China demands Volkswagen to recall defective DSG cars

Volkswagen employees inspect an 2012 Passat in the assembly finish department in Chattanooga Tennessee, Dec 1, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING -- China's consumer quality watchdog on Saturday urged German car maker Volkswagen to recall defective cars with DSG problems.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement on its website that its research has basically confirmed the Volkswagen' direct shift gearbox transmission has defects which may cause engine power failures.

The administration's spokesman Zhang Yuanping said if Volkswagen refuse to fulfill its legal obligations, the AQSIQ will force it to recall the defective cars, according to the statement.

On Friday, a program on consumer quality aired by the China Central Television exposed that the malfunctions of DSG transmission in some models of Volkswagen could cause sudden loss or gain of engine power, posing great safety hazards.

Volkswagen China wrote on its official microblog late Friday that it has taken the report seriously and will contact consumers as soon as possible to resolve the problem.

According to Zhang, AQSIQ has been investigating the company's DSG transmissions since last March. In May, Volkswagen extended its DSG quality guarantee period in China to ten years under pressure from the administration, Zhang said.

Volkswagen is not the only foreign company being accused of improper practices by CCTV. Electronics Giant Apple Inc. has been accused of adopting differentiating repair and return policies in China.

The company offers shorter warranty periods in China compared with other countries and uses refurbished parts when repairing broken devices, according to CCTV.

Timeline:

January 22, 2013: VW to continue DSG strategy in China

January 7, 2013: Quality watchdog keeps eye on VW

January 7, 2013: VW cars recalled in Taiwan

May 28, 2012: Car owners revved up over VW gearbox glitch

April 12, 2012: China seeks public opinion on VW's faulty DSG

March 14, 2012: VW urged to probe DSG defects, recall possible