Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda DSG recalled in Australia and New Zealand

Volkswagen’s operations in Australia and New Zealand have announced a recall for cars equipped with its seven-speed dual shift gearbox (DSG). It's announcement was followed 24 hours later by a similar recall by Audi and Skoda in the region.

It also adds to the list of countries that have already recalled the dual clutch unit and raises questions as to why cars in the UK have so far escaped an electrical upgrade to the gearbox's mechatronic system.

In an official announcement made today, Volkswagen recalled a range of models, including the Caddy, Volkswagen Golf, Jetta, Volkswagen Polo and Volkswagen Passat, produced between June 2008 and September 2011 and sold in Australia and New Zealand.

“In isolated cases, an electronic malfunction in the control unit inside the gearbox mechatronics may result in a power interruption,” said a VW Group Australia spokesperson.

The recall of the DSG comes after 100 Volkswagen owners in Australia and New Zealand complained of an apparent power loss.

Australia and New Zealand join Volkswagen operations in other countries, including China, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia, in recalling the low torque version of the seven DSG – the so-called DQ200 unit used in models boasting torque loads of up to 148lb ft (200Nm).

Significantly, the DQ200 used in Australian-specification Volkswagen models is produced in the same factory in Kassel, Germany as the DQ200 gearbox fitted to cars sold in Britain.

Volkswagen has responded to the announcement, saying that since the announcement of its recall in China it has been in touch with VOSA and reached a joint agreement that there was no safety issue.

The gearboxes for China are produced in VW's Dailan plan, with all others coming from the Kassel factory.

Volkswagen says that any customers who feel concerned about the issue should contact their local Volkswagen dealer.