Volkswagen BEETLE transmission problems
534 complaint narratives mention transmission terms.
Key facts
2,529 owner complaints analyzed
32 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1965 to 2019 model years. Data snapshot: . 1,730 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Transmission and shifting evidence
534 of 2,529 complaints match this topic (21.1%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10050523 · 2004-01-08 (January 8, 2004)
HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT WHILE IN USE WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE IT WILL EITHER SURGE OR CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. DEALERSHIP STATED THEY NEED TO SEPARATE THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MOTOR BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMER NOTED HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF ONE HEADLIGHT BEETLES AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. *PH *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110626 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)
MY 1998 BUG HAS BURNED APPROX. 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES, DEALERSHIP REPORTED THIS AS NORMAL? DON'T THINK SO. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS EVERY SIX MONTHS UNTIL THE SWITCH ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FOR THE DAYTIME RUNNINGS LAMPS BROKE. I OPEN THE CAR DOOR (STILL IN WARRANTY) AND THE HANDLE FELL OFF IN MY HANDS. FOG LIGHT HAD MOISTURE IN IT, NOW BOTH HAVE FALLEN OUT. BOTH DOOR HINGES BROKE. YOU CANNOT OPEN DOORS AND SHUT THEM, I HAD TO CLIMB IN AND OUT OF THE WINDOWS TO GET INTO THE CAR. THE TRUNK LATCH HAD TO BE REPAIRED, IT W…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10110626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10200746 · 2007-08-25 (August 25, 2007)
SINCE I PURCHASED MY BEETLE IN 2001, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING MONEY DRAIN. IN 6 YRS. I HAVE REPLACED THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TWICE, HAD THE BRAKES WORKED ON A NUMBER OF TIMES, BEEN UNABLE TO OPEN THE GAS "DOOR" ON THE CAR W/ THE GAS CAP LATCH, HAD TO REPLACE THE HOOD OPENING LATCH, HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL FAILURES, PROBLEMS W/ FRONT & REAR LIGHT WIRING, HAD DOOR LOCKS/ALARM FAIL & SUBSEQUENTLY HAD MY LAPTOP STOLEN FROM THE CAR, THE RADIO HAS NOT WORKED FOR 1+ YEAR, & IT'S COVER PANEL IS LOOSE & FALLING BACK INTO THE DASH, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR SW…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10200746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10358833 · 2010-10-02 (October 2, 2010)
MY 98 VW NEW BEETLE HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT. AROUND 66,000 MILES IT BEGAN TO SHIFT REAL HARD. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR OR HIGHER I HAVE TO ACCELERATE ENOUGH TO GET THE ENGINE UP TO 4,000+ RPM'S, EASE OFF THE GAS A LITTLE AND THEN IT WILL FINALLY LURCH INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER STOPPING IN INTERSECTIONS DUE TO THE HIGH TRAFFIC VOLUME IN MY AREA. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT AND HAPPENS WHENEVER THE CAR IS RUNNING. I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO BE SERVICED BECAUSE OF THE EXTREMELY HIGH COS…
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10358833 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10604323 · 2014-06-18 (June 18, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10604323 at NHTSA ↗