What are the common issues with the DL382 transmission?
3 Answers
Common issues with the DL382 transmission: 1. The vehicle sometimes does not move in D or R gear, with fault code P060700; 2. When driving at low speeds below 30 km/h, if the accelerator is pressed slightly harder and then released immediately, the transmission may produce abnormal noises. Similarly, when accelerating and braking quickly to a stop, the transmission may also produce abnormal noises, especially more frequently after the vehicle has warmed up. The DL382 transmission is produced at the Tianjin Volkswagen Automatic Transmission Factory, which previously manufactured two dual-clutch transmissions, the DQ500 and DQ380. The Tianjin Volkswagen Automatic Transmission Factory's business scope includes the research, development, production, assembly, and sales of automotive transmissions and components, as well as related technical services and after-sales services.
Having driven several cars equipped with the DL382 transmission, I found the most frustrating issue is the low-speed jerking. When shifting gears at 20-30 km/h, you can feel the car lurch forward, especially noticeable when starting from a red light. The mechatronic unit failure is another headache—once the computer board sensors malfunction, the transmission either starts randomly jumping gears or completely fails, requiring a full module replacement. Another common problem is excessive clutch wear. After about 60,000-70,000 km, you start hearing slipping noises, and when you floor the accelerator, the engine just roars without moving, especially embarrassing during hill starts. I've heard many owners end up gritting their teeth and shelling out nearly 20,000 yuan for repairs. It's the downside of the dual-clutch's precision engineering—aggressive driving and city traffic accelerate wear and tear.
After over a decade of hands-on experience with the DL382, I've figured out some of its quirks. The issue of abnormal noises is way too common. The clanking sound during downshifts is like metal scraping against metal – especially jarring in quiet environments. Oil seepage from gaskets is even more frustrating; you'll spot valve body oil stains as soon as you remove the underbody shield. Prolonged oil level drops can even trigger overheating protection – once, my car suddenly limited speed to 60 km/h, which gave me quite a scare. The hydraulic actuators are also temperamental, with a 2-3 second delay when engaging gears in cold starts. At -10°C winters, this delay can drive you nuts. While this transmission shifts quickly, its durability is a clear weakness compared to older AT models. My advice: change transmission fluid frequently and inspect gear oil condition every 40,000 km.
