Seat Tarraco DSG gearbox issues - "Gearbox in emergency mode"

Krombopulos Michael

Was on a 3hr drive yesterday and 30 mins from home I get the below error message.

The car drove on home, but only used 2nd, 4th and 6th gear which was a horrible drive to say the least. When I turned off the engine and back on again, the error went away for about 15mins with full gearbox usage and then the error came back with gears limited again to 2/4/6.

When I got home, I did a bit of google searching and I'm seeing the likely cause could be the mechatronics box and worryingly, it looks like an expensive fix and my car is out of warrently. Booked in with my dealer but they wont get to check the car until Tues.

Has anyone else had this issue before and if so, what was the solution and cost. And would it be OK to do short drives with the car until Tues.

User1998

Plenty of gearbox specialist’s around Dublin who would sort it for around €1,200 to €2,000.

Looks like the gearbox is broken anyway so I wouldn’t imagine a few short journeys would do much harm

You could get lucky and it may just need a software update or a service

Krombopulos Michael

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120666706#Comment_120666706

Dublin is a 1hr 40 drive for me, I'm based around Cavan. I'm hoping the dealer finds a simple fix, but if its a major fix, ill try find a specialist then

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120666781#Comment_120666781

Do you mean a VW main dealer? They will probably want to just replace the whole gearbox. They don’t like fixing things.

bazz26

The problem with taking it to a main dealer just to diagnose the problem is they are going to charge you handsomely just to do an initial diagnostic and maybe update the software. If that won't fix the issue then the next step maybe to either recommend replacing it altogether or take the gearbox apart to try and determine the issue at a further expensive bill for you. They will probably want you to commit to getting it fixed or replaced by them at that point and probably push towards replacing. Even if they strip the gearbox apart which would involve removing it and find the issue you are then at a point where the bill will be expensive for what they have done and that's before bringing it to a specialist to actually fix it assuming it can be fixed.

So imo unless the manufacturer is offering goodwill towards the cost of repair or replacement or you have no other options available to you then I'd take straight to a specialist given the car is out of warranty. Bringing it to two different places will just cost you more imo.

Krombopulos Michael

Is there somewhere Cavan/Navan/Monaghan area that can diagnose and repair?

NIMAN

There's a Seat dealer in Ballybay, Monaghan.

Sorry just read, I assume you are trying to avoid main dealer?

Krombopulos Michael

My local dealer is Brady's in Cavan but above posters are recommending a gearbox specialist so trying to find one close to me

User1998

How about Monaghan Gearbox Repairs? No idea if their good, just found them on Google Maps

sumo12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120668395#Comment_120668395

Two points - firstly if you have a service history with Brady's they are likely to be able to get you some goodwill contribution. Secondly, I don't think there's much repair on these units, the mechatronics unit just needs a straight replacement. If it were me, I'd stay main dealer for parts warranty, programming and software updates.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120669948#Comment_120669948

They can be repaired. And gearbox specialists give 12 months warranty with their work

Krombopulos Michael

I think ill get the dealer to scan the codes and have a cursory inspection but unless they can generate some goodwill (my wife has a seat ateca which I service in the same dealer) then ill prob have to go to a specialist.

Looking up the issue on other forums, people saying 3k GBP cost to fix them https://www.tiguanforums.co.uk/threads/gearbox-in-emergency-mode-you-can-drive-on.8871/

User1998

You will pay dearly for that. I’d guess €180 or so. A gearbox specialist would do it for free.

kirving

It's a hard call to be fair. If you have some relationship with the dealer already it will stand in your favour. A Tarraco can at maximum be 5yo, what age is the car now?

sumo12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120670268#Comment_120670268

Not one I've ever used has given 12 months warranty. 3 months max

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120670912#Comment_120670912

I got 12 months warranty last week

Krombopulos Michael

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120670688#Comment_120670688

My car is 192 and is outside the 3yr warranty.

mickdw

A 192 needs to get a goodwill repair unless you are at silly mileage.

I'd be fighting all the way on that one.

User1998

Could just need a software update or something minor..

kirving

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120671149#Comment_120671149

Big time.

On an automatic gearbox, there shouldn't be anything you can do to put it outside it's operating range - unless the car is constantly being ragged around the place from cold or something.

ofcork

3 year warranty is poor still when others can give longer.

Krombopulos Michael

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120671149#Comment_120671149

car has <55k miles on it as I started working from home more. I get both my car and my wifes seat ateca serviced in the same dealer near me so I will be pushing hard on some sort of goodwill here.

Krombopulos Michael

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120671641#Comment_120671641

Never ragged from cold and sometimes I would overtake quickly on some of the roads near me but its a case of a burst of speed for a few secs out of a 30 min drive so cant see how that would be an issue. Other autos ive had never had this issue but this is my first DSG type.

Krombopulos Michael

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120674706#Comment_120674706

Drove a i40 for up to 250kms on the odometer before i sold it and it had a 7year warranty which I had to use 2 times for minor things.

The Tarraco had a faulty tail gate motor and I logged the issue a day before the warranty expired but the work was done afterwards. One of the dealer managers was mumbling about it being out of warranty but the service person said it was logged on system before warranty ended and it was covered.

Cookie_Monster

the mechatronics would be a recall issue won't it? It is/was on Audi and VWs since 2016

Krombopulos Michael

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120681217#Comment_120681217

On some VW forums, other users said they had to pay out of pocket when it was out of warrantey so not sure about it. Ive the car booked at lunchtime today so hopefully its something minor.

caze

Hopefully as a main dealer they will help you out with goodwill, especially since the mileage is very low and you have 2 cars from them that they also service. Would be very bad form if they didn't.

Krombopulos Michael

So dealer rang me back. They sent fault codes and other diagnostic data to main seat and waiting recommendation. Said it's likely mechatronics box but could also be a gearbox repair kit (whatever that entails) but I'll get more details tomorrow.

Dealer is also applying for goodwill from Seat due to low mileage of the car with full seat service history without me asking for it, so now waiting for details tomorrow.

Krombopulos Michael

Dealer called back today. The gearbox needs the "repair kit" and cost is EUR1,606 for parts and labour.

Seat has refused any Goodwill so dealer has already appealed this back to them. I will try seat customer support myself in the morning

mickdw

What a load of bollocks.

A gearbox rendering itself useless at under 55k miles and just outside warranty. They are having a laugh.

Personally, from experience with vw group, the dealers appears to have a huge say in whether goodwill is available. I had experience of goodwill being refused by my supply dealer. Phoned up another dealer who I had only ever minimal dealings with and 75 percent goodwill was given without hassle.

Krombopulos Michael

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120688432#Comment_120688432

Good call on other dealer. I bought the car for Seat in Lucan so if I cant get goodwill from my local dealer, I will contact the Lucan Seat. I have also sent a message to Seat Ireland customer care and waiting a response.

This sort of crap is making me consider changing back to a Hyundai or going Kia with 7 year warranty.

Neilw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120687266#Comment_120687266

Falls under the small claims court limit of 2k, I would say you have a good chance of winning your case if you put in a claim.

Service history with main dealer, low miles and just out of warranty. Something like a gearbox should last a reasonable amount of time, not just outside of the warranty period.

Krombopulos Michael

So my local Seat dealer came back and advised again that Seat are not going to provide any Goodwill on the repair. They said I could try the Seat Dealer where I bought the car as they may be able to help.

Rang the Seat where I got the car in Lucan and they said they have no goodwill budget but I should try Seat Customer Care and gave me their number.

Rang Seat Customer care and they told me that its up to the individual dealer to provide goodwill, and not Seat themselves and the Customer Care rep is going to contact my local Seat about this.

Such a run around and I'm really leaning towards changing car once this issue is resolved.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120690080#Comment_120690080

I can’t see how it would hold up in court. Out of warranty, 4 years old, and almost 90k km’s on the clock.

Krombopulos Michael

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120690536#Comment_120690536

53k on clock.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120690584#Comment_120690584

You said miles, which is almost 90k km’s.

How much would Seat charge you if you took the car back and went elsewhere?

Krombopulos Michael

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120690609#Comment_120690609

apologies, your right I said miles originally. I meant KMs.

Not sure the price, Im holding off asking to see what Customer Care come back with but they said even if I green lit the repairs, its 10days to 2 weeks before they have the parts

mickdw

If its 53k km, I'd certainly try small claims court.

If nothing else it will at least force a response from Seat.

The run around you are getting is a disgrace. It's an expensive vehicle to buy but the service so far doesn't match that.

Also something to look into is parts availability. Ring around. A parts guy might let it split that these are on back order due to demand / number of failures...... which would only strengthen your case.

Krombopulos Michael

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120690609#Comment_120690609

80 euro for the diagnostics anyway.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120691071#Comment_120691071

Thats very reasonable.. if all else fails it might be worth getting the receipt which outlines what needs to be done and seeing what other garages will charge

Krombopulos Michael

Results of the diagnostic.... blooming handwriting

Krombopulos Michael

just an update. Told the dealer to go ahead with repair and they had to order the part to me made specifically for my car and 500euro deposit.

Ordered on 9th june and was told 10day to 2 weeks. Rang after 2 weeks, no part. Rang yesterday and told it could be another 10 days.

Honestly, once I get the car repaired, Im thinking of going to Kia for a Sorento.

Spook_ie

For other people with similar problems, If you can find a good independent mechanic then I'd recommend these guys

https://www.ecutesting.com/

https://www.ecutesting.com/product-catalogue/seat/tarraco/ecu-transmission/

I had the DSG on my Octavia go south, mechanic took off the mechatronic box and said send it to these guys, came back 10 days later fitted back on car all done for way less than 1k

GavPJ

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120818423#Comment_120818423

What a lousy outcome!!! Bad form from Seat Ireland.

This is why I hate any Audi/VW/Skoda/Seats with that poxy DSG gearbox.

McGrath5

Did you get any goodwill from Seat OP? Hope you're not waiting much longer either.

Krombopulos Michael

I got no Goodwill from Seat or the dealers I dealt with. Still waiting on the part so ordered 9th june and still here.

Thankfull I havent had the error on the gearbox in 2 weeks, but I havent driven for more than 15mins at a time as forums online show it mainly happens on longer journeys.

Up until this happened, I really loved that car but this experience has really put me off Seat.

Spook_ie

Just a casual question, is the Seat Terraco a wet or dry clutch? If it's wet then gearbox oil changes are essential to its life if anything like the Skoda wet clutches.

Krombopulos Michael

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120836325#Comment_120836325

Wet clutch according to seat website. Car is at 52.5 thousand killometers and has been serviced by Seat at the set intervals so hopefully they have done this when required.

Spook_ie

https://pulmanseat.co.uk/servicing/maintenance-and-repairs

Reckon 40k miles which is 64k km.

Just something for anyone with DSG or contemplating buying one to be aware of.

zg3409

Changing gearbox oil at specified interval is very very important. In this case I think car was not even due first change.

mickdw

I can't believe the op in this case has agreed to pay.

Madness. Small claims all the way.

Judges are coming down on the side of cheap used car buyers with failures smaller than this after 6 months.

An expensive vehicle bought new with 50k miles needing gearbox repair would have to get a favourable outcome from small claims process.