2008 Volkswagen R32 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 82about this part
- Share
- 71%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 82 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Volkswagen R32, 71% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2008 golf R32 equipped with a dsg transmission is having rough shifting, rough clutch engagement, choppy reverse and power loss at highway speeds under hard acceleration. Please push vw of america to have a recall campaign done. How long do owners have to wait for this? I guess vw and NHTSA want someone to die before any action is taken. Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #10284043, filed 2009-09, 22,000 miles“Sudden loss of power and mobility for a few seconds when taking off from a stand still .... This has happened a few times a week in the month I've had the car . It seems especially dangerous when making a left turn in front of on coming traffic ..!! Also when backing/reverse slowly into my garage , the car is very jerky ...?”
NHTSA complaint #10281536, filed 2009-08, 6,500 miles“Loss of power when downshifting. This has happened more than a few times. Fortunately, it has never happened in a situation where a crash could have occurred. Nothing has been done. My vw service adviser told me a recall for the dsg transmission is imminent. That was in august. So far, I've heard nothing.”
NHTSA complaint #10368233, filed 2010-11, 17,556 miles“After the car gets to it's warm temps (roughly 30 mins of driving), it starts to jerk through low gears, harsh downshifting when slowing down to stop. Taking my foot off the brake from a stop the car will lurch/sputter forward rather than slowly roll forward, at times (very inconsistent, roughly 2-3 in an hours drive) the car will surge then slam into gear before I'm able to press on the gas to drive, it feels almost as though it's about to stall.”
NHTSA complaint #10298594, filed 2010-01, 24,500 miles“Direct shift gearbox is very choppy. Dsg is especially choppy at low speeds and in reverse. I took the car to service department and tech said it was operating as designed, but I don't think it was designed to be so rough. No parts were replaced or ordered.”
NHTSA complaint #10278106, filed 2009-07, 9,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10214473Jun 14, 2022Auto Trans fluid requirements.
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238600Jul 4, 2014Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an engine, flywheel or transmission, please follow the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 82 | 71% |
| 2004 | 3 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2008 Volkswagen R32
25 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Volkswagen R32
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology