2005 Volkswagen Beetle: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Feb 29, 2016 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · CA

I bought a used 2005 vw new beetle with triptonic transmission with 82,000 miles a few weeks ago. Very quickly the car started having transmission issues which appear when the car has warmed up after ~10/15 mins. The problem I'm experiencing is that the car will not shift smoothly when running between the 3 and 4th gear and often revs up to 5000 RPM before it "clunks" into higher gear. It's also hard shifting very abruptly sometimes which gives me very little confidence in driving the car. It seems unsafe to drive as it suddenly lunges forward or gets stuck in gear and doesn't accelerate. One of the worst incident for me was while in traffic going slightly uphill the car got stuck in third and started revving up without accelerating and I almost got hit by a car behind who didn't expect my car to move so slowly. I took the car to a volkswagen dealership and they didn't find anything weird the first time when I took it for the 80.000 miles revision. After repeatedly experiencing the issue I took it again to the dealership to explicitly check the transmission and they recommended to change the valve body of the transmission. I have now read a lot of information on the internet and this is a very well known issue by vw as well as by many people who own beetles with triptronic transmission. Vw extended the warranty of the valve body of the transmission to 7 years or 100.000 miles whichever happens first. Unfortunately they didn't want to cover the replacement for my car since it's 2016 and the 7 years warranty expired in 2012 for this case. This is extremely disappointing and I feel scammed by vw not wanting to cover for an issue that's very well known by them. They sold defective cars and know perfectly well that the transmission is failing way faster than it should yet they now dismiss this because of the age of the car.

Filed Aug 22, 2013 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · GA

Upon increasing speed vehicle shifts extremely hard especially in low gears. A decrease in speed also results in extremely hard downshifting. Sometimes car will not shift. Upon slowing down at same red light two days in a row car appears to drop into first gear, but then begins to try to roll back upon releasing the break. This particular light is on a hill with 3 lanes of traffic. I had to switch the car off, shift into park, and then crank the car again for it to catch first to be able to move forward. I called vw dealerships with no return call. Finally got a svc mgr. Could not tell me anything. Gave me an 800 phone # to call. I was told the extended warranty had run out in nov of 2012 even though my car was still under the 100,000 miles. I was also informed that I should have called that number when I bought the car to "register" it in my name with vw. I received no information at purchase, and with this being my 8th vehicle it was the first I was told I had to call the maker to register it with. I am scared when I have to drive my car to work every day.

Filed Jun 13, 2013 · Engine, Suspension · 50,742 miles · CA

I purchased this vehicle used with original warranty still going and I also purchased an extended warranty (high tech) with it. Within a few months the car started to jerk and then shift into gear or sometimes it wouldn't shift into gear or it would barely move. My malfunction lights different ones were coming on and the car started to overheat. Sometimes it would leak all the water out and others you would see it boiling the car also made different noises as I drove and the drivers side window would make this piercing noise and the passenger side would go down and up by itself. Well the following has been replaced plus more.....(2) head gaskets, a few waterpumps, coolant flange melted a few times, a couple thermostats, impellor, timing belt tensioner needless to say this vehicle has had on going problems with overheating numerous times and several things have been replaced several times along with other items. This vehicle has been in to vw capo for repair over 40 + times I stopped counting. Vw capo is the only place that has serviced this car since my purchase. I have been stranded on ortega hwy in 103 degrees with no cell coverage due to vehicle overheating I think I've been towed in 4 or 5 times. Something is not right here....the dealership said it's my fault that I must have put something in the car to clog it. I now have replaced the radiator at my cost of $1600 plus. Has anyone else had all these problems?? I have had alot of problems with the struts, mount, cv boots, control arms etc.........

Filed Feb 4, 2013 · Transmission · 49,000 miles · PA

Car jolts into gear between 1st and 2nd gear; also problems between 3rd and 4th gear on an automatic transmission. Brought car into local vw dealer immediately, to have repaired. Diagnosed problem as needing a new valve body for transmission. This problem has been so widespread that vw issued an extended warranty for 7 years 100,000 mi. Problem...repair is $1,800. Vw will not cover this and honor the warranty for my vehicle which only has 49,000 mi. On it. They said I am 6 month outside of the time warranty (expired 6/18/12). They will not authorize an exception even though my car only has 49,000 mi.. It is unsafe to drive as it lunges forward and also gets stuck in gear.

Filed Dec 5, 2011 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · HI

My vw beetle 2005, has a 2 to 3 second shift delay whether in manual or automatic. When pulling out in traffic or taking off from a light or downshifting to slow down the car acts like it's in neutral. The engine revs but the car takes anywhere from 2 to 3 seconds to respond. Sometimes it won't shift out of 4th gear and I have to pull over (in traffic that is going over 55) turn the car off and then turn it back on. I consider this very dangerous when cars are piling up behind me and ican 't get over to the side of the road to turn it off. I had my car towed to a certified vw repair shop over a 100 miles away because I knew it wouldn't make it. They informed me my transmission is gone. I need a new one. They can't rebuilt it. A new transmission is $4500. Not including labor. I got my car in january of this year. I have $8000. Invested in it already. My car is worthless. I am 60 years old. I have no steady income at this time and I can not afford to pay another $6000. I called volkswagen of america and they informed me they will do nothing about it. My driver's side window is also acting up and they will pay for that, but really, big deal. I have heard, unfortunately too late, that vw's with my kind of transmission are having the same problems and I think vw of america should stand behind their car especially when they still have low miles. My car is now considered a throwaway car but I don't have that kind of money to throw away. This has hurt me deeply financially and all vw of america will offer me is a loyalty customer coupon towards a new car. If I could afford a new car I wouldn't have bought a used one.

Filed Nov 6, 2011 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · CA

While driving the car stop and go-when I stepped on the gas, the transmission would not shift to the next gear-the rpms would rev and finally the next gear would "catch" really slam into gear and the car would shift. I had many near miss accidents due to my car failing to move forward in traffic. I took it to the dealer several times and each time they could not duplicate the problem. No repairs were made. I finally drove it directly to the dealer while the problem happened and the mechanic was able to "witness" the problem, the repair was made-replaced transmission parts at 62,000 miles. Now at 80,000 miles, the car does 2 things-while driving on the freeway, the car feels as if it has lost power-the car stays on, but there is no power to the engine-step on the gas and nothing happens-no rpms, nothing, the car slows down immediately, but because it happens so suddenly, cars that are following me don't always react in time and I have almost been rear ended-after a few seconds all of a sudden the car will regain power. The 2nd problem happens randomly-as I am driving, the car just shuts off. All of the dash lights flash on and the car dies-no power steering, nothing, just a dead car. I have to put the car in gear, turn everything off (radio, air etc), and turn the car back on. This has happened during a left turn, at a stop sign, while driving on the street. Again vw mechanic finds nothing on the computer. This car is a lemon-I have had to replace 2 batteries, several headlights, tail and turn lights, air bag sensors, all 4 window regulators, plus 2 of the same window regulators twice, trunk latch, rear ashtray holder, convertible straps, rear convertible window clips, and now whenever it rains my car leaks. I am terrified to drive the car in it's current condition, afraid to cause or be involved in an accident. This car is not safe, please help.

Filed Aug 23, 2011 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · KS

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH the transmission started slipping and the vehicle would not shift into any gear. The vehicle could not be driven. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated the transmission needed to be replaced for $4000. There were no recalls or related warranties. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000. The current mileage was 60,000.

Filed Oct 14, 2010 · Transmission · CA

Around 80,000 my 2005 vw beetle began shifting really hard. It jerks between gears, and has recently been getting stuck in first and third gear. Sometimes when I drive the car it is fine, but other times, it has left me stranded on the side of the freeway. The level of unreliability is really dangerous, because I never know if it's going to speed up like it's supposed to. I'm in constant fear that I will get rear ended or stuck in the middle of an intersection. I've taken it to two mechanics and talked to two transmission specialists and all of them have said that they won't work on a vw beetle's transmission and that I need to take it to the dealer. I've tried aiding the problem with a new battery, but that hasn't helped. Other complaints online (300 on townhall-talk.edmunds.com) have stated that repairs for this problem are $5,000-$7,000 and that it hasn't always fixed the problem.

Filed Oct 13, 2010 · Electrical, Transmission · 83,000 miles · TX

Just like everyone else's complaint. I have a 2005 convertible beetle that is jerking, thrusting, getting stuck in gears. I drive the car for approximately 10 min and then it starts like clockwork. I have had it in the shop for 2 weeks and spent $1400 replacing everything to fix the problem. Nothing shows up on the diagnostic machine (no codes) they tell me. I am astounded at all the complaints I'm seeing about the transmission defect. My car has 83,000 miles and I cannot pay $4000 - $5000 to fix. I will be out of transportation and out of a job. What is being done by volkswagen to fix this defect. This is unacceptable!!!

Filed Sep 28, 2010 · Transmission · 68,300 miles · VA

My 2005 vw new beetle convertible with triptonic transmission, with only 68,300 miles, lurches in the lower gears after the car warms up after about 10 minutes. The car will not shift smoothly between the lower gears and often revs up to 5000 RPM before it "slams" into higher gear. I'm afraid to go on any highways with this - what happens if it get stuck in gear and I can't stop?

Filed Sep 23, 2010 · Transmission · 82,836 miles · GA

2005 vw beetle with major transmission problems. The tranny will not shift on time and when it does it jerks the car. It will also stall during acceleration and leaves me stranded in the middle of the intersection. This is a safety issue as the car will not move when you need it too. The issue seems to get worse more and more.

Filed Aug 26, 2010 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · OK

My 2005 vw new beetle convertible with triptonic transmission, with only 56,300 miles, lurches in the lower gears after the car warms up after about 10 minutes. The car will not shift smoothly between the lower gears and often revs up to 5000 RPM before it "slams" into higher gear. Vw dealership in oklahoma city asserts "we can replicate the problem". Please help!