Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#11115072August 1, 2018
SUSPENSION
OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS OR SO EVERY TIME I GO OVER ANY SORT OF BUMP IN THE ROAD I HEAR A CRACKING KIND OF NOISE. WHEN I GO OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS IT SOUNDS AS IF MY CAR IS GOING TO CRACK..IT'S SO BAD I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR HOWEVER I DO NEED TO DRIVE IT. VERY SCARY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11111652July 16, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE IGNITION SWITCH THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CAN NOT TAKE THE KEY OUT BECAUSE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH GOING BAD. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A GROCERY STORE AND SPENT 20-30 MINUTES JUST TO TAKE THE KEY OUT. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY AND USING THIS CAR NOW IS A PAIN AS I DON'T KNOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11109960July 6, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VW BEETLE (2013) WOULD NOT TURN OFF AS THE KEY WAS STUCK IN IGNITION WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING! STOPPED AT GAS STATION TO FILL UP AND WHEN I TRIED TO REMOVE KEY, WOULD NOT COME OUT. HAD EXPERIENCE PROBLEM THE DAY BEFORE BUT THOUGHT USING A DIFFERENT KEY WOULD HELP BUT IT DIDN'T--SAME PROBLEM. HAVE EXPERIENCED FREQUENT PROBLEMS WITH KEY IN IGNITION SINCE PURCHASING BEETLE. DROVE CAR TO TWO MECHANICS AND THEY COULD NOT GET CAR OUT OF IGNITION SO DROVE HOME TO BE IN FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION AND COULD NOT GET CAR ENGINE TO TURN OFF. RECEIVED HELP FROM MULTIPLE PEOPLE BUT STILL COULDN'T GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION AND CAR TO TURN OFF--4 HOURS LATER, FINALLY MECHANIC PROVIDED INSTRUCTION TO DISCONNECT BATTERY, FUSE PUMP, AND FUSE BOX WHILE CAR WAS RUNNING--WHICH HELPED TO TURN THE CAR OFF; HOWEVER, IT ALSO LEAVES CAR SUSCEPTIBLE TO OTHER ISSUES. I ALSO HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR IN OPEN PARKING SPOT--WITH THE KEY IN IT--LEAVING IT AT RISK OF BEING STOLEN!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11105288July 3, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE NOTICED MY CENTER DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT DIM/TURN OFF FOR SOME TIME THINKING THE HEADLIGHT WAS BAD. I HAD THE HEADLIGHT REPLACED IN FEBRUARY BUT STILL HAD PEOPLE TELL ME IT WAS OUT AND AT TIMES I COULD SEE THIS IN THE REFLECTION OF TRUCK TAILGATES, ETC. THE SURROUNDING DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT CAN MAKE IT HARD TO TELL. HOWEVER, IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS, EVERY TWO TO THREE MINUTES, SOMETIMES AFTER NOTICING THE INITIAL DIM OF THE DRIVER-SIDE HEAD LIGHT, ALL LIGHT TURN OFF LEAVING THE CAR IN MOTION IN THE DARK. THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH ON LOCAL ROADS AND HIGHWAY. ENGAGING THE FOG LIGHTS MAY EXTEND THE TIME BETWEEN SHUT-OFFS BY ANOTHER MINUTE OR SO. BY TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND WAITING A SECOND, THEN TURNING THEM BACK ON, ALL LIGHTS COME BACK. DOING SO TOO QUICKLY DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC FEELS IT IS CAPACITOR OR SIMILAR ELECTRIC ISSUE IN THE J519 BODY CONTROL MODULE THAT RECEIVES POWER FOR THE LIGHTS AND CONTROLS THEM FROM THERE. BEING A SAFETY ISSUE, I HAVE TO WONDER IF CREATING SUCH A WEAK-LINK TO POWER ALL NIGHTTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS NOT RECALL WORTHY. HE SUGGESTED FULL MODULE REPLACEMENT I DO HAVE VIDEO TO SHARE OF THIS OCCURRING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11102318June 18, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE THAT I BOUGHT ABOUT A YEAR AGO.THE BEETLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS EXTREMELY LOW MILES. IT HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF TO SAY THE LEAST. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOTICED A VERY STRONG ODOR THAT SMELLS LIKE CRAYONS. THE ODOR IS SO STRONG THAT MY HAIR, CLOTHES AND SKIN SMELLS LIKE THIS SCENT. I HAVE A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD AND HE COUGHS AND SNEEZES THE WHOLE TIME WHILE RIDING. NOT TO MENTION BOTH OF US GET HORRIFIC HEADACHES AND OUR EYES WATER FROM THE ODOR. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS CRAYON SMELL IS TOXIC OR WHAT FUMES WE ARE BREATHING IN BUT IT CANNOT BE GOOD FROM THE SIDE EFFECTS WE ARE HAVING FROM IT. I HAVE TRIED TO SELL IT BUT NO ONE WILL BUY IT BECAUSE OF THE STRONG ODOR IT HAS. I HAVE HAD IT PROFESSIONAL CLEANED, CHANGED THE CABIN AIR FILTER ETC AND THE SMELL IS STILL THERE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11101945June 14, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GERALD JONES VOLKSWAGEN (4022 WASHINGTON RD, MARTINEZ, GA 30907, (706) 228-6900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,600. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11101595June 13, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AREA BY THE TIRE ALONG WITH AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR SMELLED LIKE COOLANT. THE CONTACT WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11099037May 31, 2018
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF MURRIETA (41300 DATE ST., MURRIETA, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11097652May 23, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL. HAS LEFT ME STRANDED SWITCH WILL NOT ALWAYS TURN ON. THE CALENDAR BELOW WANTS A DATE. THIS CAN BE A DAILY THING, AS I DRIVE IT BACK AND FOURTH TO WORK.09
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11096926May 20, 2018
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE NOT READING THAT SEAT BELT IS BUCKLED CAUSING YELLOW SEAT BELT /AIR BAG LIGHT TO REMAIN ON AND MAKING AIR BAGS INOPERABLE I'M GUESSING. DEARLER RECOMMENDS NEW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11096750May 18, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED BILL MARINE VOLKSWAGEN AT (937) 210-4257 (LOCATED AT 415 E NORTH ST, SPRINGFIELD, OH 45503) AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11096497May 17, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ABS MAIN CONTROL UNIT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (VOLKSWAGEN OF OAKLAND, 2740 BROADWAY, OAKLAND, CA 94610) WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ACTIVE RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,605. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11093955May 15, 2018
STEERING
STEERING COLUMN LOCK HOUSING IN 2014 & 2016, WE BOUGHT 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLES FOR OUR COLLEGE-BOUND KIDS. SINCE THOSE PURCHASES WE'VE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF EACH VEHICLE'S IGNITION KEYS BEING STUCK IN ITS IGNITION SWITCH. THESE OCCURRENCES HAPPENED BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE RUNNING (INABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLES OFF) AND WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE NOT RUNNING. WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE RUNNING, THE INABILITY TO EXTRACT THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE VEHICLES ENGINES OFF. THIS PRESENTED SAFETY HAZARDS. IN APRIL, 2018, WE RECEIVED LETTERS FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. REGARDING A 'WARRANTY EXTENSION' AFFECTING BOTH VEHICLES. IT EXTENDED COVERAGE OF THE 'STEERING COLUMN LOCK HOUSING' ON EACH VEHICLE FOR 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST. BOTH VEHICLES ARE JUST 5 YEARS OLD. HOWEVER, ONE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES (ANGELA'S) AND THE OTHER 105,000 MILES. SO WE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN REGARDING THEIR LETTERS AND STATED THAT BOTH VEHICLES HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY EACH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AT THEIR EXPENSE. SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET CONFIRMED THAT THIS ISSUE IS SYSTEMIC WITHIN VOLKSWAGEN AND SHOULD HAVE LED TO SOME TYPE OF VEHICLE RECALL BEFORE NOW. WE NEED FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND PROVIDE SOME RELIEF FOR THOSE OF US VEHICLE OWNERS WHO ARE STUCK WITH MASSIVE REPAIR BILLS DUE TO A LACK OF OVERSIGHT OF THIS SYSTEMIC ISSUE BY NHTSA. YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO OUR CONCERN IS SOLICITED AND GREATLY APPRECIATED. THE MOORES, BRASELTON, GA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11093711May 14, 2018
POWER TRAIN
I BOUGHT THE NEW BEETLE NOT EVEN A MONTH AND I NOTICED A JERKING IN THE TRANSMISSION. I FOUND OUT USING SPECIALIZED WEBSITES FOR ENTHUSIASTS THAT VOLKSWAGEN ISSUE LETTERS TO OWNERS OF NEW BEETLES IN 2010 INFORMING THAT TONS OF OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE HARD SHIFT THEY WERE EXPERIENCING IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OFTHEIR NEW BEETLE. VOKSWAGEN OFFERED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. THE MODELS AFFECTED SPANS FROM 2003 TO 2008. IN OTHER WORDS, VOLKS SOLD FAULTY CARS WITHING THIS TIME RANGE AND ONLY RECOGNIZED LATER IN 2010 ABOUT THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE VALVE BODY FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION IS ACROSS THE BOARD AND A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THE RANGE OF 2003-2008. THE COMPONENT WAS DESIGNED TO FAIL BY DESIGN. NOT EVEN THE REPLACEMENT WOULD FIX IT BECAUSE IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. IMAGINE THE DANGER WHEN THERE IS A HARD-SHIFT AND THE CAR STARTS TO JERK AND CHANGING GEARS ERRATICALLY ? IMAGINE THIS HAPPENING ON I95 OR ANY OTHER HIGHWAY. VW JUST EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT A RECALL IS NEEDED HERE. I CALLED VW AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX IT SAYING IT IS AN OLD CAR AND WARRANTY IS EXPIRED, BUT THE TRUTH IS SINCE 2003 THE HARD SHIFT CONDITION EXISTED. IT TAKES TIME FOR THE VALVE BODY TO FAIL BUT IT WILL FAIL. I HAVE OTHER CARS, BUT WHEN I NOTICED THE JERK I INVESTIGATED. I ATTACHED THE LETTER THAT I OBTAINED FROM THE NEW BEETLE.ORG SITE AND THERE THERE IS A DETAIL EXPLANATION HOW THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL DUE TO THE DESIGN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11092740May 9, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR SHIFTS HARD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11092771May 9, 2018
STEERING
THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES. AFTER A CURSORY GOOGLE SEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR VW BEETLES AND JETTAS. IT IS HIGHLY UNSAFE TO HAVE A CAR WITH AN UNRELIABLE IGNITION, PARTICULARLY WHEN TRAVELING ALONE AT NIGHT. VW HAS PLACED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND ACKNOWLEDGED A FAULTY DESIGN FOR THE 2012-2013 BEETLES, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO ADDRESS THE DESIGN FLAW IN EARLIER MODELS TO MY KNOWLEDGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11092576May 8, 2018
SEAT BELTS, SEATS, VISIBILITY/WIPER
I PURCHASED 2013 VW BEETLE AS CERTIFIED PRE OWNED,IN 2016, AT 30,000 MILE APPROXIMATELY STEERING GEARS HAD TO BE REPLACED,2 MONTHS LATER THE WINDOW MOTORS AND SWITCHES NEEDED REPLACED AND THAT WAS THE 3RD SET. 2 WEEKS LATER,THE DRIVER WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REINFORCED AND SWITCHES NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR 2 SOLID MONTHS BC THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON THE INTERIOR CAUSING DOOR PANEL TO PEEL, THEN THE AMBIENT LIGHTING BROKE. VW EXEC CUST SERVICE HAD BEEN INVOLVED FOR 6 MTHS AT THIS POINT, IT TOOK UNTIL 3/9/18 TO GET THE DOOR PANEL FIXED, MEANWHILE EVERYTIME I PICKED UP THE CAR SOMETHING DIFFERENT WENT WRONG, INTERMITTENT SEATBELTS MALFUNCTION, SPEED SENSORS, SEAT HEATER PO PROTRUDING THROUGH SEAT POSING ELECTRICAL SHOCK ONCE IT COMPLETELY PENETRATED. PASSENGER SEATBELTS, AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYED AND 11MTHS OF INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHT FLICKERING, ROUGH IDLE, AC REPAIRED 2X. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX DROPPING WINDOWS, INTERMITTENT SEATBELTS ISSUE OR SEAT HEATER ISSUE BC THEY CLAIM THAT THE SEAT GOT WET AT SOME POINT AND THEREFORE THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY WONT COVER IT. HOWEVER ON 06072017, WHEN WINDOW SWITCHES AND MOTORS BC POSSESSED GOING UP AND DOWN AND INTERFERING WITH LOCKING CONTROLS DURING A MONSOON, AND THE CAR CLEARLY WAS CAUGHT IN A STORM LASTING 10 HRS THEY WILL NOT FIX AND CLAIM THAT ALL THE SAFETY CONTROLS FOR THAT SEAT ARE DAMAGED BC OF GETTING WET AT SOME POINT,AND SO I CANNOT PUT MY DISABLED CHILD IN IT BC OF THAT AND IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP 13 TIMES IN 18MTHS, ALL FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE REAR TRAIL ARMS RECALL CORP HAS AS BEING COMPLETED, HOWEVER THAT RECALL WAS ONLY IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN A REAR SIDE ACCIDENT WHICH IT WAS SOLD WITH A CLEAN CARFAX.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11092135May 6, 2018
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11091672May 4, 2018
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (ABOUT 25 MPH) WHEN A FRONT END COLLISION OCCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ACTIVATING ONLY. THE DRIVER SIDE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11091926May 4, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ONBOARDCOMPUTERSYSTEM READINESS STATUS DURING CAR INSPECTION EMISSION RESULTS READINESS FAIL MONITOR EVAP-NOT READY MONITOR SECONDARY AIR NOT READY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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