Volkswagen recalls 1.6 million cars for DSG gearbox gremlins

German car maker Volkswagen has been in the eye of a storm over the reliability of its dual clutch automatic gearbox. The DQ200 7 speed dual clutch DSG automatic gearbox in particular has been afflicted with mechatronics issues, leaving many a car stranded. While Volkswagen claimed to have resolved DSG gearbox issues through fixes issued in the past with the German car maker even going to the extent of issuing apologies and extending warranties, the latest recall seems to suggest otherwise. 

Here's official word from the Volkswagen group,

Within the framework of further quality monitoring in China and Southeast Asia, it has been discovered that, with vehicles with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DQ200), electric malfunctions could occur in the gearbox power supply if synthetic gearbox oil is used. This applies in particular if the vehicle is subject to a hot and humid climate, coupled with a high proportion of stop & go driving. 

Although Volkswagen India hasn't issued a recall of Volksagen group cars equipped with the 7 speed DSG gearbox that are sold here, the conditions mentioned in the above quote are consonant with what cars face in India on a day-to-day basis. "Hot, humid conditions, along with a high proportion of stop and go driving" are generic to most Indian cities, which implies that Volkswagen would do well to issue a DSG recall in India as well. 

Curiously, the fix seems a simple one. Volkswagen asserts that replacing the synthetic oil in the DSG gearbox with mineral oil will prevent future malfunctions. DSG automatic gearboxes, especially the 7 speed DQ200 unit, is used on a range of Volkswagen group cars sold in India. Volkswagen has begun offering this gearbox on its budget cars too, in the form of the Polo GT TSI and the Vento TSI.