XC40 Gearbox Issues

I'm having issues with my 2021 Volvo XC40 electric. Shifting isn't possible with the paddle shifters, the gearbox slips, and I hear grinding noises during gear changes. The paddle shifters are slow to respond, and sometimes the gearbox goes into emergency mode. There's also an error code logged. The car has 187814 km on it. I suspect a defective transmission control unit. Has anyone else had similar issues with their XC40?

4 comment(s)

Sounds familiar. I've got an XC40 and had similar gearbox issues a while back. You say the shifting's unclean? Does it feel like it's hunting for the right gear? The 'emergency mode' thing is a big red flag; that's usually the car's computer trying to protect the transmission from further damage. Have you checked for any specific error codes?

Yes, 'hunting' is a good way to describe it; the gearbox seems to be searching for the correct gear. I retrieved an error code indicating a malfunction within the transmission control unit, specifically related to inconsistent signal transmission. Did your issue also involve the control unit, or was it something else?

Yep, control unit it was. The garage called it the TCU (Transmission Control Unit). It's basically the car's computer that tells the gearbox what to do. When it goes haywire, you get all sorts of weirdness. I'd suggest getting it checked out by a workshop; driving it in emergency mode can't be good for the long run.

Thanks for confirming my suspicions and sharing your experience. I'll schedule an appointment with a trusted workshop soon to have the TCU inspected and replaced if needed. I was quoted about 1000€ for the repair. Thanks again for the input.

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