Volkswagen will recall almost 26,000 cars in Australia in response to potential problems with its DSG dual-clutch transmission, mirroring recalls already ordered in China, Singapore and Japan.

Volkswagen Australia will recall Golf, Jetta, Polo, Passat and Caddy models manufactured between June 2008 and September 2011, the company said today.

The recall will affect 25,928 vehicles fitted with the seven-speed DQ200 direct-shift (DSG) dual-clutch transmission after car owners complained of transmission and engine failures causing loss of power.

“In isolated cases, an electronic malfunction in the control unit inside the gearbox mechatronics may result in a power interruption,” VW said.

Last week, VW’s managing director in Australia, John White, told local media that VW had ”issues” after car owners complained of transmission and engine failures, but in an open letter he said that the carmaker would offer free inspections and a hotline service for concerned local owners, but did not order a recall.

Japan recall

Volkswagen last month recalled about 91,000 cars in Japan, citing potential transmission problems that have already caused a recall in China. The problems were due to the hot and wet climate, the extreme stop-and-go traffic as well as pollution typical of some Asian cities, the company said.

Australia’s government is investigating reports of power loss problems with Volkswagen cars amid a coronial inquiry into the death of a woman killed when a truck hit her manual-transmission Golf in 2011. The Victoria state coroner is due to report in July.

Volkswagen Australia said the mechanical problems did not affect cars currently being produced and sold. The recall notice did not mention separate engine power loss issues.

In recalled cars, Volkswagen said it would replace the transmission mechatronic unit on potentially affected vehicles at no cost to owners. Vehicle software would also be updated.

Australian newspapers have reported being contacted by hundreds of car owners who have experienced problems with their Volkswagens.

In 2012, Volkswagen sold 3.17 million vehicles in the Asia-Pacific region, of which 2.81 million were in China.