6.5

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$6,000
Average Mileage:
63,450 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace transmission (1 reports)
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problem #4

Jul 082015

Beetle Super Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,160 miles

Have gotten 3 opinions on problem, have tried one possibility. It was put on the computer didn't resolve, cost $1400. Presently back in the shop awaiting another possible solution. With not even 50,000 miles should not need a brand new transmission.

- Gregory P., North Lauderdale, FL, US

problem #3

Dec 122011

Beetle Turbo 1.8L Ltr

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

2004 Beatle convertible. Transmission started jumping,slipping, unsafe.Finally was stuck in 3rd gear with a speed of not more than 30 mph. Took car to VW dealer. Only option to replace transmission. This was $5700.00 !!

Strongly suggest the Transmission be checked for seepage often. Take to Repair ? people at first notice of being UNSAFE

I asked dealer about HELP with the cost and got NO results. Transmission has NO dipstick to know if fluid is low...Very poor design by our German friends

This should be a safety issue. The car is very unpredictable with the transmission jumping,slipping etc.

Thank You! Would be nice to hear from other unhappy owners of 2004 Volkswagen's

- David H., Lodi, CA, US

problem #2

Oct 012007

Beetle Turbo 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

The transmission is slipping in the car. Several other VW owners with this same model have expressed the same problem. The dealer told me that the cost of a new tranny was about 5,800 plus labor.

- Terrance A., Columbia, SC, US

problem #1

Sep 022008

Beetle Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,500 miles

I have only had this 2004 beetle a little over a year. I noticed it started slipping from 3d to 4th gear, revving high and then shifting hard to 4th with a jolt. The next time it happened, I was in traffic and the car revved high and then dropped to 1st gear and gave me just enough time to get into a parking lot next my work. At the end of the day it worked fine and got me home. I looked the problem up on the internet and noticed that this model year has numerous complaints about the same thing. I called the dealer and told me that it is going to cast at minimum thousand dollars to fix. If this is happening to so many 2004 beetles, why has there not been a safety recall on it.

- mmartinez, San Antonio, TX, US