Volkswagen Beetle Complaints (2000)

263 consumer complaints on file.

#10550867November 4, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE DRIVER FORCED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10535529August 15, 2013
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE TRANSMISSION MECHANICALLY FAILED ON 3 JUNE 2013. PRIOR TO IT FAILING I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT VW REPAIR SHOP OVER A FOUR YEAR PERIOD, DUE TO THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTING ALL THE WAY TO FIRST GEAR. THE CAR WILL DRIVE NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THEN START HAVING THIS DOWNSHIFTING ISSUE, I PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR COOL A FEW MINUTES THEN ALL IS NORMAL AGAIN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. OF COURSE WITH THE DOWNSHIFTING THE TRANNY TENDS TO OVERHEAT QUICKLY. I WANTED TO GET THE OIL CHANGED IN THE TRANNY, BUT ALL REPAIR CENTERS SAID, "IT'S A SEALED SYSTEM AND NEVER NEEDS AND OIL CHANGE;" ALSO THE VW REPAIR TECHS TEST DROVE THE CAR AND ANALYZED IT, COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. MY EXPERIENCE WITH VW SERVICE ON EVERYTHING IS, THEIR MECHANICS ARE PARTS CHANGERS ONLY AND DON'T HAVE ANY REAL DIAGNOSTIC CAPABILITY TO FIND THE PROBLEM, JUST REPLACE PARTS UNTIL THEY FIX THE PROBLEM AT THE CUSTOMERS EXPENSE; I'VE SPENT ABOUT $10,000 ON REPAIRS FOR A/C, BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, ETC. FINALLY, THE CAR FAILED FORTUNATELY ACROSS THE STREET FROM A MR. TRANSMISSION SHOP. PER MR. TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, THE TRANNY FAILED DUE TO LUBRICATION FAILURE PROBABLY FROM OVER HEATING AND HIGH MILEAGE; SO MUCH FOR THE "NEVER NEEDS AN OIL CHANGE POLICY." MR. TRANSMISSION REBUILT THE TRANNY (OUT $3400), AND STATE THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL NOT THE TRANSMISSION, AND VW IS FAMOUS FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN. NEEDLESS TO SAY MR. TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE REBUILT THE TRANNY TWICE JUST TO MAKE SURE THE PROBLEM IS NOT IN THE TRANSMISSION. WORD TO THE WISE, NEVER BUY A VW; I'LL NEVER OWN ANOTHER ONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520596June 19, 2013
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
I TURNED ON MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10511678May 13, 2013
ENGINE
ENGINE TIMING BELT PREMATURELY FAILED AT 89,000 MILE. VW OWNERS MANUAL SUPPLIED WITH VEHICLE STATES THAT FOR THE 1.8L TURBOCHARGED ENGINE, THE TIMING BELT DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED UNTIL 105,000 MILES. THE FAILURE OF THE BELT CAUSED BENT VALVES. TOTAL SERVICE BILL AS A RESULT CAME TO ABOUT $4500. LOSS OF POWER WHEN THE BELT FAILED ALSO PUT MY SAFETY AT RISK AS MY CAR WAS STALLED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504065March 22, 2013
POWER TRAIN
WE BOUGHT THE CAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE. TWO WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION TAKES OFF IN SECOND GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT TILL GETS UP TO 40 MPH. AFTER CHECKING ON LINE IT SEEMS VOLKSWAGEN IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS AND DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448505February 19, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447220February 8, 2012
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I PURCHASED MY VW BEETLE IN 2005 WITH THE CARFAX - NO ACCIDENTS OR MAJOR REPAIRS. WITHIN MONTHS, THE ENGINE LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. I'VE PROBABLY SPENT MORE THAN WHAT I PAID FOR IT. I JUST SPENT OVER $1800 AT VW SPRINGFIELD IN VIRGINIA AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON AGAIN AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION CODES WERE DISCOVERED BY OTHER REPAIR SHOPS, BUT THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIR. NEITHER VW SPRINGFIELD OR VW WOODBRIDGE EVER CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION. IN FACT, WOODBRIDGE TOLD ME TO TRADE IT IN AND PURCHASE A NEW ONE FROM THEM.SOME KIND OF LIGHT OR PROBLEM OCCURS IN MY CAR EVERY TIME I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THIS DEALERSHIP AND VW WOODBRIDGE IN VIRGINIA. THEY CONTINUE TO CLAIM THAT IT IS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM EVERY TIME WITH THE SAME COMPONENTS. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE FOR DIAGNOSTICS? EVERY TIME I TAKE MY CAR TO ANY OF THE VW DEALERSHIP, I WILL HAVE TO BRING THE CAR IN MULTIPLE TIMES WITHIN MONTHS. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES, AND NO ONE IS INVESTIGATING THIS. IT APPEARS THAT VW IS BEING PROTECTED FROM SELLING US POORLY MADE VEHICLES WITH HEFTY REPAIR COSTS, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MAKE SINCE THAT IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM FOR HUNDREDS, PERHAPS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. IS IT THAT THESE REPAIRS ARE MAJOR AND BRAKE LIGHTS AREN'T. A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES FROM 99 ON SHOULD BE PROCESSED. THE FACT THAT VW WAS IN THE NEWS RECENTLY AS SELLING PEOPLE CARS THEY KNEW HAD ENGINE, AIRBAG, ABS, TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL, AND WINDOW MAJOR PROBLEMS IS ASTONISHING, BECAUSE NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I'M DISGUSTED WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THIS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ECONOMIC SITUATION, BUT PEOPLE ARE IN JUST AS MUCH A SITUATION AS MANUFACTURING COMPANIES. WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP GIVING AWAY TO VW. IT'S A MORAL SHAME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445522January 26, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NO BRAKES PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN GOT HARD COULD NOT PUSH IT WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT HIT 2 TRUCKS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10442820January 7, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WE OWN A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE...IN 2008 THE WATER PUMP WENT IN IT...HAD THAT REPLACED AND 4 WEEKS LATER HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN THEN THE FOLLOWING YEAR 2009 THE WINDOW MOTORS IN BOTH WINDOWS WENT..HAD TO HAVE THOSE REPLACED... THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE FALLING OUT HAVE TO CONSTANTLY PUSH THEM BACK IN....NOW 2011 THE WATER PUMP WENT IN IT AGAIN..NOW THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY ACTING AS A PAPER WEIGHT..HAD I KNOW THAT THERE WERE SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT ONE..I HOPE THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS HAPPY RAKING PEOPLE OVER THE COALS BY SELLING THEM NOTHING BUT JUNK AND GOD FORBID IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER THEY WANT EVERYTHING UP TO AND INCLUDING YOUR FIRST BORN CHILD... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441811December 30, 2011
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
I WAS USING THE VEHICLE JACK TO RAISE THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OFF THE GROUND TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE CAR WAS ON A FLAT CONCRETE GARAGE FLOOR. THE JACK FAILED AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWUNG TOWARD ME. THE JACK SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. I CAN SEE THAT THE JACK IS NOT MADE VERY WELL. THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE EASILY FALLEN ON TOP OF ME AND SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED ME. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THESE VEHICLE JACKS; BUT, I COULD NOT FIND ONE. THESE JACKS POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. I WOULD LIKE FOR VW TO REPLACE MY JACK WITH ONE THAT IS SAFE AND WILL NOT FAIL LIKE THIS ONE DID. I HAVE THE JACK AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10439329December 11, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ODBI CAME ON WAS TESTED INDICATING CYLINDER MISFIRE TOOK IT FOR REPAIR WAS INFORMED TWO WIRES WERE BROKEN AND SPARK PLUG WAS SEVERELY FOULED NOW THERE'S A COMPRESSION PROBLEM WHICH REQUIRES THE ENGINE TO BE TORN APART. COST OF REPAIRS EXCEEDS AMOUNT VEHICLE'S VALUE AND PURCHASE PRICE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR FIVE MONTHS WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT HAD A LITTLE OVER 51000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER RAN GREAT AND THE VEHICLE BODY IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436818November 22, 2011
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I JUST BOUGHT A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE, AND MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO MORE THAN ONE LOCATION INCLUDING THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND EVERYONE IS TELLING ME THE CODE READ GEAR RATIO INCORRECT. MY CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TOO DRIVE THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION I NEED IS 5000 AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY THAT THEY COULD OFFER ME. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR I DON'T HAVE 5000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH ABOUT THIS SITUATION AND EVERYONE IS SAYING THE SAME EXACT THING IM COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW FAST BEETLES TRANSMISSION GO OUT AND HALF OF THEM TOOK THERE BEETLE TO VOLKSWAGEN JUST FOR THEM TO TELL THEM THEY NEED 5000 TO 7000 TRANSMISSION AND LATER FIND OUT THAT WAS JOT EVEN THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS STILL DRIVING VERY RECKLESS. I'M PUTTING MY LIFE N DANGER EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR I HAVE TWO JOBS AND I CANT AFFORD TO MISS ONE DAY. SO U TELL ME MISS DAYS FROM WORK BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE SAFE TRANSPORTATION OR DRIVE THE CAR I HAVE N REST MY LIFE EVERYDAY. I NEED SOMEONE TO HEAR ME OUT AND HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION. I'M SORRY TO SAY I WILL KEEP COMPLAINING INTEL SOMEONE GETS TO BOTTOM OF THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10435569November 14, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TRAVELING ON THE CROSSTOWN FREEWAY @ THE POSTED SPEED, I STARTED TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE'S HEATER AND THE POWER CONTROL SWITCH STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. I TURNED THE POWER CONTROL KNOB CLOCKWISE AND NOTICED SLIPPAGE OF THE CONTROL KNOB. I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WHOLE HEATER CONTROL ASSEMBLY AND THEN AN ARCH, THEN A SMALLFLAME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428133October 1, 2011
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TRANSMISSION FAILURE- VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED HARD AND WOULD NOT COME OUT OF 1ST GEAR DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING REAR END COLLISION. AFTER TURNING CAR OFF AND TURNING VEHICLE BACK ON IT PROCEEDED FOR ABOUT 5 MILES BEFORE DOING THE SAME. CAR WAS TOWED AND TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME. RECENTLY TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC THAT WAS AT A STAND STILL THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED HARD CAUSING THE CAR BEHIND ME TO SLAM ON HIS BRAKES CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BEHIND ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424087September 7, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START NORMALLY BECAUSE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE FAILED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO START IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT STATED THE CLUSTER WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419820August 17, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS UNLESS HE WAS DRIVING 40 TO 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382627February 14, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE HAS OCCURRED IN THIS 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE MULTIPLE TIMES. VOLKSWAGEN RESPONDED BY REPLACING THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT THE FIRST TIME THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED BUT REFUSED TO ACTUALLY CORRECT THE ENGINEERING ISSUE CAUSING THE FAILURE TO RETURN. THE WIRING HARNESS IS TOO SHORT UNDER THE SEAT AND FEEDING TO THE SWITCH IN THE SEAT BELT OF THE DRIVER. THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND FAILED YET AGAIN. IF YOU WILL NOTICE, THERE ARE MANY ISSUES WITH THE 2000 NEW BEETLE BUT ONLY 4 RECALLS OF THIRD PARTY LIGHTING PRODUCTS AND NO ACTUAL VOLKSWAGEN RECALLS. VOLKSWAGEN IS BEING ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH ABUSE TO THE CONSUMER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379912February 2, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BOUGHT USED 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE FOR DAUGHTER. 102K MILES. AFTER HAVING IT ONE WEEK, WENT TO START IT, BATTERY DEAD (NEW BATTERY). NOTICED THAT THE COSMETIC MIRROR LIGHT IN DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR WOULD GO ON EVEN THOUGH MIRROR CLOSED AND VISOR NOT IN USE. IN LOOKING FURTHER, IT APPEARS THAT SOMETHING IN THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR JIGGLES SOME LOOSE WIRING IN THE VISOR, AND LIGHT REMAINS ON WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE. WE BOUGHT NEW BATTERY, AND HAVE TAPED VISOR INTO SECURE POSITION WHEN PARKED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375552January 11, 2011
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON CONSTANTLY ON A 2000 BEETLE. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM WIRING UNDER THE SEAT CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO STAY ON...THIS SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL INVESTIGATION! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373654December 31, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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