Volkswagen Beetle sudden acceleration problems

Filed Mar 13, 2016 · Acceleration, Airbags · 78,000 miles · TX · crash

While slowly approaching a parking space in a shopping center my 2009 vw beetle suddenly accelerated, jumping over the curb and sidewalk, and crashing into the side of the building. It then rebounded about 6-8 feet. The passenger side airbag deployed but the driver side airbag didn't.

Filed Oct 4, 2015 · Acceleration · 46,000 miles · AL · crash

A 2005 turbocharged beetle convertible, spontaneously and unexpectedly accelerated while parking, it jumped the curb and traveled at maximum acceleration 30 feet up a grassy slope then through an alabama post office window, violently entering the lobby. No one was injured in this incident which was subsequently televised during the news broadcasts on all 3 local networks. We have in our possession clear photographic evidence that the brake was being pressed hard throughout this event and this fact was later confirmed by the insurance adjuster who investigated the case. Prior to this event, on 3 occasions we had brought the car to the local volkswagen dealership for evaluation of a persistent, intermittent, throttle problem which the dealer was able to duplicate but failed, even with support from the engineers at vw of america, to correct. On one occasion they kept the car for an entire week and on another, nearly 3 weeks. When the car was in their possession we had been assured that there was in-depth communication between them and the technical department at volkswagen of america. The convertible top was down during the incident resulting in the passenger compartment becoming filled with large shards of shattered window glass. The police officer investigating the scene characterized the glass, still suspended in the frame above, as "chilling". Attached below is an article concerning an $ 8 million dollar verdict awarded last week in another case of unintended acceleration in a vw with a turbo charged engine.

Filed Aug 13, 2013 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · CA

First noticed it when starting it up in the morning.rough and stalling when putting it in reverse. Never did that before. It has to warm up before I can drive it because it will either stall in reverse, or in drive the car will shudder and take off, it will not idle.when in park it is fine when in drive at stoplights it will surge forward. I have to either press the brake pedal as hard as I can and that doesn't always work,or put it in park or neutral!!!! That was the beginning of my troubles.it gradually over time stopped shifting either before it reaches 3rd gear or after. I only have 60,000 plus miles on it and it still should be in the powertrain warranty. That it is 2013 it is 12 years after I purchased it !! That's an average of 5,000 miles a year driving! And it still has a defective transmission!! I cannot believe there is no recall on this! They say it is the valve body that is the culprit! Then vw better issue me a free replacement! I cannot believe I have to shell out my hard earned money for their screw up! If this valve body has done irreparable damage to my tranny they will have to replace the whole transmission as well! Less than 65,000 miles and having a defective part they know about they have to honor that powertrain warranty! I will need and or the federal safety agency help in this matter! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 20, 2010 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · MS

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 volkswagen new beetle. While driving approximately 30 MPH the vehicle violently lunged forward as it abruptly downshifted. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact also stated that the vehicle would intermittently hesitate while accelerating at a stop. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the tiptronic switch was repaired. The failure continued to recur so the vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where he was told the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 52,000 and the current mileage was 55,000.

Filed Nov 9, 2010 · Transmission · 2,000 miles · IL

Car sporadically looses power while attempting to suddenly accelerate after momentarily lifting foot off gas peddle. Most instances occur while changing lanes on the highway or attempting to make a normal left hand turn. Example: going 60 MPH, lift foot off peddle to slow down due to car in front of me, see opening in the lane to my right, turn wheel slightly to change lanes, floor it only to find I have no power with other car barreling down on me. This has happened over a dozen times but I am unable to duplicate it at will.

Filed Aug 9, 2010 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 volkswagen beetle. When the brakes were applied and the vehicle came to a complete stop the vehicle violently lunged forward. Upon accelerating the vehicle began to hesitate when changing gears. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be examined for the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure continued to occur intermittently. The frequency of the failures had increased over time. The failure and current mileages were 80,000.

Filed Oct 10, 2006 · Acceleration · 2,300 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle accelerated on its own causing an accident. An attempt was made to stop the vehicle by depressing the brakes but vehicle would not respond. The vehicle ran over two speed bumps at 25 MPH then jumped a curb and crashed into an apartment building. A police report was filed. Updated 10/25/2006 - a witness stated that the brake light were ulliminated and that he heard a revving noise coming from the vehicle.

Filed Jan 30, 2006 · Acceleration, Airbags · 9,000 miles · NC · crash

Dt*: the contact stated while parking with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle surged forward and collided with a light pole. A police report was taken. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and has been inspected. Updated 3/28/2006 - the air bags did not deploy during this accident.

Filed Sep 8, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · 10,000 miles · VA

When cruise control was engaged vehicle would suddenly accelerate beyond the set speed. The dealer examined the vehicle, and found that the throttle control module was defective. *ak the vehicle's speedometer would not go past 60 MPH. The A/C compressor failed which caused a loud squealing noise when turning the A/C on. The mil light illuminated intermittently. The dealer replaced the air hose , air pump and mass air flow sensor.

Filed Sep 1, 2000 · Acceleration, Engine · FL

While driving at 20-30 MPH, the vehicle accelerated on its own regardless of braking by the driver. Oil pan failure was found out to be the cause.