service?...e=customercare

[cbs19862]

Did you file a complaint with VW thru the below link? If not, please do so that our voice is heard.

http://web.vw.com/templates/Service?...e=customercare

Oh yes, I have contacted VWoA numerous times. They are seemingly aware of my concerns regarding the transmission.

[hawaiivr6]

I thought I would mention that we are getting our updates.
Check out the thread "Concern about 2012 Tiguan auto transmission"

A TSB release was sent out today and I confirmed it with my dealer in Hawaii and set an appointment for Monday.

Check your dealers for the new TSB

[pbafire]

I thought I would mention that we are getting our updates.
Check out the thread "Concern about 2012 Tiguan auto transmission"

A TSB release was sent out today and I confirmed it with my dealer in Hawaii and set an appointment for Monday.

Check your dealers for the new TSB

Tony or Honolulu VW?

[BITRBO]

I thought I would mention that we are getting our updates.
Check out the thread "Concern about 2012 Tiguan auto transmission"

A TSB release was sent out today and I confirmed it with my dealer in Hawaii and set an appointment for Monday.

Check your dealers for the new TSB

I got a letter for a complimentary checkup (which I scheduled for this Saturday), and I'm definitely going to ask that - Thanks

[vw_nc_dude]

Some more update from my side:

I drove to work this morning with the new transmission update and I am pretty pleased since the long stretches of low rpm groaning I had in the past are gone. Looks like VW did a pretty good job and I need to state that I would not have complained about the transmission if it would have been shipped like this from the factory. I noticed that it can still go to 6th gear at 35-40 mph but that happened like downhill and when I did not apply any gas.

I am really interested what you guys think once you get the update as well.

Thanks to VW of America for listening and providing this update and thanks again to everyone who contacted VW Customer Care about this issue.

[BITRBO]

^so jealous - I really hope they have this update available at my dealership tomorrow...

[garethusa]

Some more update from my side:

I drove to work this morning with the new transmission update and I am pretty pleased since the long stretches of low rpm groaning I had in the past are gone. Looks like VW did a pretty good job and I need to state that I would not have complained about the transmission if it would have been shipped like this from the factory. I noticed that it can still go to 6th gear at 35-40 mph but that happened like downhill and when I did not apply any gas.

I am really interested what you guys think once you get the update as well.

Thanks to VW of America for listening and providing this update and thanks again to everyone who contacted VW Customer Care about this issue.

ohio tiguan mentioned that the groaning does not vanish but definitely less frequent.

in your case, vw_nc_dude, i'm picking up in your writing above that is it completely vanished or do you also continue to have groaning but now it is less frequent.

just trying to gauge here if the TSB eradicates/removes the groaning 100%.

[vw_nc_dude]

ohio tiguan mentioned that the groaning does not vanish but definitely less frequent.

in your case, vw_nc_dude, i'm picking up in your writing above that is it completely vanished or do you also continue to have groaning but now it is less frequent.

just trying to gauge here if the TSB eradicates/removes the groaning 100%.

I hear just a minor groaning when it shifts to 6th going downhill at about 35-40 mph and I am not applying any gas. But it is nothing compared to what I had before. I would say we are about 90% there and I am satisfied right now with my two-day driving experience. I think nobody would have really complained if the transmission were like this out of the factory.

[hawaiivr6]

Tony or Honolulu VW?

TONY VW


I'm getting excited for the update. I was driving last night and basically resigned myself to selling the car at a loss if the new update does not feel much better. In drive the transmission was jumping all over the place and sport wouldn't shift up on flat ground at 3200 rpm. ARRRRGH

After reading NC Dude's last comments I'm feeling more optimistic.

I'll report back after my appointment on Monday.

[vw_nc_dude]

TONY VW


I'm getting excited for the update. I was driving last night and basically resigned myself to selling the car at a loss if the new update does not feel much better. In drive the transmission was jumping all over the place and sport wouldn't shift up on flat ground at 3200 rpm. ARRRRGH

After reading NC Dude's last comments I'm feeling more optimistic.

I'll report back after my appointment on Monday.

Hope you have a similar experience and I am curious what you report back on Monday. Though not to weaken your expectations, it is not perfect. As I indicated earlier, it's a very good improvement in the right direction and I would say we are 90% there. Don't know if they will do further tweaking down the road, but what they did right now is better than nothing.

100% agreed on the S-mode. Shifting at 3000 RPM, totally useless

Really wonder why they did not leave the lugging D-mode as it is (for MPG concerned owners) and just reprogram the S mode to a less sportier mode with good shifting points. Do not think that many would complain if they do not have the sport mode as it is programmed right now. Anyway, who am I to judge German engineering

[bradsvw]

Hope you have a similar experience and I am curious what you report back on Monday. Though not to weaken your expectations, it is not perfect. As I indicated earlier, it's a very good improvement in the right direction and I would say we are 90% there. Don't know if they will do further tweaking down the road, but what they did right now is better than nothing.

100% agreed on the S-mode. Shifting at 3000 RPM, totally useless

Really wonder why they did not leave the lugging D-mode as it is (for MPG concerned owners) and just reprogram the S mode to a less sportier mode with good shifting points. Do not think that many would complain if they do not have the sport mode as it is programmed right now. Anyway, who am I to judge German engineering

I think no matter what, VW had to fix D-mode as it is just not correct, as is...I don't use S-mode much but when I do it screams! ...and to hell with MPG's...that's what a Prius is for

[garethusa]

Hope you have a similar experience and I am curious what you report back on Monday. Though not to weaken your expectations, it is not perfect. As I indicated earlier, it's a very good improvement in the right direction and I would say we are 90% there. Don't know if they will do further tweaking down the road, but what they did right now is better than nothing.

100% agreed on the S-mode. Shifting at 3000 RPM, totally useless

Really wonder why they did not leave the lugging D-mode as it is (for MPG concerned owners) and just reprogram the S mode to a less sportier mode with good shifting points. Do not think that many would complain if they do not have the sport mode as it is programmed right now. Anyway, who am I to judge German engineering

I think no matter what, VW had to fix D-mode as it is just not correct, as is...I don't use S-mode much but when I do it screams! ...and to hell with MPG's...that's what a Prius is for

you and bradsvw can begin the crusade now to have VW reprogram the S-mode programming!

i think they listen to you both.

[vw_nc_dude]

you and bradsvw can begin the crusade now to have VW reprogram the S-mode programming!

i think they listen to you both.

I am considering starting a crusade to bring the Tiguan TDI with DSG transmission to the US. Interested in joining me?

[bradsvw]

I am considering starting a crusa de to bring the Tiguan TDI with DSG transmission to the US. Interested in joining me

Count me in!!

[garethusa]

I am considering starting a crusade to bring the Tiguan TDI with DSG transmission to the US. Interested in joining me?

I'm anti-DSG but I will join the crusade for the Tiguan TDI!

One of the reasons why I opted for the current Tiguan automatic was because it wasn't DSG. it's one of the reasons why I didn't get another Jetta Wagon TDI because they were DSG

[vw_nc_dude]

I'm anti-DSG but I will join the crusade for the Tiguan TDI!

One of the reasons why I opted for the current Tiguan automatic was because it wasn't DSG. it's one of the reasons why I didn't get another Jetta Wagon TDI because they were DSG

I test-drove a Golf TDI with DSG and kinda liked it. So I am curious why you are anti-DSG? How about if we start another thread on that?

[garethusa]

I test-drove a Golf TDI with DSG and kinda liked it. So I am curious why you are anti-DSG? How about if we start another thread on that?

to be honest with you, i'd rather just drive manual. i always have with the exception of the 2000 honda crv - i wanted that in manual too but they only had automatics that day i bought it.

anyway, DSG is just another thing to look after in the vehicle. another expense at 40K miles to do that special fluid change. more components to break down.

as much as i love the evolution of vehicles and all the changes in technology in both mechanical and electrical components, cars aren't simple to take care of any more.

my 93 fox was such an easy car to look after.

i was worried getting into a 2003 vw with all the changes made and horror stories heard.

***
even though i realize my tiguan is not simple, it is more simple than say getting an SEL. i would have loved the SEL but i wasn't ready to jump into a keyless ignition/push button start system. i'm not there yet.

i wanted an automatic with this recent purchase simply because i have been having issues with my "clutch" knee and i knew the day was coming that i would either have to get surgery or make some other adjustment. well i am not at the surgery point yet.

DSG as nice as it sounds - and i also test drove a GTI but i think it was in 2009 - as smooth as it was, i felt like i was cramped in and was wishing i had test drove the manual.

so just to keep things simple and possibly contain costs down the road, i would opt for a non-DSG automatic. in best of all worlds, a manual transmission would be awesome in the SE trim as well as i guess others would have wanted in SEL.

[thejew]

I test-drove a Golf TDI with DSG and kinda liked it. So I am curious why you are anti-DSG? How about if we start another thread on that?

I am pro TDI but anti-DSG for the Tiguan also. You can't tow anything with the DSG transmission in the US, VW even states it in the JSW information. Not being able to tow anything with the Tiguan sorta kills it for me. I'd take a 4-motion with a manual transmission if i could get it, either gas or diesel.

[artronics]

Aaaaaah. Yaaaaawn.
Hey guys. Just woke up from my test drive and wanted to post some results. I had the chance to drive the Tig with the new software that those hackers at VW tech line forced me into after the engineers designed it so brilliantly to begin with.
I am pleased to report that the engine lugging is all but gone. Since I am watching and waiting for it to happen, I expect any little noise to be it, but it's really gone. It only is present for a nanosecond (yes, I am capable of measuring that, why not) when the engine revs through that 1300 rpm range.
So in my case, I want to say it's been gone for 99% of the time.
For those that want the update, you will be pleased. I was gonna say "trust me" but what if the other half of forum members are lawyers? The first half being engineers, just so we're clear.

[bradsvw]

I haven't been able to contact my dealership as yet...I think they could be noring me...they definitely do not want to check the Tech-Line...

[garethusa]

Aaaaaah. Yaaaaawn.
Hey guys. Just woke up from my test drive and wanted to post some results. I had the chance to drive the Tig with the new software that those hackers at VW tech line forced me into after the engineers designed it so brilliantly to begin with.
I am pleased to report that the engine lugging is all but gone. Since I am watching and waiting for it to happen, I expect any little noise to be it, but it's really gone. It only is present for a nanosecond (yes, I am capable of measuring that, why not) when the engine revs through that 1300 rpm range.
So in my case, I want to say it's been gone for 99% of the time.
For those that want the update, you will be pleased. I was gonna say "trust me" but what if the other half of forum members are lawyers? The first half being engineers, just so we're clear.

that's great news art.

just please keep an eye on your mpgs and give us an update over a month's time to see how that has been affected or not.

[vw_nc_dude]

I haven't been able to contact my dealership as yet...I think they could be noring me...they definitely do not want to check the Tech-Line...

According to my dealer the TSB came out last Thursday. If they say there is no TSB or no transmission update, get in touch with your sales guy and tell him that you are not happy about the transmission and see if he is willing to talk to the service department and convince them to hook the car up and call tech-line. If you talk to the service department directly, they say in general that everything is working fine and that they cannot call tech-line without a ticket yada-yada. But looks like if a sales guy chimes in they are willing to do a little bit more.

--

[bradsvw]

According to my dealer the TSB came out last Thursday. If they say there is no TSB or no transmission update, get in touch with your sales guy and tell him that you are not happy about the transmission and see if he is willing to talk to the service department and convince them to hook the car up and call tech-line.

Could you possibly check with your dealer and maybe get the TSB # for me? They would definitely have to look into it then...thx