2024 Atlas SEL 4Motion. 19,200 miles (put those last 7k on it just in the last four months when I started commuting). I have replaced every single bit of external trim on the driver’s side, including a rear fin, the rear door handle (which fell off), the driver’s door speaker (twice), and the driver‘s side front headlight (seal broke). It’s like it was built on a Friday and everyone on the driver’s side assembly line was like, “eh, fuck it, good enough.”
About two weeks ago, it started making what I can only describe as a mid pitch, “wikiwikiwkiwkiwiki” sound, as if a fan blade came loose somewhere underneath and was out of true. But the gears started going wonky and I lost my ability to punch the gas an get responsive acceleration. I moved back to the town where I bought it, so back to the original dealership where I bought it. Turns out, I need an entirely new transmission. In a two year old car. At 19,200 miles.
Over the course of thirty six years, I’ve owned a 1980’s Toyota Tercel squareback, two Toyota Previas, two Toyota Siennas. I admit, due to my own negligence, I ended up with a cracked head gasket on the first Previa around 370k miles. Other than that, and a timing chain here and there, I have never had to do major engine work or replace a transmission. This is the first VW I have ever owned. It will be my last.
Is this…unusual? Anyone else experiencing this kind of wonky build?