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Volkswagen Beetle Transmission Problems

777 messages,  Last post on May 10, 2013 at 4:52 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen New Beetle, Transmission, Convertible, Hatchback

    
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Messages Page 7 of 78

#59 of 777 Re: New Beetle transmission problems/PLEASE READ [trannybugsme] by daniel_herbert

Oct 06, 2009 (7:16 pm)

Replying to: trannybugsme (Sep 18, 2009 3:25 pm)
John,
 
I purchased a used, 2005, Volkswagen Beetle Turbo GLS for my wife in July of 2008. At the time of purchase, the vehicle had approximately 24K miles, and to date has 32K miles. The four-year bumper to bumper warranty expired in February of 2009; however, the vehicle is still well below the 50K mile warranty threshold. Approximately 7 weeks ago, my wife began complaining that the vehicle was running "rough". The "roughness" she described was an abrupt jolt of the vehicle when attempting to shift gears. We live in Texas, so I assumed that any engine roughness was due to the harsh Texas summer climate. As the weeks progressed, however, the car continued to experience significant issues transitioning from 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears, to the point that I became concerned that a repair job was imminent to prohibit any engine damage. Therefore, we opted to take the car to a well known licensed independent mechanic (BMW, Mercedes, VW, etc.) who we sincerely trust. He evaluated the "bug" on two separate occasions and came to the conclusion that the transmission was in need of a valve stem replacement (approx. $1,500), but that due to the vehicles' low mileage, Volkswagen should be held responsible. He was not positive this would cure the issue, but mentioned this attempt was significantly cheaper than replacing the entire transmission. He also mentioned that in order for VW to take action, I had to present the problem to a VW dealer. After hearing this, we immediately took the vehicle to a local VW dealership so that their technicians could evaluate the problem (even though their mechanics have about 20 years LESS experience than our personal mechanic). I received a call today (10/6/09) from the dealership, who indeed acknowledged a problem, but said there is a slim chance VW would absorb the cost of repair because "we had a small dent in the oil pan." I'm not a mechanic, I'm a pilot by choice and a banker by force, but I cannot comprehend why the small oil pan dent would have anything to do with a shitty transmission/vehicle. That being said, the service manager is supposedly in contact with "his" VW rep to determine what, if any, cost will be assumed by VW. Hands down the most frustrating car experience I have ever had. I WILL NOT EVEN CONSIDER VW FOR MY NEXT VEHICLE PURCHASE. EVER.
 
On a global note, after reading many of the reviews on this particular website, I feel that we have a strong case for the shoddy engineering of the VW transmission. In the event that VW declines my request to pay for the repair and labor cost to bring our "bug" back to working order, I will be more than happy to stand alongside you in any type of class-action suit we "ripped off'" VW owners come up with. In my opinion, your product is only as good as your service after the sale. If VW doesn't want to put forth the effort to acknowledge their engineering issues, they can keep their worthless product in Germany.
 
Sincerely,
 
Dan H.

#60 of 777 Re: New Beetle transmission problems/PLEASE READ [daniel_herbert] by ethanf

Oct 08, 2009 (9:11 am)

Replying to: daniel_herbert (Oct 06, 2009 7:16 pm)
Dan,
 
Bought an '06 Beetle for my daughter to go to college. Thought we were doing the right thing, putting her in a dependable car. Besides the window regulator problems, interior falling apart, turn signals falling out, etc., we just went past the 60,000 mile warranty by 2k and fried the transmission. The VW service tech wasted no time getting on the offensive. He started our conversation telling me how dirty the car was, how the air filter was dirty and then accused us of having submerged the car as there is moisture in the trans. No suggestion how the moisture got in there, just "decided" we did something wrong. Oh yeah, he also had to mention that the bottom of the car had some dents and bruises! Went the same route as you with VOA & got their patronizing routine.
Pretty tough decision what to do with it now. Car sells for about $10k. Doesn't seem worth a $7k transmission!
Please keep me in mind if you here of any class actions.
 
Ethan Feeney

#61 of 777 Re: New Beetle transmission problems/PLEASE READ [ethanf] by daniel_herbert

Oct 08, 2009 (7:54 pm)

Replying to: ethanf (Oct 08, 2009 9:11 am)
Ethan,
 
I'm sorry to hear that you, like myself and many others, have fallen subject to the numerous defects that VW continues to produce. I love the fact that the mechanic blamed you for the damage. It's almost like VW is paying the dealerships and service centers to convince the customer that any defects with the car have been owner induced, rather than facing reality that their cars are well below today's standards.
 
As for me, the local dealership has our "bug" aka POS, and is charging me a $200 exploration fee to try and determine whether the phantom dent caused any transmission damage, to which I indicated to the service individual that I wanted pictures documenting each step of the "exploration." According to the complete incompetent service individual I have been dealing with, if the dent is found to have caused ANY disruption in the transmission, VW has already stated they will not cover ANY cost. When I asked the service rep if the dent was found to have nothing to do with the transmission, his response, "VW still may not pay for a dime." Furthermore, I had to educate our local dealership as to the VW powertrain warranty. Two individuals told me the vehicle was out of warranty, only to recant their words and tell me the opposite.
 
I'm currently in a holding pattern as to what steps to take next. If the dealership calls me tomorrow and tells me VW has declined to honor the warranty based on the "dent" in the oil pan, I will more than likely take this to a higher power, i.e. attorney, VW corporate, etc. Enough is enough. VW has a reputation of producing a superior product, but has evidently been caught up in profit schemes while sacrificing quality. I will not, ever, tolerate this mentality.
 
For whatever reason, I don't feel this battle is over.
 
Dan
Wichita Falls, TX

#62 of 777 Re: New Beetle transmission problems/PLEASE READ [trannybugsme] by buggedout1

Oct 10, 2009 (2:56 pm)

Replying to: trannybugsme (Sep 18, 2009 3:25 pm)
I thought I was the only one with these problems. I have all the same problems that many of the 2004 beetle owners have, from the hard drive in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, "gear"; the brackets around the gears; the hesitation after stopping(a scary feeling). I have had the car at a vw dealership, one I really trust, and they also are not sure, but after diagnosis(which was wrong - sensors) they told me I needed a new transmission($5 - 6,000). I also called VW north america - they certainly don't want me to buy another VW!!! Absolutely no help - $750 towards a new car - I couldn't believe she told me this so seriously. So I have called the local AAMCO garage and I will be bringing the car to them next week - the fellow was very helpful and said a rough estimate(without seeing the car) would be probably between $2300 - $3500. I will post what they say. I will definitely join in a class action suit....a car with 88,000 miles should not need a new transmission. This is a recall issue and VW needs to deal with it - it is obvious that many of us vw owners will not be purchasing VW in the future!!!

#63 of 777 Re: New Beetle transmission problems/PLEASE READ [buggedout1] by bearhunterak

Oct 10, 2009 (6:09 pm)

Replying to: buggedout1 (Oct 10, 2009 2:56 pm)
I wish I read all of these posts before I bought a 2003 Beetle convertible. I bought the used car today, it is so cute and I thought it would be a lot of fun. When running cold the car was fine, after warming up, it started jerking and the transmission is slipping. What a shame.

#64 of 777 Re: New Beetle transmission problems/PLEASE READ [trannybugsme] by vett77

Oct 13, 2009 (7:44 am)

Replying to: trannybugsme (Sep 18, 2009 3:25 pm)
Good morning john
 
I was reading up on what you wrote in regards to your daughters VW beetle , I purchased a new 2005 Beetle for my wife back in 2004 . And for a year now the car is really bad with the transition ( jerking , shifting etc ) I have taken it to the dealer and they told me the transition may need to be replaced the car has 62000 miles its pampered , not a scratch on it in and out it gets serviced regularly that’s why I’m amazed as to why it needs transmition work at 62k miles . Its really upsetting because my wife is in love with that car and will not get rid of it , She was almost rear ended 3 times in the last 2 month due to the car bogging . I wanted to contact an attorney regarding this because obviously VW does not care . Can you help as to what we may need to do or if we can petition something for VW to address this concern ? any ideas ?
Thanks
Mario

#65 of 777 Re: New Beetle transmission problems/PLEASE READ [trannybugsme] by rio1958

Oct 13, 2009 (9:43 am)

Replying to: trannybugsme (Sep 18, 2009 3:25 pm)
I am so with you on this. I just took my 2004 VW Beetle into the shop and they informed me that I would need a new transmission as well and they tried to find me a new one but no one has any. I do have over 128K on my car but I don't think that I should have to replace the transmission my transmission was going to cost 7600.00 if I had that kind of money I would just use it for a down payment and buy a brand new car. I really like my car but I am not willing to pay 7600.00 not including labor for new transmission. My cousin works for Fox4 News in Dallas and I am going to print out some complaints and take them to her at lunch maybe they can get the word out on this. I'll keep you posted.

#66 of 777 Re: Transmission won't shift out of park [briscoek] by rio1958

Oct 13, 2009 (9:53 am)

Replying to: briscoek (Oct 11, 2007 7:12 pm)
My service advisor told me that I have defective wiring internally and need a new transmission for 7600.00 if that helps any.

#67 of 777 2005 VW beetle turbo, transmission woes by shouldidebug

Oct 13, 2009 (1:34 pm)

I too have become a victim of a faulty transmission. I bought a used VW bug for my daughter last summer...31K miles...I now have 56K miles and the transmission is gone. It breaks hard and has trouble going into 3rd and 4th gear. I also have the brackets around the gears, so it's obvious it doesn't know what gear it's in. My husband was taking the car to a mechanic when it stuck in 3rd gear. I've been given a quote from Greenbrier VW in Va, for over $7100. How can a car with 56K miles, need a new transmission? And what am I supposed to do? I can't buy another car, since I paid cash for this one. I saved for this car for her and now VW and the dealership have struck again...

#68 of 777 Recall Beetle Transmissions by ethanf

Oct 13, 2009 (3:34 pm)

Went to the website for the National Highway Transportation & Safety Admin and filed a safety complaint. Slipping in and out of gear is certainly a safety problem. NHTSA can force a recall for safety reasons. File enough of them & who knows?
 
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

Messages Page 7 of 78

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