# 2003 Passat wagon - weird downshifting

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-passat-wagon-weird-downshifting/38074>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** transmissions, volkswagen, passat\
**Created:** [October 13, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-passat-wagon-weird-downshifting/38074 "2009-10-13T23:49:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![khopperstad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/258eb7/32.png) [@khopperstad](https://community.cartalk.com/u/khopperstad)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-passat-wagon-weird-downshifting/38074/1 "2009-10-13T23:49:17Z")

</div>

At 1300-1500 rpm, 35-40 mph on a flat road, the transmission barely shifts down, happening every 4-5 seconds, causing the car to lurch a bit. The rpm bumps up about 100 rpm each time.  
  
  
  
 The dealer has not a clue (no warnings or diagnostics from the car’s computer) and is talking about pulling the transmission.  
  
  
  
 Any ideas?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-passat-wagon-weird-downshifting/38074/2 "2009-10-14T01:04:34Z")

</div>

Find an independent VW mechanic and ask his or her opinion.

Compare what the independent says to what the dealer says and decide which is best for you.