Volkswagen Beetle Complaints (2004)

349 consumer complaints on file.

#10190724May 14, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
BOTH FRONTAL CRASH SENSORS FAILED IN A SIX MONTH PERIOD. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, ONE OF THE REPLACED SENSORS FAILED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS ALERTED BY AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATING PROBLEM. *AK SRS.PCO
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186957April 3, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I HAVE TWO CRASH SENSORS THAT HAVE FAILED WITHIN 6 MONTHS ON MY 2004 VW BEETLE. THIS A MAJOR SAFETY DEVICE THAT VW US HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IS A MANUFACTUE DEFECT. *JB SRS.PCO
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186161March 26, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED. IN ADDITION, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS WOULD SHUT OFF, BUT THE DEALER REPLACED THE BULBS. THE CONTACT HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 35851. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173800November 18, 2006
AIR BAGS
OUR 2004 VW NEW BEETLE HAS HAD TWO AIR BAG SWITCH FAILURES. THE FIRST ONE WAS WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE THOUSAND MILES AND WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND ONE JUST HAPPENED AND WAS NOT COVERED BY OUR ORIGINAL WARRANTY, OR OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY. IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WE DID NOTHING TO PROMOTE THE FAILURE, IS THE $535 REPAIR OUR RESPONSIBILITY? *JB SRS.PCO
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173690November 16, 2006
VISIBILITY, AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PURCHASED BRAND NEW. PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR: 1. REAR POWER WINDOWS HAVE BOTH TAKEN TURNS FALLING DOWN INTO THE BODY. WILL NOT POWER UP. ONE HAS BEEN REPLACED. DEALER NOW WON'T FIX SECOND ONE BECAUSE THEY 'DON'T SEE IT AS A KNOWN PROBLEM.' 2. HEADLINER AROUND REAR WINDOW HAS COME UNDONE. 3. HEADLIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED CONSTANTLY. FOR EXAMPLE; A LIGHT BULB WAS INSTALLED ON A SATURDAY, AND HAD STOPPED WORKING BY THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY. 4. RUBBER COATING ON GLOVE BOX AND ON INTERIOR DOORS IS PEELING OFF. DEALER WOULD NOT EVEN CONDSIDER FIXING OR ADDRESSING. 5. KEY ASSEMBLY FOR ARM CONSOLE BROKE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 8 MONTHS, AND SEVERAL REMINDERS, TO GET DEALER TO REPLACE. 6. SOMETIMES RADIO STAYS ON AFTER KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM IGNITION. 7. AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. WON'T GO OFF. 8. HAND RELEASE ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OFTEN GETS 'STUCK' AND WILL NOT WORK. 9. CUP HOLDER HAS COME OFF TRACK. I ONLY DRIVE THIS CAR TO-AND-FROM WORK. NO KIDS/PASSENGERS RIDE IN IT. IT HAS NOT HAD ANY OWNER ABUSE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171877October 26, 2006
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CAR WAS IN FOR A RECALL ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 FOR THE EGR COOLER. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE FLYWHEEL WAS GOING BAD. I TOLD THEM THAT I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE MASTER CYLINDER. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE FLYWHEEL AND NOT THE MASTER CYLINDER. A MONTH LATER THE FLYWHEEL WENT BAD CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO GO BAD. THIS WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND MADE THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. DEALER WAS AWARE THE FLYWHEEL WAS GOING BAD BUT DID NOT OFFER TO REPAIR IT FOR ME OR INFORM ME IT WAS A WARRANTY ITEM. WHEN THE CAR WAS REPAIRED THE FLYWHEEL AND THE CLUTCH WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD COVER THE COST OF THE FLYWHEEL (PARTS ONLY) BECAUSE THEY HAD NOTICED IT WAS GOING BAD BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. BUT THEY DID NOT COVER THE LABOR. IN ORDER TO GET TO THE FLYWHEEL, YOU HAVE TO GET TO THE CLUTCH. THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR AND THE FLYWHEEL. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE IN REGARDS TO THIS FLYWHEEL PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW IF THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WOULD PROBABLY KNOW THIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164911August 8, 2006
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT OFF, FOLLOWED BY AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEREO AMPLIFIER WAS FAULTY AND HAD BURNED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164698August 7, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN INSPECTION STICKER WHEN THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT BOTH TAIL LIGHTS BULBS WERE BURNED OUT. A RECALL WAS OBSERVED IN A MAGAZINE FOR THE 2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE PERTAINING TO TAIL LIGHTS FAILURE (REFERENCE #60253822) AND THE MANUFACTURER CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160237June 20, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PLACING A CUP OF COFFEE INTO THE CUP HOLDER, COFFEE WAS SPILLED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CUP HOLDER IS LOCATED RIGHT ABOVE THE CLUTCH. SINCE THIS INCIDENT, THE TRANSMISSION HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. OTHER THAN GOING INTO THE PARK, DRIVE AND REVERSE MODE, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT OPERATE. THE CONSOLE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS DUE TO EXTERNAL FACTORS, NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERNS OF THE LOCATION OF THE CUP HOLDER AND THE TRANSMISSION PLAYING A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE CURRENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156598May 2, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY SHORTING OUT AND BURNING ASSEMBLY BEYOND REPAIRABLE. HEAT BEING PRODUCED BY HEADLAMP TOO HIGH AND SHORTS OUT HEADLIGHT. REPLACEMENT OF ASSEMBLY IS AN OPTION, BUT CAUSE OF ASSEMBLY SHORTING OUT IS NOT REMOVED, WITH HIGH PROBABILITY OF A REPEAT SHORT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155465April 17, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I PURCHASED A USED 2004 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE FROM TOYOTA OF ORANGE, ORANGE, CA THIS YEAR, JANUARY, 2006. WITHIN A WEEK OF THE PURCHASE, THE AIRBAG WARNING CAME ON. I TALKED TO THE SALES MANAGER, BILL ABOUT THIS IN PERSON...(CONCERNED THAT THE SAFETY CHECK WAS NOT THOROUGH), AND HE WAS NOT THE LEAST BIT CONCERNED AND TOLD ME THAT SINCE THE MILEAGE WAS ONLY ABOUT 25,000 THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I TOOK IT TO MCKENNA VW IN HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA FOR THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF SENSOR. THE LIGHT WAS OFF WHEN I PICKED IT UP BUT THEN CAME ON AGAIN ONLY ONE MONTH LATER. THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO FLADEBOE VW, IRVINE CA. A PART HAD TO BE ORDERED FOR ANOTHER SENSOR, SO I RETURNED AFTER THE PART WAS IN AND HAD IT PLACED MID-MARCH, 2006. IT IS NOW APRIL 2006 AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON FOR THE 3RD TIME SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 3 MONTHS AGO!! HELP!! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148507January 25, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
10 DAYS AFTER HAVING VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE SERVICED FOR OIL LIGHT MALFUNCTION ISSUES AND WHILE DRIVING THE OIL SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND MAKING A STRANGE NOISE. AIRBAG LIGHT WAS BACK ON FOR THE 4TH TIME IN ONE YEAR!! SO I TURNED OFF CAR, CALLED VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE VALENCIA, AND THEY TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE AND TO HAVE IT TOWED IN. THIS WAS THE 2ND TOW IN 10 DAYS. AT THIS POINT, I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE TORN DOWN, THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM BEYOND JUST A SENSOR LIGHT, THAT VOLKSWAGEN WAS NOT GOING TO COVER THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM IF THAT WAS THE DIAGNOSIS. I SPOKE WITH VOLKSWAGEN CARLSBAD WARRANTY DEPARTMENT THE INDIVIDUAL WHO SOLD ME MY PLATNIUM FACTORY EXTENDED 100000 MILES WARRANTY, AND THEY SAID IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY, SO I HAD MY CAR TOWED 150 MILES TO CARLSBAD, WHERE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH OIL SLUDGE. NOW THE CAR WAS SEEN 10 DAYS BEFORE, AND I WAS TOLD THE OIL LOOKED FINE AND IT PASSED ALL INSPECTION, JUST A SENSOR. I HAVE CHANGED OIL AT SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. I WAS TOLD EITHER INFREQUENT OIL CHANGES OR FAULTY OIL PRODUCT. VOLKSWAGEN HAS AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM WITH ENGINES, AND WERE DELIBERATELY USING INFERIOR PRODUCTS, AND BLAMMING THE CONSUMER FOR THERE FAULTS. A CAR WITH 53000 MILES SHOULD NOT BE HAVING OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS. THISWAS FAULTY MANUFACTURING. WHEN I CALLED CUSTOMER CARE 800 NUMBER AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE SHE STATED, VOLKSWAGEN HAS AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM WITH THE 1.8L TURBO ENGINES." WELL MY VOLKSWAGENWAS S A 1.8L TURBO. SO, VOLKSWAGEN ADMITTED TO A SLUDGE PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF RESOLVING THE PROBLEM AND CONTINUED TO MANUFACTURE INFERIOR PRODUCTS AND SELLING THEM TO UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMER. THIS IS NOT ONLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. TWICE I BROKE DOWN ON THE FREEWAY WHICH WERE BOTH AUTO FAILURES WITH THE POTENTIAL OF INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHER ON THE ROAD. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148513January 25, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
2ND MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SINCE CAR PURCHASE. SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING SEAT OCCUPIED LIGHT MODULE AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON/MALFUNCTIONED. LEFT BRAKE LIGHT BURNT OUT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148516January 25, 2006
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
3RD ELECTRICAL FAILURE, 2ND AIRBAG LIGHT/MALFUNCTION. CONTINUED ISSUE WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ON/MALFUNCTIONING SPONTANEOUSLY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148511January 25, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING VOLKSW BEETLE 1.8L TURBO I HAD A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE DRIVING . NO READOUTS, ENGINE WILL CRANK, BUT DOES NOT TURN OVER. NO ELECTRICAL LIGHTS OR READOUTS. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO BOB BAKER VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR SERVICE. REPEATED ELECTRICAL ISSUES/REPAIRS TO CURRENT DATE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148521January 25, 2006
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT
MAJOR ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION (SEE 10148507, 10148481) 5TH ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL SAFETY ISSUES/4TH AIRBAG LIGHT/MALFUNCTIONED. VEHICLE 2ND X TOWED IN 10 DAYS FOR SAME ISSUES FOR FREEWAY BREAKDOWN ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL MALFUCTION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148517January 25, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL, AIR BAGS
4TH ELECTRICAL FAILURE, 3RD AIRBAG LIGHT/MALFUCTION. 5 DAYS AFTER SERVICING CAR FOR AIRBAG SAFETY ISSUE, SAME REPEATED PROBLEM. (SEE COMPLAINT 10148516, 10148511). *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148481January 24, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. STOPPED CAR IMMEDIATELY. CHECKED OIL AND IT LOOKED FINE. CALLED VOLKSWAGEN , AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AAA TOWED VEHICLE TO CHAPMAN SCOTTSDALE AUTOPLEX VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT 6601 EAST MC DOWELL ST, SCOTTSDALE AZ 85257. 480-949-7600. WAS TOLD OIL SENDING UNIT HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT, PRESURE TESTING PASSED. NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH OIL SYSTEM WAS STATED BY VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SENSOR REPLACED. OIL/FILTER CHANGED. MILEAGE 52197.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148292January 22, 2006
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME WHILE CAR WAS ON AND IN IDLE AND REMAINS ON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137237September 21, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED FIRST ON 2/2005 , WAS BROUGHT IN 4 TIMES TO BE FIXED AND WAS NOT FIXED UNTIL SEPT. LET ME DRIVE AROUND WITH AIR BAG LITE ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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