Hello Everyone

 

My 2020 Octavia has what I believe to be transmission noise below 25 mph. I’ve had it seen by two different Skoda garages but as I can’t share a car during lockdown I can’t demonstrate while driving and a salesperson tested it last! There is a distinct whine below 25 mph (worse going uphill) which disappears when I push the clutch in. There is also a disconcerting rattling sound after changing gear below 25 mph which stops as the car picks up. If I push the clutch in this sound vanishes also. 
 

I am worried that this points to a transmission problem which may take years till actual breakdown... at my expense! I have never heard anything similar in a car before and have had several Golfs and Passat... but a brand new Octavia!

 

Has anyone else any similar experience?

I also have the rattling sound when shifting gears at low speeds. Not always, but sometimes when shifting from second to third.

Just now, kerttuli said:

I also have the rattling sound when shifting gears at low speeds. Not always, but sometimes when shifting from second to third.

Interesting. I am happy-ish to know that the noises I hear are the same as with all 2020 Octavias although I am have never experienced this before in any car. A courtesy car Scoda Fabia was also noisy. I get a lot of differential whine below 25 mph and I hear noises as though something is loose when I let the clutch out or push it in and ‘coast’ for a few seconds. Two main dealers have shown zero interest and are dismissive. 

16 hours ago, PoloPaul said:

Interesting. I am happy-ish to know that the noises I hear are the same as with all 2020 Octavias although I am have never experienced this before in any car. A courtesy car Scoda Fabia was also noisy. I get a lot of differential whine below 25 mph and I hear noises as though something is loose when I let the clutch out or push it in and ‘coast’ for a few seconds. Two main dealers have shown zero interest and are dismissive. 

Hello PoloPaul,
All I can say is maybe you should get in touch with the dealer and demand that they address the problem. It hasn't bothered me enough to get in touch with the dealer about the occasional rattling. So many other issues that I have wanted resolving first. Luckily my dealership here in Finland has been extremely forthcoming with the issues. Any issue at all and they have investigated it thoroughly and fixed it to the best of their abilities. It's just these constant software / electrical issues that keep popping up that drive me up the wall that are up to Skoda to fix. Despite the problems I love the car though. Such a joy to drive.

1 hour ago, kerttuli said:

Hello PoloPaul,
All I can say is maybe you should get in touch with the dealer and demand that they address the problem. It hasn't bothered me enough to get in touch with the dealer about the occasional rattling. So many other issues that I have wanted resolving first. Luckily my dealership here in Finland has been extremely forthcoming with the issues. Any issue at all and they have investigated it thoroughly and fixed it to the best of their abilities. It's just these constant software / electrical issues that keep popping up that drive me up the wall that are up to Skoda to fix. Despite the problems I love the car though. Such a joy to drive.

Hello PoloPaul

 

Sound advice, however, we are in lockdown in the UK and mechanics are not allowed in the car with me so that I can point out the problem. Once this changes I shall insist on demonstrating the issue. But I agree that the car is a joy to drive although computer/electrical issues show up regularly. Are you in lockdown in Finland?

 

Paul

My apologies Kertulli - I am PoloPaul.! 😂

1 minute ago, PoloPaul said:

Hello PoloPaul

 

Sound advice, however, we are in lockdown in the UK and mechanics are not allowed in the car with me so that I can point out the problem. Once this changes I shall insist on demonstrating the issue. But I agree that the car is a joy to drive although computer/electrical issues show up regularly. Are you in lockdown in Finland?

 

Paul

 

8 minutes ago, PoloPaul said:

My apologies Kertulli - I am PoloPaul.! 😂

 

Hi Paul,

 

Brilliant. Got a good chuckle there. We're not in lockdown per se, but restaurants, gyms and suchlike are closed. Just driving my Octavia around and complaining about problems to keep myself busy. Stay safe and keep me posted on what happens to your transmission.

I folks,  I'm new here. I was just looking out for some information on the transmission noise and I ended up here.

I am Chilean and I have exactly the same problem as you describe. It is so frustrating to hear this strange noise on a brand-new car. I had a Rapid previously, which was flawless for over 5 years until I decide to buy my new Octavia (Need more space cause of second child.)  My whole family has had VAG cars and no problem at all.  Mine is a 2021 Octavia Ambition 1.4 tsi Manual Transmission( Left steering wheel)  And as you mentioned I can hear the noise with the radio off and as soon as I put my foot on the clutch pedal (slightly touching-not pressing it at all) the sound goes away. I can hear it in neutral, also shifting from neutral to 1^st, and from 1^st to 2^nd gear.  It is noticeable in the range of 1000 rpm and about 2000 rpm, after that, it goes away.

Not sure what it is really… could be the dual mass flywheel, the clutch plate or friction plate. But how? The car is completely new, only 300 kms on it.  Worst scenario will be something inside the gear box. (But I don’t think, so because I can hear the noise on neutral too) So I’m betting on the clutch system not properly installed on then factory.

Went to the dealer yesterday in order to explain and show the noise,  they will have look at it on Wednesday. Not sure they can do much though.

Could you fixed over there?

Hello Sosemann

 

Two Skoda dealers including the seller simply go through the motions with mine. They can hear nothing and say the car is 'lovely' to drive so enjoy it. I have been driving for 45 years and have driven goods vans, minibuses and all manner of cars. I have never heard any noise at all from transmission except a 'differential whine' on older vehicles showing wear and clunking CV joints wearing out. The noises I hear all have me thinking the same as you regarding gearbox issues in particular. Gearboxes are predominantly robust and reliable in my experience unless abused. Yet both you and I are hearing noises (in my case below 25mph - have never looked at rpm, but I will now) that simply shouldn't be present in a brand new car. 
 

I am waiting for Covid restrictions to relax so that I can insist upon a Skoda mechanic sitting in with me so that I can demonstrate. I have 28 months left of the 3 year warranty so hope I have time to resolve the issue. However Skoda dealers seem uninterested unless there is some physical breakdown of a component. If the car drives well which mine and yours seem to then that is it. Like you, I am concerned that the noises indicate premature wear of components that in due course I will become liable for after the warranty period has expired. 
 

I am assuming you are picking up this forum from Chile as you have a left hand drive Octavia? Keep us all updated in any progress you manage to make in Chile

Just brought a VRS petrol brand new, drove it home and its was really nice, averaged 45mpg on the motorway so thought great.

 

Started it up from cold and omg the noise from the gearbox was awful, the rattle when the clutch is disengaged is dreadful, put your foot down and it goes.

 

Sounds like gearbox chatter or thrust bearing but from a brand new car, also the entertainment is clitching ffs

 

 

New car, think it will be going back..............

 

Got probaly one of the only new ones left without waitng 25 weeks as well.........

Morning Harrison A, I am really sorry to hear this. 

 

My car is a 1.5 and the transmission noise continues. Owing to Covid the local dealer would not let me test an identical model for comparison. Owing to Covid I couldn't  demonstrate the issue with someone sitting in with me. The Service Manager observed and listened as I demonstrated on a short section of ramp. When I pushed the clutch in to 'coast' for a few feet ....he didnt actually confirm he'd heard it but said that I was driving in an 'unnatural' way to do 'that'. I mentioned the 'thrust bearing' and 'pressure plate' but he said that modern clutch systems dont work in that way!!  He said 'And anyway, Skoda don't have a 'fix' for that. You have a 3 year warranty with plenty of time remaining.'

 

So I've tried to see it as a quirk of the car  But in 45 years of driving I've never come across this before. 
 

My iPhone will not connect automatically and I have tried everything to no effect. Apparently road crashes attributed to distraction owing to infotainment systems are soaring and I can see why

 

So, I wish I had done what you are entitled to do under consumer law for, I believe, the first three months following purchase ie give the dealer an opportunity to fix the 'fault' to your satisfaction. If the faults remain you are entitled under consumer law to formally 'reject' the car owing to the faults. 
 

So let me know how you get on as you may be able to arm me with information for my local service manager. 

Hi Polo Paul,

                      Been straight on the phone to the Skoda finance who says they understand and to take it in then we will see what options we have on the table after the fault and been established.

 

Give it back, exchange for a different car or something else, if it can be fixed i will ask for some money back to reduce the monthly payments or they can have the car back which they will loose money on trying to re sell

 

will keep everyone posted