VW Taos Owner Reports Rough Transmission Shifts

Had a similar problem with my 2020 VW Tiguan. Having some experience with transmission issues, the symptoms you describe match what I encountered, rough shifting and gear grinding between changes. The main issue turned out to be defective gears in the transfer case causing oil leakage. Simply changing the transfer case oil would not have fixed it completely. The repair involved replacing several worn components in the transfer case assembly, costing 330€ at the workshop. The early warning signs were exactly as you describe, unpredictable shifting and slipping during acceleration. Left untreated, this can lead to complete transmission failure. To properly diagnose your specific case, could you share: Current mileage, When did the symptoms first appear, Any unusual sounds or vibrations, Whether the check engine light is on, Previous transmission service history The gear oil condition can definitely contribute to wear, but based on my experience, this sounds more serious than just needing an oil change. Would recommend having a professional transmission diagnostic done soon to prevent further damage.

Thanks for the detailed information. Symptoms started around 118000km and no engine light yet. Just had the regular service done last month at 120320km but no transmission work was included. Started hearing a whining noise last week during acceleration. The service records show no transfer case maintenance has been done since new. Getting concerned about potential transfer case oil wear causing permanent damage. Will get it checked based on your similar experience, as I want to avoid complete transmission failure. The repair cost you mentioned seems reasonable compared to a full transmission replacement.

Thanks for the additional details. The whining noise during acceleration is a crucial symptom that matches what I experienced before my transfer case repair. In my Tiguan, this noise was directly linked to mechanical wear in the transfer case components. At similar mileage (around 115000km), the whining started off subtle but grew more noticeable within weeks. Since your service history mirrors mine with no transfer case maintenance, the gear oil is likely severely degraded by now. The gear grinding and whining combination strongly suggests internal wear is already occurring. My repair involved: Complete transfer case oil flush, Replacement of worn bearings, New seals to prevent oil leaks, Gear set inspection and partial replacement Total repair came to 330€, but catching it early prevented the 2800€ transmission replacement I was quoted as worst-case scenario. Would strongly advise scheduling a transmission specialist visit this week. Based on the identical symptoms and timing, you likely have the same underlying issue. The longer metal-on-metal wear continues, the more extensive and costly the repair becomes. The regular service unfortunately doesnt typically include detailed transfer case inspection. A dedicated transmission diagnostic will properly evaluate the gear oil condition and internal component wear.

Thanks everyone for the insights. Just wanted to update on my Taos situation. Took it to a transmission specialist today based on the advice here. The diagnostic confirmed significant transfer fluid degradation and early signs of gear wear in the transfer case. The whining noise has gotten more noticeable during gear changes, exactly as described. They found metal particles in the transfer case oil, indicating internal wear is already happening. Getting the repair done next week, full transfer case oil change, new bearings, and seal replacement for 380€ total. Really glad I caught this before facing complete transmission failure. The symptoms matching other VW owners experiences helped identify the issue early. Will make sure to include transfer case maintenance in future service intervals to prevent similar gear grinding issues. Thanks again for helping identify this as more than just a basic transmission fluid change. The repair quote seems fair considering the alternative of total transmission replacement.