Severe shift hesitation

[ejsharp]

Please excuse this transgression. The Mercedes is running just fine but our 2001 Jetta has developed a severe hesitation when required to shift. Normally I would suspect a disconnected vacuum line or a clogged filter but the shop says that it will cost $3,500.00 to fix it. They claim the trans is sealed and there is not much they can do.

Can anyone shed some light on why the trans is acting up like it is?

Regards to all!... and thank you.