Drive Train

Automatic Transmission Shifts Into Neutral Without Warning

THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

16,000 Potential Units Affected

Lookup your specific VIN or plate below.

VIN
License Plate

09V-333 / 37E3/S7 & 37E5/J7 Recall Summary

Connectors for a temperature sensor inside the direct shift gearbox (DSG) transmission may have been insufficiently crimped. They could incorrectly read a high transmission oil temperature, and abruptly shift into neutral. The shift position indicator in the instrument panel would begin to flash and the "Depress Brake Pedal" indicator light will be illuminated to alert the driver to apply the brakes. The abrupt shift could lead to a crash. Volkswagen and Audi dealers will reprogram the transmission control module (TCM) with updated software. The recall began October 20, 2009. The Volkswagen recall number is 37E3/S7 and the Audi recall number is 37E5/J7.

09V-333 / 37E3/S7 & 37E5/J7 Recall Solution

We at RepairPal have designated this a high priority recall; the transmission may shift into neutral without warning. Please contact your Volkswagen or Audi dealer. They will check to see if your specific vehicle is affected and advise you on what to do next. Always have your vehicle identification number (VIN) handy when you call.

To learn more, contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

1-888-327-4236

www.safercar.gov

More Safety Recall News

Dodge, Ford and Land Rover recall 340,000 vehicles

Sep 1, 2025

Volkswagen, BMW and Audi recall 22,763 vehicles

Aug 1, 2025

Volvo, Audi and Ford recall 770,000 vehicles

Jul 1, 2025

View All

Vehicles Affected:

Manufacturer's Report Date:

August 20, 2009

NHTSA Campaign ID Number:

09V-333
09V333000

Manufacturer Campaign Number:

37E3/S7 & 37E5/J7

Component:

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Potential Number of Units Affected:

16000

Recall FAQs

If your vehicle is affected by a new safety recall, the vehicle manufacturer will attempt to contact you by sending you a notice in the mail. This notice will detail the defect, when parts for repair will be ready, how to get your car fixed, and whether your unrepaired car is currently safe to drive or not.

If you aren't the original owner, have changed addresses, or have never visited your local dealership for service or maintenance, then you most likely will not receive a recall notice in the mail.

Another way to know whether your vehicle has an open recall is to enter your VIN or license plate into the RepairPal Safety Recall Checker above. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-digit alphanumeric code that can be found on the bottom edge of your car's windshield, on the driver's side. It can also be found on your vehicle's registration card.

You can check your vehicle for recalls by entering your VIN or license plate into the RepairPal Safety Recall Checker found above. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-digit alphanumeric identification code on the bottom edge of your car’s windshield, on the driver’s side. It can also be found on your vehicle’s registration card.

Checking your VIN is the best way to find out if your car is affected by any recalls. Identical vehicles of the same make, model, year, and trim may not be affected by the same recall. A VIN is unique to a specific vehicle.

Your vehicle is affected by a recall if the manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has decided that a problem with your car makes it a safety risk or fails to meet safety standards. When this happens, the vehicle manufacturer is obligated to fix your vehicle.

Normally, you will receive a letter in the mail that explains the recall and how to get the defect fixed promptly and at no charge to you. The letter will explain what the exact defect is, when the parts will be ready, how to get your car fixed, and whether your car is safe to drive or not.

But in many cases, the manufacturer won't know you own an affected vehicle, which is why you should check your vehicle for safety recalls frequently.

Use our Safety Recall Checker to check your vehicle for open recalls.

How long it takes to fix a recall depends on many different factors:

How many vehicles are affected by the recall? How complex is the problem to fix? How many different parts are involved in the repair? Are the repair parts available? Has the dealership received the parts for the repair yet? Do dealership technicians have training to conduct the specific repair? How many recalled cars can the dealer repair each day (while also doing their daily service business)?

Recalls are unrelated to your warranty coverage. Any recalls that are issued for safety-related items on your vehicle will be repaired by the vehicle manufacturer at no cost to you. Even if your vehicle's warranty has expired and you are not the original owner of the vehicle, you are still eligible to have any open safety recalls on your vehicle repaired.

You can check for any open recalls on your vehicle by entering its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or license plate number into the RepairPal Safety Recall Checker above. If there are any open recalls on your vehicle, contact a dealer as soon as possible to have repairs done.

Safety recalls that address a defective part or system on your vehicle that came from the factory do not expire and can generally be fixed up to 15 years after the date of manufacture. Even if you are not the original owner, you can have repairs done to resolve any open recalls. This is important, especially if the recalls are safety-related. The only exceptions are if the carmaker is no longer in business or if the dealership can no longer get the needed parts. Recall repairs are generally free up to 15 years after the date of manufacture.

To check whether there are any open recalls on your vehicle, enter its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or license plate number into the RepairPal Safety Recall Checker here. Your vehicle VIN can be found at the base of the windshield or on your registration card. If there are any open recalls on your vehicle, contact a dealer as soon as possible to have repairs done.

Get an Estimate Find Repair Location Why RepairPal?How To Guides

Problems Questions Recalls Reviews Troubleshooting Guide Encyclopedia Car Care Advice Reliability Ratings

Shop Owners Dealership Fixed Ops Certified Shop Resources Schedule a Demo Dashboard Login

Mission FAQ Partners Social Impact News & Media Jobs Blog Support Contact Us

Getting Started

Get an Estimate Find Repair Location Why RepairPal?How To Guides

Learn About Your Car

Problems Questions Recalls Reviews Troubleshooting Guide Encyclopedia Car Care Advice Reliability Ratings

For Business

Shop Owners Dealership Fixed Ops Certified Shop Resources Schedule a Demo Dashboard Login

About RepairPal

Mission FAQ Partners Social Impact News & Media Jobs Blog Support Contact Us