Volkswagen Beetle Complaints
2,629 consumer complaints on file.
- #10298693January 8, 2010AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHENEVER HE STARTED HIS VEHICLE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AND THEN REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A MONTH AND A HALF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10298452January 6, 2010POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2005 VW BEETLE SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEARS WHEN SLOWING DOWN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10298312January 5, 2010POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ----- I BOUGHT A 2004 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, IT IS SO CUTE AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A LOT OF FUN. WHEN RUNNING COLD THE CAR WAS FINE, AFTER WARMING UP, IT STARTED JERKING AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. *TR BY THE WAY, WHY TRANSMISSION IS NOT ONE OF THE COMPONENT IN YOUR SITE? I HAVE TO CHOOSE UNKNOWN/OTHER INSTEAD.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10298131January 4, 2010POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKWAGEN BEETLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2008. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ACCELERATING OR SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL AND BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AT A COSTS OF OVER $6,000 AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 100,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10297375December 29, 2009VISIBILITY
THE REAR WINDOWS ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10297454December 29, 2009AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FOR THE FIFTH TIME IN 10 YEARS, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON IN MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE (LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND NEVER IN A CRASH). ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER WHEN THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAGS ARE DEACTIVATED PROVIDING NO PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. DEALER HAS TWICE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG HARNESS AND RECOMMENDS DOING SO AGAIN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10297000December 26, 2009POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ALWAYS JERKS BADLY, WHENEVER I ACCELERATE AND APPLY THE BRAKES. THERE IS ALSO A LOUD THUMPING NOISE THAT IS HEARD OFTEN FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CONTACTED YOUR PHONE NUMBER TWICE AND LEFT MESSAGES, BUT NO ONE HAS EVER RETURNED MY CALLS OR LEFT MESSAGES, SO I DECIDED TO TRY TO CONTACT YOU ALL ON-LINE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10296869December 23, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY COOLANT LIGHT STARTED BEEPING AND FLASHING RED. I ENDED UP STRANDED. I GOT IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAYS IT IS A WATER PUMP. SO I AM REPLACING THE WATER PUMP. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10296707December 22, 2009VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
ROLLED THE BACK WINDOW DOWN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THEN WHEN I WENT TO ROLL IT BACK UP IT FAILED AND THE WINDOW WENT DOWN ON ITS OWN. WINDOW IS NOW INOPERABLE. WILL HAVE TO REPLACE BACK WINDOW REGULATOR, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10296308December 17, 2009POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2004 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WITH 80K AND A TRANSMISSION THAT IS JERKING AND SHIFTING TERRIBLY FOR MONTHS, AND I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING IT. I'VE SPENT TOO MUCH ON THIS CAR ALREADY, AND 7500 TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IS AWFUL. THERE ARE MANY OF US OUT THERE WITH PROBLEM TRANSMISSIONS WITH THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10296086December 16, 2009AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VW NEW BEETLES HAVE A SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CONSTANT AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON DUE TO POOR QUALITY WIRING UNDER THE SEAT AND IN THE SEAT BELT HARNESS. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICAN DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR QUALITY WORKMANSHIP. PARTS ARE TOO EXPANSIVE AND ONLY A DEALER ITEM. THERE ARE A LOT OF VW BEETLE OWNERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE THE SOME PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10295775December 15, 2009POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 59,500K MILES. IN LOWER GEARS THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD, SHIFTS VIOLENTLY AND TRANSMISSION SLIPS. CAR CANNOT GET ENOUGH POWER IN LOWER GEARS TO MOVE AT A SAFE RATE OF SPEED. WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR VISA VERSA CAR VIOLENTLY JERKS. THERE HAVE BEEN LOUD BANGING NOISES WHEN CAR IS SHIFTING IN LOWER GEARS. MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING CAN CANNOT MOVE FAST ENOUGH BECAUSE OF VIOLENT SHIFTING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES. TRANSMISSION ISSUES HAPPEN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS USED. NOT USING CAR MUCH BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS AND CONCERNED OF SAFETY ISSUES. PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YRS AND IS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. TAKING CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE ESTIMATE ON REPAIR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10295909December 15, 2009POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. BETWEEN 2005- 2009 I HAD MANY REPAIR PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS MY WINDOW REGULATOR WHICH COST ME $400 FOR THE PART AND LABOR. THEN I HAD ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND SENSOR PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THEY HAVE FIXED BUT IT WILL DO THE SAME THING LIKE A WEEK OR SO LATER. NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION, WHICH COSTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX. SO FAR I HAVE BEEN TO 5 PLACES TRYING TO GET MY CAR FIXED. MY CAR IS THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION THAT I HAVE TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND WORK. IT CAN GO OUT ON ME ANY DAY. IT JERKS WILL HARD AND OFTEN CAUSES MY TIRES TO SPIN FROM THE FORCE OF THE JERK. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. I HAVE GOT MY WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE MOTOR IN THE WINDOW WENT OUT WHICH COST ANOTHER $400 TO FITS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10295611December 14, 2009POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WITH AUTO AND TIPRONIC TRANSMISSION. AT ABOUT 64,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED "SLIPPING". AS IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE TO A HIGHER GEAR THE CHANGE WOULD SLIP AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REV UP UNTIL IT CHANGED INTO THE NEXT GEAR THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO JUMP OR LURCH. WHEN IN THE TIPTRONIC MANUAL MODE THE GEAR WOULD SLIP ALSO. ALSO WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE IT JUMPS IN REVERSE AND WANTS TO ACCELERATE BACK QUICKLY. A FEW OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND GETTING INTO TRAFFIC THE CAR WOULD TAKE SO LONG TO GET INTO GEAR THAT IT CAUSED TRAFFIC BEHIND TO ALMOST REAR END ME. NO CRASH BUT ALMOST. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10295696December 14, 2009POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION JERKS IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THIS HAPPENS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND IS VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE READ FROM OTHER OWNERS THAT THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES. MY AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING OTHER THAN REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10295031December 9, 2009VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TURNING ON HEATER IN WINDOW MODE WILL CAUSE WINDOWS TO FOG UP IN ANY WEATHER ANY OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWS I AM NOT THE ONLY 1 WITH MY TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVING THIS ISSUE. A SMELL COMES INTO THE CAR THAT CAN'T BE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10294669December 6, 2009POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
V.W. BEETLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE - HARD SHIFT OR WILL NOT SHIFT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10294443December 3, 2009POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING; NOW, WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, IT IS SLIPPING CONSTANTLY, RESULTING IN INCREASED DRIVING DANGER. ACCORDING TO NUMEROUS WEBSITES, THIS APPEARS TO BE AN UNCOMFORTABLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FOR MANY OWNERS OF NEW BEETLES, 2003 - 2005. THIS WILL BE AN EXPENSIVE FIX, REQUIRING A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10294145December 1, 2009POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2004 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS MY CAR'S GEARS HAVE BEEN ACTING UP, SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR; AND IN MORE THEN 10 CASES COMPLETELY GOING OUT OF GEAR AND LEAVING MY CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE IM DRIVING (IN SOME CASES ON THE FREEWAY). THE CAR JERKS WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS, AND ALSO JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING INTO CERTAIN GEARS. AT FIRST, IT WAS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED RARELY. NOW IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10294089November 30, 2009POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BOUGHT MY VW NEW. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH JERKY SHIFTING FROM EARLY ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". THEY ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH HAS TO BE A LIE CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HERE. I'M NOW PAST THE WARRANTY, THE CAR IS PAID FOR, AND I WORRY EVERY TIME I GET IN IT THAT I'LL GET STUCK IN A GEAR. VOLKSWAGEN KNEW THE TRANSMISSIONS WERE BAD IN THESE CARS AND THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0