Volkswagen Beetle Transmission Problems

784 messages,  Last post on Jun 09, 2013 at 10:43 PM

You are in the Volkswagen Beetle Forum.

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

    
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#590 of 784 Re: Transmission/Engine Problem? Or in my head? [erturner] by belaircarguy

Mar 07, 2011 (5:45 pm)

Replying to: erturner (Mar 05, 2011 6:32 pm)
I believe your New Beetle has the 2.5 engine and of course 5 speed manual. Interesting that you think it revs too high in 5th gear. I purchased a 2009 Jetta (same 2.5 engine), and when looking at the Jetta, I drove a 2.5 manual (5 speed), 2.5 automatic (6 speed), Diesel (6 speed manual) and Diesel (6 speed automatic).
 
I thought the exact same thing of the 5 speed manual. At highway speeds of 65 - 70, the car felt like it needed an extra gear (6th). When I drove the diesel with the 6 speed manual, it did not feel that way. The 6 speed automatic in both the 2.5 and diesel were also fine. My 2009 2.5 has the 6 speed automatic, and at 70 mph, it revs about 2600 rpm.
 
I don't believe there is anything wrong with your New Beetle's transmission, it is just the gearing ratios VW set up on that particular manual.
 
P.S. I also own a 2008 New Beetle convertible (2.5 and automatic). They are a fun car and I know you will enjoy yours!
 
Bel Air Car Guy

#591 of 784 Re: Transmission/Engine Problem? Or in my head? [belaircarguy] by erturner

Mar 16, 2011 (9:06 pm)

Replying to: belaircarguy (Mar 07, 2011 5:45 pm)
Thanks for this! This makes me feel a bit better. I have read that you can do a 5th gear swap that will reduce the rpms (and the noise) and so I'm looking into that option now.
 
Thanks!

#592 of 784 Re: 2005 VW Beetle Transmission Failure [rdumer] by mwolyn0408

Sep 13, 2011 (11:39 pm)

Replying to: rdumer (Sep 12, 2011 12:16 pm)
That is exactly what is wrong with my 2003 VW Beetle. I have brought it to numerous mechanics and they all have said the value body needs to be replaced except I've been told that it will cost anywhere between 1,800-2,500 to be fixed.

#594 of 784 2003 Convertible Beetle - transmission problems by natalielv

Sep 20, 2011 (3:18 pm)

I have purchased three brand new Volkswagens from a Volkswagen dealership in Dallas and am a bug enthusiast. (I used to drive a 1978 convertible beetle.) At 64,000 miles, I am now told I need a new transmission at a cost of $5500 (more than my car is now worth.) I wonder--why was I servicing my car at the dealership and always treating this car with care if the transmission was just going to fail at 60,000 miles? Our other car--a Hyundai hasn't had nearly as many problems and was half the price new. Extremely disappointed.

#595 of 784 vw trans by ccannon

Oct 01, 2011 (7:33 am)

My wife has a 2002 vw bug tdi i am having a problem with the 4th gear surging i can pull into 3rd gear and it will not surge u can also see the rpms move about 200 rpms when this happens..THANKS FOR ANY HELP ON THIS.....

#596 of 784 Re: Transmission/Engine Problem? Or in my head? [erturner] by tgumbyw

Oct 05, 2011 (12:00 am)

Replying to: erturner (Mar 05, 2011 6:32 pm)
Thats the way the '95 Subaru Legacy with 5 speed manual transmission sounds, like it needs to shift to 6th.

#597 of 784 VW Beetle Transmission Problem by michelern

Oct 05, 2011 (12:18 pm)

I wish I had done better research before buying my 2003 New Beetle convertible. I dropped my car off at a transmission shop today because I'm experiencing the same problems that everyone has mentioned in this blog. My car runs normally while it's cold, but as soon as I've been on the road for 15-20 minutes the transmission starts acting up. When I stop the car it jerks and I hear a thud. Once the car gets moving it lurches and chirps gears. The brackets around the gears all light up on my instrument panel, and if I continue to drive the car for 10 or more minutes, it stops changing gears entirely.
 
I'm being told that the transmission needs to be rebuilt to the tune of $5,200. The shop offered to change the valve body for $1,600, but explained that it was hit or miss if it would fix the problem, and it would only be a temporary fix. I've had several problems with this car over the 4 years that I've owned it, and calls to VW fall on deaf ears. I worked for Ford for 10 years and Ford Motor Company was willing to help their customers out within reason. It's hard to believe that this problem has been going on for so many years and VW has done nothing to rectify this or help their customers out with a known problem. I refuse to put that kind of money into my car because I'm afraid of what the next problem will cost me.
 
Shame on me for buying a VW because I was warned by friends that have had problems with them in the past. I'll be buying a new car within the next couple of weeks and you can bet it won't be another VW.

#598 of 784 Re: VW Beetle Transmission Problem [michelern] by rinne111

Oct 14, 2011 (1:37 pm)

Replying to: michelern (Oct 05, 2011 12:18 pm)
I just had the same problem and went through my paperwork and found out that 2003-2008 models have a warranty extension on their transmission vavle bodies and that an authorized VW dealer must cover the diagnosis and repair. It extends the coverage to either 100,000 miles or 7 years. Hope this helps!

#599 of 784 Re: VW Beetle Transmission Problem [rinne111] by justitia1

Oct 14, 2011 (5:22 pm)

Replying to: rinne111 (Oct 14, 2011 1:37 pm)
interesting - can you tell me exactly what paperwork you're looking at? a document number etc?
Thanks!
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