When in motion, the transmission fails to engage gears at appropriate engine speeds. Sometimes the engine revs way too high and slams into the next gear, producing dangerous jolts. Other times the gear fails to engage at all, resulting in complete loss of vehicle power. My vehicle was stranded in city traffic due to this temporary failure of the transmission to engage properly. The vehicle has been examined by qualified technicians and certain control parts have been replaced but the vehicle continues to display this defective behavior seemingly at random. I and others could have been very seriously injured because of this defect in the vehicle's drivetrain.

- Pullman, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle lost acceleration. The contact released the accelerator pedal and the vehicle resumed to normal. The contact also stated that the failure occurred for approximately eight months every day. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a transmission valve body failure and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised that the extended warranty was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 12/13/2017

- Tiffin, IA, USA

Hard shifting from first to second, and second to third and when car downshifts thru 1-2 2-3 just had transmission fluid replaced by dealer. Just found out on line this problem has happened since 2003 till 2016 in Beetles

- West Babylon, NY, USA

My 2006 VW Beetle only has 64,000 miles on it, has received regular maintenance, and the transmission went out. This mechanical breakdown is premature for the miles and care this car has.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

Auto trans slips when shifting from 1-2 and 2-3 and it also makes car jump forward when it shifts into gear moving fwd. This is a safety problem VW has had since 2003but does not accept blame for problem at 87,000 had fluid changed and problem started it seems VW doesn't care just like airbag and diesel problems.

- West Babylon, NY, USA

Transmission problems related to this model. Car hesitates when automatic transmission is shifting gears.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

A well documented transmission problem under 100,000 miles there was a lawsuit that I was unaware of my transmission is now having this issue.

- Bristol, RI, USA

06 dig tranny making noise, vibrating badly. Dealer says, 77000 miles transmission needs to be replaced. The 10 yr 10000 mile warranty is for 2007 and up vehicles. 2006 is not included. ( my TH400 tranny in my Buick has lasted 39 years......)

- Hartford, CT, USA

While driving the engine RPM's will go extremely high followed by a thump sound as if the car jumps back into gear. VW of America issued extended warranty which expired in February 2014. It was determined that a valve in the transmission is bad so an extension was issued on the warranty but owners were not told of this and had to have car problems since there was no other to take the car in for any repair of the transmission. A recall notice should have been issued since numerous owners have had this issue which is costing thousands per car to correct.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

I am including my complaint after reading all the complaints from other people who have unfortunately bought this car. This car has been a money pit and one issue after another. They are not safe cars. We got a total clear inspection from the VW dealer ( of course) and then there was some sort of oil leak, which we spent 2K fixing, then the drivers side window just decided to stop working and the entire window had to be duct taped up in the dead of winter until we could order a replacement, then the controller need to be replaced ($500) then the car started lurching non stop and now we are told it needs a new transmission. Seriously" VW needs to address the transmission issues in this car and they need to be recalled. They are a safety issue. We bought the car for $5500 and have about another 4K into it. I would never recommend this car to anyone. Please do something and make VW take a closer look at the lemons they are selling people. I will now have to scrap this car, because it's not safe. Especially the transmission issue......how can it be ignored with so many people having the same exact issue with the transmission"

- Greenville, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving at approximately 30 mph, the vehicle's speed decreased and failed to accelerate over 4 mph. In addition, the transmission and the eps warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Willmington, CA, USA

My daughter was driving her Beetle down a city street when it was stopped going like it was in neutral even though she was in drive. She coasted into a parking lot and turned off the car and waited. She then tried again and it was working. We took it to the dealer ship they said the transmission needs replaced it is testing with a transmission failure on 4th and 5th. It is drivable but we will not risk her life or take a chance that it will stop moving again while driving down the road. We bought this car used 5 months earlier the car fax said it was excellent and had all maintenance up to date.

- Arlington, TX, USA

Severe burned diesel fumes infiltrating the cabin of the car while driving.

- Mexia , TX, USA

Bought the car brand new.it started first by going from park to drive or reverse it would rev high and lurch forward and I would have to keep a heavy foot on the brake until RPM came back down.on the interstate, repeatedly, the car would hesitate while foot was on gas. I figured out to take foot of gas pedal and reapply and it would fix the deceleration issue.next, my car would bang into 3rd gear so hard I thought I was rear ended.it would occur 15 minutes into driving it.got a letter, valve body recall, and I called VW, told me it was transmission and would cost 5600. I told them I researched these symptoms and clearly states valve body. 2 weeks of calling and waiting, dealership repaired valve body.less than a year,3rd doing something funny took to transmission shop and stated 3 rd gear is bad and so is valve body.called dealership bc its still under warranty tried to say I couldn't get a new one bc I didn't go to their mechanic.the transmission guy called the parts manager and stated its not the job that's warrantied but the part and after waiting 4 days, got a new valve body. I've also replaced headlights and taillights 5 times, a window regulator, a battery every 2 years, and now a control door module that controls my topside mirrors, driver window and door locks is bad.I've had the ac and heat stop working when foot was off gas.window coming apart from cartop; they clipped it bc it was under warranty.my door lock fell out under warrant.when does an investigation occur? I've written several news investigation shows and heard nothing.I have spent7000 dollars repairing this car and no one is listening to all these complaints out there. Help us get our money back and bf someone dies in this vehicle. I talked to the service manager he has no knowledge of any of these issues; its just my car! told him to look on the internet.

- Nashville, TN, USA

Transmission hard shifts between 2nd and 3rd. The gas pedal also fails to respond at certain times leading to hesitation during acceleration and also while driving at speed. We have been advised by the dealer that the transmission must be replaced, and that it is not covered under warranty. This transmission problem has been described by various owners and VW has yet to acknowledge that there is a design flaw with this type of transmission.

- Windsor , CA, USA

Vehicle is unsafe and a potential liability to drive due to a faulty transmission valve body. I am the second owner and purchased the certified vehicle through an authorized VW dealer. VW failed to notify me of an available extended warranty of a recognized issue with the vehicle. I tried reaching out to VW but they refuse to offer any repairs and notified me on the letter that "it is our hope the previous owners pass the information to you". this is an unacceptable response and I am appalled by their decision. Any assistance would be appreciated.

- Nogales, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the prndl warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact turned the vehicle off and once restarted, the warning light was off. The contact also mentioned that while driving 60 mph the vehicle independently shifted into neutral with the flashing prndl light. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic stated that the machatronic speed sensor had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. The current mileage was 55,000.

- Donnlley, ID, USA

Transmission check for valve assembly body-jerking-instability. Volkswagen won't fix. Airbag light won't go off. Windows don't work. Headlight won't work. Repaired over & over. Please google VW Beetle issues or go to edmunds.com and check. Thousands of VW Beetle owners have the exact same problems. VW refuses to acknowledge.

- Peachtree City, GA, USA

Since the beginning when the car was purchased I noticed the transmission slipping and told the dealership many times they always advised there was no problems it stuck hard until it reached 4th gear it ran ok. All during the time until present date the tranny slipped I was finally told in early 2012 the tranny was gone and it would cost 6000K to replace the warranty had just elapsed. But during the time prior it was at the dealership for standard servicing including diagnostics and I always notified them of the transmission and was told no problems. Today I was advised that the original had an extended warranty because of an auto trans valve body issue, but was told I was no longer eligible. The car is at about 114060 miles. I would like help in getting VW America to replace this valve body because I was never notified of the problems on these cars prior to the warranty expiration. When originally purchased I had even paid an extra 3000K for the platinum warranty. Can you please help me to have VW America at the very least change out this auto trans valve body this quite possibly could be the main problem, at the time when I was told about the 6000K I could not afford the cost so I opted to take the car off the roads and set myself back in the whole by buying another vehicle with payments, in the meantime all this time I never knew about that trans valve body problems these cars were having. Thank you so much for any assistance you can offer.

- Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. After the diagnostic, the technician stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware. The failure mileage was 104,000. The current mileage was 104,100.

- Westlake Village , CA, USA