EAT6/EAT8 vs VW 01M: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the VW 01M gearbox carries less risk than the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox: 32/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). The EAT6/EAT8 gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Valve body failure leading to immobilisation or gearbox replacement»; the VW 01M gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Valve body wear and internal pressure leaks (slipping and jerking)».

Risk index

EAT6/EAT8

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

VW 01M

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 2 November 202613 sources How we work

Is the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox reliable?

The EAT6 and EAT8 gearboxes, made by Aisin for PSA/Stellantis, are torque-converter automatics fitted to Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Opel models since 2014. Their most-cited weak point is the valve body: pressure or calibration faults cause jerking and hesitation, sometimes fixable with software, and in isolated cases failures that force a gearbox replacement. The manufacturer advertises the fluid as "lifetime", but several specialists recommend changing the oil every 60,000-80,000 km.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox faults

Is the VW 01M gearbox reliable?

The VW 01M is the 4-speed automatic gearbox that Volkswagen fitted from 1995 to 2005 in the Golf, the Bora, the New Beetle and, according to the sources, the first-generation Octavia, León and A3. Its documented faults are the wiring and speed sensors (emergency mode in third gear), wear of the valve body and the plastic speedometer gear.^[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the VW 01M gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of EAT6/EAT8 and VW 01M
Item	EAT6/EAT8	VW 01M
Technical data
Type	Gearbox	Gearbox
Gearbox type	Torque-converter automatic with epicyclic gear sets, 6 or 8 speeds depending on version (EAT6/EAT8)	Automatic with torque converter with lock-up and epicyclic gear sets, 4 speeds, transverse mounting
Production	since 2014^[1][8][9]	1995–2005^[5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	3
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Valve body failure leading to immobilisation or gearbox replacement Medium severity: Jerking and hesitation when changing gear, especially when cold Medium severity: Gearbox oil advertised as "lifetime" that is best changed preventively	High severity: Valve body wear and internal pressure leaks (slipping and jerking) Medium severity: Wiring and speed sensor (G38 and G68) faults and emergency mode in third gear Medium severity: Broken plastic speedometer gear
Most expensive documented repair	up to €9,000Valve body failure leading to immobilisation or gearbox replacementPublished figure^[2][10][11]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	EAT6 (AT6-III / AM6-III, since 2014)^[1][12][13] EAT8 (AWF8F45, since 2017)^[1][2][4]	01M (4 speeds, 1995-2005)^[5][6]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

EAT6/EAT8

See the 11 models with the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox

VW 01M

See the 7 models with the VW 01M gearbox

Other comparisons

With the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox

With the VW 01M gearbox

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Boîte auto EAT8 Peugeot / CitroënFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Peugeot 508 2 (2018), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Grandland X (2017-2024), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Peugeot 2008 2 (2020), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Volkswagen 01M transmissionWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
4-Speed Automatic Transmission (01M)Ross-Tech Wiki · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
SK VW-01M: kit de reparación de la 01M, 01N y 01PTransgo · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
Peugeot 308 IIWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Peugeot 3008 IIWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
El cambio de aceite de la caja de cambios que evita una avería de 2.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · published 24 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
El mantenimiento de la caja de cambios que evita una avería de más de 2.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité Peugeot 308 (2013-2021), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Peugeot 5008 2 (2017-2024), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French