2004 Volkswagen NEW Beetle

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

• 12/29/2018· POWER TRAIN

  2004 BEETLE WITH 85,000 MILES HARD SHIFTING DOWN - IT JERKS FROM GEAR TO GEAR UNTIL IT COMES TO FULL STOP. . NOW WHILE UPSHIFTING IT COULDN'T MAKE IT OUT OF 3RD GEAR AND HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED 3 TIMES. CAR JERKS ,SHUDDERS, LURCHES . TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT WITH LOW MILEAGE VW BEETLES

• 12/29/2012· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGSFire

  CAR WOULDN'T EXCEL WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY 1 MILE FROM TOWN SUDDENLY TRAFFIC SLOWED FROM SNOW STORM IN TOWN,THE VEHICLE SMELL WAS FUNNY BLACK SMOKED SLOWLY LEAKED INSIDE THE CAR WINDOWS UP HEARD A MISFIRE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON BLINKED THEN I HEARD LOUD BLAST LIKE I THOUGHT IT WAS A PLOW TRUCKS MUFFLER LOUDNESS REALIZED IR WAS MY VEHICLE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY LESS 1/3 MILE AT BANK. SHUT OFF MOTOR M NOW SEEING SMOKE SLOWLY ENTERED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 2 FRONT SEATSAND CONSOLE. FEELING HOT UNDER BELLY OF FLOORS. ORANGE GLOW THROUGH ELECTRICAL OUTLET IN BACK OF CONSOLE APPEARED TO BE HOTWITH PLASTIC CASING IN AND UNDER FLOORS HOT SIZZLING CRACKLING UNDER CENTER CASING/I TRY TO CALL 911 MISUSED THE CELL WOULDN'T OPERATE EFFECTIVELY FLAGGED DOWN A MAN N WOMAN AT THE CORNER LIGHT OF BANK THEY DECLINED TO HELP SO I WENT TO CAR PUT SNOW ON COMPARTMENT AND WET IT DOWN AND AIRED OUT SMOKE WITH PASSENGER DOOR OPEN .I WENT IN BANK FOR ASSISTANCE .THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR SAFETY ISSUES BY MANUFACTURER IN THE PAST .WERE SAID TO BE CORRECTED BY REPAIRMAN ALSO SAID SEATBELT HARNESS WAS A ISSUE HEATED SEATS WERE A ISSUE AND AIRBAGS TRANNY ALSO RECALLED FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND OR TRANSMISSION AND AIR BAGS ON SOME 2004 VW VEHICLE BEETLES RECALLS SO FAR OCCURRED TO THIS VW WERE AIRBAG SENSORS/ ALSO THE SEATBELT HARNESS CASES WERE BREAKING REPEATEDLY ONCE PURCHASED DUE TO PUTTING THE SEATS UP AND BACK TO GET IN THE VEHICLE. NOW THIS MYSTERIOUS FIRE AND HEADLAMP ISSUE.. *TR

• 12/29/2011· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN 1.8 TURBO CONVERTIBLE BEETLE. THE CAR IS JUMPING BACK AND FORTH WHEN IT TRIES TO SHIFT GEARS. I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS IN ORDER TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. BY LOOKING ON LINE WE HAD A PRETTY GOOD IDEA THAT IT WAS THE VALVE BODY OR THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER THEY RAN THE DIAGNOSTICS THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE VALVE BODY. THEY HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FROM 5 YEARS 70,000 TO 7 YEARS 100000 MILES. WE WHERE THEN ADVISED THAT THE CAR HAD MISSED THE WARRANTY BY A FEW MONTHS BUT THAT WE SHOULD STILL PROCESS DIAGNOSTICS AS VW NORMALLY ASSISTS WHEN SO CLOSE TO WARRANTY EXPIRING. THEY KNOW THESE CARS HAVE THIS DEFECT. THE DEALER CONTACTED VW AMERICA AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE I WAS THE THIRD OWNER OF THE CAR. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2007 FROM A VW DEALER AND IT WAS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE. I AM THE 2ND OWNER. I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT THE WAY THE CAR THRASHES BACK AND FORTH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS. I AM ALSO VERY CONCERNED AS I AM PREGNANT. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT VW IS UNWILLING TO MAKE THIS REPAIR WHEN THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS WAS OUR THIRD VOLKSWAGEN. THE CAR ONLY HAS 72000 MILES. *KB

• 12/28/2010· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2004 VW NEWBEETLE. MY CAR WAS SHIFTING FUNNY AND SHAKING AS IT DROVE. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A TRIPTONIC SWITCH. THEY REPLACED IT. AFTER TEST DRIVING THE CAR WITH THIS NEW PART THEY DETERMINED THIS WASN'T THE PROBLEM AND THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF 5400.00. *TR

• 12/28/2010· VISIBILITY

  DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED IN THE DOWN POSITION ON MY 2004 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE REGULATOR HAS FAILED ON MANY NEW BEETLES. THE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BEEN COVERED FOR 2003 - 2005 NEW BEETLE SEDANS BUT NOT CONVERTIBLES. I WANT TO DOCUMENT THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS ON THE CONVERTIBLES AS WELL. *TR

• 12/28/2010· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A SCRAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE CAUSED BY THE SEPARATION OF THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH THE FLYWHEEL AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000.

• 12/27/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  THE VEHICLE HAD A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON THE STEEL BRAIDED LINE OFF THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE FRONT BRAKES DURING A PANIC STOP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE LINE HAS A RUBBER ANTI VIBRATION RING PLACED ON THE HOSE , THIS WAS SAID TO BE "OUT OF LOCATION" AND THE STEEL BRAIDED LINE WORE AGAINST THE "AIR BOX" IN THE AREA THAT BURST. THE ANTI VIBRATION RING EITHER VIBRATED OUT OF LOCATION OR WAS POSSIBLY MOVED/MISS-INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUS WORK DONE AT A CERTIFIED VW DEALERSHIP ON THE MASTER CYLINDER 2 YEARS PRIOR TO CORRECT A FAILED BREAK POWER ASSIST UNIT. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR BUT THE DEALERSHIP DECLINED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE. DURING THE ACCIDENT THE REAR BRAKES CONTINUED TO WORK CORRECTLY , THE VEHICLE SLOWED SUBSTANTIALLY AND THE ANTI-LOCK COULD BE "HEARD" TO ENGAGE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SKID OR LOSE CONTROL BUT WAS NOT SLOWED ENOUGH TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE REAR OF THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. *TR

• 12/26/2003· VISIBILITY

  WINSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN RAIN. BLE TO GET OFF FREEWAY WITHOUT ACCIDENT BY STICKING HEAD OUT DOOR WINDOW.HANGING FUSES DID NOT GET THEM WORKING AGAIN. *AK

• 12/25/2008· VISIBILITY

  MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2004 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, AND LAST SUMMER SHE WENT TO PUT THE CONVERTIBLE DOWN AND THE REAR WINDOW MOTORS STOPPED WORKING. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND SINCE THE CAR HAD 52,000 MILES THEY TOLD MY DAUGHTER THAT IT WOULD COST HER $1500.00 TO FIX THE MOTORS. WE HAVE TWO MORE FRIENDS AND THEIR DAUGHTERS VW BEETLES CONVERTIBLE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING TOO. I REALLY DON'T FEEL THAT THIS IS RIGHT. ELECTRIC MOTORS SHOULD NOT BREAK AFTER 50,000 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. "HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING THEM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR CAR. *TR

• 12/20/2010· VISIBILITY

  WINDOW REGULATOR ON OUR 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE FAILED ON THE SECOND REAR WINDOW ON DECEMBER 18, 2010. THE FIRST OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2010. ACCORDING TO OUR REPAIRMAN, THIS WINDOW REGULATOR IS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND HAPPENS ON MANY BEETLES, EVEN NEW 2010 VERSIONS. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL OR WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR ITS DESIGN PROBLEM. OUR COST TO REPAIR WILL BE $850 TO $1,000. *TR

• 12/17/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2004 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WITH 80K AND A TRANSMISSION THAT IS JERKING AND SHIFTING TERRIBLY FOR MONTHS, AND I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING IT. I'VE SPENT TOO MUCH ON THIS CAR ALREADY, AND 7500 TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IS AWFUL. THERE ARE MANY OF US OUT THERE WITH PROBLEM TRANSMISSIONS WITH THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP! *TR

• 12/16/2011· POWER TRAIN

  THE TRANSMISSION STARTED OUT SHIFTING ROUGH. THEN IT PROGRESSED TO A POINT THAT IT WILL SHIFT SO HARD THAT IT WILL THROW YOU FORWARD IN YOU SEAT. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THEN LAST YEAR THE VW SENT US A LETTER SAYING THE WARRANTY HAD BEEN EXTENDED AS THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. HOWEVER, THEY SENT IT TO US A MONTH AFTER THE EXTENSION EXPIRED. WE COMPLAINED TO VW AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. *TR

• 12/15/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINEFire

  I BOUGHT MY VW BEETLE 2004 USED 3 MONTHS AGO. (EPC LIGHT ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON) SINCE THEN IVE HAD TO FIX THE TIMING BELT, COOLING, AND HOSES BECAUSE OF BACKFIRE. I GOT NOTIFIED THAT THERE IS A RECALL IN MY CAR, YET WENT TYPING THE VIN # IT SAYS IT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN FOUND FOR MY CAR. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION TO SHOW THE REPAIRS AND COSTS. I'M WONDERING WHO DO I CONTACT TO DETERMINATE IF MY CAR DOES HAVE A REAL OR NOT.

• 12/15/2016· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WINDOW REGULATORS ARE EASY TO BREAK.

• 12/15/2011· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/14/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS LIGHTS. CONSUMER WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO GET VEHICLE SERVICED, BUT DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

• 12/12/2011· POWER TRAIN

  MY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE THAT HAS COMPLAINED...IDENTICAL PROBLEMS! ALL TOLD THE COST, WITH A RENTAL CAR IS $6,500.00, SO FAR. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP AND I AM HAVING TO WAIT FOR THE REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION TO BE DELIVERED. THIS IS INSANITY AND I WON'T EVEN BEGIN WITH ALL THE OTHER ISSUES THE CAR HAS HAD AND STILL HAS! THE TRANSMISSION IS/WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. WAKE UP PEOPLE! I KNOW A FEW OF US MUST DIE FOR YOU TO WAKE UP...GET REAL... WE ARE MAD AS [XXX]. I WANT VW TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

• 12/10/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED. TODAY 12/09/14 NOT THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR NEEDS REPLACED. I THINK THIS IS FAULTY. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL VW REPAIR DEALERSHIP. *TR

• 12/08/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHEN CHANGING THE OIL, A FRAME SUPPORT PAN FOUND ONLY ON CONVERTIBLE CATCHES THE MOTOR OIL. THIS SUPPORT PEN IS CONCAVED AND TRAPS A LARGE MOUNT OF OIL. IF NOT WIPED OUT WITH RAGS IT STAYS THERE CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD FROM A SPARK. *AK *NM

• 12/07/2011· VISIBILITY

  ALL THE WINDOWS APPEAR TO HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS, THE BACK RIGHT MAKES A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND WON'T BUDGE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW MAKES A WEIRD NOISE BUT MOVES, AND THE OVERALL PLACEMENT OF THE WINDOWS IS ODD AND LEAKS AIR. *TR

• 12/06/2012· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,888. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/05/2011· VISIBILITY

  I HAVE 2004 VW CONVERTIBLE BEETLE, MY TWO BACK WINDOWS DO NOT WORK AND NOW MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT WORK. WHEN WILL THIS EXISTING PROBLEM BE RECALLED FOR MYSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE WINDOWS NEED TO BE RECALLED. *TR

• 12/03/2009· POWER TRAIN

  2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING; NOW, WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, IT IS SLIPPING CONSTANTLY, RESULTING IN INCREASED DRIVING DANGER. ACCORDING TO NUMEROUS WEBSITES, THIS APPEARS TO BE AN UNCOMFORTABLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FOR MANY OWNERS OF NEW BEETLES, 2003 - 2005. THIS WILL BE AN EXPENSIVE FIX, REQUIRING A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

• 12/02/2013· POWER TRAIN

  CAR SLIPPED COMPLETELY OUT OF GEAR WHEN SHIFTING FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR. IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS WHEN THE CAR HAS COMPLETELY WARMED UP. GOING OUT OF GEAR ESSENTIALLY MAKES US A SITTING DUCK ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A REAR END COLLISION. VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE CHILDREN RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT. *TR

• 12/01/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2004 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS MY CAR'S GEARS HAVE BEEN ACTING UP, SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR; AND IN MORE THEN 10 CASES COMPLETELY GOING OUT OF GEAR AND LEAVING MY CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE IM DRIVING (IN SOME CASES ON THE FREEWAY). THE CAR JERKS WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS, AND ALSO JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING INTO CERTAIN GEARS. AT FIRST, IT WAS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED RARELY. NOW IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR. *TR

• 11/30/2009· POWER TRAIN

  BOUGHT MY VW NEW. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH JERKY SHIFTING FROM EARLY ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". THEY ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH HAS TO BE A LIE CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HERE. I'M NOW PAST THE WARRANTY, THE CAR IS PAID FOR, AND I WORRY EVERY TIME I GET IN IT THAT I'LL GET STUCK IN A GEAR. VOLKSWAGEN KNEW THE TRANSMISSIONS WERE BAD IN THESE CARS AND THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

• 11/29/2010· POWER TRAIN

  2004 VW BEETLE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. IT STARTED AROUND 67000 MILES AND HAPPENS JUST AFTER THE VEHICLE REACHES OPERATING TEMPERATURE. DEALERSHIP SAYS TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT $7000. I HAVE ALSO READ ON THE INTERNET AND I HAVE NOTED THERE HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR YR MODEL BEETLE WITH THE SAME TYPE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. DEALER WILL NOT HELP, BUT STATED THEY KNOW OF THE ISSUE BUT ARE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL VW TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE ISSUE, THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ISSUED YET ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

• 11/29/2010· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND SLIPS IN LOWER GEARS. *TR

• 11/27/2013· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD WHEN STARTING FROM STOP. LURCHING IS SEVERE AND BECOMES WORSE AND TRANSMISSION WARMS. TRANSMISSION IS DSG TYPE OF AUTOMATIC. *TR

• 11/27/2009· VISIBILITY

  PASSENGER REAR WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BROKEN. I READ THAT MANY OTHER VW BEETLE OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND TO REPORT MY PROBLEM HERE. MY CAR IS A 2004 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. *TR

• 11/24/2010· POWER TRAIN

  MY 2004 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WITH TRIPTONIC TRANSMISSION, WITH ONLY 55,000 MILES, LURCHES IN THE LOWER GEARS AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY BETWEEN THE LOWER GEARS AND OFTEN REVS UP TO 5000 RPM BEFORE IT "CLUNKS" INTO HIGHER GEAR. THE VW DEALER MECHANIC WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, AT A COST TO ME OF $6800. MY RESEARCH HAS LEARNED THAT THE FIRST GENERATION OF VW?S DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSIONS HAD A CHRONIC WEAK POINT. THEY COMBINE A WET CLUTCH (AS IN TRADITIONAL AUTOMATIC) AND A GEAR PART (AS IN TRADITIONAL MANUAL TRANSMISSION), HOWEVER BOTH ARE LUBRICATED OUT OF SAME OIL SUMP. THE GEAR PART CAUSES THE OIL TO BE MORE CONTAMINATED WITH WEAR PARTICLES (VS. TRADITIONAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THIS CONTAMINATED OIL IS USED ALSO IN THE VALVE BODY AND THE WET CLUTCH, AND THESE WEAR PARTICLES CAN DETERIORATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WET CLUTCH (CLUTCH MATERIAL, RESULTING IN SLIPPAGE, OR CLUTCH AND GEAR CHANGE HYDRAULIC CONTROLS, RESULTING IN DEFECTIVE SHIFT STRATEGIES). ONCE THAT HAPPENS, DAMAGE IS USUALLY IRREVERSIBLE. VW CHANGED THE OIL SERVICE RECOMMENDATION RECOMMEND FROM (FILL FOR LIFE) OR 100,000 MILES TO 40,000 MILES. EVEN AT THIS REDUCED AMOUNT, THEY CLEARLY STILL HAD A PROBLEM. THEY PROBABLY MODIFIED THE DESIGN SINCE BUT HAVE NOT ADMITTED IT. VW HAS NOT BEEN ETHICAL IN THEIR HANDLING OF THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION DESIGN. THE TRANSMISSION CAN FAIL AT ANYTIME CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE FREEWAY, TURNING ACROSS TRAFFIC, ETC. VW OF AMERICA ACTS LIKE THIS IS A NEW PROBLEM THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. SUGGESTS REPLACING A PRESSURE SENSOR AND REPLACING TRANSMISSION FLUID AT A COST OF $700 PLUS THE $150 FOR DIAGNOSING. LOCAL EUROPEAN REPAIR (WELL RESPECTED) SAYS PRESSURE SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION VALVE CASING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TOGETHER (COST $2000)...IF LUCKY THIS WILL DELAY FULL BLOWN TRANSMISSION SELF DESTRUCTION. VW OF AMERICA IS SCREWING LOYAL CUSTOMERS BY NOT REPAIRING DESIGN FLAW. *TR

• 11/23/2015· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  FOR THE PAST 3-4 YEARS MY BEETLE HAS HAD WORSENING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. SOMETIMES IT JUST TURNS OFF ALL BY ITSELF. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL GOES OUT. IT HAS EVEN HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND IT SHUT OFF. I WAS NEARLY KILLED.

• 11/23/2009· POWER TRAIN

  1. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS DURING ACCELERATION. ON DE-ACCELERATION DOWNSHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION JERKS. 2. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND IS VERY DANGEROUS IF TRYING TO SPEED UP TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT OR PEDESTRIAN. 3. CURRENTLY OBTAINING ESTIMATE TO REPAIR VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS 80,000 MILES AND I NOTICED OTHER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. REPAIR COST OF $4,000 TO $6,000. *TR

• 11/21/2011· POWER TRAIN

  IN CITY TRAFFIC, MY VEHICLE HAS A VIOLENT JERKY DOWN-SHIFT WHEN APPROACHING A STOP, APPROXIMATELY 25MPH TO 20 MPH. IT FEELS LIKE THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR IS FALLING OUT. WHEN THESE OCCURRENCES FIRST HAPPENED, THEY WERE OCCASIONAL. ON THE HIGHWAY I BELIEVE IT SLIPS FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. TODAY, A FEW MONTHS LATER THE OCCURRENCES ARE MORE FREQUENT AND I AM FORCED TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL CARE FOR MY VEHICLE. I HAVE REGULARLY MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE WITH CARE AND ATTENTION TO THE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS. MY ONLINE RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THAT THIS EVENT IS NOT AN ISOLATED EVENT, BUT THIS OCCURRENCE DESCRIBES A TYPICAL VW BEETLE TRANSMISSION WITH MILEAGE BETWEEN 50K AND 70K; THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF LIKE COMPLAINTS. I HAVE FOUND TWO SEPARATE FORUMS ONLINE SUPPORTING THIS VERY COMPLAINT. THIS IS VERY LOW MILEAGE FOR A FAILED TRANSMISSION, ESPECIALLY WHEN MANY SIMILAR SMALL VEHICLES ARE OFFERING WARRANTIES FOR 100K MILES OR MORE. THE VW CUSTOMER CARE HAS FAILED TO RESPOND TO MY INQUIRIES. I BELIEVE MY CAR HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND I AM FEARFUL THAT IT WILL BREAK DOWN ON THE FREEWAY OR A POTENTIALLY DARK ROAD OR IN BAD WEATHER. I WOULD ASK THAT THE NHTSA PLEASE LOOK INTO THESE RECURRENT ISSUES WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND MAKE VOLKSWAGEN ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE FAILING TRANSMISSION, OR, AT THE VERY LEAST LOOK INTO THE VALVE BODIES AND WHETHER THEY ARE UP TO STANDARDS, STANDARDS THAT WOULD PREVENT THIS VEHICLE FROM FAILING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSING POTENTIAL HAZARDS TO DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. THANK YOU, *TR

• 11/21/2009· POWER TRAIN

  2004 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 2.0 LITER ENGINE. WHEN SLOWING DOWN, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JERKS FROM 5TH GEAR DOWN TO 3RD GEAR, SEVERELY AFFECTING BRAKING. VW DEALERSHIP, WHERE PURCHASED THE CAR, AND WHICH HAS PROVIDED ALL REGULARLY SCHEDULED SERVICE, ADVISED TRANSMISSION IS SEALED, CAN'T REPLACE FLUIDS, CAN'T FIX, AND THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. ONLY 121K HIGHWAY MILES. REPLACEMENT WILL COST OVER $6K. ACCORDING TO EDMUNDS CARSPACE.COM THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPANT WITH VW BEETLES. DANGEROUS SITUATION DESERVES A RECALL BY VW AMERICA. *TR

• 11/21/2008· STRUCTURE

  SAFETY LATCH ON FRONT HOOD MECHANISM NOT DURABLE AND HAS BROKEN JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. CAR UNDER 30K MILES. ONLY USED 6 MONTHS OUT OF EVERY YEAR. MODEL YEAR 2004. DESIGN FLAW ON A MAJOR SAFETY ITEM. DEALER CLAIMS ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDS REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT. UNDER MY EXAMINATION I FOUND THAT THE COMPONENT FAILURE WAS A SPRING ON INNER SIDE OF ASSEMBLY. SPRING DEFINITELY NOT HEAVY ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND NORMAL USAGE. HOOD COULD BECOME UN-LATCHED AND SAFETY LATCH WILL NOT CATCH IT CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP AND ONTO WINDSHIELD. PROPERLY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY/CRASH HIGHLY POSSIBLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. *TR

• 11/20/2008· POWER TRAIN

  I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2004 NEW BEETLE TDI WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION FOR MY DAUGHTER. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CAR HAD BEEN MAINTAINED AT A VW DEALER AND WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL SELF DESTRUCT AND TOOK OUT THE TRANSMISSION WITH IT. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE IT WAS JUST MY BAD LUCK UNTIL I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY VW'S WITH THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAVE SUFFERED FROM THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. VW OF AMERICA STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE VW TDI'S ARE NOT RACE CARS AND THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD NOT OCCUR ON A CAR THAT OPERATES AT THE LOWER RPM RANGE AS THESE CARS DO. THIS IS EITHER A DESIGN FLAW OR A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND IS LEAVING PEOPLE WITH HUGE REPAIR BILLS, $6600 IN MY CASE. *TR

• 11/18/2006· AIR BAGS

  OUR 2004 VW NEW BEETLE HAS HAD TWO AIR BAG SWITCH FAILURES. THE FIRST ONE WAS WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE THOUSAND MILES AND WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND ONE JUST HAPPENED AND WAS NOT COVERED BY OUR ORIGINAL WARRANTY, OR OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY. IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WE DID NOTHING TO PROMOTE THE FAILURE, IS THE $535 REPAIR OUR RESPONSIBILITY? *JB SRS.PCO

• 11/17/2009· POWER TRAIN

  2004 VW NEW BEETLE: THE CAR WOULD SHIFT TO "NO" GEAR WHILE DRIVING, WHICH WOULD MAKE IT IN "NEUTRAL." WHEN AFTER A STOP THE CAR WOULD NOT GO RIGHT INTO A GEAR....CARS BEHIND WOULD HAVE TO SLAM ON BRAKES BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE INTO GEAR. HAD THE CAR CHECKED BY AT LEAST TWO MECHANICS - ONE WHO WORKS WITH EUROPEAN CARS; AND MY VW DEALERSHIP. AFTER A MIS-DIAGNOSING BY VW - I AM TOLD INDEED A NEW TRANSMISSION!! 88,000 MILES! I NEED A CAR - COULDN'T AFFORD THE $6000 + THAT VW WAS GOING TO CHARGE, SO BROUGHT IT TO A AAMCO AND HAD IT FIXED FOR JUST OVER $4000.00...THIS IS A RECALL PROBLEM...I REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO PUT ALL THIS MONEY INTO THE CAR, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT CANNOT BE TRADED IN FOR ANY OTHER CAR. IT WAS CERTAINLY A SCARY RIDE WHEN THE CAR WOULD GO OUT OF GEAR(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). PLEASE HELP. *TR

• 11/17/2009· POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,TIRES

  2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE TURBO...2.0 LITER ENGINE...THE TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING DOWN OR UP....FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS REARENED IT IN THE BACK....HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP AND COUPLE OF OTHER TRANSMISSION PLACES...THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY...NOW THAT IT HAS 94000 MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY DECIDE IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION.....WE HAVE HAD IT SERVICED JUST LIKE WE SHOULD...IT DOESN'T MATTER...WE DON'T HAVE 6000.00 TO GET IT FIXED...SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE...I'VE TALKED WITH MANY, MANY VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM..HOW MANY DOES IT TAKE BEFORE YOU GUYS DO A RECALL? *TR

• 11/17/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE,SEATS

  VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE '04 (APPROX. 80K MILES) - SLIPPING AND BANGING TRANSMISSION. SLAMS AND BANGS HARD WITH EACH DOWNSHIFT (AUTOMATIC) AFTER ABOUT 15 MILES OR DRIVING. SLIPS OR WILL NOT MOVE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLAMMING AND BANGING BEGINS. CANNOT DRIVE CAR IN TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OR BEING REAR ENDED OR BROADSIDED, THEREFORE, CANNOT SAFELY OR DEPENDABLY DRIVE THE CAR. EXPECTED THOUSANDS TO REPAIR IF A MECHANIC WHO UNDERSTANDS THE PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND. MANY OF THE KNOW ISSUES WITH CAR HAVE ALSO OCCURRED; BROKEN PLASTIC WATER PUMP, REAR WINDOW SEAL BROKEN, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN, PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LIGHT MALFUNCTION, HEADLIGHTS UNEVEN BRIGHTNESS, SHORT IN DASH, HEATED SEAT TOO HOT TO USE (FEAR OF FIRE) AND INCREDIBLE DOOR RATTLES. *TR

• 11/17/2004· AIR BAGS

  WHENEVER THE PASSENGER/DRIVER SEATS ARE MOVED WITHIN 10 SECONDS OF STARTING THE CAR AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON IN THE CONSOLE AND DOES NOT TURN OFF UNTIL DONE SO MANUALLY BY A MECHANIC. THE "POD" DEVICE IS THEN DISABLED. IF LIGHT IS ON, THEN AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURIES OR DEATH MAY OCCUR. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ONE IN AUGUST AND ONE IN OCTOBER THE LIGHT WAS RESET BY A MECHANIC AND TOOK 3 DAYS EACH TIME. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO HAVE THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP'S MECHANICS HAVE NOT DONE SO, ASSUMING THAT IS WHY THE LIGHT KEEPS APPEARING.*AK

• 11/16/2016· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP, NOISY UPSHIFT AND DOWNSHIFTS. WHILE DRIVING UNPREDICTABLE GEAR SHIFTS.

• 11/16/2010· POWER TRAIN

  MY VEHICLE HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT AND IS A 2004 NEW BEETLE. IT IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE AND THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT TO AAMCO AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME IT IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND WILL COST ANYWHERE FROM $5,000 TO $7,000 TO REPAIR. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I CAN SEE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2004 NEW BEETLES. I AM CURRENTLY NOT DRIVING IT BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY BUCKS SO BADLY THAT IT CAUSES MY CAR TO JUMP ANYWHERE FROM 1 TO 5 FEET AND IT COULD HIT A VEHICLE OR A PEDESTRIAN. *TR

• 11/16/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  PURCHASED BRAND NEW. PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR: 1. REAR POWER WINDOWS HAVE BOTH TAKEN TURNS FALLING DOWN INTO THE BODY. WILL NOT POWER UP. ONE HAS BEEN REPLACED. DEALER NOW WON'T FIX SECOND ONE BECAUSE THEY 'DON'T SEE IT AS A KNOWN PROBLEM.' 2. HEADLINER AROUND REAR WINDOW HAS COME UNDONE. 3. HEADLIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED CONSTANTLY. FOR EXAMPLE; A LIGHT BULB WAS INSTALLED ON A SATURDAY, AND HAD STOPPED WORKING BY THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY. 4. RUBBER COATING ON GLOVE BOX AND ON INTERIOR DOORS IS PEELING OFF. DEALER WOULD NOT EVEN CONDSIDER FIXING OR ADDRESSING. 5. KEY ASSEMBLY FOR ARM CONSOLE BROKE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 8 MONTHS, AND SEVERAL REMINDERS, TO GET DEALER TO REPLACE. 6. SOMETIMES RADIO STAYS ON AFTER KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM IGNITION. 7. AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. WON'T GO OFF. 8. HAND RELEASE ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OFTEN GETS 'STUCK' AND WILL NOT WORK. 9. CUP HOLDER HAS COME OFF TRACK. I ONLY DRIVE THIS CAR TO-AND-FROM WORK. NO KIDS/PASSENGERS RIDE IN IT. IT HAS NOT HAD ANY OWNER ABUSE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCT. *JB

• 11/13/2018· SEATSFire

  THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT HEATER WAS LEFT ON POWER LEVEL 3 WITH A BAG OF CLOTHES IN THE SEAT. AN ODOR WAS DETECTED AND UPON MOVING THE BAG, AN APPROXIMATELY 6' X 10' BURN WAS DISCOVERED ON LOWER PORTION OF THE SEAT BACK.

• 11/12/2009· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,SEATS

  LEFT REAR WINDOW IS STUCK IN DOWN POSITION. THE COMPONENT PART IS UNAVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES AND HAS TO BE ORDERED FROM THE FACTORY IN MEXICO. IT WILL TAKE 2-3 WEEKS FOR IT TO ARRIVE. COST OF REPAIR IS $800 FOR ONE SIDE. COMPLAINTS TO MANUFACTURER WHO WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AS THERE ARE NO RECALLS FILED EVEN THOUGH THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE IS A CONVERTIBLE. THE HYDRAULIC TOP HAS MALFUNCTIONED SINCE THE DATE IT WAS PURCHASED. IT FINALLY SNAPPED OFF PORTIONS OF THE HYDRAULIC MECHANISMS AND PORTIONS OF THE INTERIOR FLAPS WHICH ARE NOW ALL OVER THE BACK SEAT. THE TOP HAD TO BE MANUALLY RAISED AND SECURED AND DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. ALTHOUGH THEY REPAIRED IT PREVIOUSLY, MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. DRIVER'S SEAT SPRING POKED THROUGH THE UPHOLSTERY A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS A TERRIBLE BLIND SPOT WHILE BACKING OUT. THE RAG TOP COMPLETELY BLOCKS VISION ON THE RIGHT REAR. I HAVE COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERS NOTHING. I BELIEVE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED. I FEEL RIPPED OFF BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

• 11/12/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 04 VW BEETLE CONV. THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP. IT SHIFTS LATE & BANGS INTO GEAR OR DOESN'T SHIFT AT ALL. THE DEALER SAY THE TRANS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED @ A COST OF 6K. I BROUGHT IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP & THEY CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER HAVING THE VEH FOR OVER 2 MONTHS. IN READING THE WEB PAGES I FIND MANY OTHERS WITH THIS VEH HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, WITH LOW & HIGHER MILEAGE. VW KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. I ENDED UP HAVING THE TRANS REBUILT, BUT ITS STILL DOING THE SAME THING, NO CHANGE. THE TRANS SHOP IS BAFFLED. *TR

• 11/11/2011· VISIBILITY

  RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED, VW PAID FOR REGULATOR BUT CHARGED $389.00 LABOR TO FIX (WINDOW UP AND DOWN LESS THEN 20 TIMES UP TO THIS POINT. LEFT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED JUNE 2011, LABOR CHARGE $403.05 VW PAID FOR REGULATOR. LEFT DRIVER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AUG 2011. VW WILL NOT COVER REGULATOR, OR LABOR OF $375.00 TO REPAIR. VW KNEW THESE PARTS WOULD FAIL AND HAD ISSUED A TECH BULLETIN TO THIS EFFECT WITH NO NOTICE TO OWNER! FAILED PARTS ARE KNOWN BY VW AS FAILURE PARTS, COST TO CUSTOMER FOR KNOWN BAD PARTS IS EXTREME. *TR