Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10202852September 12, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW FELL DOWN, AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. THE DEALERSHIP PRICED REPAIR AT OVER $600 DOLLARS. WAS TOLD OF EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR UP TO 2002 MODELS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM, BUT NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2003 MODELS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202772September 12, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS FALLEN DOWN AND THE DEALER WANTS AROUND $1,000 TO REPAIR IT. OUR THERMOSTAT WENT OUT LAST WEEK AND COST US $315 FOR JUST THAT, AND THEN THE NEXT DAY OUR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE BROKE. THE CAR HAS AROUND 70,000 MILES ON IT AND THINGS KEEP GOING WRONG EVERY WEEK! I LOVED THIS CAR BUT THE WAY IT IS GOING I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VW PRODUCT (EVEN THOUGH I OWNED 2 IN THE PAST). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202834September 12, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SCAN DTC FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S BUCKLE RESISTANCE WAS SET TOO HIGH. THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND WAS REPAIRED WAS ON APRIL 6, 2005. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202529September 11, 2007
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HOWEVER, IT ALWAYS RECURS A FEW DAYS LATER. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202524September 11, 2007
AIR BAGS
I TURN ON MY CAR AND SUDDENLY THE AIRBAG SENSOR TURN ON WITHOUT REASON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202329September 10, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ELECTRICAL 1ST THE DEALER CHARGES FOR EVEYTHING THEY LOOK AT, AND THE WORK IS NEVER UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. I HAVE HAD TWO HEADLAMPS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. MY A/C SWITCH WHEN OUT, NOW THE WHOLE UNIT HAS GONE OUT. THE COST FOR REPAIRS ARE OUTRAGEOUS. AND THEY ALWAYS RIG THEIR CARS WITH SPECIAL TOOLS, SO YOU CANNOT GPR ELSEWHERE FOR SERVICE.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202385September 10, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
IN 2006 MY RIGHT REAR WINDOW STOPPED WORKING, LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE ISSUE WAS FIXED AT NO CHARGE. LAST WEEK THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW BEGAN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WILL LIKELY COST ME AT LEAST $900. I HAVE LOOKED AT ONLINE MESSAGE BOARDS AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, AND FEEL THAT VW SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS, NOT CAR OWNERS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202405September 10, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
ON 8/21/07 TOOK MY VW TO DEALER DUE TO A RECOGNIZABLE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE AND THE MIL LIGHT CAME ON. PAID $126.94 TO "REMOVE AND REPLACE OIL PAN SHIELD". EIGHTEEN DAYS LATTER, 9/8/07, I RECEIVED A "CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARRANTY EXTENSION" WARNING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DEGRADED PERFORMANCE. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE OWNER ME HEAR A READILY RECOGNIZABLE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER YOUR VEHICLE IN THE AREA OF THE CONVERTER AND/OR THE MIL MAY ILLUMINATE DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF SPECIFIC FAULT CODES CAUSED BY FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS I A REAL COINCIDENCE. THE DEALER CLAIMED I HAD A "CRACKED OIL PAN SHIELD" AND 18 DAYS LATER THE FACTORY STATES THE SAME SYMPTOMS ARE CAUSED BY A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER!!! I DON'T BELIEVE THIS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202460September 10, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2003 NEW BEETLE WINDOWS CONTINUE TO FAIL REAR WINDOW FAILED VW WANTS $900 TO REPAIR STUCK IN DOWN POSITION FRONT WINDOW FAILED WANTS $700 FOR REPAIR I HAD THEM FIXED DURING WARRANTY AT LEAST 10 TIMES, I DON'T THINK THEY EVER GET FIXED THEY JUST KEEP BRAKING AND NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202028September 6, 2007
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD ROLL DOWN AND BECOME STUCK. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH WINDOW MOTORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SIX OCCASIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202000September 5, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
FOR SEVERAL DAYS VW SHREWSBURY MOTORS FAILED TO CALL ME ON THE STATUS OF MY CAR DUE TO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW NOT BEING ABLE TO GO UP NOR A LOANER CAR PROVIDED. THE WORSE CUSTOMER SERVICE I RECEIVED!!!! BUT MY CAR WAS NOT FIXED AT ALL BUT TO RECEIVE THE CAR BACK WITH A WINDOW THAT STILL DOES NOT GO UP BUT TO HAVE TUBES STICKING OUT TO PREVENT ME FROM PUTTING THE WINDOW. BUT TO TOP THIS ALL OFF THEY CAN NOT GIVE ME A DATE OF WHEN THE PART WILL COME IN BECAUSE IT IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER WHICH TO MY IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AT ALL!!!! I HAVE ONE MONTH OF GOOD WEATHER AND I CAN NOT PUT THE TOP DOWN NOR THE WINDOWS AND I PURCHASED THE CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO AND I DO NOT HAVE A DATE OF WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED. I WILL NEVER BUY A VW AGAIN!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202003September 5, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I BROUGHT MY CAR IN A FEW DAYS TO NOT RECEIVE A CALL AT ALL ON THE STATUS AS I BROUGHT IT IN TO HAVE THE BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FIXED DUE TO IT WOULD NOT GO UP AT ALL. THE DEALER KEPT IT FOR TWO DAYS AND NOT EVEN PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER CAR- WORSE CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAVE EVER RECEIVED!!!! I WILL NEVER GET A VW CAR EVER !! NOR WOULD I RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE ELSE. I JUST RECEIVED MY CAR BACK TO NOT EVEN HAVE THE WINDOW FIXED NOR A DATE OF WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED DUE TO THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. I PURCHASED THE CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THIS CAR NOR DOES THE DEALER WANT TO ASSIST IN RESOLVING THEM. I RECEIVED MY CAR BACK TO HAVE TUBES STICKING OUT OF THE BACK WINDOW PREVENTING ME FROM PUTTING IT DOWN AND IT LOOKS HORRIBLE WHICH I BELIEVE RAIN WOULD GO IN AND THEY SEEM OKAY THAT I SHOULD BE FINE WITH THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201781September 4, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON +/- 52,000 MILES AND IS A CONSTANT LIGHT (ORIGINAL CAR WARRANTY EXPIRED 50,000 MILES) I WAS INFORMED BY NEW COUNTRY VOLKSWAGEN OF GREENWICH CT (VW SERVICE) AND FIDELITY WARRANTY SERVICES THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WON'T COVER REPAIR OR DIAGNOSTIC COSTS (ESTIMATED AT $750 PLUS TAX). TECH FOUND "PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR NO SIGNAL." THIS CAR IS BARELY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AT ALL. VW CUSTOMER CARE DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE DESPITE THE FACT THAT ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE IT APPEARS THAT AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE A NOTED ISSUE ON THE 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS, JUST NOT MY VIN NUMBER YET. VW SHOULD CONTACT ME AND PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR SRS.PCO
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201672September 1, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
GAS GAUGE INOP SINCE 10-05-05 AT 58,683 MILES. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER $602.75 PLUS TAX PER MERCED VOLKSWAGEN. ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER INOP 08-17-07 AT 80,951 MILES. CLAIMS DENIED BY VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA70274186 AND AUTO BBB VMA0751644. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201284August 30, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL ROLL BACKWARDS THEN JERK FORWARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200746August 25, 2007
STRUCTURE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
SINCE I PURCHASED MY BEETLE IN 2001, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING MONEY DRAIN. IN 6 YRS. I HAVE REPLACED THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TWICE, HAD THE BRAKES WORKED ON A NUMBER OF TIMES, BEEN UNABLE TO OPEN THE GAS "DOOR" ON THE CAR W/ THE GAS CAP LATCH, HAD TO REPLACE THE HOOD OPENING LATCH, HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL FAILURES, PROBLEMS W/ FRONT & REAR LIGHT WIRING, HAD DOOR LOCKS/ALARM FAIL & SUBSEQUENTLY HAD MY LAPTOP STOLEN FROM THE CAR, THE RADIO HAS NOT WORKED FOR 1+ YEAR, & IT'S COVER PANEL IS LOOSE & FALLING BACK INTO THE DASH, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR SWITCHES HAVE FAILED, THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FELL OFF (!) OF ITS TOP HINGE WHEN THE HINGE BROKE WHILE OPENING THE DOOR NORMALLY AT A GAS STATION, THE AIR COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED MANY TIMES, THE A/C IS CURRENTLY NOT WORKING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK FELL OUT OF THE HANDLE(!!!!), THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, & THE LIST GOES ON. CURRENTLY I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL WKS B/C THOUGH ONLY A WEEK OR TWO OUT OF THE SHOP, AGAIN IT IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I AM AT MY WITS END WITH THIS CAR & HAVING RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, AM NOT IN THE GREATEST POSITION TO HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR. MOREOVER, I AM SO DISPLEASED W/ THE CAR THAT I WOULD LITERALLY FEEL GUILTY ABOUT TRADING IT IN TO BE SOLD TO SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING PERSON. VW SHOULD BE SO ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, & SHOULD BE REIMBURSING OWNERS OF THE 1998 BEETLE IN FULL FOR ALL OF THE STRIFE & TROUBLE THAT THEY HAVE CAUSED. IN FACT, AFTER WRITING THIS & REALIZING HOW MANY PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS HAD, I MAY TRY TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION - THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! FINALLY, OUR LOCAL VW DEALER IS TERRIBLE, KEEPING MY CAR FOR WKS. LONGER THAN EXPECTED, ONE TIME LEAVING A CANDY BAR STUCK TO MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT!!!, AND ACTING LIKE THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE POOR QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS & LABOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200755August 25, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ON AUGUST 22, 2007 THE DSG 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 TDI VW BEETLE STARTED TO DISINTEGRATE. SMALL PIECES OF COIL SPRINGS AND METAL FRAGMENTS FELL ONTO THE BELLY PAN AND A GRINDING NOISE COULD BE HEARD. FROM RESEARCH I HAVE DONE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH VW'S WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199840August 16, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED HER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO INFORMED HER TO CALL THEM BACK AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT HAS ALL OF THE REPAIR ORDERS FOR EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199181August 7, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WITH TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH RENDERED THE TURN SIGNALS INOPERATIVE OR INTERMITTENT**CC THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO HIGH CURRENT LOADS FROM THE BULBS USED THAT WERE OVERHEATING THE RELAY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197699July 27, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FAILURE TO START, WONT READ KEY IN IGNITION DEALER UNABLE TO FIX PROBLEM AS OF YET. SIMILAR PROBLEMS OCCURRED LAST YEAR, PRIOR TO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN PROBLEM WAS MENTIONED, THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.... BASICALLY BRUSHED ME OFF. VERY FRUSTRATING SINCE I GREATLY DEPEND ON MY CAR FOR WORK. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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