Automatic Transmission problems of the 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle. The contact stated the vehicle would jerk violently when she attempted to shift between gears. She also noticed debris that entered the vehicle through the ventilation system which was a greasy substance that caused her eyes to burn and could have obstructed her view. The dealer nor manufacturer were notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was awaiting an appointment with a private mechanic. The current mileage was 67,700. The approximate failure mileage was 67,100.

2003 tdi beetle (auto) jerks abruptly when upshifting. The car almost stalls in fast-moving traffic, creating a life-threatening condition. Dealer service dept. States a temperature sensor for transmission fluid is not functioning, and needs replacement. This is not a part that should fail as it threatens lives, and should be replaced by vw.

I was involved in a crash while driving my 2003 vw beetle convertible. I was unable to brake and avoid a semi-truck that was in directly in front of me. I was traveling at a speed between 30-40 mph but did lose conscience so am not sure if remember exactly how fast I was going. My airbag did not deploy and my seat belt did not lock causing my face to slam directly into the steering wheel. The passenger side airbag which contained no passengers nor items did deploy. I suffered facial fractures and a broken nose. My fractures have healed but my nose needs to be reconstructed. My car was serviced at a collision center and then sent to the autobarn in countryside, IL where the car was bought used in August of 2006. The car was returned to me on Dec 27 but no explanation was given for the airbag not deploying. The transmission was also not working properly so I returned the car for additional service a few days later. The car was finally returned to me 2 weeks later with a new transmission but still no explanation for the airbag. Upon leaving the autobarn on January 17 with my car, the air bag light turned on and stayed on while I drove about 10 miles. I returned the car the next day and the service department stated the light did not go on for them and offered again no explanation.

The car slams into gear when starting from a cold start. It was in the shop over a month, and it was given back to me with "we can find nothing mechanically wrong with it, it may buck a bit, but there are no safety hazards. " live with it basically. Vw themselves have been of no help whatsoever in resolving this issue.

Transmission shifts hard around 20 mph. Jerks so hard sometimes it seems like the car will stall out. Dealership says this is normal. I can't imagine that it is good on the transmission!? this has been happening for the past three years.

Powertrain problems-- vehicle has tiptronic. Intermittent failure shifting from automatic to tiptronic manual functionality. In addition, passenger frontal airbag failed within the first week of purchase of the vehicle. Multiple service related complaints.

Car will not shift from park to reverse. This has happened 4 times, and I have only had the car for a week!.

Hard shifting between second and third gears of automatic transmission of 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle.

Transmission - intermittently will not shift from reverse to drive. Occurred beginning the third week after purchase of this brand new car. Took to dealership - they adjusted transmission but said they cannot replicate the problem so I will have to wait until it gets worse or leave it until they experience the problem. Now the transmission (as of 1 week ago) occasionally "slams" into first and second gear. I am scheduling another service with the dealer. I advised them the failure to shift from reverse to drive is a safety hazard (I have been almost rear ended 3 times in a parking garage). They are not the least bit concerned. I asked for a new replacemenet car since it had 500 miles on it at that point - they would not even discuss this. I am not optimistic as they will likley give me the "we cannot replicate the problem - you will have to wait until it gets worse" routine. This is a safety hazard. I want a new car or a new transmission.

2003 Volkswagen New Beetle failed. The vehicle jerked like it was going to cut off. The dealer has installed a new transmission but the problemm has recurred.