Loud and abrupt thud sound when changing gears in 2017 vw passat r-line automatic transmission model. this loud thud can be heard easily when car is in stop and go traffic and can even be felt at the base of the gas pedal. happens more noticeably in stop and go traffic when driving between 20-40 mph. my car now has 5500 miles on it but this loud thud has been heard since the day i bought the car. i took the car to reydel vw in new jersey to get checked but the technicians say there are no issues, even though i know i am not crazy. i have driven many other passat's and have previously owned 2014 vw jetta which never made this loud thud sound when changing gears.
The car moves from the automatic to the manual mode. this has occurred 4 to 6 times in the first three months of ownership. this has happened when the vehicle was moving and just starting out in low gear. if i move the gear shift lever from automatic to manual and then back to automatic it resumes normal function in the automatic mode.