2003 Volkswagen Beetle: transmission slipping

Filed Apr 18, 2016 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · WI

Once the car warms up, the transmission begins to shift very erratically. This includes while upshifting - the transmission slips causing the engine to rev up and suddenly shift into the next higher gear without warning. Sometimes the upshift is so sudden that it causes the tires to break free. It also occurs when slowing down to come to a stop - the transmission downshifts into low gear unexpectedly at too high of a speed causing everything in the vehicle (including occupants) to lurch forward. The sudden deceleration could cause rear end collisions from following vehicles. Edmunds.com has a forum full of this exact problem - http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/7375/volkswagen/new-beetle/volkswagen-beetle-transmission-problems/p2

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 118,000 miles · WI

My car was purchased as a used car. I purchased it with 100000 miles (approx.), and I have put on 31000 additional miles since (within 5 years). My car has always been routinely maintained/serviced. I take excellent care of my beetle. In november 2013, my automatic transmission began to slip. It has become worse, and it lurches forward will in drive, and at a controlled intersection my car either hesitates to take off or it rocks back and forth. This is a very expensive fix, having consulted two mechanics and receiving their estimates. I feel that this transmission issue poses a safety hazard for myself, other drivers, and pedestrians who may be crossing in front of my lurching vehicle. I think that with the multitude of 2003 transmission issues/failures, vw needs to stand behind their faulty product with a recall.

Filed May 25, 2013 · Transmission · GA

I have a 2003 vw beetle that I purchased on may 18, 2003 off the showroom floor of my local dealership. It currently is sitting in my garage as I have experience issues with the transmssion slipping hard into gear or jerking to a hard stop when slowing down. This started in april, 2012, I took it in to the vw dealership and was told I need a new transmission and I only have 85,000 miles. Well, I took it too several independent repair locations and they said the same with a cost up to around $6,000. I worked hard to pay my car off and now it sits covered in my garage as I have read their are possible class action lawsuits against vw for this issue. I did receive a notice from vw in november of 2010 regarding warranty extension - transmission valve body. It covers the valve body in your vehicle's transmission to 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's original in-service date. Well, I bought my car in may of 2003, so my 7 years was up in may of 2010...so vw sends out a worthless notice in november 2010 and I am stuck with the bill. I have been getting calls and emails from my vw dealearship that I can trade in my car and they will give me top $$. I don't want another vw car, I just want this one fixed by vw. Please help direct me to the appropriate group, person so that I can be included in any lawsuit or settlement.

Filed May 31, 2012 · Transmission · NY

2003 volkswagen beetle owner blogs, failed transmission is a common and frequent occurrence. *05/31/12*bf the consumer stated that upon starting the car and shifting it moved forward for a few seconds and then stopped. The engine still ran fine but, the transmission did not shift to higher gears. The transmission slipped and the car would not move forward. Updated 06/06/12

Filed Feb 1, 2011 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · IN

Drove 600 miles to purchase this vehicle-my dream car. Had it for 2 days, put the top down twice and the cable to the convertible top snapped. Couldn't afford to have it fixed right away (missed the whole first season of using the convertible). Finally got enough $$ together to have it repaired and found out a piece of something must have fallen down into the channel of the rear window and broke a part inside so added that to the expense, around $800. Replaced the brakes next (o.k. With that, normal repair of any vehicle). But, not too long after, noticed transmission had a tiny "slip". Ignored that since I didn't want to think something else was going wrong already. Progressed to where I am now, slamming down into the lower gears when slowing to a stop. Received a letter from vw stating if any repairs had been incurred during the warranty/extended warranty, it would be covered as 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever came first. Well, as it happens, my car has just under 83,000 miles on it and the warranty had expired in april of 2010. I took it to my local dealership and they quoted me $2490 for repair. The service manager said he had a rep he could call to see if "there was anything they could do" since it was such a short time after my warranty expired. After it was all said and done, they would deduct $750 from the total repair if I would show good faith and purchase new tires ($500), new battery ($195 or $165) and an exhaust clamp ($58) from their dealership. I'm no math wizard, but that put me right back to almost the original repair cost. I am at my wit's end with this car. I don't feel safe driving it but have no choice as it is my only mode of transportation. I have been reading several other comparable complaints, so I know I am not alone. I feel that a 100,00 mile warranty should be just that, not 7 years/or.......

Filed Dec 3, 2010 · Transmission · 76,100 miles · NJ

Faulty automatic transmission activity. Low mileage transmission failures causing hazardous driving. Downshifting causes jolting gear changes, accelerating causes slip into neutral nearly causing rear-end collisions. Computer codes fail to correctly diagnose failure, causing dangerous driving hazard.

Filed Sep 3, 2010 · Transmission · 103,600 miles · MA

Overheat light remains on after replacing thermostat and cover and timing belt and water pump. The system has been flushed multiple times. I took it to the vw dealer that I purchased the car from on 8/25/10 after overheating light. The dealer said it was the engine coolant sensor my previous mechanic had replaced in the car. (a vw factory part). $244.00 repair from cooley-mazda vw dealer. I drove home 10 miles and the overheat sensor was on in my car. I had the car towed back to dealer at my expense that day. Rented a car for the weekend. Returned on monday 8/30/10. Car wasn't worked on. Picked up car on wednesday, 9/1/10. Paid additional 170.00 for repair, of thermostat cover which was said to be leaking. Dealer had said there were no leaks prior to this. System flushed. Said there was air in the system. Car overheat sensor after driving about 20 miles. Car was towed back to dealer. Car was picked up on 9/3/10. Dealer told me they could not get the overheat light to go on. I drove car home 15 miles. Overheat light on. I called dealer. Service technician informed me that the increased city driving I was doing was causing car to overheat. Informed that the transmission was causing the car to overheat and that I would need a new transmission. He informed me that since I said okay at the shop when they told me that the sensor was not going on and the transmission was slipping. That I knew that the transmission needed to be replaced. That is my fault and my prior mechanics. I had car towed to a recommended independent shop who was going to look at the transmission. I can not drive my car and I still owe money on it. I desperately need a vehicle to drive.

Filed Feb 28, 2010 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · TX

2003 volkswagen beetle convertible. Car only has 74k miles on it and the transmission is slipping badly. When downshifting it shifts really hard and lunges forward. This also happens when upshifting in the auto trans. This seems to be a big problem with the new beetles. The only fix is replacing the transmission, which cost about 6,000. There is no reason for a transmission failure at 74k miles.

Filed Feb 7, 2010 · Transmission · 78,400 miles · GA

I started experiencing transmission shift problems on my '03 vw beetle turbo, just around one year after purchase from a vw dealer. The vehicle was pre-certified at the time, since I couldn't afford the warranty, but the dealer had, I presume, declared it free of defects and problems. I took the vehicle back to the dealer to check the problem, upon which I was advised to replace the transmission at a cost of $4200. No further details were given as to the reason or possible cause for the problem, in spite of my requests for a description. The service advisor just stated "it needs to be replaced". I have since visited online automotive forums and found out this seems to be a problem with other owners as well. I am concerned now that even if I replace it, the replacement may have the same problem. In the mean time the transmission unpredictably starts slipping, or making a squeaking noise when slipping and at other times won't even shift for several seconds.

Filed Dec 15, 2009 · Transmission · 60 miles · VA

2003 volkswagen beetle 59,500k miles. In lower gears the car lurches forward, shifts violently and transmission slips. Car cannot get enough power in lower gears to move at a safe rate of speed. When going from park to drive or visa versa car violently jerks. There have been loud banging noises when car is shifting in lower gears. Many times while driving can cannot move fast enough because of violent shifting to get out of the way of traffic. Have almost been in several accidents because of transmission issues. Transmission issues happen every time the car is used. Not using car much because of the problems and concerned of safety issues. Problem has been going on now for approximately 2 yrs and is getting worse over time. Taking car to dealership to have estimate on repair.

Filed Dec 14, 2009 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · MD

I have a 2003 volkswagen beetle convertible with auto and tipronic transmission. At about 64,000 miles the transmission started "slipping". As it would automatically change to a higher gear the change would slip and cause the engine to rev up until it changed into the next gear this would cause the engine to jump or lurch. When in the tiptronic manual mode the gear would slip also. Also when put into reverse it jumps in reverse and wants to accelerate back quickly. A few occasions when driving the car and getting into traffic the car would take so long to get into gear that it caused traffic behind to almost rear end me. No crash but almost.

Filed Nov 17, 2009 · Transmission · FL

Vw beetle transmission slips and jerks, may other individuals are complaining also. Very unsafe and the company does not seem to believe it is a defect in their product. Consumers need help.