Volkswagen Beetle Complaints (1998)

171 consumer complaints on file.

#10252781December 25, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 98 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. I HAVE HAD THE EXACT PROBLEMS LISTED IN ONE OF THE RECALLS THAT HAS BEEN DONE ON SOME NEW BEETLES, BUT WHEN I TALKED WITH VOLKSWAGEN, THEY SAID THAT BASED ON MY VIN #, MY CAR IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THAT RECALL. WHAT IS MY RECOURSE SO THAT THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED? HERE IS THE INFORMATION ON THE RECALL THAT I THINK THEY NEED TO DO ON MY CAR: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY TRAY. THE WIRING CAN BECOME DAMAGED OVER TIME BY CHAFING AND THE AIR-CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND/OR THE FUEL PUMP CAN MALFUNCTION. CONSEQUENCE A MALFUNCTION OF THE FUEL PUMP CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AND IN SOME INSTANCES, COULD ALSO RESULT IN A WIRING FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW FUEL PUMP FOR MY CAR THIS YEAR AND MY MECHANIC IS TELLING ME THAT I NOW NEED TO GET A NEW AC COMPRESSOR. SINCE THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE AFFECTED BY A BAD ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND MY CAR HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THESE, I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS RECALL. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242849September 18, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY CAR BEGAN TO OVER HEAT IN JULY AND I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. I HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT AND TIMING BELT. @ MONTHS PASS AND AGAIN ITS OVERHEATING AGAIN NOW I'M TOLD THE HEAD GASKET IS BAD. I FIX THE HEAD GASKET AND ITS OVERHEATING. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. $1500 LATER I'M STILL IN THE SAME BOAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214606January 12, 2008
STRUCTURE
LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ACCUMULATES IN REAR PASSENGER FOOTWELL AFTER A HEAVY RAIN. I DO NOT HAVE A MOONROOF SO THERE ARE NO CLOGGED DRAINS THERE. ALL DRAINS HAVE BEEN CLEAR IN THE DOORS AND UNDER BATTERY AND POLLEN FILTER. I HAVE CONCLUDED THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AS HUNDREDS OF OTHER POSTS ONLINE WITH VW'S SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER VW'S WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211995December 15, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
1998 VW NEW BEETLE: BOTH DOOR LOCKS FAILED. AT FIRST ONLY DRIVER DOOR WITH FOB. PROGRESSED TO NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCK EITHER DOOR WITH FOB OR KEY. VW DEALER IN ALEXANDRIA, VA SAID PROBLEM COULD HAVE DETERIORATED FURTHER TO THE ALARM SYSTEM AND BE UNABLE TO START THE CAR. REPAIR COST $850. *TR
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
#10196306July 13, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE WIPER ARM DETACHED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195643July 9, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, 98. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK AROUND 9:00 AM. THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT TURN PAST 2. I COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN OFF EITHER. SMOKE THEN BEGAN TO COME OUT FROM AROUND THE VENTS OF THE AC. I PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD, CALLED MY WORK, AND MY FIANCE. THE SMOKE THEN GOT WORSE, THEN WERE FLAMES. I THEN CALLED 911. POLICE AND FIRE TRUCKS ARRIVED. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE INSIDE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND MOST OF THE OUTSIDE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195258July 3, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE PLASTIC TUBE THAT EXTENDS FROM THE VACUUM PUMP TO THE VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER IS CRACKED AND DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHOUT THIS PIECE, BRAKE FAILURE IS LIKELY TO OCCUR. AS A RESULT, HE WOULD HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD IN ORDER FOR THEM TO WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,957. THE CONSUMER STATED PLASTIC LINE REPLACED WITH 3/8" VACUUM LINE. UPDATED 07/26/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188014April 16, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE VEHICLE HAD EX THE SAME FAILURE AS INDICATED IN RECALL # 98V100000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AFTER THE ENGINE RAN FOR FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, SAVAGE KIA, AND THE CAUSE WAS DIAGNOSED AS WIRING FAILURE. THE DEALER REMEDIED THE FAILURE. ON APRIL 12, 2007, THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR THREE MILES AT 45 MPH AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED ONCE MORE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER , WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE TOO CLOSE TO THE BATTERY. THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE WIRES TO HEAT AND SHORT OUT, PREVENTING THE FANS FROM OPERATING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000. *AK UPDATED 05/21/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187333April 9, 2007
SEATS
WITH NORMAL USE OF THE SEATS IN THE VEHICLE, THE 2 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE RAIL TO THE SEAT OF THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE CAME LOOSE AND THE SEAT SLID AROUND RECKLESSLY. IT ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE IT WOULD COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WE FINALLY HAD TO USE LOCK TIGHT ON THE BOLTS TO HOLD THEM IN PLACE BECAUSE EVEN AFTER TIGHTENING IT BACK IT PLACE IT WOULD STILL COME LOOSE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177518January 2, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 12-28-06 VEHICLE WHICH WAS PARKED CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND MADE A REPORT. THE FIREMAN SAID THAT THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY MELTED, AND COULD HAVE BEEN THE POSSIBLE REASON FOR THE FIRE. THAT 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE SHE HEARD WHISTLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND SAW DARK GRAY SMOKE COMING OUT. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE CAR WAS IN IDLE AT THE TIME SHE HEARD THE NOISE AND SAW THE SMOKE. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALL 98V100000 WHICH THE CONTACT FELT COULD BE THE POSSIBLE REASON FOR THE FIRE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166384August 23, 2006
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I OWN A 1998 VW BEETLE AND TWO YEARS AGO THE DRIVER WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE THEN NOTIFIED ME OF A RECALL ON THE WINDOWS SO HE TRANSPORTED IT TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER THEY REPAIRED IT THEY ALSO SCRATCHED THE WINDOW DURING THE REPAIR AND AFTER THAT REPAIR TOOK PLACE I STILL HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED IT AND LEFT MESSAGE FOR GM TO CALL ME WELL I NEVER GOT A RETURN CALL AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOW STILL WAS THERE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THIS DEALERSHIP LOCATED IN COLERAIN TWP CINCINNATI OHIO NORTHGATE VOLKSWAGON WAS VERY RUDE TO ME AND NEVER DID THE GENERAL MANAGER RETURN MY CALL WELL LONG STORY SHORT I HAD TO HAVE THIS WINDOW PROBLEM REPAIRED NOW ORIGINALLY THIS WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL ISSUED BY VOLKSWAGEN BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED AND THEY TOLD ME SORRY WE CANNOT RE-FIX THIS SORRY WELL MY FEELINGS ARE THAT'S CRAZY IF THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED THEY SHOULD FIX IT OR VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD REFUND MY MONEY FOR HAVING IT FIXED DUE TO THEIR LACK OF DOING IT INCORRECTLY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164981August 8, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
I AM REPORTING THE SECOND FAILURE OF A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 1998 VW BEETLE. THE FIRST SWITCH WAS REPLACED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO UNDER A FACTORY RECALL -- IT FAILED, LEAVING THE BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED WITH A "REVISED" PART WHICH HAS ALSO FAILED, LEAVING THE BRAKE LIGHTS STUCK ON. I HAVE HEARD OF COUNTLESS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE WITH THESE CARS; SOME USERS ARE REPORTING THAT THEIR SWITCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR OR MORE TIMES. I WILL BE SEEKING ANOTHER REPLACEMENT AND WILL KEEP THE OLD PART. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161171June 30, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, EQUIPMENT
IN EARLY MAY I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH OUR 1998 VW BEETLE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PART. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE, AND I PUSHED DOWN THE BRAKE PETAL. THEN I CHANGED GEARS TO REVERSE AND GENTLY STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY AT AN ACCELERATED SPEED AND HIT A TRAILER AT MY PLACE OF WORK CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH THE BEETLE AND TRAILER. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICING AT VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN (1401 SONOMA BLVD, VALLEJO CA) THE PREVIOUS FRIDAY, SO IT WAS SURPRISING THAT THE CAR WOULD MALFUNCTION SO DANGEROUSLY AFTER HAVING JUST BEEN SERVICED. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT BACK TO VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHTS SWITCH AND THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I LEFT THE CAR THERE OVERNIGHT AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION WAS INDEED THE FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE PART IN QUESTION WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL AND HAD APPARENTLY BEEN REPLACED IN MY CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2003. VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN DISAVOWED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCIDENT AND ATTRIBUTED THE MALFUNCTION TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF THE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH. HOWEVER, IF THIS PART IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKDOWN DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TARE THEN IT SHOULD BE INSPECTED WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED. VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH AND HAD THE AUDACITY TO CHARGE ME FOR DOING SO. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS SITUATION AND FEEL LIKE BOTH VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN AND VOLKSWAGEN ARE LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT AND ARE LIABLE FOR PLACING ME IN SUCH A DANGEROUS AND UNCONTROLLED SITUATION. INDEED, I AM EXTREMELY RELIEVED THAT THE CAR HIT THE TRAILER, AND GOD FORBID NOT ANOTHER HUMAN BEING WHICH COULD HAVE EASILY OCCURRED HAD I BEEN IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT. ADDENDUM: I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT AS OF MAY 30TH 2006 THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF THE RECALLED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159824June 14, 2006
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT INCIDENT, BOTH THE LOWER PIVOTS FOR THE EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRRORS FRACTURED. THE MIRRORS ARE INOPERABLE AND CANNOT BE TURNED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENTIRE MIRROR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155683April 19, 2006
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, EQUIPMENT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AND THE REPLACEMENT PART DISTORTS THE VIEW ALONG THE BOTTOM PASSENGER SIDE AND THE OUTER DRIVER SIDE. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE WORK WAS PERFORMED HAS BEEN ALERTED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS MANUFACTURED BY SEKURIT MODEL #43R-004527. UPDATED 05/10/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144355December 3, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I"VE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH MY 1998 BEETLE. THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING--FOUND OUT THAT THE ENGINE FUSES WERE MELTED OVER THE BATTERY TERMINAL. MY REVERSE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING--NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THAT YET, MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DON'T USUALLY WORK, BUT SOMETIMES WILL COME ON ALL BY THEMSELVES. GOT LOCKED IN MY CAR TWICE. THE ALARM SOMETIMES GOES OFF FOR NO REASON. THE CAR PERIODICALLY DOESN'T START. HAD IT TOWED TO VW TWICE FOR THIS. THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS. ALSO, SOMETHING IN THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IS DROWNING THE BATTERY--HAVE TO BUY A NEW BATTERY EVERY SIX MONTHS. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH WINDOWS ONCE . I HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED THREE TIMES AND WAS REAR -ENDED ONCE BEFORE VW FINALLY DID A RECALL ON THAT PART. I'M SURE I HAVE LEFT SOMETHING OUT--THERE IS SO MUCH IT'S HARD TO REMEMBER. BOTTOM LINE--THIS CAR IS A HAZARD ON THE ROAD FOR THE PERSON DRIVING AND OTHER MOTORISTS. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133196October 26, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED WHEN THE CAR STALLED. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN JANUARY OF 2005. THE CONSUMER TO THE CAR TOOK THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS DONE WITH NO RESULTS. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECTIFIED. THE WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080072October 20, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED AND JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. TWO WEEKS LATER, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ONE MOTOR MOUNT BOLT WAS MISSING AND ONE NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138046September 28, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE LOCK MECHANISM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF MY 1998 BEETLE JUST FELL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS MISSING AND WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP TO GET IT REPLACED, ONLY TO LEARN THE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BEETLES BECAUSE THE LOCK IS HELD IN BY ONLY ONE TINY SCREW. THIS DEFECT WILL COST ME $350.00 TO REPAIR, IN A CAR THAT HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE A FUSE THAT POWERED THE RADIATOR FAN BECAUSE THERE IS NO EARLY WARNING SYSTEM IN THE CAR TO INDICATE THAT THE FAN IS NOT WORKING. I WAS ONLY AWARE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WHEN THE CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, BY WHICH TIME THERE COULD HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE RADIATOR. THE FUSE ITSELF HAD GOTTEN SO HOT IT HAD VIRTUALLY MELTED. THIS PROBLEM COST ME NEARLY $370.00 TO FIX. THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS HAPPEN WITH BEETLES SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THERE IS NO TEMPERATURE INDICATOR ON THE DASH -- YOU HAVE NO IDEA THERE IS A PROBLEM UNTIL THE CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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