Dreaded "Gearbox Malfunction" Warning

[BigKells]

I delivered an A6 multitronic car in perfect mechanical order for a routine service, was advised they should change the gear oil and have been returned a car which I'm now told requires a new gearbox. I'm now poorer, with a broken motor and facing a hefty bill and an unwelcome legal battle for restitution as they're not taking responsibility.

Has anyone any words of wisdom on how to get Audi to take some responsibility?!

[Jackblack]

Hi,

What age, model, milage and gearbox type ?
I delivered an A6 multitronic car in perfect mechanical order for a routine service, was advised they should change the gear oil and have been returned a car which I'm now told requires a new gearbox. I'm now poorer, with a broken motor and facing a hefty bill and an unwelcome legal battle for restitution as they're not taking responsibility.

Has anyone any words of wisdom on how to get Audi to take some responsibility?!

[bbrown1664]

Assuming you drove the car into the dealers with no issues, there were no warning lights and you have a full service history I would start with the dealers and point this out to them. It was in their care for a service and they returned it broken. its up to them to fix.

If it is within the Audi warranty still, you should have absolutely nothing to worry about. If not, a call to Audi customer services (assuming the dealer doesn't play ball) and point out you paid for a premium service by buying their car and paying for their service staff to keep it in tip top shape only for this to happen should see some goodwill.

What is the age/model/mileage and how long have you had it though? all of this can affect the above.

[BigKells]

Hi,

What age, model, milage and gearbox type ?

2012 A6 SLine TDI CVT with 84k miles. It's a Multitronic gearbox

[BigKells]

It's a 2012 A6 SLine TDI CVT with 84k miles. It's a Multitronic gearbox.

Audi have done most of the services. They did a health check in October (when in for NOx fix) and said the gear oil needed changed but that could wait until my next service (2 weeks ago).

There were zero issues with the motor when I drove it to them and a massive problem now! They say they've done everything correctly and that I should have changed the gear oil earlier and that on very rare occasions, changing the oil flags up underlying problems! I can't believe that.

[bbrown1664]

There is a bit of an issue then. 84K miles. IIRc, it is meant to be done every 39k so assuming it was done on time the first time, it is 6K over for the second one.

Mines done 74K now and I think I will get it booked in early rather than leave it based on your experience.

[BigKells]

There is a bit of an issue then. 84K miles. IIRc, it is meant to be done every 39k so assuming it was done on time the first time, it is 6K over for the second one.

Mines done 74K now and I think I will get it booked in early rather than leave it based on your experience.
The car was perfect going in, no errors, no alerts, no issues with the gearbox. They changed the oil now I'm screwed.

Get your work done, but I wouldn't trust an Audi Centre to do it!

[rowdy-999]

Was it the gearbox's first oil change?

[Akash]

I understand you are very frustrated given your car is currently a 1800kg paperweight but I think it's unfair to blame it all on Audi especially as a lot the facts are unknown
A lot of us here get our cars looked after by an Audi dealership be it while its under warranty or otherwise without any issues and a lot have good relationships with their local dealerships too.

Maybe there was an issue already that you didn't realise but when they did the work, it became more apparent? I took my C6 A6 in for a reverse issue where it jumped a bit - they couldnt replicate it but found an unrelated issue with the multi gearbox and subsequently replaced it under warranty. This issue I had no idea about but then until I drove another same spec car I didnt know any better.

So when did you last get the gearbox oil changed ... has it been changed before?
What exactly is the fault that deems it to be replaced?
Normally Audi will help with costs especially if you've been loyal with them in terms of servicing etc and maybe more so that again without the facts, it has died while being in their care.

[BigKells]

Was it the gearbox's first oil change?

It may have been. I don't know for sure.

[BigKells]

I understand you are very frustrated given your car is currently a 1800kg paperweight but I think it's unfair to blame it all on Audi especially as a lot the facts are unknown
A lot of us here get our cars looked after by an Audi dealership be it while its under warranty or otherwise without any issues and a lot have good relationships with their local dealerships too.

Maybe there was an issue already that you didn't realise but when they did the work, it became more apparent? I took my C6 A6 in for a reverse issue where it jumped a bit - they couldnt replicate it but found an unrelated issue with the multi gearbox and subsequently replaced it under warranty. This issue I had no idea about but then until I drove another same spec car I didnt know any better.

So when did you last get the gearbox oil changed ... has it been changed before?
What exactly is the fault that deems it to be replaced?
Normally Audi will help with costs especially if you've been loyal with them in terms of servicing etc and maybe more so that again without the facts, it has died while being in their care.

The reviews of the Audi Centre I used are at best mixed. Some very poor comments.

Speaking to some independent engineers today, they've concerns about the experience of the teams left - comments like "they're only good at using spreadsheets or if the computer tells them to do something".

I can assure you the car was in perfect nick before getting the work done that they recommended (I spend more time in it than in my own bed). Indeed they told me when the health check was done in October that the gear oil could wait until my recent service.

Regardless, any recommendations for me in my original request?

[rowdy-999]

It may have been. I don't know for sure.


There probably lies the problem, and not with the dealer

[Akash]

ok fair enough but what exactly is the issue with the gearbox that deems it dead?

Some are genuinely poor I'm sure but like a lot of forums, people mainly review/comment when something goes wrong and it does not account for the potential hundreds/thousands who are happy but anyway let us know the actual issue with it
Have you involved Audi uk?
Have you spoken to the service manager thing?
HAve they said why it's done what it's done

[BigKells]

ok fair enough but what exactly is the issue with the gearbox that deems it dead?

Some are genuinely poor I'm sure but like a lot of forums, people mainly review/comment when something goes wrong and it does not account for the potential hundreds/thousands who are happy but anyway let us know the actual issue with it
Have you involved Audi uk?
Have you spoken to the service manager thing?
HAve they said why it's done what it's done

Gear oil changed by Audi now occasional slip followed by "Gearbox Malfunction" warning light which then goes off. Happens 4 or 4 times during journeys.

No explanation offered about why this has happened other than "on very rare occasions, issues which may be underlying become apparent when the gear oil is changed." Its difficult to see these very rare occasions on online searches though.

I've escalated it to a Case Manager at Audi UK.

[BigKells]

Possibly. The dealer I bought it off did the first service after purchase - I don't have a list of work done for this. The Audi Centre all work since (the past 2 years)

[BigKells]

There probably lies the problem, and not with the dealer


Possibly. The dealer I bought it off did the first service after purchase - I don't have a list of work done for this. The Audi Centre all work since (the past 2 years)

[AK88]

if you bought from an approved audi dealer there maybe a chance to get this sorted as the car should have been serviced to schedule.

[KevTrem]

how long have you had the car and what was the mileage when you bought it?

Audi say the multitronic (CVT) gearbox needs an oil change every 39k miles, if yours wasn't done when due at 39k miles then your going to have a fight on your hands.

Do you have a service history of the car?

[bbrown1664]

Gear oil changed by Audi now occasional slip followed by "Gearbox Malfunction" warning light which then goes off. Happens 4 or 4 times during journeys.


Sounds like it may have been filled with the incorrect oil. See if an independent can get a little out and find someone who can analyse it.

[Gazwould]

What oil spec was used ?

[zollaf]

what happens, all the black stuff thats stuck over time to the inside of the box gets washed off by the new oil and causes things to get blocked, especially if the first oil change was missed or was just late. it happens with auto's.

[BigKells]

what happens, all the black stuff thats stuck over time to the inside of the box gets washed off by the new oil and causes things to get blocked, especially if the first oil change was missed or was just late. it happens with auto's.

So, this black stuff, can that be cleaned/cleared?

I visited a gearbox specialist today and they've said I was the 4th problem they've seen emanating from this Audi service centre this month already. I'm going back to them on Tuesday so they can have a look around.

[zollaf]

another fluid and filter change can help, sometimes. it happens more on older boxes that dont have a service schedule, where the fluid isnt nice and bright anymore. gearbox fine, change oil and then it starts playing up. you get the black stuff (minute particles of clutch packs and drive band material) blocking the filter as the new fluid washes it away. same thing happens to and old sludged up engine when someone uses a flush in it, all the sludge washes out and into the sump and blocks the pick up. it happens, just one of those things. it really is imperative that you contact audi and get a full service history for your car and if there is no record of a fluid change at about 38k, you can start kicking off at the dealer that sold it because if it was sold with a fsh then you may have grounds to complain. but i fear you may be fighting a losing battle.

incidentally, exactly how long have you owned this car ?

[BigKells]

Thanks for this.

I'll have owned the car for 3 years in May.

[zollaf]

ok, no chance of any comeback through consumer goods act, just checking.

[wildbore]

What was the mileage when you bought the car? If you owned it at its 39K miles birthday then what happened at the nearest service to that milestone? Did the Audi dealer advise an oil change?

[BigKells]

Had the car independently inspected. Console has blown (fine before the service). Also, bizarrely, Audi's own system says the diff oil should have been replaced (they haven't done this) and more ATF Oil is needed than they have actually put into the gearbox.

[Corb2000]

For what it's worth, I had three multitronic box audis - the last of which had unresolvable gearbox issues that could not be fixed or even diagnosed with certainty by two audi dealers or two gearbox specialists. One of the dealers offered me a half decent trade in price for the problem car, which I should have taken to get rid of it. Instead I wasted a few grand trying to fix it.


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