Transmission Failure problems of the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle

I bought the new Beetle not even a month and I noticed a jerking in the transmission. I found out using specialized websites for enthusiasts that Volkswagen issue letters to owners of new Beetles in 2010 informing that tons of owners complained about the hard shift they were experiencing in the automatic transmission oftheir new Beetle. Vokswagen offered to extend the warranty on the transmission valve body. The models affected spans from 2003 to 2008. In other words, volks sold faulty cars withing this time range and only recognized later in 2010 about the issue. However, the valve body failure in the transmission is across the board and a recall should have been issued for the range of 2003-2008. The component was designed to fail by design. Not even the replacement would fix it because it would happen again. Imagine the danger when there is a hard-shift and the car starts to jerk and changing gears erratically ? imagine this happening on i95 or any other highway. Vw just extended the warranty but a recall is needed here. I called vw and they are refusing to fix it saying it is an old car and warranty is expired, but the truth is since 2003 the hard shift condition existed. It takes time for the valve body to fail but it will fail. I have other cars, but when I noticed the jerk I investigated. I attached the letter that I obtained from the new Beetle. Org site and there there is a detail explanation how the automatic transmission will fail due to the design.

The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle felt as if it were in neutral. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, placed the gear shifter in park and then back into drive, and was able to resume driving. The contact stated that she had to repeat the same procedure five times until she reached her destination. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to perrysburg auto mall (26875 n dixie hwy, perrysburg, OH 43551, phone number: (419) 874-4331) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

2004 vw Beetle transmission failure at 77k miles. Transmission needs to be replaced/rebuilt at a cost of $4,500.

Transmission hard to shift and jerking at all speeds then locks in 5th gear. Repair shop wants $6,000. To repair. Have searched for help in this matter went to vw dealership but was told don't worry that jerking was normal. Now I have lost the use of my 2004 vw red convertible Beetle. My wife is heart broken. The car is useless without a transmission. The dealership could have prevented the problems on the onset when we first told them of the problem. She was so impressed when we purchased the car new that an extended warranty was bought on the inset with the car. When the transmission failed we found out that the warranty company has since went out of business the year before in 2008 and was never informed of this fact.

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.