VW Touareg Transmission Issues: Slipping & Rough Shifts

Had this exact issue with my 2013 VW Tiguan. As someone with some hands-on experience maintaining cars, I can tell you gear grinding and mechanical wear in the transfer case is pretty serious. Started with similar symptoms, rough shifting and slipping between gears. After noticing some oil leakage under the car, I took it to a workshop specialized in VW transmissions. They diagnosed defective gears in the transfer case, which had caused significant gear wear due to insufficient lubrication. The full repair included: Removing and dismantling the transfer case, Replacing worn gears and bearings, Installing new seals to prevent future oil leakage, Refilling with fresh transmission fluid Total cost was 330€ and took about 2 days to complete. The transmission has been shifting smoothly since then, no more grinding or slipping. To help diagnose your specific case better, could you share: Current mileage, When you last changed the transfer case fluid, Any unusual noises during acceleration, Whether you notice any fluid spots where you park This would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced and whether you might be looking at the same repair process.

After 112078km and several years of driving, I can confirm the symptoms match what others described. A recent service inspection also highlighted potential transmission concerns. The gear grinding became noticeable particularly during highway acceleration. The oil wear patterns found during inspection suggest it could be more than just regular transfer fluid maintenance needed. Will move forward with the suggested repair process. Good to know the timeline and cost estimate. Getting it checked this week, hoping its just a fluid change rather than worn gears. Looking forward to any other repair experiences, especially regarding preventive transfer case maintenance to avoid future issues.

Thanks for the update on your Touareg situation. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I experienced with my Tiguan, especially the gear grinding during highway acceleration. Since my earlier repair, I learned that transfer case oil wear tends to accelerate once these symptoms appear. Its worth noting that while a fluid change might temporarily improve shifting, worn gears in the transfer case typically need mechanical intervention to fully resolve the issue. After my repair, I implemented a more frequent maintenance schedule: Transfer case oil checks every 30000km, Regular inspection for transfer fluid leaks, Immediate attention to any new grinding sounds The workshop also recommended watching for these warning signs of advancing wear: Delayed engagement when shifting from park, Vibration during gear changes, Increasing fluid consumption My repair has held up well over 50000km now with no recurrence of the original symptoms. The investment in proper repair rather than just fluid changes proved worthwhile for preventing further gear wear. Let us know what the workshop finds. If they spot similar transfer case issues, the repair process I outlined earlier should get you back to smooth shifting.

Thanks for all the detailed feedback about the Touareg transmission repairs. After considering the experiences shared, I wanted to update that I had the vehicle inspected today at 112078km. The mechanic confirmed significant gear wear in the transfer case, matching the symptoms others described. The inspection revealed oil wear patterns consistent with inadequate lubrication, and they found minor transfer fluid leaks at several seals. The repair quote came in at 380€ for a complete overhaul including: Transfer case disassembly, Replacement of worn gear components, New seals and gaskets, Fresh gear oil Booked the repair for next week since the grinding during acceleration is getting worse. The mechanic recommended a more frequent maintenance schedule afterward to monitor transfer case oil condition and prevent future gear wear issues. Will post an update after the repair to share how it worked out. Thanks again for helping diagnose the problem and outlining what to expect during the fix.