Two problems related to manual transmission column shift have been reported for the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While driving at 55 mph the driver shift gears and the lever broke off in their hand. Vehicle has a manual transmission. The dealership indicated that the shifter and all related components had broke. Please provide more details. Ts.
While driving in metropolitan washington, d. C. Beltway ("highway") traffic at evening rush hour, I was preparing to switch lanes and attempted to shift gears . . . . When my stick shift broke (one piece became two pieces). I was fortunate that no accident happened, I was further blessed that I was able to coast at highway speed (car went to neutral) until I was able to move from the middle lane to the slower right hand lane. At this point I continued on with flashers and was able to put the car in third gear, but the stick shift remained broken. I have asked approximately 50 people if they have ever heard of such a malfunction. None had! I feel uncomfortable dealing with only vw people concerning the acceptibility of this problem. I contacted usaa and they recommended that I get your group involved. Thank you.