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..

- Plainfield, MA, USA

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.

- Gibsonville, NC, USA

The car jolts after it is warmed up. Usually at slower speeds. Tiptronic transmission.

- Nutley, NJ, USA

Car was shifting very hard, tires would squeal as shifting between 1-2 and 2-3rd gears. To replace the transmission it will be between 2-5000.00 dollars we have had to replace window regulators, thermometer.

- Milton, DE, USA

Erratic shifting up and down between 1st and 3rd gears. Car lurches to the point that a natural reaction is to relieve your foot from the brake which could cause a rear end collision in some cases. Problematic part is internal valve body which is a known problem with VW's of this make and model. We had the problem fixed then called VW customer care to see about reimbursement and were told that an extended warranty was issued for 7 years or 2010. Since my car had low mileage the intication occurred outside of warranty and I was told by VW that it is now my problem to take care of it to the tune of $2300 parts and labor. Incidentally, I also did not receive the warranty as I was told it would have gone to the original owner anyway. Considering this is a known issue and acknowledged by VW to be problematic up to 70,000 miles I feel that VW should offer up compensation in that it is their faulty part. Any help in recouping costs incurred to fix this problem would be appreciated.

- Nixa, MO, USA

Vehicle just started downshifting very hard (automatic transmission). Broke two motor mounts while driving due to the transmission shifting this hard.

- League City, TX, USA

Transmission slips second gear through fifth gear. Contacted 2 VW dealers and was told by them VW made bad transmissions in this year. They know of the problem and want 6000 dollars to fix it!

- King Of Prussia, PA, USA

When accelerating from a stop or from a low speed, when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear, the engine revs to a very high RPM, and I have no power and no acceleration. If I take my foot off the gas, it will then shift with a hard clunk. Shifting in other gears is starting to be clunky as well. It is very dangerous to be driving on a highway with a car drifting to a lower velocity, when you are trying to accelerate!

- Atlanta, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen new Beetle gls. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The contact mentioned that when the gears were shift from park into drive there was a brief delay on the vehicle acceleration. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the transmission had a three second delay which was considered normal but as a safety precaution the transmission fluid and filter needed to be replaced. The remedy failed to repair the problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000 and the current mileage was 97,000.

- Honolulu , HI, USA

The transmission is slipping and N flaring. The car hesitates and then lunges forward upon acceleration. I had a mechanic look at it and he said the transmission needs to be replaced. There is a class action lawsuit in process for this vehicle.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

My automatic 2004 VW Beetle convertible jerks so hard from 1st to 2nd gear, it fells like I have been rear ended, or popped the clutch. I have almost been in 2 accidents due to the severity of the jerking, and have had the wheels actually squeal. The car works fine for the first 20-30 minutes, but then gets so bad I fear I may get whiplash. It is now beginning to rev to 6000 RPM when it shifts into 6th gear, or hesitates and I lose power. Have been told I will need to replace transmission, but that will cost almost as much as the car is worth.

- Westminster, CO, USA

The contact was driving 60 mph when the vehicle diplayed an abnormal noise when shifting. The vehicle also jumped gears when shifting. It is a triptronic transmission. It almost caused me to have an accident. When looking on the website www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/new+Beetle+convertible/automatic+transmission I find many VW Beetle owners are having the same problem. These tranmissions should be recalled. Faulty and dangerous.

- Akron, OH, USA

Bought my car in 2011 August. Started noticing problems in November 2011. Gears shifting problems in Jan 2012. My mileage was only 77,000 could not drive car. VW said my warranty was expired and wanted $3,500 for new transmission. Paid money and in 2 weeks was back in shop with same problem. But I almost got in a car accident, my gears stalled in middle of road. Luckily no one was in front of me or in back. Scared me and I wouldn't drive it anymore. Friend took it back in and they replaced transmission two times. (this was all VW transmissions). And its still in the shop because it took out the car computer now. Its been 2 months without a car and im a single working mother. Getting rides. They also wanted to charge me labor for the additional transmission errors!!!!! its been a nightmare! VW has been rude and not sensitive to problems at all. They could care less.

- Nixa, MO, USA

Car occasionally stops in the middle of the road without warning. Takes several minutes to restart. Mechanic says it needs a new transmission. Used car warranty requires expensive testing on transmission before giving a decision as to whether they will pay for it or not. If they won't pay for it we can't afford to do it ourselves. We bought this car in Sept. 2011. The mileage is too high to be part of the recall on many of the Beetles built during that time. VW is very cagey about acknowledging this issue.

- Fresno, CA, USA

Trans shifting badly, problem started shortly after vehicle purchase took to dealer and they said they could not duplicate. Vehicle was under warranty and nothing was done.today vehicle has 94000 miles and looks like trans and valve body will need to be replaced. I wish someone would get on VW of America so they would step up to the plate. They come to thiscountry sell a defective product and the american people get taken hope the government will step in. I am an american vet and cannot believe this is happening.

- Riverview, FL, USA

Vehicle is seven years old with 59,100 miles and already needs a new transmission due to incorrect gear ratio fault 17114, and PO330. Also, needs a catalytic converter, has air leak from brake booster vacuum pipe. VW corporation advised converter under warranty and offered $1,000 toward a new or used VW. The transmission is approximately $4,000. I declined their offer. I also had to replace three window regulators....updated 01/30/12

- Hawthorne, CA, USA

The car jerks between gears and it is getting worse. The problem is the valve body. It is a known problem. (hundreds of postings on the internet complaining.) VW had an extended warranty up to 100,000 and we are only at 69,000, but it ended in October 2010. We were never notified of the problem nor did the mechanic tell us of the problem. From what I have read the transmission will now suddenly jam up and this has happened in traffic. The VW dealership now wants $2,317 for the repair! clearly this is a safety issue that should be covered by VW.

- Round Lake , IL, USA

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.

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

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.

- Brandon , MS, USA

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, 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).

- Englewood , FL, USA