Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#11066835February 3, 2018
STEERING, WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON ROUTE 84-MASS PIKE(WHICH IS A FRESHLY PAVED ROAD) I NOTICED SOMETHING GO WRONG WITH THE BACK TIRES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. LUCKILY, AFTER DOING A FULL 360 I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AND PULLED OVER. I HAD TO THE CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER IN WHICH THEY TOLD ME I HAD BROKE THE TIE ROD WHEN I WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE REASON I WENT OUT OF CONTROL IN THE FIRST PLACE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY TIE ROD THAT HAD BROKEN FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. THE WEATHER THAT DAY WAS 50 DEGREES AND HAD BEEN 57 THE DAY BEFORE MEANING ABSOLUTELY NO BLACK ICE. THE ROADS WERE FRESHLY PAVED SO THERE WERE NO POT HOLES. I WAS CHARGED $875.00 TO FIX THE CAR IN ORDER TO GET IT HOME TO MY FATHER WHOM THE CAR BELONGS TO. I AM CONCERNED FOR ANYONE IF THE FUTURE THAT MAY EXPERIENCE THIS AND HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. I FEEL THAT THIS IS GROUNDS TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION. UNTIL THEN I WOULD LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT ON THIS FAIRLY NEW CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11065643January 29, 2018
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR RUNS FINE WHILE IT IS COLD BUT WHEN IT WARMS UP THEN IT BEGINS TO "JERK", SHIFT UP AND DOWN "HARD". WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A TIPTRONIC SWITCH WAS BAD SO WE REPLACED IT AND NOW WE ARE TOLD THAT THE VALVE BODY TRANSMISSION IS BAD. THE CAR HAS LESS THEN 100K MILES ON IT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR-ENDED WHEN THE CAR BEGAN JERKING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11063430January 18, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE HORN DOES NOT WORK, I HAVE HAD THE FUSES CHECKED AND ALL THE FUSES ARE GOOD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU NEED YOUR HORN TO ALERT OTHER BAD DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. I KNOW OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME CAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11063280January 17, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND FAILED TO ENGAGE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP IN THE PARKING SPACE. THE CONTACTED CALLED AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER IN ORANGE, CA TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND TO INQUIRE OF WHY NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED FOR FURTHER FAILURE INFORMATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TOWED TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11061460January 9, 2018
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, SEAT BELTS
FOR YEARS, VOLKSWAGEN HAS HAD A DESIGN FLAW IN THEIR SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESS. MY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON AS IS THE "AIR BAG" LIGHT SO I TOOK IT TO A VW MECHANIC. HE SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW AND AUDI. HE CLEARED THE FAULT USING A DIAGNOSTICS TOOL. SOON THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. AND THEY STAY ON...! WILL MY AIR BAG WORK WITH THIS PROBLEM? WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET AN ENGINE PROBLEM SUCH AS OIL PUMP OR TIMING BELT? MY VEHICLE COULD SHUT DOWN WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. AND AGAIN, WILL MY AIR BAG WORK? WE HAVE LOOKED ONLINE...THIS SEAT BELT WIRING DESIGN FLAW HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. YET, VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. THE MECHANIC WE USED SAYS THE SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESS IS TOO SHORT...THEREFORE, WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED FORWARD IT BREAKS WIRING IN THE HARNESS. THE DEALER WANTS $600 TO FIX THIS. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY! I AM ON SSDI.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11060786January 5, 2018
SEAT BELTS
THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" STAYS ON. WE USED A DECODER AND IT GAVE A FAULT TO THE SEAT BELT. WE TRIED TO CLEAR THE CODE BUT COULD NOT GET RID OF THE CODE. I DID ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW BEETLES. THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" IS A VITAL PART OF POSSIBLE PROBLEMS. SINCE WE CANNOT CLEAR THE CODE THAT THAT LIGHT ON IN OUR DASH, WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF ANOTHER ISSUE OCCURS. WHAT IF GET A BAD OIL PUMP OR TIMING BELT PROBLEM? WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT ISSUE IS TIED INTO THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT". VERY DANGEROUS! WE ARE ON SSI AND CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE OUR CAR TO A DEALER. THEY WANT $600 TO FIX THE SEAT BELT ISSUE. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY! THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A BIG ISSUE WITH VW BEETLES AS WE HAVE SEEN ONLINE. MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS!!! THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT ISSUE! I HAVE SEEN THAT THEIR SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESSES ARE ABOUT TWO INCHES TOO SHORT...THUS CAUSING THE WIRES TO BREAK AND CAUSE THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CONDITION THAT WE HAVE. PLEASE HAVE VW DO THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11055838December 21, 2017
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
REGARDING/RELATED TO CLAIM 0484819107 69 COMPLAINTS: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: SEAT ... I OWN A 2003 VW JETTA 1.8T WITH FRONT HEATED SEATS. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE SEATS HEATER 2 DAYS AGO ON 12/13/2005 AFTER THE HEATER WAS ON FOR LESS THAN 2 MINUTES. BURNING A SMALL HOLE TROUGH THE SEAT TO THE BOTTOM AREA OF MY LEFT SIDE (BUTTOCK) I HAVE COME TO FIND SINCE THIS HAPPENED, MY NHTSA HAS ... HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/.../SEATS-FRONT_ASSEMBLY-SEAT_ HEATER_COOLER.SHTML 29 COMPLAINTS: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX ASSEMBLY FREQUENTLY MELTS INTO A GLOB OF PLASTIC, AND REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE OWNED TWO NEW BEETLES ( 2003 & 2004), AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM FOUR TIME BETWEEN THE TWO. MY OWN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE(S) HAS SHOWN ME THAT IF THE VEHICLE BATTERY IS ... HTTPS://WHTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/SEARCH/?CX=PARTNER-PUB-6745124734283845%3A6PV4IH4BRAD&COF=FORID%3A10&IE=ISO-8859-1&Q=VW+FIRE&SA=SEARCH&SITEURL=HTTPS%3A%2F%2FWWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM%2FVOLKSWAGEN%2FBEETLE%2F2002%2FSEAT_BELTS_AIR_BAGS%2FWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/.../ELECTRICAL_SYSTEM.SHTML WASN'T IN THE VEHICLE PERSONAL ASSISTANT/PROJECT CONSULTANT HELPING HARD WORKING PEOPLE LIKE YOU FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).? *PM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11055583December 19, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ELECTRICAL CONNECTION HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS THE REAR PIN CONNECTOR TO SLIGHTLY PULL-AWAY AND LOOSEN FROM THE HEADLAMP BUCKET RESULTING IN INTERMITTANT HEADLIGHT FAILURE, ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER OR GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES DURING THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, EACH TIME THINKING THE BULBS BURNED-OUT BUT IN ACTUALITY, IT IS THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VW DEALER SAYS THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED, BUT IT THE TOO-SHORT CHASSIS WIRING HARNESS THAT IS THE ISSUE. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION PRESENTS A CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER WHEN TRAVELING AT NIGHT AND REASONABLY MUST BE ADDRESSES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ACCORDING TO THE VW ONLINE FORUMS, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT VW HAS IGNORED FOR YEARS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11054966December 15, 2017
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 15 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11054489December 13, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE REAR WINDOW OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS COME UNGLUED. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE SOURCES, I HAVE FOUND THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER CARS. IT CAN CAUSE THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW BLOW OUT IF ALL OF THE ADHESIVE GIVES WAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11051764December 1, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING. THE BATTERY, CHECK ENGINE, AND EPC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND, UPON OPENING THE HOOD, NOTICED THAT PART OF THE ENGINE HAD SEPARATED FROM THE MOTOR MOUNT AS THE BOLTS WERE CRACKED AND STRIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS REPAIRING THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11045512November 12, 2017
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11044494November 8, 2017
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" THIS VEHICLE AIRBAG SIGNAL LIGHT SHOWS ON THE GAUGE AND DOES NOT GO OFF DURING DRIVING FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11043985November 6, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONTINUED HEADLAMP FAILURE RE: HEADLAMP COVER GLASS / LEXAN COMES OFF AND FLYS OFF OF CAR. SEVERAL OWNERS REPORT SAME PROBLEM. CREATES HAZERDOUS DEBRIS WHEN IT HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY AND ALSO EXPOSES HEADLAMP LIGHTS DIRECTLY TO WEATHER AND CAUSES FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11042541November 2, 2017
STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WALKED A FEW YARDS AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MINOR INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11034168October 17, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE TRUNK - NOT OPENING - THE KEY DOESN'T WORK OR THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR ? I'M TAKING IT TO GET CHECKED BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11031691October 4, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EVERY YEAR WHEN IT GETS COLD THE WINDOW REGULATORS BREAK. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH SIDES TWICE NOW!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11031424October 2, 2017
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER IN PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE, AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO REPEAT THE SAME PROCEDURE FIVE TIMES UNTIL SHE REACHED HER DESTINATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PERRYSBURG AUTO MALL (26875 N DIXIE HWY, PERRYSBURG, OH 43551, PHONE NUMBER: (419) 874-4331) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11031357October 2, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY GETS CONSTANTLY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF. THE CAR IS IN PARK AND THE KEY STUCK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11024680September 20, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW MOTOR AND REGULATOR WENT BAD ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. VW KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT SELLS THE CARS ANYWAY WITHOUT WARNING, AND THEN CHARGES BETWEEN $800 AND $900 FOR THE REQUIRED REPAIR KIT. IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE WINDOW, A MECHANIC MUST REMOVE THE ENTIRE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. THIS TAKES MORE THAN FOUR HOURS. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR IS MORE THAN $1200 PER WINDOW. VW PROFITS THROUGH SELLING A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH CAN ONLY BE REPAIRED BY AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR KIT - THE PRICE OF WHICH IS DETERMINED BY VW. ALL MECHANICS CONTACTED (12) IN THE CINCINNATI AREA ARE AWARE OF THIS VW WINDOW SITUATION, AND THE VW OWNERS FORUMS ONLINE ARE FULL OF THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT. VW DEALERS ALSO HAVE TO GET THE PART FROM VW, AND CHARGE THE SAME THING. NEW BUYERS LIKE ME DO NOT BUDGET FOR THIS KIND OF REPAIR, BUT HAVE NO OPTION OTHER THAN TO PAY VW THEIR PRICE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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