VW Up Auto Trans Issues: Emergency Mode Warning Light

With my VW Polo 2019 automatic gearbox, I experienced very similar symptoms. Having some experience working on cars, I initially thought it was related to a slipping transmission or transmission fluid issues. However, after taking it to a workshop, they diagnosed an undervoltage problem affecting the transmission control unit. The symptoms matched exactly what you describe, unpredictable shifting and the transmission going into limp mode with limited gear changes. The repair involved: Complete system diagnostic check, Testing and replacing the voltage regulator, Resetting the transmission control module, Testing automatic gearbox function Total cost was 240€ including parts and labor. The transmission returned to normal operation immediately after the fix. Before jumping to conclusions about transmission fluid, we should gather more details about your specific situation: Does the problem occur more frequently when the engine is cold or warm? Are there any other electrical issues like dim lights or slow starter? When exactly did these symptoms first appear? Have you had any recent transmission flush or oil replacement service? This information would help determine if your issue is electrical like mine was or if it might be related to the hydraulic fluid or transmission components.

I had my latest service 4 months ago and the car now shows 38612km. After trying several suggested fixes, I took it to a certified workshop. The problem turned out to be exactly what I suspected, degraded transmission oil causing slipping transmission issues. The repair involved a complete transmission oil replacement service, which instantly improved transmission performance. They also performed a diagnostic scan that showed no electrical faults in the automatic gearbox system. The total repair cost came to 320€, covering: New transmission fluid, Filter replacement, Labor costs, Diagnostic check After the oil replacement, the car shifts smoothly again and the warning light is gone. I recommend getting the transmission fluid checked as a first step, it turned out to be the simplest solution in my case.

Thanks for sharing your experience. That actually reminds me of when my VW Up started showing similar symptoms around the 40000km mark. After initially suspecting electrical issues like in the Polo case discussed earlier, my automatic transmission oil was also severely degraded. The slipping transmission symptoms disappeared right after the fluid service, matching your experience exactly. A transmission flush and oil replacement fixed all shifting problems, just like in your case. Its good to highlight that automatic gearbox issues often start with degraded fluid, even before reaching recommended service intervals. The repair cost in your case seems standard, I paid about 300€ for a similar service. For others reading this thread: Watch for inconsistent shifting behavior in your automatic transmission. When the transmission starts acting up, checking fluid condition should be the first diagnostic step before investigating more complex issues. We were both lucky it was just maintenance-related rather than internal transmission damage, which would have been significantly more expensive to repair.

Thanks for sharing your experience. That actually reminds me of when my VW Up started showing similar symptoms around the 40000km mark. My automatic transmission was also severely degraded. The slipping transmission symptoms disappeared right after the fluid service, matching your experience exactly. A transmission flush and oil replacement fixed all shifting problems, just like in your case. Its good to highlight that automatic gearbox issues often start with degraded fluid, even before reaching recommended service intervals. The repair cost in your case seems standard, I paid about 300€ for a similar service. For others reading this thread: Watch for inconsistent shifting behavior in your automatic transmission. When the transmission starts acting up, checking fluid condition should be the first diagnostic step before investigating more complex issues. We were both lucky it was just maintenance-related rather than internal transmission damage, which would have been significantly more expensive to repair. I had my latest service 4 months ago and the car now shows 38612km. After trying several suggested fixes, I took it to a certified workshop. The problem turned out to be exactly what I suspected, degraded transmission oil causing slipping transmission issues. The repair involved a complete transmission oil replacement service, which instantly improved transmission performance. They also performed a diagnostic scan that showed no electrical faults in the automatic gearbox system. The total repair cost came to 320€, covering: New transmission fluid, Filter replacement, Labor costs, Diagnostic check After the oil replacement, the car shifts smoothly again and the warning light is gone. I recommend getting the transmission fluid checked as a first step, it turned out to be the simplest solution in my case.