I bought a 2006 new Beetle convertible. It is a 5 speed. At approx. 10,000 miles it jerked, wouldn't shift and then was disabled in the fast lane of traffic. It was pushed onto the shoulder, towed back to dealer. I was then given instructions on how to drive a 5 speed (after approx. 35 year of it). I was also told that you cannot drive this 5 speed in traffic - you cannot let it get hot. I was also told I must be "driving my clutch". all in all - it was my fault it became a bucking Bronco out there. Thank god I'm a driver. VW has a wonderful 100,000 warranty on their drive train but they do not consider the clutch a part of the drive train. I have always said "go ahead - drive your car without your clutch fellas". at any rate - I have been painfully loyal to VW all my life. This was and is my first dog. I was told to give them $3,500 to fix my faulty flywheel assembly. I said no. Took it to 3 other places and they said "drive it". I did. I totally changed my driving habits to accommodate the car. No hills - no traffic. God forbid I was in traffic. Got off the road - on the shoulder. Stopped the car. Mind you - this is right from the beginning of my ownership. Everyone is all owner the consumer websites about this problem. I am so insulted by what VW did to us. In the meantime they quietly stopped making 5 speeds. Oh no kidding" why do you think that was?" so - no traffic, no hills - no hot days. It finally took it's last breath last week. And that $3000 is now due plus the $150 to tow it from where I was stranded. Little did I know everyone also had the headlight issues - sometimes yes. Sometimes no. The car is a death trap. For someone as ethnocentric as me the car is quite a disappointment. But far more disappointing is the way VW treated me. It had a manufacturing defect. Thousands have had it. I don't have the money for this. It is disgraceful. There should have been a recall. They knew all about it.

- Kinnelon, NJ, USA

I was driving and the clutch seemed to be different. It is hard to explain how but when you are the driver 99% of the time you kind of know. On Wednesday April 22 I depressed to clutch coming to a stop and heard a definite noise. Then as I was pulling off from the stop in 1st gear the car did not want to move easy. There was another noise as I was releasing the clutch, as well. There is just over 29000 miles on the 2006 VW new Beetle. I was able to continue without causing an incident. I thank god for helping me to recognize a problem and make slow easy moves. I hope there does not need to be an accident, death, fire to suspect a continuing problem with a car to lodge a complaint to review the cause.

- Apollo Beach, FL, USA

My wife was driving her 2006 VW new Beetle on highway, without warning the clutch had a sudden failure and she was unable to shift gears and almost resulted in a very serious accident on the expressway. Vehicle had 30,000 miles and no previous trouble noted on this 1,9L tdi manual transmission. Same engine and clutch as listed in a VW service bulletin for 2005/2006 jetta. Bulletin states that clutch friction material may have a defect causing premature wear, burning, shredding and breaking and warranty was extended to 4yr/50,000 miles on the jetta. Dealer would not honor the warranty and blamed the sudden failure on a wear and tear issue or driver abuse even though there is a bulletin out concerning the sachs clutch assembly. Repair was over $2200. 6 months remaining on original warranty. This clutch should be recalled.

- Melbourne Beach, FL, USA