1998 Volkswagen Beetle: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 2, 2010 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · VA

My 98 vw new beetle has 68,000 miles on it. Around 66,000 miles it began to shift real hard. In order to get the car to shift into 3rd gear or higher I have to accelerate enough to get the engine up to 4,000+ RPM's, ease off the gas a little and then it will finally lurch into the next gear. This is a safety issue when accelerating after stopping in intersections due to the high traffic volume in my area. This problem is consistent and happens whenever the car is running. I haven't taken it to be serviced because of the extremely high cost of repairing the transmission. The car is worth less than the necessary repair.

Filed Jun 30, 2006 · Lights · CA · crash

In early may I had an accident with our 1998 vw beetle which was caused by a defective part. The car was in drive, and I pushed down the brake petal. Then I changed gears to reverse and gently stepped on the gas pedal. The car lurched forward uncontrollably at an accelerated speed and hit a trailer at my place of work causing damage to both the beetle and trailer. The car was brought in for servicing at vallejo volkswagen (1401 sonoma blvd, vallejo ca) the previous friday, so it was surprising that the car would malfunction so dangerously after having just been serviced. The car was brought back to vallejo volkswagen monday afternoon. The dealer told me that it sounded like this was due to a faulty brake lights switch and that they had seen this problem before. I left the car there overnight and they determined that the cause of the malfunction was indeed the faulty brake light switch. The part in question was subject to a recall and had apparently been replaced in my car in december of 2003. Vallejo volkswagen disavowed any responsibility for the accident and attributed the malfunction to normal wear and tear of the break light switch. However, if this part is susceptible to breakdown due to normal wear and tare then it should be inspected when the car was serviced. Vallejo volkswagen replaced the defective switch and had the audacity to charge me for doing so. Needless to say I am very unhappy with this situation and feel like both vallejo volkswagen and volkswagen are liable for the damage caused by the accident and are liable for placing me in such a dangerous and uncontrolled situation. Indeed, I am extremely relieved that the car hit the trailer, and god forbid not another human being which could have easily occurred had I been in a crowded parking lot. Addendum: I recently found out that as of may 30th 2006 there has been a recall of the recalled brake light switch.

Filed Oct 20, 2005 · Engine · 48,000 miles · CA

While driving at any speed vehicle vibrated and jerked uncontrollably. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection, but mechanic was not able to duplicate the problem. Two weeks later, vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the same problem, and mechanic determined that one motor mount bolt was missing and one needed to be tightened. *ak

Filed May 7, 2001 · Engine, Locks · VA

Car overheats routinely. Initially in for repair on 1/25/01 when dealer claimed to have replaced the water pump and thermostat. Since then, car has overheated on three occasions, and water leakage has been observed. Dealer says they can not replicate the issue. Driver's side door does not lock and unlock reliably, forcing me to enter and exit car through passenger door. Reported to dealer three times (initially 5/31/00). One time dealer lubricated lock; currently they say they can not replicate the issue and will not fix. After water pump repair in 1/01, car exhibited a whining noise and power steering stiffness at low rpms -- likely due to improper workmanship during that repair. Dealer claims power steering fluid was low, and has been "topped off" to alleviate problem. However, I recently had rountine maintenance at another establishment just 4 days prior to taking into shop; during that service, power steering fluids were indicated as "ok." oil consumption is excessive. Despite repeated reports to vw (initially 5/00), have received no resoluion or investigation into this issue. Through research, I have learned that this is a common beetle problem, and some beetle owners are receiving new engines or valve stem repairs to remedy. Transmission jerks severly when shifting from reverse to drive. Initially reported 9/29/98 at 9596 miles and not addressed by dealer. Recurring problems with headlight sealant leakage and water getting into headlight assembly, causing headlights to be unreliable and potential electrical/fire hazard. Have researched vw and learned during initial beetle production in puebla, mexico, they experience an abominal 40% defect rate. From research into other consumer issues with 1998 beetles, I am certain that vw passed these defective vehicles on to consumers. Please contact me for further details. I have also experienced window reglator failures, dead battery, interior pieces falling apart and other issues. Thank you!

Filed Apr 3, 2001 · Electrical, Transmission · CA · crash · 1 injury

Battery problem. I stopped at signal and when I restarted the engine stopped and I was almost rear end. The ABS and brake lights came on. The car was towed. Apparently the battery was falling out of the car at 13,000 miles. A few months later I heard a noise and slipping within the transmission. As it turned out, engine coolant had leaked into the transmission and a rebuilt was put in. Within a few weeks after the rebuilt was put in, it was making some noise and it had intermittent lurching. I complained to vw of america and the dealership. They took care of the noise and said they would be unable to help with the lurch problem. I was in an accident a month and a half after getting the rebuilt. I went into a pole sideways. I had an independent transmission specialist test drive it after the car was repaired. He reported an unusually long pause for engagemet. I believe that when I was in a roll forward motion and would put my foot to the gas, it would not engage properly and lurched. The reason it was intermittent , is due to the fact that sometimes when you would be in a rollforward motion it would be in gear and not lurch. If it was not in gear due to the long pause, you would get a lurching movement. My first transmission never had this problem. There is a potential design flaw with this transmission. When I was talking to the service manager at commonwealth, with my first transmission, he had stated they were having problems with the jetta transmissions.

Filed Feb 24, 2000 · Electrical, Transmission · HI

When traveling up an incline vehicle started jerking. Vehicle cut off without prior warning, causing it to roll backwards. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details. Also, recall 98v100000 did not include this vehicle.