Two problems related to transmission slip out of gear have been reported for the 2008 Volkswagen GTI. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I noticed my "automatic" dsg (direct shift gate) transmission to be acting up. From a stop up to 15 mph in 1st gear and reverse the transmission felt very lurchy and had lots of surging associated with acceleration. It could be simulated in a "normal" car by tapping the accelerator when starting to drive instead of smoothly pressing it. It was especially noticeable when the car's operating temperature was hot. The hotter it was the worse the symptoms are. It occurs every time I drive the car long enough to heat the car up. It's dangerous in bumper to bumper traffic because sometimes the car doesn't go, then I give it more gas and it goes too much. I am afraid I will rear-end another car someday. Reverse gear is even worse. I have to be very careful when parking that I do not smash into another car. These problems are also for some reason amplified when on any incline. The second issue with the transmission is that mainly when the operating temperature is cold the car experiences trouble when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. Normally under heavy acceleration, the car can't seem to "find" 2nd gear. It will shift out of 1st gear and "hang" in a neutral position where no power is available to move the car forward. Approximately . 5 - 1 seconds later, it shifts into second gear. I would hate to be trying to avoid a collision and have no power available if needed to move out of the way. Volkswagen has told me these issues are "normal" and that it is working as designed. I find this hard to believe since these symptoms were not evident whatsoever when I purchased the car new 11 months and 13 days ago. As Volkswagen refuses to acknowledge a problem, I hope the NHTSA can grasp their attention.
Dsg transmission jumping out of gear at highway speeds causing my vehicle to slow dramatically. When starting from a stop there is a delay between throttle input and actual movement. The car will rev, and then "lurch" heavily and suddenly forward. I have almost been in numerous accidents due to these two problems. Slow speed "parking" maneuvers are also dangerous due to a "surging" in acceleration, and occasional lag in gear selection. These issues only appear when the transmission is warm. I have reported the issues to Volkswagen on numerous occasions only to be told it is normal, and sent away. It has been ongoing for over 6 months.