Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10505808April 10, 2013
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP WE WERE TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG HAD FAILED AND THAT IT MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT, AND THAT IT COULD DEPLOY WITHOUT CAUSE WHILE DRIVING. CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN ADDRESSED IN 2008 WITH THE VECHICLE AND THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARLY REPAIRED "IT WAS JUST ADDRESSED". I COULD NOT GET ANY FURTHER RESPONSE. I HAVE NEVER HAD OR READ ABOUT A CAR HAVING TO HAVE AIRBAGS REPLACED AS A SCHEDULED SERVICE OR MAINTANCE. AIRBAG FAILURE SHOWES THAT IT WAS NOT DONE RIGHT TO BEGAIN WITH. THE CAR WAS PURCHACED WITH 34,000 MILES AND NOW HAS 60,111 MILES. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAG POSSIBLITY DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING MORE THAN NOT DEPLOYING DURING A CRASH. ANY HELP IN UNDERSTANDING THIS MATTER IS MUCH APPRICIATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505639April 9, 2013
POWER TRAIN
DEFECTIVE VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING SEVERE CAR TROUBLES ON-ROAD, SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE GOING 60 MPH ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10507202April 5, 2013
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
REAR POWER WINDOWS NOT BEHAVING. ON PASSENGER SIDE, IT DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL - LOTS OF SCRATCHING NOISES. ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, WHEN POWERED 'UP' THE WINDOW GOES UP HALFWAY, THEN IMMEDIATELY BACK DOWN. THE REGISTER APPEARS TO WORK BUT HAS A WILL OF ITS OWN. AT PRESENT, THE FIRST WINDOW CAN BE CLOSED MANUALLY, THE SECOND (DRIVER'S SIDE) WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL. THERE APPEARS TO BE A GREAT DEAL OF COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THE REAR WINDOWS ON SEVERAL YEARS OF THE VW NB - THAT'S WHY I'M GOING IN THE RECALL DIRECTION. THERE IS CLEARLY A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM IN THIS AREA OF THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10507304April 5, 2013
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FIRST OF ALL< YOUR FORM WON"T LET ME SELECT TRANSMISSION< THAT IS WHY I SELECTED ENGINE> THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION>>>>> I WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, SUDDENLY TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL. PRESSING ACCELERATOR DID NOT HELP. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. MOVED TRANSMISSION SELECTOR THRU GEARS INCLUDING REVERSE. CAR DID NOT MOVE, THEN SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION JUMPED INTO GEAR AND LURCHED FORWARD. VERY SCARY! I WAS POINTING TOWARDS THE ROAD WHEN THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD FROM A STOP, MY QUICK RESPONSE AVOIDED ME LURCHING INTO PASSING TRAFFIC. I KEPT MOVING,ALONG THE SHOULDER, BUT THE CAR WASN'T UPSHIFTING UNTIL I REACHED APPROX 45 MPH, THEN IT SLAMMED INTO THE NEXT GEAR. JUMPED BACK INTO NEUTRAL, THEN SLAMMED INTO NEXT GEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10507078April 4, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
FRONT WINDOW BROKE WHEN PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. NO VISIBLE ROCK CHIP, WINDOW JUST BROKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504989March 29, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I JUST BOUGHT A VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE, 03. THE SMELL MAKES ME PHYSICALLY ILL TO BE IN IT. THE DAY AFTER I BOUGHT IT, I HAD THE CABIN FILTER CHANGED AND IT STILL SMELLS. THIS SMELL IS A CHEMICAL SMELL AND MY THROAT STARTED HURTING AND SWELLED UP. I SAW A DOCTOR AND SHE COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM BUT ADDED THAT MY THROAT WAS FILLED WITH PUSS. I STOPPED DRIVING IT AND ASKED MY HUSBAND TO DRIVE IT. HE IS NOW COMPLAINING THAT HE IS HAVING HEADACHES AND HAVING NEW ALLERGIES AFTER JUST ONE WEEK. WE CALLED VW WHO SAID IT WAS A RUST PROOFING MATERIAL THAT THEY USED TO PUT ON THE CAR AND THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. BUT I HAVE BEEN READING MANY WEBSITES THAT SAY IT IS A PARAFIN SOUND PROOFING MAT UNDER THE CARPET. THIS MATERIAL IS BEING REMOVED BY VW FOR SOME PEOPLE AFTER CONTACTING NHTSA. THERE ARE MANY POSTS ONLINE CONCERNING THIS CHEMICAL SMELL (LIKE BURNED CRAYONS). I AM CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY'S HEALTH. I HAVE 3 KIDS WHO HAVE TO RIDE IN THE CAR AS WELL. I WANT VW TO REMOVE THE PARAFIN SOUND PROOFING MAT AT VW COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10504722March 27, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504065March 22, 2013
POWER TRAIN
WE BOUGHT THE CAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE. TWO WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION TAKES OFF IN SECOND GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT TILL GETS UP TO 40 MPH. AFTER CHECKING ON LINE IT SEEMS VOLKSWAGEN IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS AND DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503727March 20, 2013
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE TRUNK HAD MOLD AND MILDEW DUE TO WATER SEEPING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE TOP HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. *TR UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE CONVERTIBLE TOP SEPARATED FROM THE REAR WINDSHIELD, ALSO ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR CANVAS THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS LEAKING INSIDE THE TRUNK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503645March 19, 2013
SEATS
TWO SMALL BOLTS THAT HOLD DOWN THE FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BECAME LOOSE AND OVER TIME THEY EVENTUALLY BROKE COMPLETELY FREE ALLOWING THE SEAT TO ROLL AND TIP BACKWARD AND SIDEWAYS. THIS WAS A COMPLETE SHOCK WHEN IT OCCURED, I HAD NOTICED THE SEAT BECOMING LOOSE BUT THEN TO HAVE IT BREAK FREE WAS A SCARE. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT A CRASH AND INJURY AS A RESULT. IT APPEARS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO IT IS SURPRISING THAT THAT CARS ARE NOT RECALLED TO HAVE THREAD LOCKER OR DIFFERENT BOLTS INSTALLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503521March 18, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE REPLACED THIS SAME BRAKE LIGHT OVER AND OVER. I JUST READ WHERE THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY SAID MY VEHICLE HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED IN 2007 SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, I DID NOT KNOW IF IT HAD THE RECALL REPLACEMENT. I ASKED VW OF AMERICA SINCE IT SEEMS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WOULD THEY REPLACE IT AND THEY DENIED MY REQUEST. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT DOES NOT LAST. I HAVE LESS THAN 65K MILE ON THE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503319March 17, 2013
POWER TRAIN
MY 05 VW BEETLE AUTOMATIC BEGAN LURCHING/SLIPPING WHEN GOING FROM FULL STOP TO ABOUT 40MPH.....WHEN TRANS IS GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND TO 3RD GEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502138March 8, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, SUSPENSION, STEERING
AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY AND COMPLETING A CURVE TO THE RIGHT I WAS ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF THE OFF RAMP GOING APPROX. 35 MPH. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND A MODERATE VIBRATION WAS FELT IN THE FRONT END/BRAKES. THE CAR SPUN OUT AND HIT A SIGN THEN A WALL WITH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501374March 5, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS SEPARATING FROM THE REAR GLASS WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501315March 4, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY VEHICLE'S RADIO SHUT OFF, WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE POWERED DOWN WHILE DRIVING. COULD NOT EVEN STEER VEHICLE COMPLETELY TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. POLICE OFFICER DRIVING BY STOPPED AND CHASTISED ME FOR NOT MOVING MY CAR COMPLETELY OUT OF TRAFFIC'S WAY. CREATED A VERY HAZARDOUS TRAFFIC SITUATION. POLICE OFFICER HAD TO DIRECT TRAFFIC AROUND MY VEHICLE FOR THE HOUR IT TOOK TO GET VEHICLE HOME. THE BATTERY WAS CHECKED AND WAS FINE. NO CHARGE ON ALTERNATOR. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH LED TO CHECKING FUSE BOX NEAR BATTERY. ONE FUSE WAS COMPLETELY MELTED/BURNT AS WELL AS THE ALTERNATOR CABLE CONNECTION ON VEHICLE. THE GOOGLE SEARCH MADE IT SEEM AS THOUGH THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE, YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. FROM MY ASSESSMENT, THE DAMAGE INCLUDED THE FUSE-BOX ASSEMBLY, ONE OF THE FUSES, AND ALTERNATOR CABLE RING-TERMINAL; HOWEVER, MULTIPLE WEB FORUMS SUGGEST THAT FAN ASSEMBLIES AND OTHER COMPONENTS MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL, LEADING TO COSTLY REPAIRS. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE ISSUE CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO MANUFACTURER'S FAULTY DESIGN. MY INTERNET SEARCH ALSO REVEALED THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILLED IN FLORIDA, 2011, BUT I CANNOT FIND ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE MATTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499499February 20, 2013
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
ON THE SOFT TOP CONVERTIBLE THE WINDOWS DROP WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED AND RAISED WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. WINDOW STILL ROLLS UP AND DOWN HOWEVER THE WINDOW DOESN'T RESPOND TO THE DOOR OPENING OR CLOSING ANYMORE. THIS IS A COMMON AND POPULAR PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! EXPENSIVE DEFECT FOR UNSUSPECTING OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498207February 15, 2013
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
MY CAR WAS FINE AND IT STARTED RUNNING A LIL FUNKY SO I TOOK IT TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND TURNS OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON MY AIR BAGS ! TRANSMISSION AND BODY VALVE ? IT ABSOLUTELY DOESN'T WANT TO GO IN REVERSE ANYMORE AND I BARLEY BOUGHT THE CAR IN JULY OF 2012 AND THIS INCIDENT HAPPENS JUST 5 MONTHS LATER. VERY DISAPPOINTED PLEASE HELP I AM A WORKING NURSING STUDENT THAT STILL MAKES PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR. I KNOW MY RIGHTS AND I FEEL YOU CAN HELP ME OUT PLEASE AND THANK YOU. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498232February 15, 2013
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
WHEN GEARING DOWN OR STARTING UP AT REDLIGHT, CAR DOWNSHIFTS AND GEARS-UP WITH A JERK; TOOK TO VW DEALER; SAYS IT IS VALVE BODY DEFECT WHICH COULD UTIMATELY CAUSE TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD; WAS TOLD AT DEALERSHIP VW KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND EXTENDED A WARRANTY ON VALVE COVER ONLY WHICH WENT OUT LAST YR ON MY VEHICLE. I NEVER GOT A NOTICE. VW ADMITS THE PROBLEM WAS THERE WHEN MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO. I BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MANY VW OWNERS. ALSO HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW REGULATORS MALFUCTIONING - AFFECTING LOCKING OF DOORS AND WINDOW CLOSINGS- EVEN WHEN THESE COSTLY REGULATORS ARE REPLACED, THE PROBLEMS RETURN... MY CAR VALUE IS NOW -0- THANKS TO VW MANUFACTURING ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497623February 10, 2013
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR WINDOWS AND REAR WINDOW REGULATORS IN THE NEW BEETLES FROM 2003-2010. I HAVE EXPERIENCED AND READ NUMEROUS TESTIMONIALS THAT INDICATE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT VW IS MAKING MONEY REPAIRING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497646February 10, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TRAVELING ON THE DC CAPITAL BELTWAY, TRAFFIC SLOWED DUE TO A CAR PULLED OVER. I ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND HAD A HARD PEDAL WITH NO BRAKING ACTION AT ALL. I POPPED THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY BRAKING ACTION. I SWERVED TO MISS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND CLIPPED THE REAR OF THE CAR TO MY RIGHT. I FIRMLY HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME AND NEVER FELT ANY SENSATION OF ANY BRAKING FORCE. I WENT ON SOME NEW BEETLE FORUMS AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND WAS ABLE TO FIND SEVERAL STRINGS DESCRIBING EXACTLY WHAT HAPPEN. IT APPEARS THAT WHEN A SPLIT OCCURS IN THE VACUUM HOSE TO THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER, IF THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED IN NORMAL SERVICE, THERE IS NO ISSUE HOWEVER IF YOU JAB THE BRAKES SUCH AS IN A PANIC STOP ONE GETS A HARD PEDAL AND NO STOPPING POWER. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION DUE TO THE BRAKES FAILING AT THE MOST EXACT TIME WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED WITH NO PREWARNING. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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