Skip to content
MotorFiable
en

Gearbox, clutch and transmission

Problems with the automatic gearbox: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 85 faults with the automatic gearbox in 12 engines and gearboxes and 58 cars, affecting 139 models of car in our database. The most important by severity and frequency: wear of the variator chain and cones (Multitronic gearbox), costly failure of the Autotronic (CVT) automatic gearbox (2.0 CDI (OM640)) and control unit (TCU) failure and limp mode (Multitronic gearbox). At an independent garage, the repair costs from €120 to €2,000 depending on the engine or car.[1][2]

Documented faults
85
50 of high or critical severity
Engines and gearboxes
12
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
139
car generations in our database
Garage repair
€120–€2,000
Depending on engine and car, including VAT

12 sourcesHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Automatic gearbox (torque converter and CVT)

Torque converter automatic gearboxes (Aisin EAT6/EAT8, ZF, 7G-Tronic, 09G...) and continuously variable CVT transmissions (Xtronic, Multitronic...) are generally smoother than dual-clutch ones, but depend heavily on the condition of their oil. With degraded oil, jerking, clunks when shifting and slipping appear.

What to do

Even if the manual says the oil is "lifetime", a preventive change at a set mileage greatly extends the life of these gearboxes. If you notice clunks when selecting D or R, jerking when cold or the car slips when accelerating, ask for a diagnosis before the wear gets worse.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with the automatic gearbox. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with the automatic gearbox by engine

From most to least important (severity × frequency). Each page details the affected versions and years, symptoms, cost and how to check for it.

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: CommonMultitronicWear of the variator chain and conesYes: the variator uses a chain of more than 1,000 links between two pairs of cones that wears with mileage, especially if the oil is not changed regularly. Gebrauchtwagenberater ties the gearbox's reputation to "numerous total failures"; Schaeffler/LuK sells a kit to repair the chain.
  2. 2Critical severityFrequency: Common2.0 CDI (OM640)Costly failure of the Autotronic (CVT) automatic gearboxYes: the Autotronic continuously variable gearbox, optional on the 180 CDI and 200 CDI, is the problem cited most by owners of the 140 hp version (24 of 114 testimonies) and a fault hotspot according to the ADAC up to 2006. A German source recommends avoiding it and choosing the manual gearbox.
  3. 3High severityFrequency: CommonMultitronicControl unit (TCU) failure and limp modeYes: the multitronic control unit, especially in the 01J code (up to 2007), is one of its best-documented weak points. Overheating with oil seeping into the control unit causes fault warnings and limp mode and, if ignored, can end up damaging the gearbox itself.
  4. 4High severityFrequency: Common7G-Tronic / 9G-TronicConductor plate and speed sensor failure (limp mode)Yes: one of the most cited weak points of the 7G-Tronic (722.9) is the internal conductor plate, which integrates the turbine, output and intermediate-shaft speed sensors; if it fails it can trigger a limp mode with delayed shifts or harsh jerks, although it does not always require replacing the whole gearbox.
  5. 5High severityFrequency: CommonZF 6HPValve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearboxYes, and it can be serious: there are documented failures of the ZF 6HP valve body or mechatronic unit on BMW, Audi and Land Rover models from around 90,000-100,000 km, with cases that go as far as preventing a gear from engaging (including reverse) and dealer quotes of €6,000 to €10,000.Repair: €6,000–€10,000Appears at around 90,000 km
  6. 6High severityFrequency: OccasionalEAT6/EAT8Valve body failure leading to immobilisation or gearbox replacementYes, though in a minority of cases: there are documented failures of the EAT6/EAT8 valve body with limp mode, and several owners have had to replace the whole gearbox after very few kilometres, from around 4,200 km in one case.Repair: €2,000–€9,000
  7. 7High severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 MR20DE / 2.5 QR25DECVT gearbox oil cooler leak on the Qashqai I 2.0On the Qashqai I 2.0 with the optional CVT gearbox, the German guide and a Polish report flag the gearbox oil cooler as a weak point: over time it can leak oil and, if nobody notices, damage the gearbox through lack of lubrication.
  8. 8High severityFrequency: OccasionalCVT XtronicOil leaks and internal wear that can force gearbox replacementYes: Autopista describes rapid wear of internal components in the Qashqai's Jatco JF015E gearbox that can cause oil leaks and force replacement of worn parts or, in the most advanced cases, the complete gearbox.
  9. 9High severityFrequency: OccasionalCVT XtronicLimp mode and loss of traction due to rev fluctuationsOn the Qashqai II, fiches-auto.fr describes the Xtronic gearbox as able to end up "in safe mode" if pressure or internal parts degrade; Nissan also recalled units with the CVT gearbox built between July 2013 and July 2014 over a risk of loss of traction.
  10. 10High severityFrequency: OccasionalAL4 / DP0Degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheatingYes: as with any automatic gearbox, if the AL4/DP0 oil degrades or drops in level, harsh shifts, slipping and overheating appear. We have not found a specific change interval from PSA or Renault, but several sources recommend checking it even if the manufacturer does not list it as necessary.
  11. 11High severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 8HPMechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)Yes, although in a minority of cases: there are documented ZF 8HP mechatronic failures on BMW after 120,000-130,000 km, costing €1,400 to €3,500, and also control unit or electronic selector faults on Audi and Land Rover.Repair: €1,400–€3,500
  12. 12Medium severityFrequency: CommonMultitronicJerking and vibration when pulling away from cold (multi-plate clutch)Yes: with no torque converter, the multitronic pulls away using an electronic multi-plate clutch that can jerk or vibrate, especially when cold, if its plates are worn or the oil no longer has the right properties. It is one of the most cited fault symptoms of this gearbox.
  13. 13Medium severityFrequency: CommonEAT6/EAT8Jerking and hesitation when changing gear, especially when coldYes: several owners of EAT6/EAT8 models describe jerking or hesitation when changing gear, more often with a cold gearbox. It is usually down to valve body pressure or calibration, and the dealer often fixes it, though not always completely, with a software update to the control unit.Repair (garage): €1,000–€2,000
  14. 14Medium severityFrequency: CommonEAT6/EAT8Gearbox oil advertised as "lifetime" that is best changed preventivelyThe manufacturer does not include a scheduled EAT6/EAT8 oil change in the official maintenance, but several specialists recommend renewing it every 60,000-80,000 km: it degrades with heat and mileage even if sold as everlasting, and ageing fluid contributes to the jerking of the related fault.Repair (garage): €150–€400
  15. 15Medium severityFrequency: Common7G-Tronic / 9G-TronicJerks, stiffness when cold and getting stuck in one gearYes: owner testimonial roundups record jerks, stiff shifting when cold and, in the most serious cases, the gearbox locking into a single gear, in both the 7G-Tronic (C-Class W204, E-Class W212, ML/GLE W166) and the 9G-Tronic (GLC), although always in a minority of the cases analysed.
  16. 16Medium severityFrequency: CommonCVT XtronicJerking, vibrations and a slipping sensation under accelerationYes: several owner fault roundups point to the Xtronic gearbox as a weak point of the Qashqai, X-Trail, Juke, Pulsar and Koleos II: jerking and vibrations under gentle acceleration, the engine revving without the car keeping pace, and sometimes grinding noises.
  17. 17Medium severityFrequency: CommonZF 6HPJerking and harsh shifts from converter wear and ageing oilYes: on BMW, Audi and Land Rover models with the ZF 6HP there are reports of jerking, hesitation and harsh shifts from 80,000-150,000 km, especially if the gearbox oil has never been changed. The converter locks up in all six gears to save fuel, which speeds up its wear over the years.Repair (garage): €150–€400Appears at around 80,000 km
  18. 18Medium severityFrequency: CommonZF 8HPJerking and hesitation when changing gear, sometimes needing reprogrammingYes: on BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Alfa Romeo there are accounts of jerking, hesitation or harsh shifts with the ZF 8HP. It is usually due to ageing oil or the calibration of the mechatronics, and the dealer often fixes it -not always first time- by reprogramming the gearbox control unit.
  19. 19Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 6HPOil leaks from the sump or the gearbox sealsYes, although in a minority of cases: there are reports of ZF 6HP gearbox oil leaks on the BMW X5 (at 180,000 km) and the Audi A6 (between 204,000 and 208,000 km). If not repaired, the loss of pressure can speed up internal wear and lead to valve body or mechatronic failure.Repair (garage): €300–€600Appears at around 180,000 km
  20. 20Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 8HPOil leaks from the gearbox gaskets or sumpYes: on the BMW 1 Series and the Jaguar F-Pace there are accounts of oil leaks from the ZF 8HP gearbox gaskets, in one case already at 40,000 km. If it is not repaired soon, the loss of pressure can speed up internal wear and lead to the jerking or mechatronic failure of the related faults.Repair (garage): €1,000–€2,000
  21. 21High severityFrequency: Rare09G (Aisin)Total gearbox failure at low mileage, documented in an isolated caseA testimony from an Audi A3 8P 2.0 FSI with a Tiptronic gearbox says it became unusable at 100,000 km, with an expensive repair. It is the only total failure documented in this entry: there is no sign that it is a widespread problem, but it is worth checking carefully that it works properly before buying.
  22. 22Medium severityFrequency: RareSubaru bóxerLeaking CVT gearbox oil cooler hose on the Legacy and Outback (2010)In 2010 the DVSA recorded a recall of 404 British Legacy and Outback cars for a CVT gearbox oil cooler hose that could break, causing loss of drive and oil on the road; a modified hose is fitted.
  23. 23Medium severityFrequency: Rare09G (Aisin)Gearbox overheating under demanding use, documented in an isolated caseThere is one documented testimony of a Golf V 2.0 FSI whose automatic gearbox overheated at 49,500 km. It is an isolated case - we have found no similar testimonies for this gearbox in the other cars in this entry - but it is worth bearing in mind if you do a lot of driving in heat, heavy traffic or towing.
  24. 24Low severityFrequency: Occasional1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDIJerky or harsh automatic gearbox shifts when cold or at low speed (MG HS)Some MG HS cars with the 1.5 T-GDI engine jerk when changing gear from cold or when driving slowly, because of the gearbox software calibration; it is fixed with a reprogramming at the dealer and, in severe cases, by replacing a component.
  25. 25Low severityFrequency: OccasionalAL4 / DP0Jolt or sharp thud when engaging a gear from a standstillIt is a symptom described in general terms for automatic gearboxes with degraded oil: a jolt or a sharper thud than normal when moving from park or neutral into gear, especially when cold. We have not found sources confirming whether the AL4/DP0 suffers from it more than other gearboxes of its era.
  26. 26Low severityFrequency: Rare7G-Tronic / 9G-TronicHarsh shifts in 1st because of a pending electronic adaptation after a repairIf the conductor plate or the mechatronics of the 722.9 is repaired or replaced and the control unit's electronic adaptation is not then carried out with the right diagnostic equipment, the gearbox can keep jerking or feel stiff in 1st as if the repair had not worked.

Engines and gearboxes with faults with the automatic gearbox

Problems with the automatic gearbox by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1High severityFrequency: CommonAudi A6 C6Wear and failures of the Multitronic automatic gearbox on front-wheel-drive versionsYes: on front-wheel-drive versions with the Multitronic (CVT) gearbox, gebrauchtwagenberater.de documents jerking when pulling away that can progress to complete failure, especially on older cars; fiches-auto.fr adds selector lock-ups and torque converter breakages. The quattro versions, with the Tiptronic gearbox, do not share this problem.Repair (garage): €1,000Appears at around 120,000 km
  2. 2High severityFrequency: CommonMINI Cooper R50Faults in the CVT automatic gearbox, the manual gearbox and the clutchAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the Mini R50 accumulates 22 gearbox mentions and 32 clutch mentions, and the CVT automatic variant is described as fragile and 'to be avoided'. Wikipedia confirms that the CVT and the manual gearboxes were fitted depending on the year.
  3. 3Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat 500XGearbox faults: internal failures in the automatic and jerky gear changesSeveral reports collected by fiches-auto.fr describe everything from a total failure of the automatic gearbox - a replacement quote of around €11,000 and no reverse gear - to jerky gear changes and noises, on both the manual and automatic gearboxes.Repair: €11,000Appears at around 75,000 km
  4. 4Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalJeep Grand Cherokee WK2Confusing automatic gear selector: risk of leaving the car without Park engagedYes: in 2016 FCA recalled about 1.13 million vehicles with the ZF 8-speed gearbox because the selector always returns to its central position and confuses the driver, who can get out without having engaged Park and let the car roll away. In Europe it only affects the Grand Cherokee; the remedy is a software update and it is free.
  5. 5Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Sorento IIIAutomatic gear selector lever that can leave position P without the brake being pressedKia recalled a batch of Sorentos (UM) built between April and July 2015 (campaign 221103): the automatic gear selector lever lock may not hold position P, and the car could roll away if the parking brake is not also applied. In the United Kingdom it affected 295 vehicles.
  6. 6Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda MX-5 IVUnintended downshift of the automatic gearbox caused by a transmission control unit software faultA 2019 recall affects MX-5 ND models with the automatic gearbox built between October 2016 and November 2018: faulty software could make the gearbox downshift without the driver asking it to and lock the rear wheels. It is corrected by reprogramming the gearbox control unit.
  7. 7High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A6 C5Jerks and slipping in the Tiptronic automatic gearboxAccording to owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, there are 19 cases of gearbox problems in the A6 C5, with jerks and slipping in the Tiptronic at around 200,000 km and repairs of more than 6,000 euros at Audi.Appears at around 200,000 km
  8. 8High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q7 4MAutomatic gearbox oil line with a defective weld that may leak oilAudi recalled Q7 and Q8 vehicles built from September to December 2019 because an oil line of the automatic gearbox had a manufacturing defect and could leak oil. The DVSA points to the weld of the line and its replacement if necessary.
  9. 9High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q8Automatic gearbox oil line with a defective weld that may leak oilAudi recalled Q8s built from September to December 2019 because an oil line of the automatic gearbox had a manufacturing defect and could leak oil onto the road. The DVSA attributes it to a defective weld.
  10. 10High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 1 F20Leaks and electronic faults in the ZF8 Steptronic automatic gearboxSome F20 owners with the 8-speed ZF Steptronic automatic gearbox report a leak that forced replacement of the whole gearbox at around 40,000 km and an electronic fault at around 35,000 km; specialists also recommend a preventive oil change between 60,000 and 150,000 km even though the manufacturer speaks of lifetime lubrication.
  11. 11High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 2 Active Tourer F45Jerking and overheating in the Steptronic automatic gearbox, and worn synchromesh in the manualfiches-auto.fr gathers testimonies of the 8-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox jerking and overheating (hydraulic unit, solenoid valves or shift sensors), and of the manual gearbox struggling to engage second gear because of worn synchromesh.
  12. 12High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 E60Wear of the ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox and of the clutch and dual-mass flywheel assemblyThe 5 Series E60's ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox needs an oil change sooner than BMW suggests despite being advertised as "lifetime", and the clutch and dual-mass flywheel assembly on manual versions tends to wear out from around 160,000-200,000 km, according to fiches-auto.fr and gebrauchtwagenberater.de.Appears at around 160,000 km
  13. 13High severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C6Jerking and hydraulic block faults in the Citroën C6 six-speed automatic gearboxAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 23 of 151 C6 owner reports cite six-speed automatic gearbox faults: jerking, hesitation when changing gear and locking in P; one case puts the hydraulic block at around €2,200.
  14. 14High severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Tucson IVAutomatic gearbox lock-ups and hesitation on the hybrid and plug-in versionsOn the hybrid (230 hp) and plug-in (265 hp) versions of the Tucson, which use a torque converter automatic rather than the DCT7 of the diesel and petrol versions, several owner testimonies describe the gearbox locking in one gear or gears that are slow to engage, in some cases forcing the driver to switch the engine off to carry on.
  15. 15High severityFrequency: OccasionalJeep Grand Cherokee WK2Premature wear of the five-speed automatic gearbox (up to 2013)AUTO BILD says the Mercedes five-speed automatic gearbox fitted to the Grand Cherokee up to 2013 ages prematurely with fast driving and heavy towing use, and that for that reason quite a few gearboxes had to be replaced. Since 2013 the car has a ZF eight-speed gearbox.
  16. 16High severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Sportage VAutomatic gearbox lock-ups and jerking on the hybrid versionOn the hybrid version (1.6 T-GDI 230 hp), which uses a 6-speed torque-converter automatic rather than the DCT7 dual-clutch gearbox of the combustion versions, several owner reports describe a gearbox that locks up, refuses gears or works jerkily; one of them calls the lock-up 'very dangerous and unresolved'.
  17. 17High severityFrequency: OccasionalLand Rover Range Rover Evoque IAutomatic gearbox: jerky shifts, noises and oil leak (9-speed ZF from 2014)It is one of the weak points owners cite most: the automatic gearbox jerks, slips or does not engage properly. On the 9-speed ZF (from 2014) an oil leak from a poorly made gasket is linked to poor shifting and noises. Several accounts speak of replacing the gearbox.
  18. 18High severityFrequency: OccasionalLand Rover Range Rover IIIAutomatic gearbox failure: jerking, slipping and limp modeAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 15 testimonials describe jerking, slipping, going into limp mode or internal breakage of the automatic gearbox, with cases between 160,000 and 240,000 km (one cites 'gearbox out of service at 160,000').
  19. 19High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase E W210Oil leak from the automatic gearbox electrical connectorThe central electrical connector of the automatic gearbox can lose its seal and let ATF oil seep along the wiring to the gearbox control unit, according to the German and English Wikipedias.
  20. 20High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz CLK C209CLK automatic gearbox faults: limp mode, hesitant shifts and torque converterThe automatic gearbox is the second most cited complaint for the CLK C209 on fiches-auto.fr (18 cases): limp modes, hesitant shifts and torque converter failures. These are individual testimonies, with no campaign or official figures.
  21. 21High severityFrequency: OccasionalMINI Countryman F60The automatic gearbox may need replacing before 100,000 kmThere are documented cases of Countryman F60s with the 2.0 Cooper D 150 diesel engine that have needed the automatic gearbox replaced before 100,000 km, in one case at just 50,000 km; another case describes a drivetrain failure at 84,000 km that BMW did not cover under warranty.
  22. 22High severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Qashqai ICVT automatic gearbox described as unreliableA source specialising in reliability lists the Qashqai's continuously variable (CVT) automatic gearbox among its best-known faults, describing it as a gearbox that often gives trouble and does not last over time.
  23. 23High severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Qashqai IIJerking and oil leaks in the Xtronic CVT automatic gearboxYes: the specialist press describes jerking while driving and oil leaks in the Qashqai's Xtronic CVT automatic gearbox, with internal wear that forces parts to be replaced; in a compilation of owner accounts, gearbox problems are among the most repeated.
  24. 24High severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 407Jerking and slipping of the AL4/BVA automatic gearboxOn versions with the AL4/BVA automatic gearbox, shifts between 1st and 2nd can feel harsh or slip, especially when the gearbox is hot, due to degraded oil or hydraulic solenoids.
  25. 25High severityFrequency: OccasionalPorsche Cayenne IAutomatic gearbox selector cable sleeve broken (recall)The British DVSA lists a recall (R/2019/204) for Cayenne models built between July 2002 and February 2010 because the plastic sleeve of the selector cable is not durable enough and can break. CarWiki adds that the gear may then not engage and the car may roll.
  26. 26High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault ArkanaErratic behaviour of the E-Tech hybrid automatic gearboxOn the Arkana's E-Tech hybrid version, a significant number of owners describe harsh or random gear changes, loss of traction when pulling away on a slope and even the vehicle being immobilised; there is no Renault campaign or press study confirming it as a pattern, so we document it as a fault reported by owners, not as a fault independently confirmed.
  27. 27High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault AustralErratic behaviour of the E-Tech hybrid automatic gearboxOn the Austral's E-Tech hybrid version, several owners describe the automatic gearbox ceasing to work shortly after purchase or locking in the park position; there is no Renault campaign or press study confirming it as a pattern, so we document it as a fault reported by owners, not as one independently confirmed.
  28. 28High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Laguna IIIAutomatic gearbox failures at low mileageFiches-auto.fr documents automatic gearbox failures on the Laguna III even at low mileages, from 27,000 km, and also describes the 6-speed manual gearbox as not very durable.Appears at around 27,000 km
  29. 29High severityFrequency: OccasionalSmart FortwoAutomatic gearbox selector: the parking lock (P) may not engage and the car can roll awayThe DVSA lists four 2015-2016 recalls on the automatic Fortwo's selector: control unit software, a badly designed bracket, a badly fitted lever module and a loose Bowden cable, with a risk of the car rolling away. They affect few units and the figures are from the United Kingdom.
  30. 30High severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota RAV4 IIAutomatic gearbox failure on the RAV4 with the 2.0 VVT-i engineAccording to the testimonials collected by fiches-auto.fr, the RAV4 II's automatic gearbox fails in around 18 cases, with 6 documented on the 2.0 VVT-i, and the page cites replacements at around 100,000 km. It is an expensive fault and there is no official campaign.
  31. 31High severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Touareg IIIAutomatic gearbox oil pipe with a manufacturing defect that causes leaksVolkswagen recalled 6,664 Touareg IIIs built between September and November 2019 because an automatic gearbox oil pipe had a manufacturing defect and could leak oil onto the road. The DVSA attributes it to a weld on the pipe, which is replaced; that is 255 cars in the UK.
  32. 32High severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo S60 IIJerking of the Geartronic automatic gearbox and clutch faults on the Volvo S60According to fiches-auto.fr, there are around 11 gearbox and clutch cases: Geartronic with jerks and vibrations at low speed, and manual gearbox clutches failing at 64,000 and 158,000 km.Appears at around 64,000 km
  33. 33Medium severityFrequency: CommonCitroën Berlingo ISelf-adjusting clutch cable breaking or going out of adjustmentThe self-adjusting clutch cable is the most frequently cited non-engine fault on the fiches-auto.fr page for the Citroën Berlingo I (103 reports): a heavy pedal or a broken cable, generally around 40,000-90,000 km in urban use according to the Partner page.
  34. 34Medium severityFrequency: CommonJeep Compass MPAbrupt shifts and jerking in the 9-speed ZF automatic gearbox (4x4 versions)Yes: two independent sources, one German and one French, repeatedly document abrupt, jerky gear changes in the 9-speed ZF automatic gearbox of the four-wheel-drive versions, especially between the middle gears at town speeds.
  35. 35Medium severityFrequency: CommonPeugeot Partner ISelf-adjusting clutch cable breaking or going out of adjustmentThe self-adjusting clutch cable is the most frequently cited non-engine fault on the fiches-auto.fr page for the Peugeot Partner I (72 reports): a heavy pedal or a broken cable, generally around 40,000-90,000 km in urban use according to the Partner page.
  36. 36Critical severityFrequency: RareJeep RenegadeThe 9-speed automatic gearbox can shift into neutral unexpectedly (built 2014-2015)Yes: on cars with the 9-speed automatic gearbox built in 2014-2015, insufficient crimping in the gearbox wiring could cause an unexpected shift into neutral and the resulting loss of drive.
  37. 37Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X2 F39Automatic gearbox jerking and clutch pedal vibrationsAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, 4 owners cite jerking or gear selection faults in the 8-speed automatic gearbox, or difficulty engaging gears when cold in the manual, and others cite clutch pedal vibrations from 6,000 km. No official recall is on record.
  38. 38Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase C W203Valeo radiator leak on the 5G-Tronic automatic gearbox with noise at low revsOn 5G-Tronic automatic gearboxes in units built up to September 2003, the Valeo radiator that cools the oil can lose its seal and produce a purring or rumbling noise at low revs when accelerating gently.
  39. 39Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase C W204Jerks and lock-up in one gear on the 7G-Tronic automatic gearboxSome owners describe jerks when changing gear, stiffness when cold or even the 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox locking in a fixed ratio (limp mode).
  40. 40Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase E W211Coolant leaks and electronic lock-ups in the 5G-Tronic and 7G-Tronic automatic gearboxesOn the 5G-Tronic gearbox, coolant leaks caused by faulty fittings have been documented that can mix the coolant with the gearbox oil; on the later 7G-Tronic, gear lock-ups appear because of electronic faults in the control unit, sometimes requiring reprogramming or even the torque converter.
  41. 41Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase E W212Jerking and locking in one gear on the 7G-Tronic automatic gearboxSome owners describe jerking on gear changes, stiffness when cold or the 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox locking in limp mode, with vibrations and play in the rear transmission in some cases.
  42. 42Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMG ZS IThe 1.0 T-GDI automatic gearbox can be jerkyThe 1.0 turbo's automatic gearbox can show jerks or judders when driving, according to an Autopista.es test; a compilation of owner reports also places the gearbox among the categories with issues on the model, without being able to say how many cases are the automatic version.
  43. 43Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Qashqai IIIXtronic CVT gearbox jerking in mild hybrids and response delays in e-PowerYes: on mild hybrid versions with the Xtronic CVT automatic gearbox, a specialist source describes jerking when you lift off the accelerator, and on e-Power versions it documents delays in power delivery, difficulty manoeuvring at low speed and the odd case of the ESP briefly switching off.
  44. 44Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo S60 IJerking and hesitation from the Geartronic automatic gearbox when the oil is not changedTotal Renting cites jerking and hesitation from the Geartronic automatic gearbox as a known fault of the S60 when the oil change is neglected, something that, according to that website, many owners skip. A German guide to the V70 II, which presents the S60 as its saloon version, also speaks of a Geartronic that gives trouble from time to time.Repair (garage): €200–€350
  45. 45Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V70 IIOccasional faults in the six-speed Geartronic automatic gearboxGebrauchtwagenberater states that the six-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox of the V70 II occasionally causes trouble and recommends a gearbox oil flush every 50,000 to 60,000 km. According to Wikipedia, the six-speed gearbox arrived with the 2005 facelift.
  46. 46Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC60 IINoise and limp mode in the automatic gearbox from wear of the all-wheel-drive driveshaftsWith wear, the all-wheel-drive driveshafts (propshaft joints) on the XC60 II can produce clicking and vibration when accelerating. fiches-auto.fr also describes episodes in which the automatic gearbox goes into a limp mode or abruptly reduces speed when it detects an anomaly.
  47. 47Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC70 IIOccasional faults in the Volvo XC70's Geartronic automatic gearboxGebrauchtwagenberater states that the Geartronic automatic gearbox of the second-generation V70, of which the XC70 is the crossover version, gives trouble from time to time; on the test drive you need to check that the gears change cleanly and do not stick. It recommends a gearbox flush every 50,000-60,000 km.
  48. 48Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC90 IHarsh shifts from the Aisin (Geartronic) automatic gearbox at around 100,000 kmA German buying guide ranks the Aisin automatic gearbox among the biggest weak points of the XC90 I: harsh gear changes appear at around 100,000 km. Total Renting blames ATF fluid that Volvo did not schedule for replacement and which degrades between 60,000 and 80,000 km; changing it costs €120-200 in Spain.Repair (garage): €120–€200Appears at around 60,000 km
  49. 49High severityFrequency: RareLand Rover Discovery 3Possible fault in the automatic gearbox's park lockIn 2005 there was a British campaign over an out-of-specification part in the park interlock of automatic gearboxes on cars built in August and September 2005: with the selector in P the lock might not engage, and the car could roll if the handbrake was not applied.
  50. 50High severityFrequency: RareLand Rover Discovery SportAutomatic gearbox failure (ZF 9-speed): jerks, delays and replacementSome Discovery Sport owners report automatic gearbox failures: oil leaks, failure at around 90,000-149,000 km and, in one case, at only 9,000 km. A buying guide describes hesitant or jerky shifts from the ZF 9-speed, sometimes because of out-of-date software and sometimes because of the control unit.
  51. 51High severityFrequency: RareLand Rover Range Rover Sport IAutomatic gearbox failure: jerking, slipping and refusing gearsAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 5 testimonies out of 65 cite jerking, slipping, refusal to select gears or lock-up of the automatic gearbox across several Sport I engines.
  52. 52High severityFrequency: RareMazda CX-5 IIErratic behaviour or occasional failure of the automatic gearboxIn isolated cases, the automatic gearbox of the second-generation CX-5 has behaved erratically or even broken. A collection of owner testimonials documents one specific case on the 2.0 Skyactiv-G 165 hp version with barely 30,000 km, and a German used-car guide confirms occasional cases of defective gearboxes.Appears at around 30,000 km
  53. 53High severityFrequency: RareRenault Mégane IVAutomatic gearbox overheating on the Megane IV GTRenault recalled Megane IV GT models built up to 23 January 2017 with the DW5 automatic gearbox and software calibration earlier than version SW818, because the gearbox could overheat and increase the risk of an accident. The fix was a free software update.Repair: €0
  54. 54Medium severityFrequency: RareAudi A8 D5Automatic gearbox oil pipe with a manufacturing defectAudi recalled A8s built between September and December 2019 because an automatic gearbox oil pipe could be defective and spill oil onto the road, posing a risk to traffic following behind.
  55. 55Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW X3 G01Jerking and uneven shifts in the automatic gearbox and xDrive transfer casefiches-auto.fr collects reports of the X3 G01's xDrive transfer case causing jerking, vibrations or noises, and of the automatic gearbox going into limp mode or shifting unevenly because of hydraulic pressure faults.
  56. 56Medium severityFrequency: RareHyundai i20 IIIIsolated case of an automatic gearbox that stops engaging certain gearsA testimony collected by a French reliability site describes an i20 III with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox in which 1st, 3rd and 7th gears stopped engaging, and the car had to be switched off and restarted for the gearbox to work normally again; it is an isolated case, not a documented widespread pattern.
  57. 57Medium severityFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz CLK C208Oil leaks from the 722.6 automatic gearbox and faults in the speed sensor plateA Russian portal (2017) notes that the CLK's 722.6 automatic gearbox leaks oil through the converter seal and the wiring, that the oil can run along the cables to the gearbox control unit, and that the speed sensor plate fails more often than on saloons. Auto Bild (2007) knows only isolated faults in 1998 and 1999.
  58. 58Medium severityFrequency: RareRenault AvantimeAutomatic gearbox jerks on pull-awayAuto Bild lists automatic gearbox jerking when starting among the Avantime's known faults, and notes that a software update would have helped on some cars. The source gives no mileages, costs or numbers of affected units.
  59. 59Medium severityFrequency: RareSubaru Outback VJudder on pull-away from the Lineartronic CVT automatic gearboxA Spanish commercial website describes judder on pull-away, especially when cold, in the CVT gearbox of the Outback V and attributes it to degraded oil. Other sources (CarWiki, CarsGuide) see barely any reliability problems with this gearbox. It is a disputed fault, with no official campaign or statistics.

Problems with the automatic gearbox by make

Problems with the automatic gearbox in your car

81 cars have several documented faults with the automatic gearbox. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect them, by engine and by year.

Alfa Romeo 1
Audi 11
BMW 16
Citroën 6
DS 1
Jaguar 3
Jeep 1
Land Rover 3
Mercedes-Benz 8
Nissan 6
Opel 1
Peugeot 8
Renault 6
Seat 3
Škoda 1
Volkswagen 6

How much it costs to repair a fault with the automatic gearbox

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

OBD fault codes with the automatic gearbox

The codes the ECU usually stores when this part fails: what they mean, causes and what to check.

Frequently asked questions

Which engines have the most faults with the automatic gearbox?

By severity and frequency, the Multitronic (wear of the variator chain and cones, critical severity), the 2.0 CDI (OM640) (costly failure of the Autotronic (CVT) automatic gearbox, critical severity), the 7G-Tronic / 9G-Tronic (conductor plate and speed sensor failure (limp mode), high severity), the ZF 6HP (valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearbox, high severity), the EAT6/EAT8 (valve body failure leading to immobilisation or gearbox replacement, high severity) and the CVT Xtronic (oil leaks and internal wear that can force gearbox replacement, high severity). In total we have documented 12 engines and gearboxes with faults with the automatic gearbox.

Which cars have problems with the automatic gearbox?

Among those we have analysed: Audi A6 C6 (wear and failures of the Multitronic automatic gearbox on front-wheel-drive versions), MINI Cooper R50 (faults in the CVT automatic gearbox, the manual gearbox and the clutch), Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 (confusing automatic gear selector: risk of leaving the car without Park engaged), Fiat 500X (gearbox faults: internal failures in the automatic and jerky gear changes), Kia Sorento III (automatic gear selector lever that can leave position P without the brake being pressed), Mazda MX-5 IV (unintended downshift of the automatic gearbox caused by a transmission control unit software fault), Audi A6 C5 (jerks and slipping in the Tiptronic automatic gearbox) and Audi Q7 4M (automatic gearbox oil line with a defective weld that may leak oil). In total, 58 cars with documented faults with the automatic gearbox.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with the automatic gearbox?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At an independent garage, from €120 to €2,000; at a dealer, from €0 to €11,000, including VAT, based on the 13 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is gearbox faults: internal failures in the automatic and jerky gear changes (Fiat 500X).

What symptoms does a fault with the automatic gearbox cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: automatic gearbox fault warning, judder when pulling away or at low speed (automatic gearbox), gearbox will not select gears or drops into neutral, visible oil leak, jerking or juddering when accelerating and sudden loss of power (limp mode).

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Problemas del Xc90 | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  2. El cambio de aceite de la caja de cambios que evita una avería de 2.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · published 24 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Fiat 500X : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Audi A6 (2004-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité Audi A8 (2002-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. El mantenimiento de la caja de cambios que evita una avería de más de 2.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Fiabilité Peugeot 508 2 (2018), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité BMW Série 5 (2010-2016), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité BMW X5 (2000-2007), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. El aceite de la caja de cambios automática que el fabricante no cambia: evita una avería de 3.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · published 26 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Problemas Volvo S60 | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  12. FACUA alerta de la llamada a revisión de los Renault Megane IV GT por un problema en la caja de cambiosFACUA · Consumer association · published 26 April 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish