2005 Volkswagen Beetle: complete transmission failure

Filed Apr 12, 2015 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 95,000 miles · TX

On the 2nd my son was driving my car on the highway with me as a passenger at 70 MPH when suddenly the RPM's shot up and the car stalled out. Fortunately he was able to restart the car and safely get us off the highway. We then approached a light in which we had to stop at and the car did not want to go. I finally figured out the car was in a safety mode and is stuck in 3rd gear. I have had three mechanic look at the car. No one can figure out at this point if it needs a new transmission or it is an electrical problem with the transmission. Either way a transmission should not have issues at under 100,000 miles. I have also looked on line and seen to shock how many people with this car are have issues with their transmissions. Why have the transmissions not been recalled? We could have been killed or seriously injured when the car just stalled out at 70 MPH. On top of the car is falling apart! In the 9 months I have owed the fuel pump has gone out, waterpump, timing belt, and thermostat as well. Not too forget to mention that the interior is slowly falling apart as well. Something done about this situation!!!

Filed Mar 19, 2014 · Transmission · 54,639 miles · VA

In september of 2009 the beetle was taken to brown's volkswagen of richmond due to transmission shifting issues. They noted the file: removed the trans pan to check--small shaving, cleaned screen and reinstalled--still having problem. They did not provide information on the extended warranty which had been approved by vw corporate.vw had extended the warranty period on the electronic trans valve body for the known issue with the transmission. Instead they wanted to install a new transmission which was not covered by them. This was not agreed on. In may of 2013 I learned of the extended warranty which had been offered by vw corporate and contacted vw via their web site and filed a complaint. In july of 2013 the vehicle was taken to west broad volkswagen for a computer diagnostic for shifting related issues. In july of 2013 vw corporate contact me stating browns vw had not logged enough information to determine the cause of the problem. I did state to them the car was at west broad vw now. The computer came back with code p0730 incorrect gear ratio. The mechanic stated verbally replacing the valve body should take care of the immediate problem. But the service advisor would not put that in writing and did advise to replace the transmission for $8,500. Vw corporate declined any warranty to replace the valve body. This condition is wide spread throughout the beetle 09g six speed tiptronic transmission. It is my opinion this is a safety concern that vw has passed on to the consumer. Vw knows this problem exist but has falsely represented their concern with the problem. Vw is not taking responsibility for their actions. They have misled the public. They should be held accountable for the truth about the problem and resolution. Erratic shifting/ slamming into gears/ loosing power transfer to the wheels/ without indication this is going to happen.

Filed Mar 1, 2012 · Transmission · 103,000 miles · CA

I've been having shifting problems between 2n and 3rd gears. The car dramatically jerks to get into gears and throws the gear to first when breaking. I took it to volkswagen to get it checked and they said I had two options to fix the problem. 1. Replace the valve body at a cost of $1950 (and it might fix the problem) 2. Replace the transmission at a cost of $6900. There is a warranty extension on the valve body but, since my car is over 100,000 miles they will not repair my car. I contacted volkswagen of america in hopes to get some assistance on the repair since this is an ongoing problem with this car, but was told that they already made on extension on the warranty and could not assist me in any way other than a $500 voucher to buy one of there new cars. Really??? With the kind of problems volkswagen cars are having I wouldn't even consider buying a volkswagen again!!! Also they have numerous complains on this matter and should repair all of their faulty cars. It is very dangerous to drive a car in this condition.

Filed Dec 14, 2011 · Transmission · 49,000 miles · WA

My 2005 vw beetle's transmission failed at 49,000 miles. Vw has an extended warranty item on the transmission valve body that they acknowledge can fail which had failed on my vehicle. However I'm being told that my transmission has also failed. Vw is claiming that the failed valve body did not cause damage to the transmission and that I would have to pay for the transmission replacement myself. This is a dealer maintained, commuter car that is unaltered and under 50,000 miles that I have had other professional mechanics look at and they do not see how vw can claim the failed valve body would not cause this kind of damage and eventual failure. We have contacted vw of america multiple times and they refuse to take responsibility for their product.

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 15, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 96,000 miles · CA

This car is horrible! At 70,000 miles the car would jerk while it was driving. It was especially scary if it started to jerk/kick while on the freeway. I got a new transmission, new engine. Then 20,000 miles later, it did it again and now volkswagen said it needs a new transmission! Again! More jerking, and it became worse after I took it to the dealership to get it fixed "under warranty" I will complain to the bbb as well. Horrible that I put so much money in only to be told that the car still wont work. Safety problems as well.

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 Sep 10, 2011 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · LA

Recall for transmission valve, brought to dealership, replaced valve and then transmission went out. Vw said this had nothing to do with the valve being replaced and would not cover the transmission, which was 6500 in addition to another 1500. With that being said, the car is now just suddenly losing all power at red lights or whenever stopped, this is a real road hazard, it is an accident waiting to happen. These 2005 vw are dangerous cars on the road. Vw needs to step up and reimburse folks for the transmission so that they can go and get new cars. It's difficult in these times to be able to go and get a new car when I have just socked 8000 into this one. I cannot believe that vw is getting away with this transmission issue, just unbelievable. And the car will go back in the shop again next week. I am really asking for this government agency to investigate and do what's right for all vw beetle owners that are going through this. The recall is surely a cover up for the real issue, a "faulty" transmission.

Filed Sep 9, 2011 · Transmission · 61,500 miles · TN

Intermittent hard shifts between 4th and 5th gear with occasional slipping between 4th and 5th gear and also getting stuck in 4th gear which required stopping on side of the road and turning the car off and restarting it. Took the car into the dealer and was told the transmission had to be replaced. After researching it seems this is a common problem with these cars. Dealer told us that valve body replacement was not an option because the hard shifts were between 4th and 5th, not 1st and 2nd. Contacted vw of america customer service and was told they would not do anything to help. The week prior to taking our beetle in for servicing, we took our 2002 jetta in and was told it also needed a new transmission!

Filed Mar 1, 2011 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · GA

I bought my 2005 volkwagen beetle in 2005. I experienced hard down shifting from 3rd to 1st within the 1st year of owning the car. I took it in to [xxx] in snellville georgia where I bought the car. They said they couldn't find anything wrong. I just thought it was normal. Year after year, the shifting got worse. It would happen randomly while driving. Now after 100,000 miles, the shifting is so bad, I can barely drive the car. It now shifts hard from every gear. Every time my car has to slow down or speed up from a stop light, it jerks so hard it throws me forward. It's ridiculous and scary. Sometimes, while accelerating through an intersection, it will just stop, and I have to let off the gas and just pause and wait a second and then speed up again. It's dangerous to drive at this point, but I do not have the money to put in a new transmission. I recently got a letter from volkswagen of america stating that they're fixing certain beetle's transmissions, and my 2005 was one of them! I was so excited, but as I read on, the letter explained that the beetle had to be under 100,000 miles or under 7years old. Well of course my bug was 400 miles over 100,000 miles!!!! I called volkswagen of america faxed them documentation that my car had been in the shop for transmission problems at 50,000 miles, and I waited 6 weeks to hear anything back. Finally, they sent me a letter denying me of a new transmission because I was 400 miles over 100,000 miles! This is absolutely ridiculous! They cannot get away with this. We need to file a lawsuit against volkswagen of america!!!! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 20, 2011 · Transmission · TN

2005 volkswagen new beetle convertible [xxx] purchased in the fall of 2004; multiple requests for service to dealer gossett volkswagen / memphis, tn regarding hard shifting tiptronic automatic transmission started reporting this jan 2005 at 198 miles but I have recently discovered that the service advisor was not recording my complaint, describing visits as "30 day inspection"; only documentation of programming of shift points at 59860 miles according to their records dated 7/17/08; nothing helped; multiple requests for assistance from dealer ignored dealer claiming could not duplicate issue. Problem caused hesitation in traffic; involuntary jerking and sometimes sudden forward motion of car. On more than one occasion had to pull car over to side of road to shut it down. Problem resolved when car below normal operating temperature then manifests at normal operating temperature. Dealer stated "unable to duplicate" until after warranty expired then declared transmission failure without opening so-called sealed unit to diagnose. Volkswagen of america issued recall on transmission valve body late last year; refused to repair my vehicle this january after 6 years of visits to dealer for numerous issues including this one. I allege that the dealer and voa knowingly sold this model year with a manufacturer's defect as many owners of previous and same model years have frequently posted accounts of the same problem on various consumer websites including your own; appealing for your intervention in this dangerous situation. The car is now parked in my driveway. I have also filed a complaint at the state of tennessee consumer affairs agency alleging that gossett volkswagen and voa have engaged in a fraudulent pattern of avoiding responsibility for a very dangerous issue because of the expense of necessary repairs. This car is parked and is no longer being driven because it will stall, lurch, and accelerate and decelerate erratically because of the problem.

Filed Jan 27, 2011 · 72,000 miles · IL

My hard-shifting beetle's transmission needs replacing! I drove my last beetle for 10 years! Now this car, only now 6 years old has a failing transmission? This began very slowly. When I had the car at the dealer for the airbag sensor recall I asked about it but we couldn't replicate it. Now they recall the valve body, a part within the transmission, yet vw has denied my claim to the warranty. They state my transmission is entirely ruined and the valve body replacement will not solve the problem now. Well what else could have caused this other than the faulty valve body? This car is completely unsafe to drive. The car lurches forward from neutral to 1st gear, then clunks through the rest of the gears. Please help get these dangerous cars off the road.