Volkswagen Beetle Complaints (2001)

203 consumer complaints on file.

#10382734February 15, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE DROVE 35 MPH OR MORE AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THEY ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE; YET, THE ONE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS AIMED LOWER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS AIMED HIGHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY WHO ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378034January 20, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO A FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371024December 17, 2010
WHEELS, TIRES
SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN TIRE(S) ON 2001 NEW BEETLE WITH 17 INCH ALUMINUM WHEELS. CAUSED BY CORROSION ON THE BEAD AREA OF THE RIM. CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO TIRE, HAD TO REPLACE ONE EXPENSIVE TIRE BECAUSE OF DAMAGE TO SIDEWALL. 3 TOTAL OCCURRENCES ON 2 DIFFERENT RIMS. TIRE DEALER "CLEANED UP" THE BEAD AREA AND REMOUNTED THE TIRE. LUCKILY ALL FAILURES EITHER OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS OR NOTICED WITH CAR PARKED. COULD NOT REINFLATE TIRE AS RIM WOULD NOT RESEAL WITHOUT REMOUNTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370822December 15, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2001 VW BEETLE: 189944 MILES. SUDDEN PERMANENT FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES. WILL INVESTIGATE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369964December 11, 2010
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
THE STATE OF VIRGINIA REQUIRES VEHICLE INSPECTIONS, ONE ITEM REQUIRES THAT DASH WARNING LIGHTS FOR SEAT BELT AND AIRBAGS OPERATE CORRECTLY. OUR 2001 VW BEETLE HAS AN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THAT WOULD NOT GO OUT. THE VW DEALER CHARGED $100 TO DIAGNOSE THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT (MICRO CHIP) WAS THE CULPRIT AND FOR ANOTHER $500 THE PROBLEM COULD BE CORRECTED. FEELING THIS DEALER WAS TRYING TO "RIP ME OFF" I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF COMMENTS FROM OWNERS OF VW CARS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, CUSTOMER CARE ADVOCATE, FOR INFORMATION ON THIS SAFETY ITEM AND INQUIRED WHY THE EXCESSIVE CHARGE FROM THEIR DEALERS. A SIMPLE REPLY WAS RETURNED SAYING THEY DID NOT SEE A NEED FOR A RECALL TO CORRECT A RECURRING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IF THE SENSOR DOES NOT BELIEVE THE SEAT BELT IS FASTENED, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. I WISH TO ADD MY VOICE TO THE MANY COMPLAINTS I FOUND IN THE NHTSA WEB SITE REGARDING VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA'S DISREGARD FOR THE LIVES OF THEIR CUSTOMERS, SO THEIR DEALERS CAN MAKE MONEY FROM A REPEATED CORRECTION TO THIS PROBLEM. AT YOUR REQUEST I WILL PROVIDE FACTS, DOCUMENTS, AND EVIDENCE CONCERNING MY COMPLAINT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363786November 2, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE HAS MANY ISSUES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ACCELERATING, HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS, AND NOT GOING INTO THE CORRECT GEAR CAUSING SLOW TO NO ACCELERATION WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT ANY GIVEN TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361444October 20, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WHILE BEETLE DRIVEN BY MY WIFE IT WILL JUST SHUT DOWN!!! IT WILL ONLY CRANK BACK ON ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT WILL SHUT DOWN WHEREVER!!! I ALREADY SPEND 1350.00 DOLLARS. AND NOT YET FIXED! THE CAR HAS BEING PARK OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE FOR LAS YEAR! AND STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT!!!! DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351447August 24, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR IDLING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY HESITATE AND WOULD ATTEMPT TO STALL. THE DIGITAL CLOCK WOULD INDEPENDENTLY RESET TO MIDNIGHT AND THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE NEEDLE WOULD DROP TO ZERO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE HAD NOT MOVED BACK UP SO THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE TANK. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351261August 23, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SUDDEN FAILURE OF ALL "POINTER GAUGES" IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $550 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, BUT SO FAR HAVE NOT FOLLOWED THROUGH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342447July 10, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EPC LIGHT ON,CAR LOOSING POWER. I HAVE CHANGE EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT COULD BE CHANGE TO FIX IT AND NOTHING. NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT, NOBODY WANTS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.VW CORPORATION DON'T HAVE RECALLS FOR IT, AND NO DEALER OR MECHANIC KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342095July 8, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS
WHY DON'T YOU HAVE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM FOR THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE COMPANY IS REPLACING THEM. I JUST HAD ONE INSTALLED AFTER HAVING THE ENGINE LIGHT INDICATE I HAD A PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10335615June 10, 2010
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IN WHICH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10332194May 25, 2010
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DOWN SHIFTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK EXCESSIVELY AND WOULD ALSO HESITATE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10329233May 6, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SUDDEN PERMANENT FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326016April 16, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2001 VW BEETLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND TOOK TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307345February 8, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING JUST A TERRIBLE CAR. WAX MATERIAL INTERIOR REMOVES EASILY WITH NAILS CHILDREN CAN EAT IT HAS CRAYOLA SMELL.SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OF PLASTIC OR VINYL. THIS WHOLE CAR SHOULD BE RECALL. EPC BRAKE SWITCH ALWAYS ON HAD IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. BAD ELECTRICAL. INTERIOR AC LIGHT IS ALWAYS OFF. IN AND OUT OF MECHANIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10300077January 17, 2010
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A 2001 VW BEETLE NEW AND I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES DUE TO SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON-GOING PROBLEM EVEN AFTER VW MADE A RECALL AND SUPPOSEDLY "FIX" THE SEAT BELT PROBLEM. THIS VERY FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CAR HAD LESS 1500 MILES ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10300096January 17, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299637January 13, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1. NORMAL DRIVING. 2. EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATING (EGR) COOLER CONNECTING PIPE FRACTURES. THIS CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30,000 AND 120,000 MILES. THIS FRACTURE ALLOWS EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER CABIN. AS OF NOW THE PART HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED, $178 DEALER ITEM. OLD PART WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284921September 22, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
SAB DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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