Volkswagen Amarok Questions & Answers

Hi Adrian - Did you ever get to the bottom of this. I have a 2017 Amarok Ultimate. Had the same issue, Oil in Coolant overflow - Told it was the oil cooler. Got it replaced. 8 months later same problem occurred, had the oil cooler tested, it was fine told it was the oil filter housing - had this replaced. 1 week later same problem again. no power loss with car or black smoke or overheating issues. just Oil in cooling system....

I have had exactly the same problem and tried to claim under VW warranty. VW Australia are saying that I must've taken the vehicle offroads or something, so they are not honouring the warranty. Did you ever get to the bottom of this ? I am perplexed as to why there was water in the transmission. My Amarok also stopped dead and I had to pay to get it towed to the mechanics,

Hiya, Lodged formal complaint with VW Australia and they confirmed that it was not a manufacting issue Offered NO reason how have water got in. They offered NO out of pocket reimbursement as we were out of warranty. Totally not interested and even our local regular VW dealer does not want to engage in how water could have entered the transmission.

I look forward to hear more about your story

Hi I have exactly same issue with my 2021 Amarok . The gear box stock at D5 and they said there is water in the gear box oil and not a manufacturing issue ....!!?? Its going to cost 18k out of pocket to replace the gearbox and the said the car must be submerged in the water!! Never done off road and car never been under water!! It's just ridiculous... The dealer told me it would take a couple of months if I take them to court so I am better off to claim it under my insurance. But I am going to take VW to court anyway...

We had to wait 10 weeks to get new gearbox from Germany. It cost $15k had to pay $5k deposit before they ordered it. We were out of pocket approx $18k all up. VW repairer could not determine how water entered gearbox and suggested it must have been submerged in water. This issue of water found in gearbox has now happened to 3 Amarok owners, as per this chat dialogue forum who all confirm that their vehicles have NOT been submerged in water. Please keep us posted on your developments regarding court action. Would be happy to speak to your privately if you want to gain more details about our case which would demonstrate to the court that your issue with water in gearbox is NOT an isolated incident. Look forward to hearing from you again shortly

We have sent the gearbox oil for testing to see if it's a coolant water or river or rain water. And gathering evidence that the car has not been submerged. We have also been contact with a couple of other users who had has same issue . One has been to court and made VW to pay of the repair.

Will le you know who we go in court.

Oh please let us know your results re testing. I am very sure if we stick together we can build a stronger case to prove that there is a problem with their gearboxs. I look forward to hearing from you again. Lynn

I have a 2021 amarok dual cab 4x4 td1420 2.0L auto with 11060kms on the odometer and on 22 may 2023 the auto trans started to fail ie it was stuck in D6..initial investigation by the dealership that sold me the vehicle found water in the auto trans and they advised me the issue was not warrantable, as I had submerged the transmission in water..I have NEVER driven the Amarok thru such a road or off road situation. Since 24 may 2023 I've spent 7.5 hrs on the phone speaking with various Customer Ambassadors and one Manager at VW Aust Customer Expectation call Centre based in the Philippines, with NO POSITIVE RESPONSE.. My Amarok is now at another VW dealership and they have found that the water has entered into the Trans thru the BREATHER located on the top of the trans. I've been told that if the vehicle was driven in water at a depth greater than 30cm, the breather can suck water into the trans??? I have requested for the water to be tested to find out what type of water ie muddy water, rainwater, tap water, ect is in the trans oil. The TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION for this vehicle states that the vehicle is designed to be driven into a WADING DEPTH of 50cm??? VW Aust tech people are verbally on record that its was my driving that caused the water to enter the trans and therefore NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE??? Currently I feel that I have gone from being a VALUED VW CUSTOMER to a PARIAH and VW Aust are trying valiantly to IGNORE ME!!! I may have to go to court with this issue as I really can't afford the quoted price of $17,000+ to replace the trans. FRANK D

Dear all After a lengthy Tribunal process with VW, we finally won our case against them regarding the issue with the water in the gear box "File No: MV 23/22804" which I believe you can refer to when having same issue VW. Hopefully after them loosing the case in court and paying a considerable amount of compensation, VW will try to improve their customer service and honor their warranty obligations. I was also told by VW that the car must have been submerged in the water and the only way the water can get to the gear box is from the breather . But it was easly proven by VW Transmission Specialist that car was not submerged, as they tested the oil in the differential & the transfer unit and there was no water contamination in differential and trans oil ( only contamination in the gearbox oil was found). And since the breather of differential and trans unit sits lower than gearbox breather it means the water line has never reached to the gearbox breather otherwise the other two units oil would see a sign of contamination.

That is such wonderful news to hear. Congratulations!!!. Can we contact you privately to discuss in detail so in turn we could build our case to re approach VW .?? We did not have the opportunity to test the fluid in the transmission but with your case behind us we will be able to build a better case. Are you able to make contact H. E. .My contact details 0409 356 630 Name Lynn R

Hi Frank, Any update on your results of water testing. Lynn R. Great result for H.E. tribunal found VW at fault. It's proves that all our vehicles water in transition problem are a fault of VW. On the basis of H.E. win we are now also going to re approach VW and would appreciate your update on your vehicle so we can add it to our submission. Happy to chat privately. I can provide my phone number if you would be willing to talk to me. Lynn R

Johnny A,

Please read results from H.E.

Hi Lynne,...Ive just returned froma 4 weeks road trip and on frid 10 nov 2023 i tested positive to covid so i had to quarantine myself till mon 20 nov...will get a qualified mechanic to test for water in my differential and transfer box hopefully on Monday...stay tuned for the results. Frank D

I have not had that problem, sounds like you have a warranty issue.

I have taken it to VW twice, once at 1,000km, very new when the rattle was bad and again at 20k service. Both times they say there are no abnormal noises.

It is normal for the V6 to use a bit of oil for the first 20k, the dealership should be topping it up in good faith rather then charging you for it. Especially I'd you take it there for your services.

Yeah ok, never heard of a new car doing this.. thanks!

Mine did the same. I bought two litres of oil, used one and never touched the other again. However used about 1 litre of coolant every couple of months….

I’m in exact same spot right now. What oil would be best to use

Should be free for dealer to top up so ask for money back

its the bull bar... the standard amarok has a plastic air dam that directs air from the bumper area in through the radiator. The clips on these fail necessitating new clips. When fitted with the bull bar, this air direction plastic is removed allowing the air to go straight under the car instead of through the radiator. We used to tow a 3.5t van, including the toowoomba range.. temp never got anywhere close to 110c. Pls do monitor your oil temperature (dash). the radiator air also cools the transmission, the intercooler, engine oil & AC. Its very important to tow in S sports mode as the transmission gets very hot when towing in D. "S" locks up the transmission torque converter more quickly --> the torque converter is what generates the heat. Get the tranny serviced every 50k. best look under the car in the radiator area and under a standard amarok. you'll see what i'm talking about. You'll kill your car if you dont get this sorted. Talk to an auto transmission specialist if you dont believe me about towing in sports mode. We had ours serviced at 50k and the guy said our fluid was like new because we towed in S mode - pull the gear lever back in drive a bit & release to activate S mode. Hope you fitted a quality catch can and extra fuel filter (with water alarm).

I do alot of heavy towing with our Amarok V6 temp never changed until I fitted a bullbar at 120000k's, now the temp climbs so I lock the transmission in a lower gear and go a slower up the range. The bullbar was a bad move, change the transmission oil at 100 000K's oil was good

Hi guys I am interested to hear your experiences with the bullbar on the Amarok as I have bought a Highline. Could you please advise if the problem relates to a particular brand of bull bar or does it just apply to bull bars in general? Russell

Last Peg, thank you for your comments on the V6 towing and overheating solutions can I get your thoughts on transmission and engine oil coolers pleaee

I had to have my radio replaced in my 2016 cab chassis due to the blue tooth etc working intermittently but very early on buying and under warranty and 2 units later as there are different radios for the same model - I'd say you have a faulty radio/media unit - good luck with everything - I would ask David the service manager at VW Mawson Lakes in SA he's absolutely brilliant

We have had two of the claims approved by VW so far. We have to contribute approx $500 towards the cost which is just over $3,000 in total. Hoping the 3rd vehicle will be approved soon as its two months out of warranty. Hoping the other two don't have same issue. cheers

I have 2018 dark label where the screen just developed dead spots on the right side of the gps screen. Unable to recentre and north orientation map. Most annoying. Assume it needs replacing…..

I have just experienced the same problem but code was 12511, did you find out what the problem was? Still waiting to hear back from the transmission people

you most likely bumped the gear selector into manual mode. on the dash it should say what gear it is in, eg D1 or S1 meaning its in drive or special mode and 1st gear but if its saying only the gear number with no letter its in manual select and you have to tap up the gears