Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10561114January 23, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
THIS CONVERTIBLE ONLY HAS 6,000 MILES AND WE GET THIS CEL CODE (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) OF P0456 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED (VERY SMALL LEAK). TOOK IT TO VW IN MARCH 2013 WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY DID SOMETHING WITH THE VALVE AND RESET THE CEL. THE SAME CODE CAME BACK IN LATE MAY 2013. OUR 3-YEAR 50,000 MILES WARRANTY EXPIRED BY THEN. THE VW DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE US $140 FOR JUST DIAGNOSTIC BEFORE FIXING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. I BOUGHT A NEW GAS CAP AND RESET THE CEL AND IT STILL CAME BACK. SOME THING IN THIS CAR NEEDS A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561100January 22, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAD TO HAVE FUSE PANEL ON BATTERY REPLACED FOR 2ND TIME IN 2-3 YRS AND ALSO A FUSE BOX UNDER DASH. COST WAS VERY EXPENSIVE. CAR WOULD NOT START ALL OF A SUDDEN AFTER SHOPPING AT A STORE. HAD TO PUSH START THE CAR TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. STILL DON'T KNOW WHY IT WENT BAD/APPEARED MELTED. IN FIRST EPISODE THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO AS THERE WERE BATTERY DRAIN PROBLEMS. THIS AN INDIRECT SAFETY ISSUE AS MY DAUGHTER DRIVES CAR AND SHE COULD HAVE BE STRANDED AT ANY PLACE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560605January 20, 2014
POWER TRAIN
SIMPLY WHAT HAPPEN WAS I BOUGHT THE WRONG CAR IT SEEMS.ONE NIGHT I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND ALL THE SUDDEN AS I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR I NOTICE THE CAR WAS JUST REVVING AND NOT GOING ANYWHERE AT ALL AND ON THE GAUGE CLUSTER THE PNRDS WAS FLASHING SO I PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND MOVED INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559753January 14, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. SHORTLY AFTER THIS THE DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE ALSO STOPPED WORKING RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO AN IDLE (APPROX. 1100 RPM). THIS CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. YOU HAVE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO GET THE THROTTLE TO WORK AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE MANUFACTURER (VW) CAN OFFER NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS ISSUE, AT SOME POINT IN TIME, COULD AFFECT ALL OF THE 1999 -2009 NEW BEETLES ALONG WITH THE AUDI TT. AGAIN VW AND THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER MANUFACTURER MAGNETI MORELLI CAN OFFER NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556519December 18, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10555797December 12, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION IS BAD. HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. ALSO BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. DRIVES FINE UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP. AFTER ABOUT 20 OR 30 MINUTES IT STARTS THE HARD SHIFT AND JERKING. IT HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN 2ND GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT UP OR DOWN, NOTHING, JUST STUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10555095December 6, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WINDOW HAS STOPPED WORKING FOR THE SECOND TIME. REPAIRS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE TO 1 REAR DRIVER S SIDE WINDOW. NOW IT'S THE PASSENGERS SIDE REAR WINDOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10555113December 6, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR WOULD ON AGAIN OFF AGAIN LOSE LIGHTS RADIO SPEEDOMETER AND EVENTUALLY DIED IN A NOT NICE SECTION OF TOWN. REPLACED ALTERNATOR, BATTERY PRIOR TO THE BREAKDOWN. DUE TO A WEB SEARCH FOUND OUT THE PROBLEM. FUSE BOX MELTED, SMOKED. DANGEROUS. VW WILL NOT RECALL OR FIX. DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM. FIXED WITH PARTS SUGGESTED. NOW AGAIN TODAY........12-6-2013 THE FUSE BOX IS MELTED AGAIN. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1000.00 AND DONE MY OWN REPAIRS AS VW DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THIS. IF THEY WOULD JUST DO A RECALL. I LOVE THE CAR BUT IT IS NOT RELIABLE AND SOMEWHAT DANGEROUS. THE CAR IS GREAT OTHERWISE. I JUST SPENT$2000.00 TO REPLACE THE CONVERTIBLE TOP AND NOW I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A LEMON! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554739December 4, 2013
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TODAY, 12/3/13, I HAD MY 3RD WINDOW REGULATOR GO OUT IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS. EACH OCCURRENCE HAS BEEN ON A DIFFERENT WINDOW, AND EACH REPAIR HAS COST FROM $400 - $600. THE SERVICE ADVISORS I'VE SPOKEN TO HAVE ALL SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLES BECAUSE THE PART IS POORLY ENGINEERED AND THEY'RE SURPRISED A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN MADE. THIS POORLY ENGINEERED PART IS NOT ONLY A FINANCIAL ABUSE TO THE CONSUMER, BUT ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. IF THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CONVERTIBLE IS DOWN, THEN ONE IS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE TOP BACK UP, WHICH NOW DOES NOT ONLY COST YOU A NEW WINDOW, BUT THE LOSS OF THE CAR IF IT'S STOLEN WHILE UNATTENDED. ADDITIONALLY WHAT COULD HAPPEN, AS IT DID IN MY CASE. THE WINDOW MADE A NOISE ON SUNDAY, THIS MORNING (TUESDAY) I TOOK MY CAR IN, THE PART WON'T BE IN UNTIL TOMORROW OR POTENTIALLY THURSDAY. IN THE MEAN TIME, IT'S RAINING IN MY CITY AND I LIVE IN APARTMENTS AND HAVE TO PARK ON THE STREET. THEREFORE, MY CAR RUNS THE RISK OF NOT ONLY GETTING STOLEN, BUT THE INTERIOR BEING DAMAGED IF THE PLASTIC ON THE OUTSIDE COMES OFF DURING THE HEAVY RAIN. AGAIN, MAJOR INCONVENIENCE TO THE CONSUMER, WHILE THE MANUFACTURER NOT ONLY POCKETS THE CUSTOMERS CAR PAYMENT ON A MONTHLY BASIS, BUT IS ALSO MAKING MONEY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH A VEHICLE THAT WAS PRODUCED BY THEM WITH FAULTY PARTS IN THE FIRST PLACE. FINALLY, THE WINDOW AT ANY MOMENT CAN FALL INTO THE DOOR AND SHATTER, WHICH WOULD MAKE THE BROKEN WINDOW A HEALTH RISK IF THE INDIVIDUAL IS IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE WINDOW SHATTERS; THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER COULD BE INJURED BY THE GLASS. IN CONCLUSION, THERE SEEMS TO BE MULTIPLE RISK AND CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE, IT IS LUDICROUS THAT A RECALL OR PERMANENT SOLUTION HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554302December 2, 2013
POWER TRAIN
CAR SLIPPED COMPLETELY OUT OF GEAR WHEN SHIFTING FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR. IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS WHEN THE CAR HAS COMPLETELY WARMED UP. GOING OUT OF GEAR ESSENTIALLY MAKES US A SITTING DUCK ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A REAR END COLLISION. VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE CHILDREN RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554249December 1, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
LOW PRESSURE DIESEL FUEL TANK FUEL PUMP FAILURE. NO VISIBLE SIGN OF CONTAMINATED FUEL SUCH AS WATER OR DEBRIS. THIS IS SECOND INCIDENT. VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SLOW TO LESS THAN 2000 RPM AND WILL NOT EXCEED 45 MPH. DEALER REPLACED PUMP UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST FAILURE AND NOW IS BLAMING FAILURE ON FUEL. BOTH INCIDENTS RESTRICTED THE VEHICLES ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND ALMOST RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554000November 27, 2013
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD WHEN STARTING FROM STOP. LURCHING IS SEVERE AND BECOMES WORSE AND TRANSMISSION WARMS. TRANSMISSION IS DSG TYPE OF AUTOMATIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10553168November 21, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552414November 15, 2013
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND A POTENTIAL LIABILITY TO DRIVE DUE TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND PURCHASED THE CERTIFIED VEHICLE THROUGH AN AUTHORIZED VW DEALER. VW FAILED TO NOTIFY ME OF AN AVAILABLE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF A RECOGNIZED ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. I TRIED REACHING OUT TO VW BUT THEY REFUSE TO OFFER ANY REPAIRS AND NOTIFIED ME ON THE LETTER THAT "IT IS OUR HOPE THE PREVIOUS OWNERS PASS THE INFORMATION TO YOU". THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE AND I AM APPALLED BY THEIR DECISION. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10551659November 10, 2013
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2005 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, PUSHED THE BUTTON FOR ALL WINDOWS TO OPEN AT THE SAME TIME AND THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. MADE A GRINDING SOUND LIKE SCRATCHING NOISE ON GLASS. IT JUST STUCK THERE ABOUT HALF WAY OPENED. I HAVE SINCE TAPED IT UP WITH CARDBOARD AND DUCT TAPE FOR SECURITY REASONS AND NOT TO GET RAIN INSIDE. ASKED MECHANIC AT VW AND HE SAID IT IS $600 IF IT'S JUST THE REGULATOR MUCH MORE IF IT IS THE MOTOR. ALSO SAID THEY MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDOW. REALLY? I HAVE READ MANY, MANY REVIEWS ON THIS VERY SAME ISSUE, TOO MANY TO COUNT ACTUALLY. SOMETHING IS OBVIOUSLY WRONG, (LIKE THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT ISSUE). I WORRY EVERY DAY WHILE AT WORK SOMEONE WILL BREAK IN TO MY CAR, I'VE CLEANED OUT THE INSIDE OF EVERYTHING AND NOW RESORT TO LOCKING MY COMPARTMENTS WHICH I NEVER HAVE EVER DONE BEFORE. A RECALL IS NECESSARY FOR ALL OF US WHO LOVE OUR BEETLES, HAVE TAKEN SUCH GOOD CARE OF THEM ONLY TO BE SUBJECT TO SUCH EVENTS. SAFETY ISSUES FOR THIS FEMALE BEETLE OWNER HAS BEEN COMPROMISED AND THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD NOT BE BY THOSE WITH THE POWER TO CORRECT THIS FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE OF US SUFFERING FROM THE NEGLECT OF THE VW MANUFACTURER. I PRAY THIS FALLS ON THE EYES OF SOMEONE WITH A CONSCIOUS WHO PUTS PEOPLE AND THEIR SAFETY ABOVE PROFIT. A RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE IS NEEDED AND TO RETURN THOSE OF US TO A SAFER DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND LIFESTYLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10550895November 4, 2013
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND AS IT SHIFTED INTO 5TH I FELT A BANG. IT FELT AS THOUGH SOMEONE RAN INTO THE REAR OF MY CAR. IT SNAPPED MY NECK HARD. IT KEEPS DOING THIS. I TOOK IT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10550867November 4, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE DRIVER FORCED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10549917October 29, 2013
AIR BAGS
I WAS SITTING IN STANDSTILL TRAFFIC, BY MYSELF, WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AT FULL FREEWAY SPEED, FORCED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, RESULTING IN A DOMINO EFFECT AND A 6 CAR PILE UP. I SUSTAINED BOTH FRONT END AND BACK END DAMAGE, TOTALING MY CAR, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED (AGAIN, I WAS ALONE) THE DRIVERS SIDE ONE DID NOT, FORCING ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD. I AM CURRENTLY UNDER A DOCTORS CARE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10550057October 29, 2013
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ROLLED DOWN BACK WINDOW ON DRIVERS SIDE WONT ROLL UP JUST MAKES A NOISE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10549694October 27, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, SEAT BELTS
CONTINUE OVER HEATING BLOWING HEAD TWICE ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON BRAKE LIGHTS ON LEFT SIDE DON'T WORK ALARM WONT LOCK LEFT SIDE DOESN'T WORK AND BACK SEAT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE FOR KIDS. FRONT IS VARY UNSTABLE IT FEEL LIKE IT GOING TO FALL OFF TO LOW TO THE GROUND , ETC......IT GOES ON AND ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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