Performance Issue ‘13 TDI Beetle - Manual Transmission

Hi! I am new to the forum and site! Thank you all for being out there!!

I had my TDI 2013 Beetle Convertible upgraded to meet the regulations. Since having the upgrade, my beetle is not the same. I am curious if anyone else has experienced issues with performance as the dealership keeps insisting the issues have nothing to do with the upgrade.

My beetle is a manual transmission, and it is experiencing what I believe to be performance issues. The beetle stalls out and is struggling to start in am. I park it in a heated garage. There is an underlying rattle noise. And, the most noticeable issue is when driving and trying to maintain a consistent speed, the beetle is ‘struggling’ or ‘lurching’ as if it has no fuel or too much fuel, and it will stall out.

I have had the beetle back to the dealership 3 times. Only to have it returned to me twice, stating there was nothing wrong with the beetle. I was finally able to duplicate the consistent speed issue to the dealership this past visit. They agreed to a performance issue and have no resolution as of today. They are bringing in a specialist on Monday. I am concerned.

My beetle has had zero issues until the emission upgrade. Has any other owner experienced a similar issue?

Have you read through the 2.0 Gen 1 Post fix impressions thread? Seems to be a mixed bag post fix with some having issues, others not. Sounds like your car has problems, may need to escalate up to higher VW levels as your dealer is dragging their feet on admitting a problem.

Hi, I wanted to provide an update. My VW is still at the dealership. The VW field service specialist advised to test the glow plugs. They ran through that testing. Result, my beetle still exhibited the same symptoms. Next up, VW advised to test the crankshaft motor sensor. They changed it out and thought they solved the issue. Result, my beetle still exhibited the same symptoms.

Dealership admitted they are at a loss and do not know what is wrong with my beetle. They believe the issue is connected to the emission upgrade. Repeatedly apologized to me and stated that they are committed to resolving the issue without any costs to me.

The dealership has provided me a loaner each time.

Currently, I am driving a Gulf All Sport Wagon’17- 4 motion which has been absolutely AMAZING in the snow. I was driving through 3’ + unplowed roads alongside trucks and SUV’s. I am from Erie, PA and we received a record 60” snowfall in a few days. That car is just a beast in the snow!!!!