VW Taos Transmission Failure: Warning Signs & Solutions

As someone with some hands-on experience working on VWs, I had a similar transmission issue with my 2020 VW Tiguan. The symptoms were nearly identical, warning lights, rough shifting, and the automatic transmission going into limp mode. After taking it to the workshop, they diagnosed a low transmission oil level which was causing the gearbox sensor to send incorrect readings. The transmission issues were triggering various warnings because the gearbox was essentially trying to protect itself from damage. The repair involved: Complete transmission oil level check, Oil top-up and system reset, Gearbox sensor calibration, Full diagnostic scan Total cost came to 365€, and it resolved all the transmission issues completely. The car has been shifting smoothly since then with no warning lights. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Current mileage on your Taos, When was the last transmission service done, Are there any other warning messages on the dashboard, Did the problem start suddenly or develop gradually This information would help determine if your case might be similar to what I experienced or if there might be other underlying transmission issues that need attention.

Thanks for sharing those details. My Taos has 42494km and had its last service three months ago. In my case, the transmission issues started quite suddenly while driving on the highway. The grinding noise during gear changes was the first sign, followed by the warning lights about 10 minutes later. The transmission repair shop closest to me quoted 850€ just for the initial diagnostic work, which seems excessive. Since the transmission oil temperature sensor might be involved, I wonder if I should get a second opinion from another workshop that specializes in VW transmission repair. The grinding noise during shifts really concerns me and makes me think this could be more serious than just a sensor issue.

Having gone through a similar situation with my Tiguan, the sudden onset of symptoms you describe does point toward a possible sensor-related issue, but the grinding noise is concerning. In my case, there was no grinding, just rough gear shifting and warning lights. The 850€ diagnostic quote seems quite steep compared to what I paid for both diagnosis and repair combined. Based on how the symptoms appeared suddenly during highway driving, this matches the pattern of either a faulty gearbox sensor or transmission oil temperature sensor malfunction. After my experience, I learned that transmission issues that appear suddenly while driving at highway speeds often indicate an electrical or sensor problem rather than mechanical wear. However, the grinding noise you mention wasnt present in my case, which suggests this could be more complex than my situation. I would strongly recommend getting a second opinion, especially since the grinding during gear shifting could indicate additional mechanical problems beyond just sensor issues. My total repair costs, including parts and labor, were under 400€. A specialized VW workshop should be able to perform initial diagnostics for significantly less than 850€. For immediate safety: limit driving if possible, and when you must drive, avoid high speeds and aggressive acceleration until you can get it properly diagnosed. The transmission issues could worsen quickly if left unchecked.

Thanks for that detailed response. After getting your feedback about typical repair costs, I decided to check with another workshop that specializes in VW automatic transmission repairs. They quoted 275€ for a full diagnostic inspection including computer analysis of the gearbox sensor data. I took it in yesterday and their initial scan revealed both a faulty transmission oil temperature sensor and low transmission oil level. They mentioned these issues often appear together and can cause the exact symptoms I experienced. The grinding noise was apparently from the transmission trying to protect itself when receiving incorrect temperature readings. The total repair estimate is 495€ including: New temperature sensor, Transmission oil change, System recalibration, Full diagnostic testing This seems much more reasonable than the first quote I received. They can get the parts within 2 days and complete the repair in one day. Based on your similar experience, I feel more confident about proceeding with this repair plan to resolve the overheating problems and transmission issues before any serious damage occurs. The workshop warned me to avoid highway driving until the repair is done since incorrect temperature readings could cause further transmission damage. Will update once the repair is completed.