Volkswagen Beetle hesitation problems

Filed Mar 3, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 91,000 miles · FL

2nd beetle. Same issue. (first one leaked fluid). This one does not leak but has the same horrible shifting issue! I love my car but hear from all the mechanics that this is the norm with these vehicles. So why is it not recalled????? Is it transmission or something else? 2007 automatic transmission. It has 91,000 miles on it. When the car transmission is cold it shifts ok most of the time. But when the transmission has warmed up its a given to jerk and hesitate. Specially when it shift from 1st to 2nd gear I feel a hitting noise. Also facing the same problem when it down shifts but not always. Embarrassing really! Sometimes it shifts hard in higher gear on highway or seems to miss and RPM goes up and it hesitates to shift. It finally does while I am holding my breath and pray it does not stall while I am turning or in the intersection or on the highway. It really is a safety issue! I love my little car though... Gurrrrrrrrr.. So mad. What could be the issue? How could I fix this problem without having to put on a lift to always check transmission fluid. I want to keep the car, its a shame because its in great condition. Triple white convertible and no wear. Am I looking at 3k for a new trans? So I am to give up and sell it to some other poor soul (sucker). That's awful. There is a graveyard full of your cars in the junk yards for parts.. Sickening and sad!

Filed Apr 15, 2020 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · FL

Car hesitated two different times when pulling into traffic. The transmission 'grabbed' within 3 or 4 seconds. Each time I came close to having an accident, but didn't thanks to the alertness of other drivers.

Filed Sep 9, 2019 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 volkswagen beetle. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and stalled. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the contact was informed that the transmission might need to be reprogrammed; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Jun 12, 2019 · Transmission · 22,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 volkswagen beetle. While accelerating from a stop light, the vehicle began to hesitate. The vehicle was taken to findlay north volkswagen (located at 7500 w azure dr, las vegas, nv 89130, (702) 982-4800) to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 22,000.

Filed May 18, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 200,000 miles · OH · crash · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 volkswagen beetle. While driving 73 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a ditch and smoke appeared from the front of the vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a towing lot. The contact called bill marine volkswagen at (937) 210-4257 (located at 415 e north st, springfield, oh 45503) and was advised to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Dec 20, 2016 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · FL

Transmission problems related to this model. Car hesitates when automatic transmission is shifting gears.

Filed Sep 14, 2016 · Electrical, Transmission · 5 miles · TX

Takata recall on 8/13/16 while driving this vehicle without warning, the engine shuts off. I was traveling about 45 MPH on a city street and as I attempt to move over the engine shut off and I could not steer the vehicle. After coming to a complete stop I was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle did this several more times before I was to send it back to the car lot. I was told that the crank shaft was repaired on the vehicle. On 9/13/2016 (1month later) while traveling south on a busy city street at approximately 45 MPH, in front of an 18 wheeler this car shut of and immediately restarted on its very own. I moved over to a slower lane to prevent any accidents. I proceeded to my destination and without any warning the vehicle engine shut off again, only this time I had to manually restart the vehicle. I parked the car at an area restaurant for at least 2 hours. I went out to start the car and there was no power at all. I called tripe aaa, they checked the battery and the car still would not start. Finally a tow truck was dispatched and arrived about 15 mins after the battery check and all lights were own. In about 10 mins I attempted to start the vehicle and it started without any hesitation. I have not driven the vehicle since because I absolutely fear for my safety.

Filed Jun 29, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 95,400 miles · TX

My engine light came on and the AC stopped blowing cold air. I also noticed a beep sound that would come on when I turned the headlights on but the sound would turn off and on while I drove. Then the alarm stopped working and the interior lights malfunctioned, the radio also gave out and the vehicle seemed to hesitate while driving it. I checked the fuse box on the battery and discovered that the slot where the fuse slips into on top of the vehicle battery was melted and there was something on the driver side headlamp cover like some type of gas or fumes had escaped the battery and sprayed the headlampcover. I changed the fuses around and got the AC going again, then I changed them all out, and everything worked great for about 5 days, then the interior lights went out again, the alarm stopped working, radio is out, the beeping sound is back and when I checked the fuse, it was melting again. I am afraid that while in the vehicle with my children I will have a malfunction and be injured. I just paid off the vehicle... What a gift for paying off a vehicle... Seems like everything in and on that vehicle is a hazard and an accident waiting to happen.. Its sad because I use to love my new beetle.

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · TN

Bought the car brand new.it started first by going from park to drive or reverse it would rev high and lurch forward and I would have to keep a heavy foot on the brake until RPM came back down.on the interstate, repeatedly,the car would hesitate while foot was on gas. I figured out to take foot of gas pedal and reapply and it would fix the deceleration issue.next, my car would bang into 3rd gear so hard I thought I was rear ended.it would occur 15 minutes into driving it.got a letter ,valve body recall,and I called vw,told me it was transmission and would cost 5600. I told them I researched these symptoms and clearly states valve body. 2 weeks of calling and waiting,dealership repaired valve body.less than a year,3rd doing something funny took to transmission shop and stated 3 rd gear is bad and so is valve body.called dealership bc its still under warranty tried to say I couldn't get a new one bc I didn't go to their mechanic.the transmission guy called the parts manager and stated its not the job that's warrantied but the part and after waiting 4 days, got a new valve body. I've also replaced headlights and taillights 5 times,a window regulator,a battery every 2 years,and now a control door module that controls my topside mirrors,driver window and door locks is bad.I've had the AC and heat stop working when foot was off gas.window coming apart from cartop; they clipped it bc it was under warranty.my door lock fell out under warrant.when does an investigation occur? I've written several news investigation shows and heard nothing.I have spent7000 dollars repairing this car and no one is listening to all these complaints out there. Help us get our money back and bf someone dies in this vehicle. I talked to the service manager he has no knowledge of any of these issues; its just my car! Told him to look on the internet.

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 118,000 miles · WI

My car was purchased as a used car. I purchased it with 100000 miles (approx.), and I have put on 31000 additional miles since (within 5 years). My car has always been routinely maintained/serviced. I take excellent care of my beetle. In november 2013, my automatic transmission began to slip. It has become worse, and it lurches forward will in drive, and at a controlled intersection my car either hesitates to take off or it rocks back and forth. This is a very expensive fix, having consulted two mechanics and receiving their estimates. I feel that this transmission issue poses a safety hazard for myself, other drivers, and pedestrians who may be crossing in front of my lurching vehicle. I think that with the multitude of 2003 transmission issues/failures, vw needs to stand behind their faulty product with a recall.