VWs had the same transmission issues with their transmissions as well. The "lifetime fluid" was often never changed out by owners since there was no mention of it in the service schedule. If the owner did change it there was a good chance they would put in the wrong fluid instead of the correct Pentosin which was priced at over $10/ quart. Either way the transmission would die sooner or later. I knew someone who had a 2002 Jetta that was on its third tranny by 150k. This was definitely a problem that was not isolated to one make. A factory rebuilt unit was the best choice since rebuilding by independent shops resulted in mediocre results.

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1989 300CE