Volkswagen Beetle Complaints (2001)

203 consumer complaints on file.

#10167623September 7, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT, WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT ABOUT 12 AM IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE ON HIGHWAY 217 IN TIGARD OREGON, JUST PASSED EXIT 4 MY STEERING STARTED PULLING ME TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, TOWARDS THE GUARD RAIL. (WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 55 MPH) I TRIED TO CORRECT BY PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. I THEN HEAR A VERY LOUD SNAPPING/BREAKING NOISE UNDER MY LEFT FOOT AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY CAR SLIDES TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, INTO THE GUARD RAIL. I THEN BOUNCED OFF OF THE GUARD RAIL AND THE CAR CONTINUED SLIDING/SPINNING UNTIL COMING TO REST IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. TIGARD POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND STATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE "SUSPENSION BROKE AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF", CAUSING THE WRECK. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END (LEFT SIDE) AND MARKS ON THE REAR BUMPER. WITNESS FOLLOWING BEHIND ME STATED THAT THEY SAW ME DRIVING IN FRONT OF THEM AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SPINNING, APPARENTLY FOR NO REASON SINCE THERE WAS NO IMPACT. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10164853August 7, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS NOT WORKING AND EXPRESSED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. UPDATED 08/25/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164318August 3, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ALMOST TOO MANY TO LIST O2 SENSOR AT 20K MILES - TWICE TEMP SENSOR FOR COOLING FAN ($5 PART - $200 TO INSTALL) AT 30K MILES IGNITION COILS AT 50K MILES. VW HAD INITIATED A "CUSTOMER ACTION" ON ALL 1.8L ENGINES FOR DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS ON VW AND AUDI MODELS. CUSTOMER SERVICE ACTION MEANS NOTHING, COST ME $600 WITHOUT RENTAL CAR ADDED. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PRESS RELEASE WHEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY. WATER PUMP WENT SOUTH AT 61K MILES ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WENT SOUTH AT 61K MILES ALSO. WARRANTY COVERED STILL COST ME $300 FOR RENTAL CAR FOR 5 DAYS. TIMING BELT DAMAGED WHEN WATER PUMP WENT. VOA WILL TELL YOU TO "CHECK" IT AT 50K BUT IT SHOULD LAST TO 108K. PAID FULL LABOR EVEN THOUGH ENGINE WAS APART FOR PUMP WORK. VW SHOULD BE FORCED TO HONOR THE QUALITY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND FORCE A RECALL ON THE COILS, POTENTIALLY THE O2 SENSOR AND DEFINITELY THE ECM. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE INSANE. ECM ON THIS CAR IS $1300 NO LABOR. CURRENT WARRANTY ON NEW IS 60K. MINE WENT AT 61K. 2001 WARRANTY WAS 10/100 AND 8/80. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE PROBLEMS. CAR IS A LEMON, CONTACT LAWYER TOO MUCH HASSLE - THEY WIN AGAIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163912July 30, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2001 VW BEETLE TURBO WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. IT IS STUCK THERE. I WAS PARKED ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE WITHOUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I T WAS 95 DEGREES F. I CALLED VW AND THEY TOLD ME TO DO THE FOLLOWING. * 1. I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF * 2. PUMP THE BRAKE 5 TIMES AND HOLD IT FOR THE 5TH TIME ALL THE WAY DOWN * 3. TURN THE CAR ON COMPLETELY * 4. WAIT 5 SECONDS * 5. THEN TURN IT OFF * 6. TURN IT 1/4 TURN (NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE CAR) * 7. THEN I CAN TURN THE SHIFT IN BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE * 8. THEN TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY ON TO TURN IT COMPLETELY ON TO SHIFT IT INTO DRIVE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162433July 14, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE SETTING OFF AND FREEZING THE ALARM. THE FIRE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT INTERIOR. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE ON THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CLOSEST DEALERS WERE CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE WILLING TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERS FOR A FEE. PRIOR TO THE DASH BOARD CATCHING ON FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BECAUSE OF A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE DETAILER SPRAY WAS CAUSING THE SMELL BUT THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162649July 14, 2006
AIR BAGS
2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED. *KB THE DEALER DETERMINED THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162190July 12, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
LOCK ON GAS LID WAS LOOSE. I DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL I RAN THE CAR THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE AIR FROM THE DRYER POPPED THE LID OPEN AND IT WENT FLYING THROUGH THE AIR. LID IS FIBER GLASS AND IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH TO BREAK IT. I SAW ANOTHER BUG LAST WEEK WITH THE GAS LID GONE TOO! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160995June 28, 2006
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5O MPH THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE HIT AGAINST A TREE. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HOWEVER ONLY THE DRIVER WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE END OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HIT THE DRIVER'S FACE CAUSING PERMANENT FACIAL DAMAGE (ACUTE RECESSION GLAUCOMA). THE CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10157873May 19, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING THE BRAKE LAMPS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE GETS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION. AN NHTSA RECALL, # 03V265000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH HOWEVER; THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152677March 14, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS RECALL, #03V265000, CONCERNING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. FOUR BRAKE SWITCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR ALL OF THEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT IT DID NOT HELP. IT COST THE CONTACT OVER $3,000 IN REPAIRS. UPDATED ON 05/16/2006. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151568March 1, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THESE ARE SECONDARY SAFETY ISSUES: 1) GAS GAUGE REQUIRES $700 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 2) HEADLIGHTS SHIPPED FROM FACTORY MISSING RETAINER BAND AND REQUIRE $650 FIX JUST TO ALIGN. VW SAN JOSE, CA INVOICE [XXX] ON 2001 VW BEETLE LEMON [XXX]. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150740February 21, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM SOLENOID. THE REPLACEMENT ONLY REMEDIED THE PROBLEM FOR A TWO YEAR PERIOD AND IT HAS NOW RETURNED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID, THE SAFETY FEATURE THAT REQUIRES THE BRAKE TO BE DEPRESSED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK FAILED TWICE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150602February 18, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
AT THE END OF MY WORKDAY MY CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT HE WOULD RATHER SOMEONE WITH MORE VW EXPERIENCE LOOK AT IT. WHEN I CALLED THE VW DEALER THE SERVICE PERSON SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH AND THAT THERE WERE RECALLS THAT IT MAY BE COVERED UNDER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE NEXT DAY THE FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, AFTER SEARCHING MY VIN# THE DEALER SAID MY CAR WAS NOT ON ANY RECALL. AFTER SEARCHING THE NHTSA WEBSITE, I FOUND A RECALL FOR MY MAKE/MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150529February 17, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 2001 BEETLE. IT HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE OTHER DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I JUST TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO REPLACE A COIL AND AN O2 SENSOR. ALL THIS IS GOING TO COST ME CLOSE TO $1000! AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT FOR VW BEETLES. VW NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL SINCE THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR SO MANY PEOPLE. I READ OF PEOPLE HAVING THE CAR STOP RUNNING WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING. THIS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148738January 26, 2006
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON. ONLY A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER HAS THE EQUIPMENT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND TELL ME WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. THE DEALER WILL NOT LOOK AT MY CAR UNLESS I GIVE THEM $100. IS THIS NOT PRICE GOUGING? NO AUTOMOBILE DIAGNOSIS WITH THAT EXPENSIVE. IT WILL NOT TAKE BUT A FEW MINUTES TO HOOK THE COMPUTER UP TO THE CAR AND SPIT OUT A REASON FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT. SO, I CAN PAY THEM $100 TO TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR I CAN RIDE AROUND WITHOUT AIRBAGS. THIS TYPE OF EXTORTION SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147986January 18, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER ON 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE FAILED IN SAME WAY AS DESCRIBED IN YOUR RECALL #04V584000-WHICH APPLIES TO OTHER MODELS BUT NOT NEW BEETLE. OCCURRENCE DATE: 12 JANUARY 2006, MILEAGE 64,200 APPROX. THIS IS SAME BEHAVIOR ALREADY IDENTIFIED BY YOU. I REQUEST THAT INVESTIGATION BE OPENED TO BROADEN THE RECALL TO THIS MODEL. I AM TRYING TO FIND REPLACEMENT PART. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147126January 6, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DAUGHTER'S 2001 VW NEW BEETLE, PURCHASED PRE-OWNED ODOMETER READING 34908 WITH HIGHEST LEVEL EXTENDED WARRANTY AVAILABLE. ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY (IGNITER OF AIR BAG) HAD SPORADIC VOLTAGE READING. PRE-EMPTYING WARNINGS OF AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY, HOWEVER SINCE THE BOTTOM LINE TO CORRECTING THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY WOULD RELY ON REPLACING THE AIR BAG, THE WARRANTY REFUSES TO COVER THE CHARGE. SERVICE TECHNICIAN INSISTS IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, WHICH WARRANTY DOES COVER...WARRANTY INSISTS THE CORRECTING OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT RESULTS IN AIR BAG REPLACEMENT...WARRANTY DOES NOT STATE AIR BAG COVERAGE-THEREFORE WE WILL NOT COVER EXPENSE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146992January 5, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO PARK THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE LAMPS ILLUMINATED, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143270November 19, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT
THE POWER SHUTS DOWN IN MY 2001 BEETLE TURBO WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, KILL THE CAR, AND THEN START IT BACK UP. AFTER THAT, IT SEEMS FINE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143271November 19, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001 BEETLE GETS STUCK IN PARK. WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, IT WILL MOVE FREELY INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. WHEN I START THE CAR, THE GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Beetle