VW Taigo Trans Shifts Rough After 74K km + Warning Light

Had similar symptoms on my 2020 VW T-Cross with the 1.5 TSI engine. The rough shifting combined with warning lights pointed to a failing ABS control module affecting multiple systems. The traction control would out of nowhere activate, causing transmission hesitation. Initial diagnostic trouble codes showed transmission faults, but they were actually consequential errors stemming from the ABS issue. The faulty ABS module was sending incorrect wheel speed signals, making the transmission control unit behave erratically. This created a domino effect where powertrain malfunction warnings started appearing. A proper diagnosis requires advanced scanning tools to read both transmission and ABS codes simultaneously. The transmission would occasionally go into limp home mode as a safety measure. After replacing the ABS module and recalibrating the system, all related transmission issues resolved. Given your symptoms match almost exactly, suggest having the ABS system thoroughly checked before focusing on transmission repairs. A qualified shop should scan for codes across multiple systems since these issues are often interconnected. This was a serious repair requiring specialized diagnostic equipment and expertise. Basic scanners often miss the root cause by only showing the transmission codes.

Wow, that was really helpful information about the ABS control module causing transmission problems. My Taigo had similar symptoms but ended up being a torque converter issue instead. The transmission shop found metal particles in the fluid indicating internal wear. Just curious, do you remember roughly what the ABS module repair cost in your case? And has everything been working properly since the fix? My repair was done about 6 months ago but I still occasionally notice slight hesitation when the traction control engages.

The ABS module repair actually came to 0€ since it was covered under the extended electronics warranty. It has been running flawlessly for over a year now with no transmission issues or warning lights. The transfer case limp mode that was initially active cleared up completely after the ABS system was fixed. The rough shifting and hesitation symptoms completely disappeared once they resolved those consequential faults from the ABS system. Your situation sounds quite different though, since finding metal in the transmission fluid clearly points to internal torque converter wear rather than an electronic fault. When the traction control activates on my vehicle now, gear changes remain smooth with no hesitation. If you are still experiencing occasional hesitation with traction control engagement, might be worth having the transmission shop do another diagnostic scan to ensure there are no lingering electronic issues alongside the mechanical repairs they performed.

After reading about your experience with the ABS module, I took my Taigo to a different transmission specialist. The repair ended up costing 2100€ for a complete torque converter replacement plus new transmission fluid. They found the original diagnosis was correct, metal particles had caused internal damage that was triggering the rough shifting and limp mode. The technician used advanced diagnostic equipment to check all systems and confirmed no ABS or traction control issues were present. The transfer case warning turned out to be from low fluid level caused by the failing torque converter. Been driving it for 2 months now and the transmission shifts perfectly smooth. No more warning lights or hesitation between gears. Really glad I got a second opinion and proper repair instead of continuing to chase electrical gremlins. The original mechanic clearly missed some basic diagnostic steps. Thanks for sharing your experience, it helped me ask better questions during the repair process even though my issue turned out different than yours.