2013 Volkswagen Beetle Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 24,502miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle, 5% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,502 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall on 8/13/16 while driving this vehicle without warning, the engine shuts off. I was traveling about 45 MPH on a city street and as I attempt to move over the engine shut off and I could not steer the vehicle. After coming to a complete stop I was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle did this several more times before I was to send it back to the car lot. I was told that the crank shaft was repaired on the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10906280, filed 2016-09, 5 miles“When decelerating all power shuts off. This has happened on an off ramp (7-5-19), going to start to go though a green light (7-15-19), while driving in my subdivision (7-16-19)and today (6-27-20) on a busy highway and now will not stay operational in the driveway.”
NHTSA complaint #11331259, filed 2020-06, 49,000 miles“Upon pulling into my driveway, the vehicle would not shift into Park. It got stuck in neutral and allows me to turn the vehicle on and off, but will not shift from neutral into park or drive or anything. The shifter is completely stuck, and the manual override button does nothing.”
NHTSA complaint #11766649, filed 2026-09“After parking vehicle in a parking lot, manipulated gear shift from drive to park. Left vehicle and continued business. When returning to parking lot, vehicle was no longer in the parking spot but had rolled backwards into the travel lane of the lot. Started vehicle and attempted to move but could not move gear shift lever to drive or reverse. Was then I noticed that while the gear shift lever was in the park position, the instrument cluster display indicated it was in neutral. Could not adjust gear shift at all. Had vehicle towed to shop and was informed the gear shift cable had broken. …”
NHTSA complaint #11582749, filed 2024-04“The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted from the park position to drive, it took approximately seven seconds for the transmission to become engaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was functioning normally. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10825312, filed 2016-02Related service bulletins
- 11025440Oct 14, 2025Cautions about using aftermarket transmission flush machines and aftermarket transmission fluids.
- 11025439Oct 9, 2025Diagnosing Manual Transmission Noise
- 11023836Sep 15, 2025This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement. This extension includes 2008-2015 GTI and Golf R*, 2012-2013 VW Beetle*, 2009 VW…
- 11008861Sep 17, 2024Fluid requirements
- 11008851Sep 17, 2024Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 11008860Sep 11, 2024Manual transmission noise diagnosing
- 10238310Jun 21, 2023Automatic Transmission Fluid Requirements
- 10238309Jun 15, 2023Noise Diagnostic for Manual Transmission vehicles.
- 10218953Aug 25, 2022Manual transmission noise diagnostic assistance
- 10214473Jun 14, 2022Auto Trans fluid requirements.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 7% |
| 2016 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 6 | 7% |
| 2014 | 3 | 6% |
| 2013 | 5 | 5% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2010 | 4 | 13% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 7 | 12% |
| 2007 | 12 | 21% |
| 2006 | 46 | 37% |
| 2005 | 116 | 44% |
| 2004 | 157 | 45% |
| 2003 | 134 | 43% |
| 2002 | 23 | 14% |
| 2001 | 24 | 12% |
| 2000 | 23 | 9% |
| 1999 | 29 | 17% |
| 1998 | 10 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle
34 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology