4.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,233 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Volkswagen Beetle transmission problems

transmission problem

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1999 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Comments

problem #16

Oct 042010

Beetle

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

K I recently bought a 99 VW Beetle and now all of a sudden my car jerks when it hits like 3000rpm and it idles higher then it should.

- Janesville, WI, USA

problem #15

Feb 172010

Beetle

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle which was purchased on February 13, 2010. While driving at speeds of 70 mph, the vehicle shifted into neutral while in drive mode. The instrument panel indicated that the vehicle was in neutral gear; however, the gear shift selector was in the drive position. She then attempted to shift back into drive and the vehicle began to jerk and lunge violently. The dealer was contacted and they attempted to correct the failure by replacing parts unknown to the contact. While driving home from the dealer, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they reprogrammed the computer, which also did not correct the failure and the vehicle continued to shift out of gear. The failure and current mileages were under 121,000.

- Decataur, GA, USA

problem #14

Oct 012009

Beetle

  • 106,000 miles
V.w. Beetle automatic transmission failure - hard shift or will not shift.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #13

Nov 222009

Beetle

  • 75,608 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving down NJ parkway,65 mph. Transmission went out, thumping, losing speed in heavy traffic. Nothing done to correct after reading blog about this problem. I can't afford to have it fixed based on this info. Car is now undrivable. Shifting erratically if at all. Jerking between gears.

- West Creek, NJ, USA

problem #12

Sep 112008

Beetle

  • 69,023 miles
Problem: Gear shifter for automatic transmission locked in park position. On multiple occasions the transmission shifter has locked in the park position. In order to get the car into a drive gear, it was necessary to turn the car off and on several times while pumping the brake pedal. It has taken as long a 30 mins. Of this process to get the car out of park. On each occasion my car was in a parked position. However, this problem could potentially occur if the car were placed into park at a traffic light or stop sign. Should this happen, it would create a traffic hazard. This same problem has been noted by multiple consumers throughout various internet websites.

- Lyman, SC, USA

problem #11

Jan 312008

Beetle 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles
I bought my 99 Beetle in October of 2007 and the day that I got the car the oil light came on and I took it back they had it for one month they replaced the motor and wire cluster. When I finally got it back about two weeks passed and I was driving on the interstate and my speedometer went from 0 to 120 and then the care lost power on the middle lane of the road. I took it back and they replaced the transmission I have tried numerous times to get them to take the car back and they wont. After I got it back that time the heater stopped working and the speedometer will not go above 40 when I told them this they said they would not fix it that it was my problem. Yesterday my mileage, speedometer, and gas gage stopped working my check engine light came on. And I don't know what to do if you know any one who could help me with these problems please let me know.

- Leeds, AL, USA

problem #10

Mar 202002

Beetle

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the car I noticed the speedometer & odometer weren't working (mileage froze at 26,139). The gas gauge was not working either. Then the check engine light came on and the airbag light. Brought into dealership and was told there were 19 failures when it was tested on their computer. Dealership claims the transmission needs parts replaced. (will be covered under powertrain warranty possibly). Still waiting on parts. They said after they replace parts of transmission they will let me know what else needs to be done and how much it will cost me. The standard warranty ended March 2001. The vehicle has low mileage (26,139). The battery had to be replaced last year. Many times the car wouldn't start and had to be jumped. The check engine light came on the first year I had the car and the dealership claimed it was a sensor problem.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #9

Sep 042001

Beetle

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle will not go into reverse.also, there is noise like a banging tapping. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Beaver Creek, OH, USA

problem #8

Jun 122000

Beetle

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
At 1 1/2 months of ownership the check engine light came on "with no fault found" took 1 1/2 years and 6 service visits to fix. The car often goes forward while in reveres and has shifting problems, have had the transmission "adjusted" 3 times still has problems. Oil light doesnT go on when oil is low. Battery light doesnT go on when the batter is dying. Wiring to headlight keeps "loosening" causing the headlights to fail. Had rear and front brakes replaced due to low ground clearance and snow getting lodged in them and freezing.

- Scotch Plains, NJ, USA

problem #7

Mar 112000

(reported on)

Beetle

  • miles
Since purchased the vehicle has been slow to shift into gear from park or neutral, the consumer has had near accidents on several occasions, the dealer has not been able to repair the problem. Nlm

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #6

Mar 071999

Beetle

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission failed.

- Hewitt, NJ, USA

problem #5

May 242000

Beetle

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Hatchback rattles while driving. Also when putting vehicle in drive, vehicle hesitates and stalls.

- San Franciso, CA, USA

problem #4

May 082000

(reported on)

Beetle

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When consumer puts vehicle in drive the vehicle rattles and hesitates while driving.

- San Franciso, CA, USA

problem #3

Apr 042000

Beetle

  • miles
Forward gear is 3rd only. When in drive, does not shift from 1 to 2 to 3 to 4th gears. This has happened 4 times since 2/99.

- Mountain View, CA, USA

problem #2

May 111999

Beetle

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The left side driveshaft cracked and it ruptured automatic transmission.this occurred in may of 1999. The transmission busted again in December of 1999.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #1

Mar 071999

Beetle

  • miles
Transmission failed.

- Hewitt, NJ, USA

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