THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC DRIVING UP THE DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC...WHEN I DEPRESSED THE PEDAL THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE SO I FINALLY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS AGAIN ABL…
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THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC DRIVING UP THE DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC...WHEN I DEPRESSED THE PEDAL THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE SO I FINALLY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS AGAIN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION AND TOLD THEM I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM...SAD THING IS I HAVE HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OTHER TIMES SINCE LATE MAY FOR THEM TO 1) REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, 2) REPLACE THE COMPUTER TRANSMISSION CHIP, 3) REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER IN THE TRANSMISSION...ALL IN ALL I HAVE BEEN OUT ABOUT $7K INCLUDING RENTALS AND EVERYTHING. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT IN THE OTHER CASES I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS IT WAS WHEN I WAS GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY AFTER DRIVING A BIT THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. THIS TIME HOWEVER COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT SINCE IT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS IN MAJOR TRAFFIC. IN TOTAL THE VW DEALER HAS HAD MY CAR A TOTAL OF ABOUT 10 WEEKS SINCE LATE MAY...THIS IS TERRIBLE. I AM NOT THE ONLY CONSUMER WITH VW BEETLE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SEVERAL OUT THERE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS. CAN SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS INSTEAD OF THE CONSUMER SUFFERING?? OR DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THERE ARE WORST CASES SIMILAR TO TOYOTA OR FORD? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10357430
55,900 miles · Sep 21, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND IT BEGAN CLANKING, JERKING AND SOMETIME IT FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE SHE WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE VALVE BODY THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND IT BEGAN CLANKING, JERKING AND SOMETIME IT FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE SHE WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE VALVE BODY THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN WITHOUT REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING SO THAT THEY COULD DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,900.
NHTSA ODI #10356822
77,250 miles · Sep 19, 2010
Power Train
2004 VW BEETLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 77K MILES. TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED/REBUILT AT A COST OF $4,500. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356344
56,148 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Power Train
I OWN A 2004 VW NEW BEETLE, GLS 2.0 AUTOMATIC, WITH 56,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS MAKING A QUICK TRIP DOWN THE STREET AT AROUND 30MPH WHEN MY GEARS SUDDENLY STARTED SLIPPING, CAUSING MY RPM TO SHOOT DANGEROUSLY HIGH AND MY CAR TO SLOW DOWN. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE THE CAR UNDER 30MPH TO WORK (1.5 MILES AWAY) AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. …
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I OWN A 2004 VW NEW BEETLE, GLS 2.0 AUTOMATIC, WITH 56,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS MAKING A QUICK TRIP DOWN THE STREET AT AROUND 30MPH WHEN MY GEARS SUDDENLY STARTED SLIPPING, CAUSING MY RPM TO SHOOT DANGEROUSLY HIGH AND MY CAR TO SLOW DOWN. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE THE CAR UNDER 30MPH TO WORK (1.5 MILES AWAY) AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE ONLY WAY I COULD DRIVE SAFELY WAS TO LET OFF OF THE GAS EVERY TIME THE GEAR CHANGED AND SLIPPED. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. THE GENTLEMAN I SPOKE WITH AT THE SHOP SAID HE HAD SEEN A LOT OF VW BEETLES COMING IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ALL UNDER 100K MILES. UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT HAVE $4,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON MY CAR AND AM NOW LEFT WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION INDEFINITELY. I AM EXTREMELY ANGERED BY THE FACT THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO A CAR AT ONLY 56,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356166
76,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Power Train
I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY JERKING AND STALLING. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH A DOCTOR'S OFFICE PARKING LOT VERY MINDFUL OF PEDESTRIANS WHEN THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY JERKED FORWARD AND I NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT A CROSS WALK WHERE I WAS SL…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY JERKING AND STALLING. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH A DOCTOR'S OFFICE PARKING LOT VERY MINDFUL OF PEDESTRIANS WHEN THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY JERKED FORWARD AND I NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT A CROSS WALK WHERE I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO STOP BUT BEFORE I DID STOP THE CAR DOWNSHIFTED ABRUPTLY AND HAD I NOT HAD A FIRM GRIP ON THE BREAK I WOULD HAVE HIT CHILDREN IN THE CROSS WALK. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE AND VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PAGES ONLINE OF SIMILAR CASES. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE VW TRANSMISSIONS ARE THE CAUSE OF A SERIOUS INJURY IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED. VERY FRIGHTENING AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355409
80,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Power Train
DRIVE TRAIN ON 2004 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, VEHICLE WILL NOT DOWN SHIFT WHEN STOPPED UNLESS VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, THEN WHEN PUT IN GEAR JUMPS FORWARD. SEALED TRANSMISSION, DEALER SAID IT HAPPENS A LOT BUT VW OF AMERICA WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355406
37,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FLY WHEEL AND CLUTCH WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 12/15/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/27/10
NHTSA ODI #10355225
82,000 miles · Sep 12, 2010
Power Train
I HAVE A 2004 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE W/ 85K MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN "CLUNKING" ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. I WAS TOLD I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION COSTING MORE THAN $4000. I CAME TO THIS SITE AND SAW TIME AND TIME AGAIN THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING. MANY HAVE RESEARCHED FURTHER AND IT APPEARS TO BE AN OBVIOUS…
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I HAVE A 2004 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE W/ 85K MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN "CLUNKING" ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. I WAS TOLD I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION COSTING MORE THAN $4000. I CAME TO THIS SITE AND SAW TIME AND TIME AGAIN THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING. MANY HAVE RESEARCHED FURTHER AND IT APPEARS TO BE AN OBVIOUS DEFECT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A FORMAL RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355052
83,445 miles · Sep 6, 2010
Power Train
2004 VW NEW BEETLE WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. CAR DROPS INTO LIMP MODE. HAPPENED ON EXPRESSWAY RESULTING IN LOW SPEED TO GET TO MEDIAN. HAPPENS WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM INTERSECTION AND GOES INTO NEUTRAL. CAR WILL NOT MOVE UNTIL ENGINE IS STOPPED AND RESTARTED. ABOVE ISSUES HAPPENED 4 TIMES OVER A 3 DAY PERIOD. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. DSG …
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2004 VW NEW BEETLE WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. CAR DROPS INTO LIMP MODE. HAPPENED ON EXPRESSWAY RESULTING IN LOW SPEED TO GET TO MEDIAN. HAPPENS WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM INTERSECTION AND GOES INTO NEUTRAL. CAR WILL NOT MOVE UNTIL ENGINE IS STOPPED AND RESTARTED. ABOVE ISSUES HAPPENED 4 TIMES OVER A 3 DAY PERIOD. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. DSG TRANSMISSION WITH THE MECHATRONICS UNIT IS RARE IN 04 BEETLES. NOT INCLUDED IN FACTORY RECALLS OF 07 AND UP. HAD MECHATRONICS UNIT REPLACED FOR $2250.00 MY EXPENSE. 80,000 MILES ON CAR. 07 AND UP HAVE WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 100,000 MILES. 04 NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE OF LOW FREQUENCY OF EVENT. LOW FREQUENCY BECAUSE NOT MANY AROUND. CAR IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY SAME AS O7 VW & AUDI CARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353993
60,000 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Power Train
TRANSMISSION HAS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, WONT SHIFT SMOOTHLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND INITIALLY, THEN WHEN IN TRAFFIC THE TRANSMISSION KICKS IN LIKE I WAS REAR-ENDED CAUSING MY HEAD TO SNAP. I CANNOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT THE VEHICLE NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR CAUSING A DELAY DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. I ALMOST HAVE B…
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TRANSMISSION HAS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, WONT SHIFT SMOOTHLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND INITIALLY, THEN WHEN IN TRAFFIC THE TRANSMISSION KICKS IN LIKE I WAS REAR-ENDED CAUSING MY HEAD TO SNAP. I CANNOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT THE VEHICLE NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR CAUSING A DELAY DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. I ALMOST HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED MANY TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND FLUID REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THIS IS VERY ALARMING BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT GOING TO SHIFT, THE RPMS REV TO 6 AND 7 BEFORE THE SHIFT TAKES PLACE. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION HAS SUDDENLY REVVED INTO THE 7 AND 8. ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, THE RECALL COVERED THE DEFECT IN 2008 BUT, THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND IS NOT COVERED UNLESS I GET A DIAGNOSTIC FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHICH THEY WANT ME TO PAY 150.00 THEN THEY WILL CONSIDER ON A CASE BASES. *TR
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 76,900 MY 2004-2005 NEW BEETLE AND MY 2003-2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED (DUAL-STAGE) AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM MAY HAVE AIR BAG FRONTAL CRASH SENSORS THAT CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE FALLBACK ALGORITHM WILL ENSURE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS ALWAYS DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE'S DECELERATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN LOW-SEVERITY FRONTAL IMPACTS, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY MORE FORCEFULLY THAN DESIGNED, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO OUT-OF-POSITION FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT EACH VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE SPECIFIC DEFECT CRASH SENSOR IS PRESENT ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE DEFECT CRASH SENSORS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL PUMPS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPER FASTENER, WHICH COULD ALLOW DIESEL FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE PUMP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE08012 · Front Air Bag Crash Sensor Failure
Opened Feb 15, 2008 · Closed Apr 24, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
CERTAIN SUBJECT VEHICLES, MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CONVERTIBLE AND MY 2004 SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED DUAL-STAGE AIR BAG SYSTEM.THE AIR BAG CRASH SENSORS (#1F0 909 606) CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS.IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE CONTROL MODULE WILL ENABLE A FALLBACK ALGORITHM THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG ALWAYS DEPLOYS IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE'S DECELERATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS.HOWEVER, IN LOW-SEVERITY FRONTAL IMPACTS, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY MORE FORCEFULLY THAN DESIGNED, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO OUT-OF-POSITION FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT FOR THE DEFECTIVE CRASH SENSOR AND REPLACE WITH AN UPDATED DESIGN.IN ADDITION, 16,177 EARLY-MY 2005 NEW BEETLE SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES (BUILT THROUGH OCT 31, 2004) ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL 08V-178)
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