2000 Volkswagen Beetle transmission problems

Filed Dec 19, 2014 · Airbags, Transmission · VA

I've had my beetle since 2005, and the airbag lights continuously come on as well as issues with the transmission. I've taken it to vw once for repair, and they come back on months later. I've read similar complaints from other vw owners concerning the airbag and transmission. I can't understand why this isn't a recall issue particularly since there was a death in 2007 with another owner. The airbag will not deploy when the light is on. The web page below voices the frustrations of many owners, and I do not understand why these complaints aren't being taken seriously. The repairs cost over $1600. How is this fair when having to get it repaired every year? Are you protecting vw? Trying to find someone to clear the codes is difficult because they have to go under the seat to adjust wires and using the computer to clear them, but they come back on a day or two later. Http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2000/volkswagen/beetle/air_bags/problem.aspx.

Filed Aug 15, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 95,600 miles · FL

The transmission mechanically failed on 3 june 2013. Prior to it failing I had taken the vehicle to three different vw repair shop over a four year period, due to the car suddenly downshifting all the way to first gear. The car will drive normally for about 30 minutes, then start having this downshifting issue, I pull over and let the car cool a few minutes then all is normal again for a short period of time. Of course with the downshifting the tranny tends to overheat quickly. I wanted to get the oil changed in the tranny, but all repair centers said, "it's a sealed system and never needs and oil change;" also the vw repair techs test drove the car and analyzed it, could find nothing wrong. My experience with vw service on everything is, their mechanics are parts changers only and don't have any real diagnostic capability to find the problem, just replace parts until they fix the problem at the customers expense; I've spent about $10,000 on repairs for A/C, brakes, transmission, etc. Finally, the car failed fortunately across the street from a mr. Transmission shop. Per mr. Transmission specialist, the tranny failed due to lubrication failure probably from over heating and high mileage; so much for the "never needs an oil change policy." mr. Transmission rebuilt the tranny (out $3400), and state the problem is electrical not the transmission, and vw is famous for electrical issues and always have been. Needless to say mr. Transmission has not been able to find the problem, and they have rebuilt the tranny twice just to make sure the problem is not in the transmission. Word to the wise, never buy a vw; I'll never own another one.

Filed Mar 22, 2013 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · IN

We bought the car everything was fine. Two weeks later the engine light comes on and now the transmission takes off in second gear and will not shift till gets up to 40 MPH. After checking on line it seems volkswagen is having issues with the transmissions and doing anything about it.

Filed Nov 22, 2011 · Acceleration, Transmission · VA

I just bought a 2000 volkswagen new beetle, and my transmission is slipping I have taken this vehicle to more than one location including the volkswagen dealership and everyone is telling me the code read gear ratio incorrect. My car is very dangerous for me too drive the dealership told me that the transmission I need is 5000 and there is no warranty that they could offer me. I just bought this car I don't have 5000 for a new transmission and I have done my research about this situation and everyone is saying the same exact thing im complaining about how fast beetles transmission go out and half of them took there beetle to volkswagen just for them to tell them they need 5000 to 7000 transmission and later find out that was jot even the problem and the car is still driving very reckless. I'm putting my life n danger every time I drive the car I have two jobs and I cant afford to miss one day. So u tell me miss days from work because I don't have safe transportation or drive the car I have n rest my life everyday. I need someone to hear me out and help me with this situation. I'm sorry to say I will keep complaining intel someone gets to bottom of this.

Filed Oct 1, 2011 · Acceleration, Transmission · 129,226 miles · CA

Transmission failure- vehicle down shifted hard and would not come out of 1st gear during heavy traffic on highway almost causing rear end collision. After turning car off and turning vehicle back on it proceeded for about 5 miles before doing the same. Car was towed and transmission was rebuilt but the car continues to do the same. Recently traveling on highway during rush hour, slowing down for traffic that was at a stand still the vehicle downshifted hard causing the car behind me to slam on his brakes causing an accident behind me.

Filed Aug 17, 2011 · Transmission · 47,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns 2000 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift gears unless he was driving 40 to 60 MPH. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 47,000 and current mileage was 64,000.

Filed Sep 24, 2010 · Transmission · 107,000 miles · FL

I am having transmission problems on my 2000 beetle. I was told the transmission does not need replaced but I feel otherwise. When I am driving my vehicle will pull back very hard and then jump and shoot me forward. I am afraid that this will cause a bad accident.

Filed Sep 1, 2010 · Electrical, Transmission · 110,000 miles · NC · fire

I have a 2000 vw beetle. I bought this car from the dealership with 100,000 miles on it. The first week it began acting crazy and I took it back to the dealership and I was told "sold as is". I have spent $3000 on this car fixing various electrical problems. This car is extremely unsafe. The transmission needs to be recalled immediately! It jumps and jerks at weird times and almost causes someone to rear end me. I've already invested a grand trying to resolve the transmission issue but the car will act fine for the first few days and then the problem will begin again. The third gear always slips and you get whiplash. It feels as if they gear is about to drop out of the car!! The engine misfires on the highway and no problem can be found by my mechanic. He tells me they are just random misfires! That is dangerous going down the highway at 70 mphs and the car shoot down to 50 and jerk on I-40 in winston salem. In the rain, it will jerk even worse, almost like the transmission is jumping out of the hood! My ABS lights will flash at weird times as well as my brake light. I have had my brakes checked, not the brakes. Something now stays on in the car that no mechanic can pinpoint which causes the battery to go dead everytime you turn the car off. The gauges tend to not want to work some of the time and the mileage will even stop reading. Sometimes the gas pedal does not connect and will stop accelerating eventhough your pushing on the gas upon take off. The alarm goes off at all times during the day and not for no reason and various times when I crank the car. To top this all off, the fuses on top of my battery caught on fire! I was told by my mechanic that this was a common problem, no problems could be blamed for this event. Someone needs to recall something before someone gets hurt!

Filed Aug 6, 2010 · Acceleration, Transmission · 117,126 miles · OR

2000 new beetle with its second transmission. I thought these were reliable cars that would be reliable for back and forth to work.. I looks at the forums and find im one of the thousands that has had the same issue. Is this acceptable?

Filed Jul 1, 2010 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · TN

Transmission failure on a 2000 vw beetle at 60,000 miles.