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Volkswagen Beetle slipping problems

81 of the 2,588 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Beetle describe transmission slipping, most of them for the 2004 model year.

owner complaints
81
worst model year
2004
typical repair cost reported
$4,600
typical mileage
70,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 11, 2018 · Transmission · 88,000 miles · IL

After driving the vehicle for about 10 minutes my daughter pull on to a main road and transmission slipped changing in to second and other gears. Vehicle would not get up to speed causing other cars to have to slow way down behind her. The vehicle only has 88,000 miles.

Filed Mar 7, 2018 · Transmission · 7,800 miles · OH

Transmission slips or downshift very hard causes sudden loss of vehicle speed and or loss of control at normal highway speeds or on secondary roadways causing following vehicles to either heavy braking or swurve to avoid rear end collesion with the vehicle.

Filed May 16, 2017 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · OK

The gearbox slips, stutters and jerks . And will slip out of gear and not go back in gear until engine is restarted. This happens when starting to move from a stop.

Filed Mar 29, 2017 · Electrical, Fuel system · 135,000 miles · WA

The drivers window does not work. They are using inferior parts that are known to break. Also the transmission is slipping out of gear while driving and the trunk will not work using the remote.

Filed Jul 1, 2016 · 90,000 miles · OH

Transmission slips, jerks , downshifts , vehicle becomes disabled on roadway, danger to driver, pedestrians and other vehicles on the roadways. There is a class action suit in louisiana regarding this problem . This problem happens while vehicle is in motion 10-15 minutes after it is in motion .

Filed Apr 18, 2016 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · WI

Once the car warms up, the transmission begins to shift very erratically. This includes while upshifting - the transmission slips causing the engine to rev up and suddenly shift into the next higher gear without warning. Sometimes the upshift is so sudden that it causes the tires to break free. It also occurs when slowing down to come to a stop - the transmission downshifts into low gear unexpectedly at too high of a speed causing everything in the vehicle (including occupants) to lurch forward. The sudden deceleration could cause rear end collisions from following vehicles. Edmunds.com has a forum full of this exact problem - http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/7375/volkswagen/new-beetle/volkswagen-beetle-transmission-problems/p2

Filed Mar 16, 2016 · Transmission · 61,000 miles · NY

After warming up transmission is slipping, bucking, and clunking. Happens after driving for a while (about 10 miles).

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 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.

Filed Jun 5, 2013 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · PA

2005 volkswagen transmission will lurch and slip from 1st to 2nd gear. Issue is supposed to be a valve body issue that vw doesn't seem to want to recognize the defective part. This issue could cause potentially dangerous situation when pulling out onto traffic. The vehicle basically will not go when shifting between those gears. It takes several seconds for it to shift, the vehicle will rev up at that time and then slam into gear.

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and linesReported April 15, 2014 · 26,452 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
Risk
The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.

Recall number 14V182000 · Recall details

Questions about the Volkswagen Beetle slipping

Which Volkswagen Beetle years have transmission slipping problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2004 (26 complaints), 2005 (26 complaints) and 2003 (14 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix transmission slipping on the Volkswagen Beetle?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,600 (median of 21 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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