2004 Volkswagen Beetle: sudden loss of power

6 of the 349 complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 80,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 46 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

2019
1
2018
1
2015
3
2014
1
2013
2
2010
1
2006
3
2005
7
2004
6
2003
3
2002
2
2001
10
2000
9
1999
4

What owners say

Filed Jul 10, 2014 · Engine · 89,000 miles · NY

Engine stalls while driving. Epc and check engine light goes on. Loss of power steering. It is a very dangerous problem. It has happened multiple times. The last time was 7/8/2014, the vehicle is in the shop. I am afraid to drive it. Repairs have not been successful in the past. Volkswagen has been contacted they say not recalls are listed.

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 May 5, 2011 · Transmission · 67,000 miles · MS

2004 vw beetle turbo began jerking, surging, etc, sept/oct of 2010. Took car to dealership twice for transmissions problems, as obvious. Staff said no transmission problems, but paid over $1000 for "other" issues. Dec. 2010 car abruptly stopped running while I was on the interstate. Lost all power! Car will surge unexpectedly while driving or parked. Dangerous to drive. Unable to control as car shifts itself inappropriately. The happens everyday after the car is warmed up. Every time you brake or accelerate, it jerks, surges, stalls, etc. Finally, april 19, 2011, (3 car shops later), another transmission shop confirmed my problems. Only 69,000 miles on my car . . Need new transmission! Vw dealership has turned their back on me and "covered up" the fact that this model car has major transmissions problems and was made defective. I can not believe the number of people that are experiencing this horrific ordeal. A recall is imperative. I could have had two cars for the price that I am still paying for this car. Very unsafe and scary ride. An injustice and insult to the public, hard-working tax-payers!!!

Filed Aug 6, 2010 · Body · 51,000 miles · CA

2004 volkswagen new beetle hatchback intermittently loses power. I was in stop and go traffic on the freeway when it lost power. It has happened before when traveling 60 MPH on freeway. I brought car to dealership explained the near stall that happened that morning and previous experiences when moving at high speeds. They did diagnostic tests and said there was nothing wrong. Called independent vw shop and they were aware of this problem with this model and had reported it to vw and have received no response. There is no fix. The problem is difficult to replicate and when it is replicated the mechanics cannot identify the cause. Sitting on the freeway with no power is frightening and could prove fatal.

Filed Oct 26, 2007 · Electrical · 330,000 miles · TX

I have had my 2004 vw beetle at boardwalk dealership in richardson, tx 3 times for the same problem. My car will lose all power the battery light will come on I will have to turn the car off and restart the car. This has happen on interstates as well as on busy streets. I am very fearful that I am going to be in a very bad accident. I take my 76 year old mother to the doctor several times a month. She has had 2 major back surgeries this year. I have had the car in the shop on 9-4-07, 9-18-07, 9-21-0. All for the same thing. On 9-27-07, I was in down town dallas and it happened at least 7 times. I called the dealership and they had a wrecker to put me and the car up. They are telling me today 10-26-07 to pick the car up that they can't get the car to duplicate the problem. There is a bad problem with this car not having any power and I am scared to drive it.

Filed Dec 30, 2004 · Electrical · CA

While driving 55 MPH dashboard lights came on and the vehicle lost power. Vehicle would not accelerate, and was nearly rear ended. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer twice for repairs. The problem recurred.