Volkswagen Reviews

It certainly sounds like you could have a fuel problem and a fuel filter can definitely get clogged over time, becoming worse and worse. But you might also have a fuel pump problem or even a fault in the injection system that is causing the issue. Don’t rule out a random ignition or electrical problem, either, as these can cause the same symptoms.

So, go back to basics. Check the fuel volume and pressure and have the car electronically scanned to see if the computer throws up any hints on what’s wrong. Even if the fuel pump is delivering lots of fuel when you test it, don’t rule out an intermittent pump problem.

Sometimes, as fuel pumps wear, they can cut out when they get hot or sometimes when they simply feel like it.

A VW dealership can carry out a test that will reveal whether there’s wear in the transmission’s clutch packs. Based on the result of this test, the question of whether the transmission is within tolerance or not should be pretty black and white. If you’re still not happy, have the vehicle independently inspected (your state motoring club is a good place to start) for a second opinion.

While you should not be fobbed off by the dealership, it’s true this type of transmission can take some acclimatisation on the part of the driver. We’re not saying you should have to learn how to drive again, but these dual-clutch transmissions can take a little technique if you’re to get the best from them. However, when a characteristic transitions into an actual problem, you need to be on top of it.

The dual-clutch transmission in your Touareg is a wet-clutch design and, therefore, much more robust than the dry-clutch version that caused VW so much angst when it was introduced many years ago. However, even the wet-clutch unit has been known to have its problems, and the symptoms you’ve described tend to point towards worn clutch packs or the electronics that control them.

Any time a dual-clutch transmission shudders or thumps, is cause to have it scanned to check the operation of these clutch packs. It’s also likely that a cold transmission will amplify these symptoms. A VW dealer can carry out this test and the results will give you a much better idea of what’s going on inside the transmission.

If it is a fault with the transmission, it should be covered by the new-car warranty. But make sure the dealer logs it with head office. That makes it a pre-existing condition so that, even if the warranty runs out, it’s still VW’s problem to fix as the problem first occurred during the warranty period.