Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10131532August 4, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
DT : THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE INGITION. HAD TO WAIT UP TO 10 MINUTES IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. ONCE IT STARTED IT STAYED LOCKED/PARKED. IT WAS INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACTED THE DEALE, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT T REPLACE PARTS UNTIL THEY DUPLICATE. THIS STARTED ON MAY 15, 2005. ALSO THE TRUNK RELEASE WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE BUTTON THAT USED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM EITHER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131377August 3, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2000 VW BEETLE WITH 47,500 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I PURCHASED IT IN MAY OF 2000 FROM COOLEY. . I HAVE CLOSELY FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES ETC. I HAVE BEEN VERY WELL PLEASED WITH THIS CAR DESPITE SOME UNUSUAL PROBLEMS. FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH A SENSOR THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO STALL ( SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED). THAT COST ME $100. THEN AT ABOUT 35K I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED BRAKES $400 +. ON SATURDAY JULY 16, 2005 I WAS ENROUTE TO WELLS, MAINE. APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES BEFORE MY DESTINATION, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY DESTINATION. AFTER THE CAR HAD COOLED, WE INSPECTED THE HOSES AND COOLANT AND BELT. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE OK AND WE THOUGH EVERYTHING WAS GOOD SO WE STARTED OUT TO COME HOME (SUNDAY JULY 17TH, 2005) A SHORT DISTANCE INTO THE TRIP ( 5 -10 MILES). HEAT INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF AND THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY CAME BY, CALLED A TOW AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO BROWN'S AUTO REPAIR IN WELLS, MAINE. MY FRIEND, WHO IS THE FACILITIES MANAGER FOR THE WELLS SCHOOL DISTRICT, HAS HIS FLEET OF CARS AND TRUCKS SERVICED THERE SO I BELIEVED THE REPAIR SHOP TO BE REPUTABLE. MR.. BROWN, REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, THE WATER PUMP, FAN MOTORS, SENSORS, SERPENTINE BELT, TIMING BELT AND COOLANT ETC. AT A COST OF $1396.. THE FIRST TOWING EXPENSE WAS COVERED BY MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. BOTH MR... BROWN AND THE VW DEALERSHIP WHERE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE PURCHASED SEEMED TO THINK THAT I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE LOW MILEAGE. I AGREE. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT RECOURSE I HAVE. IF OTHER BEETLE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES AND PROBLEMS. I HAVE OWNED FIVE OTHER VW AUTOMOBILES AND AM A VW LOVER BUT THIS DOES NOT MAKE ME A HAPPY VW OWNER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130983August 2, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: 2005 VOLKSWAGEN, BEETLE. ON OCCASION WHEN STOPPING AT RED LIGHT,THE CAR BOGGED DOWN, WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. IT WOULD HESITATE FOR AT FEW SECONDS, AND IT WILL NOT TAKE THE GAS. THE ENGINE HAD NOT QUIT AS OF YET. CONSUMER SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY PUT IT ON A MACHINE, AND DROVE THE CAR. HOWEVER, COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WAS COOPERATING , AND SAID THEY WOULD TRY TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED AT 5 OR 6 TIMES SINCE MAY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130782August 1, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE RECALL. EPC LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF, CAME ON AGAIN. CURRENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OFF. TRIED TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, JUST TURNING THE KEY HAVE WAY , BUT THEY STILL WILL NOT COME ON. IT CAME ON ONCE BEFORE ABOUT 4 OR 5 MONTHS, BUT IT WENT BACK OFF. CONTACTED DEALER ,THEY HAD CHECKED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131287July 26, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE ELECTRIC FAN FAILED.*MR THE STATED THAT AN OBJECT MUST HAVE HIT THE FAN TO CAUSE IT TO FAIL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAN WAS PROTECTED ON ALL SIDES BY STEEL AND ALUMINUM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS THE FAN WAS TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129919July 25, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
2001 VW BEETLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. RESEARCED ON LINE TO FIND THERE WAS A RECALL CONCERNING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHS IN 2001 BEETLE. TOOK CAR TO BUTLER VW TO HAVE FIXED AND WAS CHARGED FOR REPAIR KNOWING THEY HAVE A HISTORY WITH THESE SWITCHS BEING DEFFECTIVE. DEALER WOULD NOT PAY BASED ON VEHICLE NOT FALLING INTO VIN'S THAT WERE RECALLED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129973July 25, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
2001 NEW BETLE. IN SHOP 7 TIMES SINCE PURCAHSE ON MARCH 15, 2005. WAS TOLD IT WAS 02 SENSORS. REPLACED SENSORS, RE WIRED, AND PLACED NEW COMPUTER IN AUTOMOBILE. PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED. SEVERAL OHTERS HAVE EXPREINCED THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE SEE HTTP://WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM/UBB/FORUM3/HTML/000059.HTML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129783July 23, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1. ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE; 2. ENGINE THEN "EXPLODED" RESULTING IN ENGINE FIRE AND DESTRUCTION OF ENGINE AND ALL UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129758July 22, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
PURCHED A USED 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE FOR MY DAUGHTERS 16TH BIRTHDAY. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FIRST. AFTER 3 TRIPS TO THE DEALER( WHICH IS 50 MILES AWAY) THAT WAS FINALLY FIXED. THEN IS WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PARK. SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY PUT IN A NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. WELL NOW IT IS STUCK IN PARK AGAIN AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR TOWING AGAIN TO HAV THE SAME PART REPLACED AGAIN. THE TOW BILL ALONE IS WELL OVER 100.00. I CALLED VW AND THEY TELL ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALLL THAT IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THIS CAR IS COSTING ME A FORTUNE AND SHE HAS HAD IT ONLY 1 YEAR AND IT HAS ONLY 48,000 MILES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE TIMES THEN OUT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW. THEY ARE TOTALLY JUNK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127022July 22, 2005
AIR BAGS
DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR AIR BAGS KEPT COMING ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED BUT LIGHT CAME BACK ON IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS PROBLEM STARTED SOON AFTER HE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2000 AND THAT IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING OFF AND ON EVER SINCE. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS HEARD OTHER BEETLE OWNERS COMPLAIN OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE CONNECTION UNDER THE SEAT CAN BE DISCONNECTED EASILY OR IS TOO EASILY DAMAGED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129180July 18, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT AND AFTER 30,000 MILES MANY MECHANICAL FAILURES INCLUDING 2 ALTERNATORS REPLACED, 2 BATTERIES REPLACED, EPC LIGHT HAD COME ON TWICE, BRAKE LIGHT DEFAULTS, SIGNAL LIGHT DEFAULTS. MOST OF THIS WAAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THE A/C SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING AT 65,000 MILES AND IS NOT A FREON ISSUE. THE A/C WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128856July 15, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WATER PUMP BROKE, CAUSING THE TIMING BELT TO BREAK WHICH RESULTED IN ALL VALVES BENT AND AN ENGINE REBUILD. THE CAR HAD 69,000 MILES...VW MANUAL SAYS MANITENANCE AT 120,000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128388July 11, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DRIVER DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTION. NO PRIOR EVENT. DRIVER DOOR LATCH (DIODE/ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED) FAILED -CAR DOOR DOES NOT SHUT/STAY LATCHED. WHILE DRIVING CAR DOOR OPENS ON ITS OWN ACCORD. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT DOOR LATCH WILL NOT OPERATE/CLOSE WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONS. SUGGESTED I USE TAPE TO HOLD DOOR SHUT-WHILE WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT LATCH. PART # 3B1-837-015-AK LOCK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124066July 8, 2005
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR, STRUCTURE
DT: VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1999. THE CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH MIRRORS ON THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE. THEY HAVE TOO MUCH OF A BLIND SPOT FOR ONCOMING VEHICLES. ALSO, THE POST BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES, BEFORE GETTING TO THE DOORS, ARE ALSO GIVING THE CONSUMER TROUBLE, AS BEING A BLIND SPOT. THE CONSUMER PULLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND DIDN'T SEE ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE BLIND SPOTS FROM THE CAR. *AK *SC *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10127408July 4, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
COOLING SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING THE ORIGINAL OVERHEATING. THE CAR HAS CONTINUED TO PERIDODICALLY OVERHEAT SINCE. THE CAR WAS FULLY REPAIRED FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT AND HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR MANY TIMES SINCE. NOW THERE ARE SEVERAL FAILURES WITH THE CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127307July 1, 2005
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
I OWN A 1999 NEW BEETLE WITH THE 2.0 ENGINE WITH 37,000 ORIGINAL MILES. THE CAR QUIT RUNNING APPROX. 2 1/2 YRS AGO,APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT FROM A CERTIFIED VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, USED. A FEW DAYS AFTER DELIVERY THERE WAS A ROTTEN EGG SMELL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, ENGINE SLUGGISH. AFTER ONE MONTH THE BATTERY WENT DEAD COMPLETELY. REPLACED THE BATTERY, CAR WOULD NOT RUN. BATTERY DEAD AGAIN AFTER FOUR DAYS. I FOUND INFO ON THE INTERNET THAT SECURITY SYSTEM MUST BE SET OR THE BATTERY WILL LAST ONLY FOUR DAYS. INSPECTED PLUGS, FOUND HEAVY CARBON BUILDUP. INSPECTED PRE O2 SENSOR, FOUND SAME. DECIDED TO OVERHAUL ENG. FOUND HEAVY CARBON ON TOPS OF PISTONS AND VALVES. MACHINE SHOP HAD TO REPLACE PISTONS, RINGS, ALL BEARINGS, OIL PUMP, PLANE THE CYLINDER HEAD, PLANE THE HEAD MATING SURFACE, REPLACE SEALS, TURN THE FLYWHEEL. I HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, CLUTCH, THROWOUT BEARING, O2 SENSOR, PLUG WIRES, AND THE DIPSTICK HOLDER. AFTER CONSIDERABLE MONEY SPENT, ENGINE WOULD START BUT NOT RUN. I FOUND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT IF ELECTRICAL POWER IS LOST, VEHICLE MUST BE TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND BE REPROGRAMMED. IT WILL NOT RUN UNTIL THAT IS DONE. THE REASON GIVEN WAS THAT VOLKSWAGEN DID NOT WANT ANY OWNERS TO FIX THEIR OWN CAR. THIS COULD BE A SIGNIFIGANT SAFETY ISSUE IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION! THERE ARE REPORTS ON SEVERAL INTERNET FORUMS OF THE ORIGINAL BATTERIES BLOWING UP AND EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RUN UNTIL IT WAS REPROGRAMMED. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A FULL INVESTIGATION ON THIS MODEL TO SEE IF IT SHOULD BE SOLD IN THE US. THERE ARE TOO MANY REPORTED DEFECTS ON THIS MODEL TO LIST HERE, SOME THAT APPLY TO THIS CAR, THAT ARE MUCH MORE DANGEROUS THAN I DESCRIBED HERE. I HOPE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT WILL STRAIGHTEN THIS COMPANY OUT AND THAT OWNERS WILL SOMEHOW BE COMPENSATED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127207June 30, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I HAVE A 2001 NEW BEETLE. I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN JULY 2000. MY COMPLAIT IS THAT I HAD MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON AND DIABLED MY STOPPING ABILITY OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED REPLACING THE ELECTRONIC CONTOL UNIT OF MY ABS SYSTEM. THIS COST ME 1300.00 TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL CAR UNDER THE SAME MANUFATURER DATES OF SEPT 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 2001. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS #02V031000. MY VEHICLES VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SEQUENCE OF RECALLED VEHICLES. I AM APPAULED THAT MY CAR HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MANUFATURE DATE IS NOT COVERED ON THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED AND DEMAND AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT IS OK FOR ME TO RISK MY FAMILY'S LIVES WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY IDENTIFIED AS A MAJOR PROBLEM. NOT TO MENTION A BIG EXPENSE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127064June 29, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
DT: HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINING ON. THIS OCCURRED WHEN BOTH BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED AND EVEN WHEN IT WAS NOT. CONSUMER REMOVED BRAKE LIGHT FUSE ON HIS OWN. ALSO, REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BUT STILL PROBLEM RECURRED. . CONSUMER WAS C WITHOUT ANY BRAKE LIGHTS . CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124590June 28, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY
DT: DRIVER HAD PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE INCE IT WAS NEW. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THE CONSUMER HAS A HARD TIME SEEING IF THE WAY IS CLEAR. THE CONSUMER IS WORRIED THAT SHE WILL HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK *TT *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126685June 27, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
2000 VW NEW BEETLE IGNITION SWTICH - THOUSANDS OF FAILURES WITH DOCUMENTED PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF OF OVERHEATED WIRING BURNING THROUGH INSULATION WITHIN STEERING COLUMN. FIRE HAZARD! MY SWITCH WENT BACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ARIZONA DESERT. NO HEADLIGHTS, NO WINDSHIELD WIPERS, NO HORN, NO A/C, NO TURN SIGNALS, NO FOG LIGHTS, NO REAR DEFROSTER. MAIN CONCERN IS NO HEADLIGHTS, AND RISK OF FIRE OBVIOUSLY. VW OF AMERICA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ACROSS MANY MODELS, AND DEALERS HAVE WARNED THAT CARS ARE 'UN-DRIVEABLE' DUE TO FIRE RISK WHEN PROBLEM SURFACES. VWOA REFUSES TO REPLACE OR RECALL SWITCHES. IGNITION SWITH REQUIRES REPLACMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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