NHTSA Complaint #10785364 — 2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SWITCHED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT GO BACK INTO DRIVE. THE DRIVER WAS FORCED TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE AND COAST TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER AT THE END OF THE EXIT. THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE PUT INTO SPORT MODE AND WOULD MOVE FORWARD SOMEWHAT IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS FLOORED, BUT DRIVE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. WHEN IN DRIVE, THE CAR WOULD ONLY REV AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED IT AND SAID THE FRONT DRIVE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FELL APART. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION IS A SEALED SYSTEM, MAKING REBUILDING IT OR REPLACING SPECIFIC PARTS VERY DIFFICULT.