Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10663487December 10, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED. TODAY 12/09/14 NOT THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR NEEDS REPLACED. I THINK THIS IS FAULTY. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL VW REPAIR DEALERSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10663145December 9, 2014
SEATS
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT STARTED SMOKING THEN A FLAME CAME FROM THE TOP OF THE SEAT. I PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH MY BOTTLED WATER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10662871December 8, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THERE IS OIL LEAKING ONTO TIMING COVER AT THE REAR OF CYLINDER HEAD. VERY COSTLY AND THERE IS NO WAY TO CATCH IT BEFORE IT HAPPENS, IT JUST HAPPENS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10662116December 4, 2014
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRST I MUST ASK MYSELF WHY AM I WASTING MY TIME AGAIN? YOU CAN WRITE TO NHTSA ALL YOU WANT AND EXPLAIN YOUR COMPLAINT / DEFECT BUT THAT'S AS FAR AS IT GOES, THEY NEVER RESPOND AND NOTHING GETS REPAIRED FOR FREE UNLESS NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND PEOPLE GET HURT OR WORSE YET DIE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10658624November 17, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10654954November 14, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
VW HAS KNOWN ISSUES WITH THEIR HEADLIGHTS. THEY EASILY DISCONNECT FROM THE WIRING HARNESS (PLUGS DO NOT HAVE A SAFETY MEASURE TO KEEP THEM ATTACHED TO EACH OTHER). I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY LAST NIGHT AND ALL OF MY LIGHTS WENT OUT. IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR OTHER CARS COMING I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO NO LIGHTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653969November 10, 2014
SEAT BELTS
CABLE HAS COMPLETELY SEVERED ON DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RECEPTOR. THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT BUT JUST DUE TO USE AS INTENDED. ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED ON EXAMINATION ON 7 NOVEMBER 2014. INFORMED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WHO DECLINED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM DESPITE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. INFORMAL COMMUNICATION WITH DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS THAT THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED BECAUSE A PLASTIC SLEEVE AROUND THE TWO CABLES AT THE LATCHING MECHANISM HAD SLIPPED DOWN THE CABLE ALLOWING THE CABLE TO BEND BACK AND FORTH, EVENTUALLY CAUSING STRESS FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653264November 7, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THIS CAR HAS A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE FUEL SUPPLY RAIL FOR THE FUEL INJECTOR SYSTEM. THERE IS A GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND VERY NOTICEABLE OUTSIDE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFTY. DEFECT. IT HAS TAKEN VOLKSWAGON MORE THAN A WEEK TO LOCATE PARTS FOR THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR WHICH MAY INDICATE THIS IS A COMMON SAFTY PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR. I AM BEING CHARGED OVER $1,000 FOR THE REPAIR BUT FEEL THIS MAY BE A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ADVISE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653381November 7, 2014
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2007 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE SHIFTS HARD (VIOLENTLY) FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEAR IN STANDARD MODE AND SPORT MODE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WHILE THE VEHICLE IS WARM. CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD SINCE THERE WEREN'T ANY CODES PRESENT, THAT I DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. LAST WEEK THE CAR STALLED WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I MANAGED TO STEER OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID A COLLISION. VW OF AMERICA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RESOLVE THEIR MANUFACTURING ISSUES. THIS ISSUE POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO OCCUPANT SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10652967November 6, 2014
POWER TRAIN
VW NEW BEETLE TIPTRONIC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MANUFACTURER/DESIGN DEFECT: I EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE CLOSE CALLS IN THE FREEWAY WHILE THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. I COULD NOT KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC AFTER SLOWING DOWN IN A CONGESTED FREEWAY CONDITION DUE TO THIS TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN TO ALL DRIVERS, NOT JUST ME. ALTHOUGH I WAS DRIVING VERY CAREFULLY TO AVOID ANY ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THIS TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION PROBLEM; BUT NOT SO FOR OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. THIS IS A KNOW POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED DEFECTS CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION (CASE # 11-CV-02243, IN THE US DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS). ALTHOUGH THIS WAS DISMISSED IN ARKANSAS, BUT THE JUDGE SAID "OTHER CO-PLAINTIFFS IN THE CASE COULD PURSUE CLAIMS IN CA". TO ME, THIS MEANS THIS DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURE DEFECT OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS VALID. IT SHOULD BE ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY AND I AM ASKING NHTSA TO MAKE A SWIFT JUDGMENT BEFORE IT CAUSE ANY LIFE OR MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651743October 31, 2014
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL, CAR STALLED, RESTARTED CAR THEN SAW SMOKE AND FIRE UNDER PASSENGER SIDE DASH. CAR BURNT COMPLETELY, TOTALED. HAVE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES. ..UPDATED 11/12/14 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10645083October 16, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW STUCK ON CONVERTIBLE BEETLE, WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. HAD WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED--$400 TWO MONTHS LATER, REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AGAIN STUCK. MADE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. DAY BEFORE APPOINTMENT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW STUCK IN OPEN POSITION. WOULD NOT ROLL UP. INFORMED THAT I NEED NEW REGULATOR FOR THAT WINDOW TOO, ANOTHER $400. BACK WINDOW JUST NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A FLAW IN DESIGN. WHEN WILL IT BE RECALLED AND FLAW FIXED? I LIVE UP NORTH. SO GLAD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN IN SUBZERO WEATHER! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10643670October 9, 2014
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WIRING HAS FAILED THUS ILLUMINATING THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE SEAT BELT WIRING IS OF MINUTE DIAMETER WITH LITTLE SHIELDING AND POOR CONDUIT. BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT MUST FLEX WHEN MOVING THE SEAT FORWARD, THE STRAIN ON THE WIRING IN THE SEAT BELT RIPS THE WIRING FROM IT'S SOLDERED JOINT. THIS CAUSES THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND CAUSES THE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO REVERT TO A BACKUP ALGORITHM THAT PUTS THE DRIVER IN A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT. THIS "BACKUP" ALGORITHM WILL NOT MONITOR VEHICLE SPEED AND WILL AUTOMATICALLY DEPLOY THE AIRBAG AT A DEFAULT AMOUNT OF FORCE REGARDLESS OF IMPACT FORCE. THIS MEANS THAT A MINOR FENDER BENDER THAT REACHES THE AIRBAG FORCE THRESHOLD COULD DEPLOY THE AIRBAG AT A FORCE TOO GREAT AND CONVERSELY A HIGH SPEED IMPACT MAY DEPLOY THE AIRBAG WITH INSUFFICIENT FORCE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH WILL ALERT YOU AS TO HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS. AFTER CALLING MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME "WE REPLACE A TON OF THOSE SEATBELTS." VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS EGREGIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART BEFORE FATAL CONSEQUENCES FURTHER PROVE THIS IS A DEADLY AND EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10641558October 5, 2014
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BOUGHT THIS VW BEETLE USED. HAD TERRIBLE SMELL, LIKE BURNT CRAYONS. CLEANED IT INTENSELY, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. THOROUGH DETAIL JOB. STILL SMELLS, CAUSING HEADACHE. AIR BAG LIGHT AND BUZZER STAYED ON EVEN AFTER LATCHING SEAT BELT. CRUISE CONTROL WORKS ERRATICALLY, LUNGING FORWARD SUDDENLY, THEN CHUGS, THEN LUNGES FORWARD QUICKLY AGAIN. SPEED WORKS CONSISTENTLY WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT ENGAGED. VERY UNSAFE WITH CRUISE CONTROL IN USE. LIGHTING ISSUES. INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK, UNABLE TO SEE INTERIOR GAUGES IN THE DARK. TURN SIGNALS BLINKING ERRATICALLY, AND NOT IN SYNC. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS AT AN AUTHORIZED VW DEALER, PAID $1,300.00. STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY. TOOK IT BACK IN 4 DAYS LATER BECAUSE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW ALMOST FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING, AND INTERIOR LIGHTING ISSUES STILL DID NOT WORK. WAS CHARGED ANOTHER $600.00. VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO DRIVE POSITION EASILY, AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL UNLESS THE STEERING WHEEL IS JERKED ON. DEALER SAID SENSORS WERE THE PROBLEM, AND THAT I WILL NEED TO BRING IT BACK AGAIN TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL FIXED AT A COST OF $250.00. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW. THERE SHOULD BE SOME RECALLS ON THE SMELL ISSUE, AND THE AIR BAG/SEAT BELT ISSUE. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE, BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10640417October 1, 2014
TIRES
I HAD TWO BLOWOUTS IN BACK TO BACK WEEKS IN APRIL 2014 AND THOUGHT IT WAS BAD LUCK. THE TIRES WERE CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO AND HAD LESS THAN 20K MILES. I REPLACED 2 EACH TIME SINCE THE CAR IS FWD. THEY CAME ON MY 2013 BEETLE TDI. AT THE END OF AUGUST IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE TIRE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN MINUTES THE TIRE BLEW AT 65MPH. I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE BLEW COMPLETELY OFF FUSSING ABOUT A 2" SECTION TO THE RIM. THE INSIDE HAD 2 MAJOR SIDEWALL FAILURES. I GOT HOME AND GOOGLED CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO COMPLAINTS AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME ISSUES. I REPLACED THE BLOWN TIRE AND PARKED THE CAR. I ORDERED A SET OF MICHELINS AND HAD THEM INSTALLED THIS WEEKEND. THE CONTINENTALS ARE IN MY BASEMENT UNTIL THERE IS AN ADMISSION OR RESOLUTION THAT THERE IS INDEED A PROBLEM. I DRIVE AROUND 35K MILES PER YEAR FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIRE FAILURES UNTIL THESE. CONTINENTAL'S RESPONSE SO FAR IS THEY WERE MADE TO SPECIFICATIONS. AND VW'S RESPONSE WAS WE DIDN'T MAKE THE TIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10639552September 27, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WAS DRIVING AND REALIZED MY BRAKES DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS PUT ON.. HAD THE BRAKES AND THE MASTER CYLINDER BLED.. STILL FELT FUNNY.. TOOK IT TO A GARAGE THIS AM AND HE FOUND THAT THE BOOSTER VACUUM IS BAD. MECHANIC TRIED TO CALL TO ORDER ONE AND THEY ARE SCARCE. HE BELIEVES THE SHORTAGE MAY BE BECAUSE THEIR IS A RECALL ON THIS. ALSO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT LATCH FELL APART AND IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A USED ONE ANYWHERE BECAUSE THEY ARE IN DEMAND BY VW OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637748September 20, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE 2008 MODEL FOR THE VW BEETLE APPEARS TO HAVE A DESIGN FLAW REGARDING THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH ASSEMBLIES BECAUSE THE "HEADLIGHT BUCKETS" COME LOOSE FROM THE POWER SUPPLY INSIDE THE FENDER WHERE THE HOUSING UNITS ARE CONNECTED. THIS ISSUE MEANS THAT WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP, THE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY COMES LOOSE AND HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO OPERATE. AT NIGHT, THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! I HAVE CONTACTED VW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND I AM SUPPOSED TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM. I HAVE HAD BOTH ASSEMBLIES REPLACED WITH BRAND NEW UNITS AND THE SAME ISSUE OCCURS. MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY BELIEVE THEIR HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT AND HAVE IT REPLACED. WHEN THE HEADLIGHT IS REPLACED, THE UNIT IS REMOVED AND PLUGGED BACK IN AND CAN EASILY MASK THE REAL ISSUE. THERE IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN AND A CONTINUOUS CONNECTIVITY ISSUE WITH THESE PARTS! VW NEEDS TO ISSUE A SAFELY RECALL AND FIX THIS SO OUR HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES REMAIN PLUGGED INTO THE POWER SOURCE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10631949September 9, 2014
VISIBILITY/WIPER
9-3-14 GOT INTO VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. FOUND HORIZONTAL CRACK RUNNING FROM BEHIND REAR VIEW MIRROR ABOUT 8" IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AND CURVING UP TO THE ROOF LINE. ADDITIONALLY THERE IS A VERTICLAL CRACK THAT INTERSECTS THE HORIZONTAL ONE AT IT RUNS DIRECTLY UP TO THE ROOF LINE. THERE WAS NO CONTACT WITH ANY OBJECT OR ROAD HAZZARD THAT CAUSED THIS AS THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A CLOSED AND SECURED GARAGE. CONTACTED VW DEALER WHO ADVISED ME TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. ONCE THERE THE VEHICLE AND THE CRACKED WINDSHIELD WERE PHOTOGRAPHED BY DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL. I WAS INFORMED THAT A CLAIM WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. ON 9-9-14 I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLAIM HAD BEEN DENIED BY HE MAUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE STATING THAT IT WAS THEIR OPINION THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN CONTACTED BY SOME OBJECT. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS IS A STRESS FRACTURE AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN STRUCK BY ANY OBJECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10631697September 8, 2014
SEAT BELTS
I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 BEETLE WITH 11,8450 MILES. ON AUG 27, 2014, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT SUDDENLY LOSS TENSION AND WENT LIMP WHILE I WAS DRIVING! THE SEAT BELT CAN NOT BE RETRACTED. THE VW SERVICE THE WAY THE SEAT BELT BECAME LOOSE IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, AND IT SHOULD BE ON OFFICIAL RECORD. VW DENIED RESPONSIBILITY AND MY REQUEST FOR THE REPAIR COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10631331September 7, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE NEW 2014 BEETLE I PURCHASED AT HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN OF REISTERSTOWN, MARYLAND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 3 TIMES SINCE I BROUGHT IT HOME. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WITH THE BRAKE PRESSED, SEATBELT BUCKLED, AND ALL DOORS CLOSED. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I WAS UNABLE TO GO ANYWHERE. I WAS GIVEN A KEY AND TOLD THAT THE SECOND KEY HAD BEEN MISPLACED AND AS SOON AS THEY FOUND IT THEY WOULD SEND IT TO ME. I JUST RECEIVED IT THIS WEEK. THE SECOND TIME I WAS STRANDED WAS AT THE COLUMBIA MALL. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, IT STARTED. THE THIRD TIME WAS AT MY SCHOOL. IT WAS WEEK BEFORE LAST, ONE OF THE HOTTEST DAYS OF THE SUMMER. I HAD AN APPOINTMENT AFTER SCHOOL AND SO I GOT OUT A FEW MINUTES EARLY. I GOT INTO A 120 DEGREE CAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN AND SHUTTING THE DOOR, BUCKLING UP, AND PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I WAS SWEATING THROUGH ALL MY CLOTHES AND FEELING PANICKED. I AM 63 AND HAVE OWNED A PT CRUISER FOR OVER 12 YEARS AND WANTED A NEW CAR FOR PEACE OF MIND THAT I WOULD NOT BE STRANDED ONE DAY IF MY PT DIDN'T START. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE BEETLE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL START OR NOT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE 30 DAY CHECK TOMORROW, WHICH IS THE EARLIEST I COULD TAKE IT IN, BUT JUST GOT A BILL FOR 115.00 FOR DIAGNOSTICS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FIRST MONTH CHECK WAS A COURTESY, TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY CONCERNS. THE CAR IS BRAND NEW!! ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT SHOULD BE COVERED WITH NO CHARGE. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED AND FURIOUS AND FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN SOLD A LEMON. AFTER READING SEVERAL POSTS, BY OTHER OWNERS, THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT MANY VW OWNERS ARE HAVING. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THE BEETLE ON THE LOT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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