100% Free

No Scanner Needed

Carly logo

tom_schwarz9

RS5 Transmission Nightmare: Rough Shifts & Limp Mode Alert

Looking for advice on my 2022 RS5 with rough shifting problems. Started noticing jerky gear changes and occasional slipping when accelerating. The powertrain malfunction warning came on briefly last week. Car has 138978 km on the clock and goes into limp mode during heavy acceleration. Already had a bad experience with my regular mechanic, so want to hear your experiences before choosing where to take it. Anyone dealt with similar transmission issues on these models? What was the fix and repair cost?

4 comment(s)

leonieghost1

A transmission issue on my 2019 S4 showed similar symptoms. The powertrain malfunction warning appeared along with rough shifting patterns, particularly during acceleration. The root cause turned out to be a faulty gear selector module causing multiple diagnostic trouble codes. This triggered several consequential faults in the transmission control unit, affecting both the traction control and ABS systems. The transmission would enter a protective limp mode to prevent further damage. The repair required: Full diagnostic scan, Replacement of gear selector module, Transmission control unit recalibration, Clearing all fault codes, Test drive to confirm proper shifting patterns This was indeed a serious issue requiring immediate attention. Continuing to drive with these symptoms risks permanent transmission damage. The repair took 3 full days at an authorized dealer since they needed to address both the primary fault and the cascading system failures. Anyone experiencing similar symptoms should avoid regular mechanics and go straight to specialists with proper diagnostic equipment. Based on the symptoms described, your RS5 likely has comparable underlying issues requiring expert attention.

tom_schwarz9 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your S4 repair experience. Your symptoms sound identical to what happened with my RS5 last year, right down to the limp mode and powertrain malfunction warnings. The torque converter ended up being the culprit in my case. Did you keep track of the final repair costs? Curious how they compare since my dealer charges varied quite a bit from the initial quote. Also wondering if youve had any transmission issues since the fix?

leonieghost1

Thanks for asking about the costs. After seeing the transmission specialist, all issues including the transfer case limp mode were completely resolved. The diagnostic trouble codes showed several system faults linked to the ABS, but these were secondary issues that cleared up once the main problem was fixed. The repair was actually covered under an extended warranty, so the final cost was 0 Euro. I have had zero transmission problems in the 8 months since the repair. The gearbox now shifts smoothly through all gears and the traction control system works perfectly. The specialist confirmed it was smart to avoid regular mechanics for this type of complex powertrain malfunction. Having the proper diagnostic equipment made all the difference in identifying and resolving the cascading faults.

tom_schwarz9 (Author)

After getting your reply about the warranty coverage, I took my RS5 to a certified transmission specialist. The initial diagnostic scan revealed multiple trouble codes related to the gear selector and control module. Total repair cost came to 4800 Euro including parts and labor. The mechanic found metal shavings in the transmission fluid and replaced the torque converter along with several worn components. The entire job took 4 days but the transmission now shifts perfectly. No more powertrain malfunction warnings or limp mode issues since the repair. Looking back, I should have skipped the regular mechanic and gone straight to a specialist. The proper diagnostic equipment and expertise made all the difference in fixing it right the first time.

Join the discussion now: