Volkswagen Beetle Complaints (2014)

54 consumer complaints on file.

#10872313June 3, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FOREHEAD AND A FRACTURED STERNUM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10864043May 9, 2016
ENGINE
I BOUGHT A VW DIESEL DUE TO THE PERFORMANCE AND LACK OF IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE THAT HARMS THE AIR. I'M A RETIRED FIREFIGHTER WITH 31 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE CITY OF STOCKTON AND I'LL BE TURNING 65 THIS YEAR BUT NOW I FIND OUT THAT MY " LAST " CAR ISN'T WHAT I THOUGHT THAT I WAS BUYING AND NOW I DON'T KNOW IF THE ISSUE WITH BE RESOLVED, I'M NOT SURE IF I SHOULD BE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITHOUT KNOWING IF IT'S FIXABLE AND WHAT TO DO IF I DECIDE TO TRY AND TRADE IT IN FOR A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. I HAD SOME TRIPS PLANNED BUT I CANCELLED THEM, DUE TO THE DISTANCE, WHICH MAY AFFECT NOT ONLY THE AIR BUT THE VALUE OF THE CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10838048February 24, 2016
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE AMBULANCE HAD TO TRANSPORT THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER TO THE HOSPITAL DUE TO BRUISES FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 05/25/16*LJ UPDATED 6/6/18*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10779936October 5, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REAR-ENDED A CAR IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON FREEWAY - FENDER BENDER-NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF. BOTH CARS DROVE OFF THE FREEWAY TO THE SIDE STREETS TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION. ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINS LATER WHILST THE CAR WAS PARKED AND ENGINE TURNED OFF - THERE WERE TWO POP POP NOISES AND THEN CAR BURST INTO FLAMES.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10763355September 13, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY
EXTERIOR DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPEN WHEN PULLING ON THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. USING JUST THE PROXIMITY RF KEYFOB, PASSENGER DOORS, TRUNK, AND GAS FILLER DOOR WERE DISABLED. THEN PRESSED THE BUTTONS ON THE KEYFOB, NOTHING. AFTER 5 MINUTES OF PULLING, PRESSING, PANIC BUTTON, FINALLY THE TRUNK RELEASED. AFTER THAT, EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS OCCURS WEEKLY, BUT USUALLY DOESN'T LAST SO LONG.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10691922March 3, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES
STOPPED AT RED LIGHT LOSE BRAKE PRESSURE ON '14 BEETLE TDI. BRAKE PEDAL POPPING TO TOP AND CAN NOT DEPRESS, CAR STARTS ROLLING. HAPPENED 3 TIMES CALLED FOR SERVICE. WILL SEE WHAT OUTCOME BRINGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10631331September 7, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE NEW 2014 BEETLE I PURCHASED AT HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN OF REISTERSTOWN, MARYLAND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 3 TIMES SINCE I BROUGHT IT HOME. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WITH THE BRAKE PRESSED, SEATBELT BUCKLED, AND ALL DOORS CLOSED. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I WAS UNABLE TO GO ANYWHERE. I WAS GIVEN A KEY AND TOLD THAT THE SECOND KEY HAD BEEN MISPLACED AND AS SOON AS THEY FOUND IT THEY WOULD SEND IT TO ME. I JUST RECEIVED IT THIS WEEK. THE SECOND TIME I WAS STRANDED WAS AT THE COLUMBIA MALL. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, IT STARTED. THE THIRD TIME WAS AT MY SCHOOL. IT WAS WEEK BEFORE LAST, ONE OF THE HOTTEST DAYS OF THE SUMMER. I HAD AN APPOINTMENT AFTER SCHOOL AND SO I GOT OUT A FEW MINUTES EARLY. I GOT INTO A 120 DEGREE CAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN AND SHUTTING THE DOOR, BUCKLING UP, AND PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I WAS SWEATING THROUGH ALL MY CLOTHES AND FEELING PANICKED. I AM 63 AND HAVE OWNED A PT CRUISER FOR OVER 12 YEARS AND WANTED A NEW CAR FOR PEACE OF MIND THAT I WOULD NOT BE STRANDED ONE DAY IF MY PT DIDN'T START. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE BEETLE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL START OR NOT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE 30 DAY CHECK TOMORROW, WHICH IS THE EARLIEST I COULD TAKE IT IN, BUT JUST GOT A BILL FOR 115.00 FOR DIAGNOSTICS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FIRST MONTH CHECK WAS A COURTESY, TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY CONCERNS. THE CAR IS BRAND NEW!! ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT SHOULD BE COVERED WITH NO CHARGE. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED AND FURIOUS AND FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN SOLD A LEMON. AFTER READING SEVERAL POSTS, BY OTHER OWNERS, THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT MANY VW OWNERS ARE HAVING. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THE BEETLE ON THE LOT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10630551September 3, 2014
STRUCTURE
ADULT MALE HAD HAND UNDER THE TRUNK LID GETTING READY TO LIFT IT OPEN WHEN THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS CLOSED (DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS ALREADY CLOSED). THERE WAS A VACUUM EFFECT AND THE TRUNK LID SLAMMED DOWN ON THE HAND. THE HAND WAS SEVERELY CRUSHED BUT THE SKIN WASN'T BROKEN AND NO BONES WERE BROKEN. IF THIS HAD BEEN A CHILD OR ADOLESCENT IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SEVERE. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10628600August 26, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND KEYLESS IGNITION. THIS IS AN UNSAFE COMBINATION SHOULD THE CAR BE STALLED. WHEN THE START BUTTON IS PUSHED AND I HAVE FAILED TO GET THE CLUTCH PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM THE CAR WON'T START. NOW THE BUTTON MUST BE PUSHED ONCE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF, ONCE MORE TO TURN THE IGNITION ON AND YET A THIRD TIME TO ENGAGE THE STARTER AND HOPEFULLY THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS FULLY ENGAGED. ALL OF THIS HAPPENING WHILE IN PANIC MODE AS YOU OBSERVE AUTOS COMING AT YOU. A MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A STARTER BUTTON SEPARATE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. FOR BACKGROUND I AM 60 YEARS OLD AND HAVE DRIVEN STANDARD SHIFT CARS MY ENTIRE LIFE AND HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH A PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE CLUTCH LOCKOUT FEATURE SHOULD BE DISABLED IN A VEHICLE WITH THIS COMBINATION OR A SEPARATE STARTER BUTTON BE PROVIDED. I AM CONVINCED I WILL DIE IN THIS CAR EITHER AS A RESULT OF A CRASH OR HEART ATTACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10625766August 16, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND ONCE ON THE OFF RAMP, TRIED TO SPEED UP AND THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH, THEN THE VEHICLE SLOWED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AT ABOUT 35 MPH. STOPPED THE CAR, THEN RESTARTED AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. CALLED THE CLOSEST VW DEALER . AT FIRST THEY SAID CALL THE VW ROADSIDE HELP SINCE WE HAD NOT BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THEM. AFTER I TOLD THEM THEY HAD ALWAYS SERVICED OUR PRIOR VW'S, ALL THREE OF THEM, THEN THEY CHANGED THEIR TONE AND THEY STATED THAT IF THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON THEN THE SYSTEM MOST LIKELY RESET ITSELF AND IT SHOULD BE FINE. I MADE AN APPOINT TO HAVE IT CHECKED ANYWAY. THE NEXT DAY THE WIFE DROVE TO AND FROM WORK, 120 MILES TOTAL, AND IT SEEMED OK, BUT THE TURBO INDICATOR HAS ALWAYS SHOWN A HIGH READING, EVEN WHEN NOT APPLYING POWER. TOOK IT TO VW DEALER AND AFTER EXAMINATION DETERMINED THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED WITH METAL SHAVING. THEY ADVISED THAT VW HAS HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE TDI HIGH PRESSURE PUMP AND THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTACT VW TO FIND OUT WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE AT THIS POINT. THEY TOLD US THAT IT WOULD BE AT LEAST TWO DAYS TO FIX IT, SO NOW WE WAIT. THEY DID PROVIDE US WITH A VW BEETLE, TURBO, GAS MODEL AT NO COST. IT SEEMS THIS TURBO WORKS CORRECTLY ON THIS ONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10622360August 14, 2014
VISIBILITY/WIPER, SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SLIDE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THE WIPER BLADES WOULD NOT CLEAR RAIN FROM THE WINDSHIELD. IN ADDITION A CHEMICAL TYPE ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10617394July 29, 2014
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
PROBLEM WITH CLUTCH RELEASE. PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP, THE CLUTCH SOMETIMES DISENGAGES WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF SHUTTER. ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU FIND YOURSELF IN TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE IS OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. THIS OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AND CREATES A PANIC RESPONSE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE PULLING AWAY FROM A LIGHT OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. CARS FROM BEHIND HAVE TO HIT THEIR BRAKES WHEN YOU PULL OUT INTO A LANE OF TRAFFIC AND THE CAR STALLS. MY WIFE AND I HAVE DRIVEN SIX DIFFERENT VEHICLES OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS ALL WHICH HAD MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. FOUR OF THESE VEHICLES WERE VW?S. WE KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE WHEN YOU ACCIDENTLY ?POP THE CLUTCH?. THERE IS USUALLY A SHUTTER AND YOU FEEL THE VEHICLE COMES TO AN ABRUPT STOP. IN THE CASE ON MY 2014 VW BEETLE, YOU SOMETIME NEVER FEEL ANYTHING THROUGH THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU SEE THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT AND YOU REALIZE THE ENGINE IS ?DEAD?. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE VW DEALER AND THE SHOP SUPERVISOR DROVE THE CAR WITH ME AS A PASSENGER. AS IT WOULD BE, THE CAR NEVER STALLED EVER AFTER MAKING MAY STOPS AND PULLING UP HILLS, ETC. THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY NICE AND DID TRY TO MAKE THE CAR BEHAVE AS I HAVE DESCRIBED ABOVE. UNFORTUNATELY IT DID NOT. I'M WRITING THIS TO GO ON RECORD AS HAVING WHAT I FEEL IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM WITH MY VW. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10598462June 16, 2014
STEERING, AIR BAGS
CLOCKSPRING IN STEERING BROKE CAUSING FAILURE OF ABS, AIRBAG, ESC AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM.CAR WAS BRAND NEW WITH 259 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10598464June 16, 2014
STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), AIR BAGS, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CLOCKSPRING BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME CAUSING FAILURE OF ABS, AIRBAG, ESC AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. SECOND FAILURE OF THE SAME PART IN 3 WEEKS. VOLKSWAGEN IS UNRESPONSIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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