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After news of the Volkswagen & Audi recall broke last week we asked for your DSG failure experiences. One email in particular, from reader Adam M. brings up an interesting question regarding the so-called “flash of death”. How long has VW known about the potentially serious safety aspects of the failing transmission temperature sensors?

UPDATE: Volkswagen announces new recall of 53,000 vehicles and service program to address DSG issues

Adam writes:

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This started happening to me out of the blue with about 1900 miles om my car.

1st time was going up a steep hill pretty scary, chalked it up as a missed shift. Then happened several times on the freeway over the next few days, would lose power and get “the flash of death”, but the car would find a gear and get power back within a few seconds.

The last time it happened before it was serviced, I was at a red light waiting to merge onto HWY 1, with a large chemical or water tank truck behind me. After the green light and in the middle of the intersection, I lost all power with the flashing display, except this time the car did not regain power. Luckily I had enough momentum and there was a shoulder that I was able to coast of the road.

The memory of the car losing power and a rear view mirror full of truck with my 4 year old daughter in the car is vivid, and I think it about every time I buckle her into the car.

They replaced the temp sensor, and the dealership was aware that this was an issue at the time (April 09), the car never threw a code.

2009 Audi A3 Quattro S-Tronic, bought December 08.

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Considering we’re now well into August and when Adam had his car repaired in April the dealership “was aware that this was an issue”- how far prior to that did Volkswagen know that DSG temperature sensors could fail?  Why didn’t they think this was serious enough to warrant a recall sooner?

Thankfully Adam and his daughter are safe and sound.

Have you experienced the “flash of death” with your DSG equipped Volkswagen or Audi? Send us an email with your story.

Related posts:

1. Flash of death? Volkswagen & Audi DSG recall issues caught on video
2. VW DSG reader stories round 2- Failures reported in non-recall models
3. VW DSG reader stories round 3 – “Flash of death” woes lead to brand new recall
4. Volkswagen recalls 53,300 new vehicles, announces service program to address DSG complaints
5. Volkswagen recalls 13,500 2009/2010 Jetta, GTI, and EOS models