Volkswagen Beetle Complaints
2,629 consumer complaints on file.
- #11091934May 4, 2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
A HUGE AMOUNT OF 2.0L ENGINES (1998-2006) SEEM TO STALL WHEN DRIVING OR STATIONARY AFTER 20 MIN FROM COLD START IN HIGH TEMPS (+75F) . LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER ASSIST BRAKES. IT HAPPENED TO ME 2X WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. SCARY. DEALERS AND MECHANICS CAN'T LOCATE ISSUES BECAUSE ITS INTERMITTENT. CARS OPERATE NORMAL AGAIN AFTER 10-20 MINS. SEE HTTP://NEWBEETLE.ORG/FORUMS/2-0-LITER-GAS/139065-HOT-WEATHER-STOP-GO-CAR-STALLS-DANGEROUS-2.HTML#POST1508562 FOR A LIST OF DIFFERENT SITES ALL LISTING SIMILAR ISSUES. APPARENTLY, AND ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, THE ISSUE STOPPED ON MODEL YR 2007 AND HIGHER.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11091999May 4, 2018ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ENGINE STALLIG USUALLY WHEN TURNING, AFTER A STOP, WHEN GOING SLOW... WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX THIS ISSUE BY TAKING THE CAR TO MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T RULE OUT A SOLUTION BECAUSE IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND IT SEEMS TO BE WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN WARMED UP. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VERY SCARY BECAUSE THERE'S LOSS OF STEERING WHEEL POWER AND IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. WE HAVE CHANGED NUMEROUS THINGS AND IT KEEPS GIVING US THIS ISSUE. SOMETIMES IT IDLES ROUGH. SOMETIMES THE NEEDLE WHERE THE RPMS ARE DROPS BUT COMES BACK UP. WE HAVE EXHAUSTED OUR OPTIONS AND WE CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11091623May 3, 2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALTERNATOR GETS EXTREMELY HOT, UNTOUCHABLE. APPEARS TO BE DIRECT SHORT WITH HEAVY LOAD. MELTS FUSE BOX ON TOP OF BATTERY. FIRE HAZARD. ONLINE SEARCH FOR OTHER EVENTS REVEAL THAT IS COMMON OCCURRENCE EVEN RESULTING IN CLASS ACTION SUIT BUT STILL VW WILL NOT ADMIT FAULT. ALL VOLKSWAGON BEETLES SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE ROADS, IT IS A TICKING TIME BOMB. I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR IN MY SHOP CHECKING OUT SYSTEMS AND SAW AND SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM FRONT OF ENGINE. VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO BE ON ROAD WITH ENGINE RUNNING. PLEASE REQUIRE GROUNDING ALL THESE VEHICLES UNTIL VW DOES A PERMANENT FIX, EVEN ON THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN REPAIRED UP UNTIL NOW.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11091363May 2, 2018STRUCTURE:BODY
INNER DOOR HANDLES TO CLOSE THE DOORS, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT, HAVE BROKEN OFF, SNAPING. AS I DID RESEARCH TO FIND REPLACEMENT; I CONTACTED OVER 20 DIFFERENT JUNK YARDS IN MY AREA AND I AM BEING TOLD THE SAME; "ALL PANELS HAVE THE HANDLE BROKEN". THE ONLY WAY I CAN REPAIR IT IS BY BUYING THE WHOLE PANEL FROM THE DEALER AT AN OUTRAGE PRICE OR BUYING IT FROM A USED SELLER WHICH IS STILL AT LEAST $600.00 FOR THE PAIR PANELS. I NEED THESE HANDLES TO CLOSE THE DOORS SECURELY .
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11090115April 25, 2018STRUCTURE:BODY
SUNROOF'S PLASTIC FRAME COVER DEVELOPED CRACK WIDE ENOUGH FOR CALLING CARD TO FIT INSIDE AN ALLOW WATER IN TO LEAK INOT HEADLINER ETC., PLUS SEVERAL HAIRLINE CRACKS HAVE FORMED. THE CLEARCOAT HAS WORN OFF THE SAME SURFACE AFTER 5.5 YEARS ON THIS SAME NON-METAL FRAME THAT SURROUNDS THE SUNROOF ABOUT A FINGER'S WIDTH WIDE AROUND MOST OF THE FRAME.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11089654April 23, 2018AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE DETAILS OF HOW THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WERE NOT PROVIDED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, OPENED CASE NUMBER: 180380670, AND REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11085131April 15, 2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SURGES...BLOWS FUSE BLOCK...MELTS DOWN FUSE BLOCK. REPLACED FUSE BLOCK ABOVE THE BATTERY THREE TIMES SINCE OWNING THE CAR. CAR WAS BEING USED IN THE CITY.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11083941April 9, 2018FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FEUL LEAK, REAR PASSANGER SIDE RIGHT. SAME SIDE THAT THE FUEL FILL IS ON.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11083572April 6, 2018POWER TRAIN
THE CAR DOWNSHIFTS INTO A LOWER GEAR WITH A 'HARD' SOUND. SOMETIMES AFTER THE CAR IS WARM IT TAKES A MOMENT TO GO INTO GEAR FROM A FAST SPEED TO A SLOW OR STOP.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11083256April 4, 2018AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL, AIR BAG LIGHT ON
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11083099April 3, 2018EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT TURN INDICATOR RAPID BLINKS EVEN WITH ALL NEW BULBS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11082452April 2, 2018AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG LIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN RECALLED ON SEVERAL 03 BEETLES BUT NOTHING THAT INCLUDED THE 03 CONVERTABLE VERSION OF THIS LIGHT BEING ACTIVATED THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT THAT I KNOW OF AND IS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN WHERE NONE OF MY AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY IF I EVER GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. GOD FORBID. THIS HAS BEEN CHECKED BY THE VIN BUT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THE PART IS NOT DEFECTIVE. ALSO OPPOSITE LIGHTS IN THE REAR SEEM TO HAVE SOME SORT OF ELECTRONIC ISSUE NEW FUSES NEW BULBS AND RELAY SEEMS NOT TO FIX THIS ISSUE. COULD POSSIBLE BE PART OF THE SAME 03 BEETLE BREAK SWITCH RECALL??
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11082012March 29, 2018AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (CLAY COOLEY VOLKSWAGEN PARK CITIES 6223, 5555 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209 (469) 425-9452) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT CONTROL SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. *TT *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11080770March 21, 2018ENGINE
PURCHASED THE 2012 VW TURBO BEETLE FROM CUTRUBUS OF LAYTON UTAH 801-544-5878 WITH $3,200 OF OWN MONEY..GOLDEN WEST CREDIT UNION LOAN $10,500.. CUTRUBUS HAS MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT THAT INSPECTED AND EMESSIONED THE VEHICLE.. TOOK THE 2012 VEHICLE OFF THE LOT AND CAR STALED AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON.. TOOK IT TO MY PARENTS HOME WHICH AGING VETERAN PARENTS LIVE.. 2012 BEETLE ENGINE FAILED AND CAR WOULDN'T START OIL LEAKED ON DRIVE WAY AND PARENTS THREATENED HOUSING..TOWED CAR TO CUTRUBUS WITH A 24 HOUR TIME PERIOD AND ALEX CARE DEALER REFUSED TO PAY FOR TOWING..CALLED CUTRUBUS MAINTENANCE ASKED ABOUT 2012 BEETLED YELLED AT .GOLDEN WEST CREDIT UNION LOAN OFFICER STATED COULD CANCEL CHECK AND CALLED CUTRUBUS FINANCING AND WAS YELLED AT STATED HE WOULD CASH THE CHECK BECAUSE THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED.. 2012 BEETLE TURBO IS ON CUTRUBUS LOT 03/01 24 HOURS AFTER PURCHASED CAR HAD BROKEN VACUM PUMP CERAMIC SEAL AND TUBING THAT HAD COME LOOSE AND OIL WAS LEAKING ENGINE LIGHT ON WHICH ALEX STATED WAS MINOR REPAIRS.. CHRISTINE IS NOT INSURED FOR 2012 BEETLE..AFTER ALL THIS THE FIANCE DEPARTMENT PURCHASED STATE TAXES AND LICENSING EVEN THOUGHT THE CAR DOES NOT BELONG TO CHRISTINE 20 12 VW BEETLE REMAINS ON CUTRUBUS OF LAYTON AUTO LOT.. MOTOR VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION ACCEPTED TAX AND LICENCING MONEY EVEN THOUGHT 2012 VW REMAINS ON CUTRUBUS CAR LOT.. STATE TAX WAS FILED 03/18/2018.. CHRISTINE IS NOT PAYING CAR LOAN.. CUTRUBUS FINANCE DEPARTMENT IS REFUSING TO REFUND THE PAPER CASHIERS LOAN CHECK.. CUTRUBUS IS REFUSING TO SEND DOCUMENTED REPAIRS VIA EMAIL WWW.MVED.UTAH.GOV
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11078283March 9, 2018UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HAVING MAJOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES AFTER TRYING TO FIX AND REPLACE EVERYTHING LIKE FLUID AND FILTERS. HAS A HARD TIME CHANGING GEARS. ENGINE WILL REV WHILE CHANGING GEARS SOMETIMES. HICCUPS AND JOLTS A LOT ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING FROM 2ND TO 3 THEN TO 4TH. AND WHEN GOING DOWN IN GEARS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11076621March 7, 2018UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CAR WAS SITTING STATIONARY IN THE ON POSITION. NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. LOOKED UNDER FRONT OF CAR AND SAW FLAMES. TURNED CAR OFF AND WENT TO SAFETY. IN MINUTES THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED. THE WHOLE CAR BURNED AND IS A TOTAL LOSS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11076784March 7, 2018POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION SLIPS OR DOWNSHIFT VERY HARD CAUSES SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE SPEED AND OR LOSS OF CONTROL AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR ON SECONDARY ROADWAYS CAUSING FOLLOWING VEHICLES TO EITHER HEAVY BRAKING OR SWURVE TO AVOID REAR END COLLESION WITH THE VEHICLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11075356February 28, 2018SERVICE BRAKES
WATER LEAK INTO REAR HATCH; THIRD BRAKE LIGHT PREMATURE PLASTIC PART FAILURE AT 75,016 MILES. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE RISK OF ACCIDENT OR WATER/ELECTRICAL FIRE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11073439February 18, 2018FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
INCIDENT 1 SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT. AS THE VEHICLE NEARED A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE STALLED. I WAS UNABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE FOR 20 MINUTES. (THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NEVER START.) INCIDENTS 2 THROUGH 4 THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE RESTARTING ON HOT DAYS, BUT I DON'T HAVE DETAILED INFORMATION BECAUSE I WAS NOT THE DRIVER. INCIDENTS 5 THROUGH 16 I DROVE THE VEHICLE AND SHUT IT OFF. I RETURNED WITHIN ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. ONLY AFTER WAITING 20-25 MINUTES WITHOUT ATTEMPTING TO START DID THE VEHICLE START. THIS HAPPENED 12 TIMES IN ONE DAY. THE HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR THE DAY WAS ABOUT 85 DEGREES. I CONTACTED MY MECHANIC ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A FAULTY FUEL-PUMP CONTROL MODULE, AND THAT I SHOULD SPEAK TO VW ABOUT THE RECALL. VW DEALER SAID NO RECALLS ARE PRESENT FOR MY CAR. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A PARTS SPECIALIST AND A MANAGER, THEY DETERMINE THAT, THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, IT USES THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART AS THE PASSAT AND CC. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL VW AND ASK FOR AN EXCEPTION TO THE RECALL. I CALLED VW CORPORATE AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE. THE AGENT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE PASSAT AND CC RECALL AND CONFIRMED THAT NO RECALLS WERE PRESENT FOR MY VEHICLE. AFTER REQUESTING INFORMATION ON THE SITUATION, THE REP TOLD ME THE FOLLOWING: "YES, THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. NO, VW WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS THE RECALL IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE YOUR VEHICLE. YOU CAN PAY US TO INSTALL A REPLACEMENT PART AND THAT REPLACEMENT PART WILL ALSO BE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T YET RELEASED AN IMPROVED PART." THE REP EXPLAINED THAT RECALLS ARE GOVERNMENT-MANDATED, AND VW DOES NOT CREATE THEM. I DON'T THINK THIS IS 100% ACCURATE, BUT IT WAS AN "EXCUSE" SHE GAVE. I WAS HORRIFIED BY VW'S ATTITUDE, ADMITTING A DEFECT BUT REFUSING TO FIX. CAN YOU PROVIDE ANY HELP?
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11066820February 3, 2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE FUSE BOX IS BURNING BECAUSE SOME CABLES ARE TOO SMALL AND ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS, IT IS SOMETHING EXTREMELY COMMON BUT ACCORDING TO ME, IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0