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Dualogic vs 09G (Aisin): which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 09G (Aisin) gearbox carries less risk than the Dualogic gearbox: 14/100 (low risk) versus 29/100 (moderate risk). The Dualogic gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Actuator or hydraulic pressure fault: the gearbox drops into neutral on its own or refuses gears»; the 09G (Aisin) gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Total gearbox failure at low mileage, documented in an isolated case».

Risk index

Dualogic

29

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

09G (Aisin)

14

Low 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

10 sourcesHow we work

Is the Dualogic gearbox reliable?

The Dualogic is the automated manual gearbox that Fiat has fitted since 2003 to models such as the 500, Panda, Grande Punto/Punto, Doblò and Qubo, and that Lancia sells as D.F.N. on the Ypsilon. It has no systemic fault acknowledged by the manufacturer, but there are recurring testimonies of jerking on every gearchange, clutches that wear out early, and actuator faults that make the gearbox drop into neutral on its own while driving.[1][2][3]

See the 2 of the Dualogic gearbox faults

Is the 09G (Aisin) gearbox reliable?

The 09G is the Aisin (TF-60SN) 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox that the Volkswagen Group sold as the "Tiptronic" from 2003, in the Golf V/VI, Passat B6, Touran, Tiguan I and sister models from Seat, Škoda and Audi. It has a reputation for being tougher than the DSG and there are hardly any serious faults documented, although isolated cases of overheating or gearbox failure exist, and you should not rely on the "lifetime" oil.[4][5][6]

See the 2 of the 09G (Aisin) gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Dualogic and 09G (Aisin)
Dualogic09G (Aisin)
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox type5-speed automated manual (AMT), single dry clutch, electrohydraulic actuation of the clutch and gear selectionTorque converter automatic with planetary gearsets, 6-speed ("Tiptronic")
Productionsince 2003[1][7][8]2003–2018[4][5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)29Moderate risk14Low risk
Documented faults22
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Actuator or hydraulic pressure fault: the gearbox drops into neutral on its own or refuses gears
  2. Medium severity: Premature wear or breakage of the Dualogic clutch
  1. High severity: Total gearbox failure at low mileage, documented in an isolated case
  2. Medium severity: Gearbox overheating under demanding use, documented in an isolated case
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • Dualogic 5-speed (2003-present)[2][3]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

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

Cars that each one is fitted to

Dualogic

See the 9 models with the Dualogic gearbox

09G (Aisin)

See the 10 models with the 09G (Aisin) gearbox

Other comparisons

With the Dualogic gearbox

With the 09G (Aisin) gearbox

Compare other engines

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Sources

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

  1. DualogicWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat 500Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiat 500 (ab 2007) – alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 24 November 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. Volkswagen Golf Mk5Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. List of Aisin transmissionsWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. VW Passat B6 – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 25 September 2022 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. SelespeedWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Lancia YpsilonWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Fiabilité Audi A3 (2003-2012), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf V (2003-2008), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French