Check a VIN

2004 Volkswagen Beetle transmission complaints

Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 157, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2004 Volkswagen Beetle transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Nov 23, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 75,000 miles · UT

For the past 3-4 years my beetle has had worsening electrical issues. Sometimes it just turns off all by itself. Everything electrical goes out. It has even happened while driving, I was in traffic and it shut off. I was nearly killed.

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 Apr 26, 2015 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · CA

Transmission problem only when at use for 20min starts to thump in all gears. But mostly noticeable at 3 and 4. Sometime locks at 3 and have to turn off and let rest to engage 1 again.

Filed Jul 29, 2014 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · OR

Car has sudden jerky when shifting also rear windows will not roll up or down. Dealership said needs new transmission but have only had car 8 months. The windows quit working after owning it for one week cost 400 just to fix one window. Dealership estimate to fix transmition 6700.00.

Filed May 1, 2014 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · CT

The transmission slips in and out of gear. The lights on the dash indicating prnd2 all have brackets around them and don't indicate what gear the car is in. It feels like we hit a road hazard every time the transmission does change gears, the dealer told us this is normal, but it is getting worse and after looking through online forums, this is a common issue with this vehicle.

Filed Jan 20, 2014 · Transmission · 128,000 miles · CT

Simply what happen was I bought the wrong car it seems.one night I was driving to work and all the sudden as I press the accelerator I notice the car was just revving and not going anywhere at all and on the gauge cluster the pnrds was flashing so I put my hazards on and moved into the breakdown lane and waited for a tow truck.

Filed Dec 2, 2013 · Transmission · 67,850 miles · GA

Car slipped completely out of gear when shifting from 3rd gear to 4th gear. It continues to do this when the car has completely warmed up. Going out of gear essentially makes us a sitting duck on the highway for a rear end collision. Very much a safety issue for the children riding in the back seat.

Filed Nov 27, 2013 · Transmission · 104,200 miles · MD

Vehicle lurches forward when starting from stop. Lurching is severe and becomes worse and transmission warms. Transmission is dsg type of automatic.

Filed Aug 28, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 89,000 miles · WA

Ever since we purchased our used 2004 beetle converitble, the transmission has been a problem. When shifting from 1-3 gears the car jumps and halts. It is horrible. We had the trip tron switch replaced and still no help. I was informed by the mechanic that this is a problem with these cars from 2003 to 2008. A new transmission is over $6000. Apparently, it has to be replaced.

Filed Aug 16, 2013 · Transmission · 53,000 miles · OR

I found out today that my 2004 vw beetle has a faulty transmission valve body. Upon researching it more, it became clear that vw was aware of this problem and denied any responsibility in correcting the problem. Additionally, vw continued to produce cars for years with the defective transmissions. I bought the car used in 2011, which was already out of warranty. I had no knowledge of this problem until last month when it started lurching and shifting hard. My car has fewer than 55,000 miles, and is only driven to work and back (9 miles a day). It was not until I read the enormous amount of complaints that I found out that this problem was not isolated to my car. I am shocked that vw will not correct an expensive and debilitating issue with their cars that causes transmissions to shut down. This problem should not be happening to a car with low miles and is not normal wear and tear. Vw refuses to take responsibility and basically told me they would not do anything to help. I am hoping this complaint will force them to correct this known problem with any vw beetle produced in the years (2003-2010) that has this defect. It is the safe and right thing to do.

Filed Feb 15, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 75,000 miles · CA

My car was fine and it started running a lil funky so I took it to get a diagnostic test and turns out there is a recall on my air bags ! Transmission and body valve ? It absolutely doesn't want to go in reverse anymore and I barley bought the car in july of 2012 and this incident happens just 5 months later. Very disappointed please help I am a working nursing student that still makes payments on this car. I know my rights and I feel you can help me out please and thank you. *tr ## VIN failed ##

Filed Dec 29, 2012 · Airbags, Electrical · 80,000 miles · MA · fire

Car wouldn't excel while driving suddenly 1 mile from town suddenly traffic slowed from snow storm in town,the vehicle smell was funny black smoked slowly leaked inside the car windows up heard a misfire engine light went on blinked then I heard loud blast like I thought it was a plow trucks muffler loudness realized ir was my vehicle stopped immediately less 1/3 mile at bank. Shut off motor m now seeing smoke slowly entered in the middle of the 2 front seatsand console. Feeling hot under belly of floors. Orange glow through electrical outlet in back of console appeared to be hotwith plastic casing in and under floors hot sizzling crackling under center casing/I try to call 911 misused the cell wouldn't operate effectively flagged down a man n woman at the corner light of bank they declined to help so I went to car put snow on compartment and wet it down and aired out smoke with passenger door open .I went in bank for assistance .this vehicle was recalled for safety issues by manufacturer in the past .were said to be corrected by repairman also said seatbelt harness was a issue heated seats were a issue and airbags tranny also recalled for electrical issues and or transmission and air bags on some 2004 vw vehicle beetles recalls so far occurred to this vw were airbag sensors/ also the seatbelt harness cases were breaking repeatedly once purchased due to putting the seats up and back to get in the vehicle. Now this mysterious fire and headlamp issue..

Filed Dec 6, 2012 · Transmission · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle experienced difficulty shifting between first and second gears. The contact was able to move to the shoulder to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred several times after restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The failure mileage was not available and the current mileage was 114,888. The VIN was not available.

Filed Nov 5, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 49,500 miles · GA

Newly purchased vehicle that has a know issue. The tiptronic automatic transmission slips during gear changing. Vw refuses to fix the issue because it is out of the 4 year warranty but the vehicle has less that 50000 miles. There is a know issue for this but I will have to pay $6500 for the repairs>??? Not fair for new buyers who are kept in the dark about a know issue..

Filed Oct 19, 2012 · Transmission · 85,776 miles · NJ

The car jolts after it is warmed up. Usually at slower speeds. Tiptronic transmission.

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 Oct 2, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 67,000 miles · MO

Erratic shifting up and down between 1st and 3rd gears. Car lurches to the point that a natural reaction is to relieve your foot from the brake which could cause a rear end collision in some cases. Problematic part is internal valve body which is a known problem with vw's of this make and model. We had the problem fixed then called vw customer care to see about reimbursement and were told that an extended warranty was issued for 7 years or 2010. Since my car had low mileage the intication occurred outside of warranty and I was told by vw that it is now my problem to take care of it to the tune of $2300 parts and labor. Incidentally, I also did not receive the warranty as I was told it would have gone to the original owner anyway. Considering this is a known issue and acknowledged by vw to be problematic up to 70,000 miles I feel that vw should offer up compensation in that it is their faulty part. Any help in recouping costs incurred to fix this problem would be appreciated.

Filed Sep 22, 2012 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · TX

Vehicle just started downshifting very hard (automatic transmission). Broke two motor mounts while driving due to the transmission shifting this hard.

Filed Sep 19, 2012 · Transmission · 66,548 miles · PA

Transmission slips second gear through fifth gear. Contacted 2 vw dealers and was told by them vw made bad transmissions in this year. They know of the problem and want 6000 dollars to fix it! *tr

Filed Sep 15, 2012 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · GA

When accelerating from a stop or from a low speed, when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear, the engine revs to a very high RPM, and I have no power and no acceleration. If I take my foot off the gas, it will then shift with a hard clunk. Shifting in other gears is starting to be clunky as well. It is very dangerous to be driving on a highway with a car drifting to a lower velocity, when you are trying to accelerate!

Filed Aug 22, 2012 · Transmission · 57,000 miles · HI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen new beetle gls. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The contact mentioned that when the gears were shift from park into drive there was a brief delay on the vehicle acceleration. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the transmission had a three second delay which was considered normal but as a safety precaution the transmission fluid and filter needed to be replaced. The remedy failed to repair the problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000 and the current mileage was 97,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2012 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · WA

The transmission is slipping and n flaring. The car hesitates and then lunges forward upon acceleration. I had a mechanic look at it and he said the transmission needs to be replaced. There is a class action lawsuit in process for this vehicle.

Filed Jul 16, 2012 · Transmission, Visibility · 55,600 miles · MO

1) inferior automatic transmission pump valve assembly caused very hard down and up shifting that could startle the driver. It was replaced at owner's expense. 2) left side rear window regulator failed and was replaced at time of purchase (feb. 2012). Right side rear window regulator has failed july 2012 and must be replaced at owner's expense.

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 10, 2012 · Transmission · 63,370 miles · OH

The contact was driving 60 MPH when the vehicle diplayed an abnormal noise when shifting. The vehicle also jumped gears when shifting. It is a triptronic transmission. It almost caused me to have an accident. When looking on the website www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/new+beetle+convertible/automatic+transmission I find many vw beetle owners are having the same problem. These tranmissions should be recalled. Faulty and dangerous.

Filed Apr 20, 2012 · Transmission · 52,220 miles · CA

This vw beetle a six speed automatic. Any time I drive slower than 40 miles per hour (after the car is warmed up - 15 minutes or so) it starts to lurch between gears - both when accelerating and decelerating. Speeding up, it revs high and then feels like it jumps into the next gear. Slowing down, it jerks so hard it feels like I'm being rear-ended. One time, as I was parking it, it clunked so loudly when I shifted from r to d, I thought the transmission was going to drop to the ground! It seems the worst going between 2nd and 3rd gear. I feel like I'm being driven around by someone who doesn't know how to drive a stick shift. But it's an automatic. I'm being charged to remanufacture the entire transmission. It will cost $6,700! I only bought the car for $8,400. This 2004 car will cost me $16,100 by the time it's drivable. (by the way - your drop down for vehicle components doesn't work in ie 9.)

Filed Apr 7, 2012 · Transmission · MO

Bought my car in 2011 august. Started noticing problems in november 2011. Gears shifting problems in jan 2012. My mileage was only 77,000 could not drive car. Vw said my warranty was expired and wanted $3,500 for new transmission. Paid money and in 2 weeks was back in shop with same problem. But I almost got in a car accident, my gears stalled in middle of road. Luckily no one was in front of me or in back. Scared me and I wouldn't drive it anymore. Friend took it back in and they replaced transmission two times. (this was all vw transmissions). And its still in the shop because it took out the car computer now. Its been 2 months without a car and im a single working mother. Getting rides. They also wanted to charge me labor for the additional transmission errors!!!!! Its been a nightmare! Vw has been rude and not sensitive to problems at all. They could care less.

Filed Mar 10, 2012 · Transmission · 101,362 miles · CA

Car occasionally stops in the middle of the road without warning. Takes several minutes to restart. Mechanic says it needs a new transmission. Used car warranty requires expensive testing on transmission before giving a decision as to whether they will pay for it or not. If they won't pay for it we can't afford to do it ourselves. We bought this car in sept. 2011. The mileage is too high to be part of the recall on many of the beetles built during that time. Vw is very cagey about acknowledging this issue.

Filed Mar 4, 2012 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · FL

Trans shifting badly, problem started shortly after vehicle purchase took to dealer and they said they could not duplicate. Vehicle was under warranty and nothing was done.today vehicle has 94000 miles and looks like trans and valve body will need to be replaced. I wish someone would get on vw of america so they would step up to the plate. They come to thiscountry sell a defective product and the american people get taken hope the government will step in. I am an american vet and cannot believe this is happening.

Filed Jan 20, 2012 · Brakes, Engine · 59,100 miles · CA

Vehicle is seven years old with 59,100 miles and already needs a new transmission due to incorrect gear ratio fault 17114, and po330. Also, needs a catalytic converter, has air leak from brake booster vacuum pipe. Vw corporation advised converter under warranty and offered $1,000 toward a new or used vw. The transmission is approximately $4,000. I declined their offer. I also had to replace three window regulators. ...updated 01/30/12

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2004 Volkswagen Beetle?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history