Volkswagen Beetle Complaints (1999)

174 consumer complaints on file.

#10312237February 19, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2010. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN DRIVE MODE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL GEAR; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION. SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BY REPLACING PARTS UNKNOWN TO THE CONTACT. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, WHICH ALSO DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 121,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294669December 6, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
V.W. BEETLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE - HARD SHIFT OR WILL NOT SHIFT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293258November 23, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DRIVING DOWN NJ PARKWAY,65 MPH. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT,THUMPING,LOSING SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT AFTER READING BLOG ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED BASED ON THIS INFO. CAR IS NOW UNDRIVABLE. SHIFTING ERRATICALLY IF AT ALL. JERKING BETWEEN GEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280209August 12, 2009
TIRES:VALVE, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
FAULTY VALVE STEMS -- SUSPECT -- MADE IN CHINA, PURCHASED AT LOCAL AAA REPAIR FACILITY THAT PURCHAES SUPPLIES FROM TECH INT'L. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256887January 29, 2009
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING DOWN ROAD AT 45 MPH (SPEED LIMIT) AND THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. SHE SAW SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO CAR DEALERSHIP. THE RESULT WAS THE TREAD SEPARATED, DAMAGED OIL PAN, WRAPPED AROUND CV AXLE, MELTED THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT. THE CAR IS BEYOND REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251632December 12, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE DRIVER COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. SHE THEN NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND, WITHIN MINUTES, FLAMES ENGULFED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD; HOWEVER, THIS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DEFINITIVELY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 136,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244615October 7, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
WE PURCHASED A USED 99 VW BEETLE; THE PREVIOUS OWNERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS US THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. WE HAVE IT CHECKED OUT (DIAGNOSTIC) AND THEY TELL US IT SHOW RICH FUEL. WE PAY AROUND $250.00 EACH TIME TO HAVE IT FIXED AND RESET AND IT LAST FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS AND IT DOES IT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BACK IN 2004 ABOUT A OCTAIN SENSOR. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE THE PROBLEM AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HAVE THIS FIXED RIGHT WITH NO CHARGE. IF THERE WAS A RECALL SENT OUT REGARDING THIS THE PREVIOUS OWNERS DID NOT RECEIVE ONE BECAUSE THEY PURCHASED IT AS A USED VEHICLE AS WELL. PLEASE HELP THIS IS DRIVING US CRAZY AND THIS IS MY TEENAGE DAUGHTERS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241910September 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PROBLEM: GEAR SHIFTER FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN PARK POSITION. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER HAS LOCKED IN THE PARK POSITION. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR INTO A DRIVE GEAR, IT WAS NECESSARY TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES WHILE PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT HAS TAKEN AS LONG A 30 MINS. OF THIS PROCESS TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. ON EACH OCCASION MY CAR WAS IN A PARKED POSITION. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM COULD POTENTIALLY OCCUR IF THE CAR WERE PLACED INTO PARK AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, IT WOULD CREATE A TRAFFIC HAZARD. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED BY MULTIPLE CONSUMERS THROUGHOUT VARIOUS INTERNET WEBSITES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228868May 25, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED - CABLE 'SHREDDED' AND AUTOMATIC WINDOW NO LONGER WORKS TO 'ROLL UP' THE WINDOW. FOUND MANY RESULTS ONLINE FOR OTHER VW OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR OE REGULATORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226928May 7, 2008
STRUCTURE
HEADLINER SEPARATES FROM FORMED SUB COMPOSITE. FAILURE IS A DAY TO DAY PROBLEM. HEADLINER DROOPS INTO INTERIOR OF CAR. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE BECAUSE OF CURRENT AGE OF VEHICLE. WE SAFETY PIN UP THE HEADLINER TO SUB STRUCTURE IN HOPE THAT IT WILL NOT FALL IN FRONT OF US AS WE DRIVE THIS CAR ON A DAILY BASIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223531April 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
MY 99 VW BEETLE IS A DEATH TRAP, IF IT'S NOT ONE THING IT'S ANOTHER. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT. IT'S A STANDARD SHIFT, IT HAS A CLUTCH, WHY DOES IT HAVE A TRANSMISSION TO? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222876March 31, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
PURCHASED 1999 VW BEETLE 20 MONTHS AGO. CAR HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES. SINCE OWNING THE CAR HAVE ALREADY OVER $3,500 IN REPAIRS. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT MY LOCAL DARCAR VW REPAIR SHOP. I BELIEVE SOME OF THESE REPAIRS WERE RECALLS AND HAVE ALL RECEIPT. IS THERE SOMEONE I CAN SENT MY REPAIR RECEIPTS TO TO SEE IF I CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALL SERVICES? I CAN FORWARD RECEIPTS. ALSO SEVEN DAYS AGO THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND IT APPEARS IT HAD BEEN RECALLED PER TWO VW OWNER WHO HAD SAME PROBLEMS BUT I CAN'T FIND THE RECALL INFORMATION ON IT. CAN YOU SUGGEST HOW I CAN VIEW ALL RECALLS FOR 1999 VW BEETLE GLS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221769March 19, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
IN NOV 2003 I HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 1999 VW NEW BEETLE GLX UNDER RECALL 03V-265. TODAY (MARCH 19, 2008) I LEARNED THAT A SECOND RECALL (#06V183000) WAS ISSUED ON MAY 4, 2006 WHICH STATED THAT "ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265" AND THAT THE CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS "DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE" I CONTACTED VW ABOUT THIS RECALL (06V183000 ) AT THE NUMBER LISTED IN IT AND THEY SAY THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS PROBABLY BECAUSE PER ACTION RQ06004 THIS RECALL WAS LISTED AS CLOSED ON AUGUST 7, 2006. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF THIS SECOND RECALL FROM VW EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE SWITCH IN MY CAR WAS PERFORMED AS PART OF THE 1ST RECALL (03V-265) AND MY CAR IS OF THE TYPE THAT THE 2ND RECALL COVERS (I.E. HAD 1ST RECALL PERFORMED, HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND CRUISE CONTROL). VW IS NOW REFUSING TO EITHER INSPECT MY CAR TO ENSURE THE ORIGINAL RECALL WAS PERFORMED CORRECTLY OR REPLACE THE SWITCH AGAIN PER THE REMEDY OF THE 2ND RECALL. THERE IS NO REASON I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS 2ND RECALL. I HAVE LIVED AT THE SAME ADDRESS SINCE 2000. THE 1ST RECALL WAS PERFORMED AT THE SAME LOCAL DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD IT SERVICED IN THE TIME PERIOD SINCE BOTH THE FIRST AND SECOND RECALLS. AND WHEN I CONTACTED VW AT THE PHONE NUMBER LISTED IN THE 2ND RECALL THEY DEFINITELY HAD MY CORRECT ADDRESS AND PHONE INFORMATION ON FILE. AS I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS PRIOR RECALL AND WAS NOT I THINK VW SHOULD REPLACE THE SWITCH AS PER THE REMEDY OF THE 2ND RECALL BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO THIS. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ASSIST ME WITH THIS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216730February 1, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT
I BOUGHT MY 99 BEETLE IN OCTOBER OF 2007 AND THE DAY THAT I GOT THE CAR THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT BACK THEY HAD IT FOR ONE MONTH THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR AND WIRE CLUSTER. WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT BACK ABOUT TWO WEEKS PASSED AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 0 TO 120 AND THEN THE CARE LOST POWER ON THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE ROAD. I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO GET THEM TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND THEY WONT. AFTER I GOT IT BACK THAT TIME THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING AND THE SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT GO ABOVE 40 WHEN I TOLD THEM THIS THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT THAT IT WAS MY PROBLEM. YESTERDAY MY MILEAGE, SPEEDOMETER, AND GAS GAGE STOPPED WORKING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO IF YOU KNOW ANY ONE WHO COULD HELP ME WITH THESE PROBLEMS PLEASE LET ME KNOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205081October 5, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
FAILURE OF DASHBOARD (AIRCONDITIONING) CONTROLS CAUSED CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE. CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. FAILURE TO ADDRESS THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203463September 19, 2007
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BY ITSELF AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM REACHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DRIVER OBSERVED THAT THE SEAT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. AAA STATED THAT THE PLASTIC FAILED IN THE SEAT AND THAT THE SCREWS WERE DETACHED. AAA REPLACED THE SCREWS IN THE SEAT SO THAT THE CONTACT COULD DRIVE HOME. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE SEAT AND CONFIRMED THAT THE SCREWS AND THE PLASTIC FAILED. THE SECOND TIME THE SEAT FAILED, THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR OR INSPECT IT TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE SPEED AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER CALLED AND INFORMED HER THE COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD $178.00, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER IS ON A FIX INCOME AND CAN NOT AFFORD THE COST OF THE REPAIR. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203288September 18, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
I HAVE A 99 VW BEETLE, 2.0 L 4 CYLINDER 5 SPD MANUAL GTI. I HAVE HAD CONTINUAL ABS LIGHT PROBLEMS SINCE 10000 MILES. THE LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES. THE VW DEALER IN HI AT 16 K SAYS IT THE CONTROL MODULE AFTER REPLACING THE SENSOR AND WIRE HARNESS. NOW AT 28000 MILES THE ABS LIGHT IS ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES AND ALARMS. I SEEMS THIS IS A CLASS ENGINEERING PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES A RECALL TO FIX. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203006September 14, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME. WHENEVER I DRIVE IN WET CONDITIONS THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FLASHES AND A BUZZER SOUNDS. VW DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF ABS CONTROL MODULE AT A COST OF $1,680. *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
#10189569May 2, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON 4/30/07 PER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06E049000. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 104,000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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