2004 Volkswagen Beetle: grinding or squealing brakes

7 of the 349 complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle describe grinding or squealing brakes.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 80,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Grinding or squealing brakes by model year

2013
1
2008
5
2007
1
2006
1
2005
9
2004
7
2003
7
2000
1
1999
1
1998
3

What owners say

Filed May 6, 2015 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · VA

April 2014, the mechatronic unit for my 2004 vw new beetle tdi failed. It would surge in and out gear. This part was recalled overseas but not in the USA. This january 2015 what I had a turbo failure and a dual mass clutch flywheel failure. This is the dsg 6 speed automatic transmission. The special flywheel has failed, it has a hole in the out casing and the internal springs inside are slowing breaking up and were shooting out the assembly. These pieces then somehow managed to machine the transmission bellhousing creating at least 3 holes in the transmission case. The car seriously vibrates at idle but when under power the car runs normal. There is a grinding sounds also when at idle. I am amazed that the transmission hasn't catastrophically failed yet. This would be a potential crash if not repaired. Are there any other cases similar to the aforementioned problems. Please help!

Filed Oct 7, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 69,000 miles · DE

Car was shifting very hard, tires would squeal as shifting between 1-2 and 2-3rd gears. To replace the transmission it will be between 2-5000.00 dollars we have had to replace window regulators, thermometer.

Filed May 15, 2012 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · CO

My automatic 2004 vw beetle convertible jerks so hard from 1st to 2nd gear, it fells like I have been rear ended, or popped the clutch. I have almost been in 2 accidents due to the severity of the jerking, and have had the wheels actually squeal. The car works fine for the first 20-30 minutes, but then gets so bad I fear I may get whiplash. It is now beginning to rev to 6000 RPM when it shifts into 6th gear, or hesitates and I lose power. Have been told I will need to replace transmission, but that will cost almost as much as the car is worth.

Filed Dec 7, 2011 · Visibility · IN

All the windows appear to have major problems, the back right makes a horrible grinding noise and won't budge, the driver's side window makes a weird noise but moves, and the overall placement of the windows is odd and leaks air.

Filed Sep 12, 2011 · Body, Visibility · 102,000 miles · MN

This is for a convertible beetle: the rear window rolled down while opening the top, made a grinding sound, and now will not go up either with the convertible top close button, nor with the individual window button - the window motor works, but the regulator mechanism makes a grinding sound and the window stays in open position (on-line entry system won't accept correct phone # so I list it here: correct daytime phone is [xxx]) . Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 10, 2011 · Visibility · 15,500 miles · MI

Right rear passenger window made a grinding noise and window became inoperable. Vw acknowledges that this is a known problem, but not a recall. Repair is $1200 for one window regulator.

Filed Aug 25, 2007 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · NJ

On august 22, 2007 the dsg 6 speed automatic transmission on my 2004 tdi vw beetle started to disintegrate. Small pieces of coil springs and metal fragments fell onto the belly pan and a grinding noise could be heard. From research I have done, this seems to be a frequent problem with vw's with this type of transmission.