One problem related to vehicle shudder has been reported for the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
First noticed it when starting it up in the morning. Rough and stalling when putting it in reverse. Never did that before. It has to warm up before I can drive it because it will either stall in reverse, or in drive the car will shudder and take off, it will not idle. When in park it is fine when in drive at stoplights it will surge forward. I have to either press the brake pedal as hard as I can and that doesn't always work,or put it in park or neutral!!!! that was the beginning of my troubles. It gradually over time stopped shifting either before it reaches 3rd gear or after. I only have 60,000 plus miles on it and it still should be in the powertrain warranty. That it is 2013 it is 12 years after I purchased it !! that's an average of 5,000 miles a year driving! and it still has a defective transmission!! I cannot believe there is no recall on this! they say it is the valve body that is the culprit! then vw better issue me a free replacement! I cannot believe I have to shell out my hard earned money for their screw up! if this valve body has done irreparable damage to my tranny they will have to replace the whole transmission as well! less than 65,000 miles and having a defective part they know about they have to honor that powertrain warranty! I will need safercar. Gov and or NHTSA help in this matter! sincerely, wayne r. Presley.