VW Touareg Trans Failure: Grinding & Warning Lights

I had a very similar issue with my 2021 VW Tiguan, and being someone with moderate experience working on cars, I initially tried basic diagnostics before heading to a workshop. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I experienced, rough shifting, grinding noises, and warning lights. The lock-up clutch in the automatic transmission was indeed the culprit, but it turned out the entire torque converter was defective and needed replacement. The workshop confirmed the transmission repair was necessary after running comprehensive tests. The automatic gearbox showed signs of internal wear, and the engine surge during gear changes was a clear indicator of torque converter failure. The total repair cost came to 2120€, which included parts and labor. Before suggesting specific solutions, it would help to know: Current mileage on your Touareg, Whether the transmission fluid has been regularly serviced, If the issues occur more prominently when the transmission is cold or warm, Whether you notice any engine surge between gear changes, If there are any specific error codes from the diagnostic scan With this information, I can share more detailed insights from my repair experience and help determine if you are facing the same underlying issue.

My last service was just 3 weeks ago and nothing unusual was noted. The auto transmission problems started suddenly last week, after about 129087km of mostly highway driving. The error codes from my diagnostic scan are P0741 and P2769, which point toward torque converter failure and transmission control issues. The grinding noise is most noticeable when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear, and the engine surge is particularly bad during cold starts. The automatic gearbox seemed fine during the recent service, which makes this sudden failure even more concerning. The transmission repair estimate I got seems much higher than your experience at around 3400€. Would you recommend getting a second opinion from another workshop?

Thanks for those details. Your situation is indeed very similar to what I faced with my Tiguan, particularly the P0741 code which also showed up in my case. The sudden onset of automatic transmission problems despite recent service is actually quite typical for torque converter failure. I would definitely recommend getting a second opinion given that price difference. When I dealt with my converter failure, I contacted three different workshops and the quotes varied by over 1000€. The 3400€ estimate seems quite steep, even considering it is a newer Touareg model. Looking at your specific symptoms, the cold start issues and grinding during 2-3 shifts, these exactly mirror what my automatic gearbox experienced before repair. However, my transmission problems developed more gradually over a few weeks, which allowed me to shop around for better repair prices. Important advice from my experience: make sure any workshop you choose has specific experience with VW automatic transmission repairs and can provide a detailed breakdown of parts and labor costs. Also, when my torque converter was replaced, the shop included a transmission fluid change as part of the service, which should be standard practice. The fact that both our vehicles showed similar issues despite different mileage suggests this might be a known weak point in these transmissions. During my repair process, I learned that converter failure can sometimes occur even with regular maintenance.

The symptoms and error codes you outlined match my issues perfectly. Thanks for confirming the connection between the engine surge and torque converter failure, that really helps narrow down the diagnosis. I will definitely seek another quote, as the 3400€ price tag seems excessive compared to your repair cost. The automatic gearbox problems are concerning enough without paying more than necessary for the fix. The cold start issues and transmission problems during the 2-3 shift make more sense now understanding your similar experience. I will make sure to specifically ask about experience with VW automatic transmission repairs when getting the second opinion. One question about your repair, did you notice any immediate improvement in shifting quality after the torque converter replacement? Also, was your repair covered under any type of warranty given the relatively new age of your vehicle? I will start contacting other workshops tomorrow to compare prices and expertise levels. The lock-up clutch symptoms you described match mine exactly, so I feel more confident now about the diagnosis.