Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10378202January 21, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A COMPLAINT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REGARDING MY 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AT 71,000 MILES, IT HAS HAD HARD SHIFTING ISSUES AND HAS ACTUALLY JERKED FORWARD WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT, AND THEN HAS PROCEEDED TO GET STUCK IN 3RD GEAR UNTIL IT WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. VOLKSWAGEN HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY, BUT THEY HAVE DETERMINED, $300.00 LATER, THAT IT IS NOT THE VALVE BODY, BUT NEEDS THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT A COST OF $6,300.00. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS! *TR
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
#10377976January 20, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A COMPLAINT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA ABOUT MY 2004 AUTOMATIC NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE TRANSMISSION. I RECEIVED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR A SKIPPING TRANSMISSION. A YEAR AGO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WHICH I DID FOR $6,500.00. THE NEW EXTENDED WARRANTY SAID I COULD BE REIMBURSED FOR WORK DONE, I FILLED OUT ALL THE PAPERWORK AN HAD COPIES OF THE ORIGINAL WORK REQUESTS AND RECEIPTS AND SENT THEM IN AS INSTRUCTED. I HAVE SINCE RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT I DO NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE I HAD THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED (AS RECOMMENDED) AND NOT JUST THE VALVES. IT IS A CATCH 22 AND UNFAIR AS I JUST FOLLOWED THE DEALERS RECOMMENDATION IN GETTING THE CAR REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378886January 19, 2011
POWER TRAIN
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005 VW BEETLE WITH 72,000 MILES. ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO, IT BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY JERK BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF CITY DRIVING. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE CAR WOULD STALL, THEN BUCK FORWARD AS IF I WAS BEING REAR-ENDED. THE LEVEL OF UNRELIABILITY IS REALLY DANGEROUS, BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO SPEED UP LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO. I'M IN CONSTANT FEAR THAT I WILL GET REAR ENDED OR STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. I'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO MECHANICS AND TALKED TO TWO TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS AND ALL OF THEM HAVE SAID THAT THEY WON'T WORK ON A VW BEETLE'S TRANSMISSION AND THAT I NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I'VE TRIED AIDING THE PROBLEM WITH A NEW BATTERY, BUT THAT HASN'T HELPED. OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE (300 ON TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM) HAVE STATED THAT REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM ARE $5,000-$7,000 AND THAT IT HASN'T ALWAYS FIXED THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10377009January 18, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY FASTER CAUSING IT TO HESITATE. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN TRYING TO PARALLEL PARK IT WOULD HESITATE BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR AND IT WAS HARDER TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10377051January 18, 2011
POWER TRAIN
THIS IS ON A CAR WITH A 1.9L BEW ENGINE AND 6 SPEED DSG GEARBOX. PROBLEM EMERGED AS A ROUGH IDLE (LIKE A CYLINDER WAS MISSING) AND KNOCKING SOUNDS WHILE AT IDLE AND DURING ENGINE SHUTDOWN AS ENGINE COMES TO A STOP. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND DEALER DIAGNOSED AS FAILING DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL, $1398 TO FIX. I GOT LUCKY AND MINE DIDN'T EXPLODE/DISINTEGRATE AS SOME OTHERS HAVE, ALTHOUGH I DON'T KNOW YET IF IT HAS CAUSED OTHER DAMAGE TO ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. CAR HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY, SPENT EXTRA MONEY ON EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW TO HOPEFULLY AVOID SITUATIONS LIKE THIS - THE LONGEST WARRANTY I WAS OFFERED WAS 7 YEARS OR 70,000 MILES. VW HAS RE-DESIGNED THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL TO IMPROVE IT AND THEY HAVE RECALLED THE CARS IN OTHER COUNTRY'S BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE BUT NOT HERE IN THE U.S. THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM, OTHERWISE WHY THE RE-DESIGNED PART OR RECALL? THE FAILING FLYWHEEL COULD ALSO CAUSE SEVER DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376889January 17, 2011
VISIBILITY
SIX MONTHS AGO THE LEFT REAR WINDOW IN MY VW CONVERTIBLE BEETLE BROKE, IT WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN. I DO NOT USE THE REAR WINDOWS VERY OFTEN SO I WAS QUITE SURPRISED WHEN THE WINDOW BROKE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER TO GET REPAIRED. IT COST ME NINE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY EIGHT DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET. CLOSE TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO HAVE JUST THE WINDOW REPAIRED. I THOUGHT THIS WAS RIDICULOUS FOR JUST ONE SMALL WINDOW. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS VERY VERY UPSET BUT I HAD NO ALTERNATIVE I HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. NOW SIX MONTHS LATER THE LEFT REAR WINDOW HAS BROKEN. ONCE AGAIN I DO NOT USE THE REAR WINDOWS VERY OFTEN ESPECIALLY SINCE THE THOUSAND DOLLAR CHARGE THERE IS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO CHANCE THAT HAPPENING. HERE IT IS WINTER TIME SO THERE IS NO REASON TO BE USING THOSE WINDOWS. ANYWAY LAST WEEK I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I HEARD A TERRIBLE POPPING SOUND, ONE WHICH I HAVE HEARD BEFORE AND I THOUGHT OH NO NOT AGAIN. WELL ONCE I GOT TO WORK AND CHECKED SURE AS HECK THE LEFT WINDOW WAS BROKEN. IT IS DOWN ABOUT EIGHT INCHES AND ONE GO UP OR DOWN. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT IT WILL COST ME ANOTHER THOUSAND DOLLARS JUST TO FIX A WINDOW. I DO NOT HAVE A THOUSAND DOLLARS LAYING AROUND TO GET IT REPAIRED. MY PARENTS ALSO OWN A VW BEETLE AND THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL WINDOW PROBLEMS. WE HAVE BOTH DECIDED WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW BECAUSE WE JUST CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR COSTS FOR ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE GONE WRONG WITH THESE CARS. I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW MUCH IT COSTS FOR REPAIRS. I KEEP CHECKING ON THE RECALL LIST PRAYING THAT I MAY GET SOME HELP BUT AS OF YET THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY ASSISTANCE. CAN VW EXPLAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THESE WINDOWS??? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376838January 16, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, WITH UNDER 50,000 MILES ON IT WILL SHIFT DANGEROUSLY HARD. WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR, IT SHIFTS WITH A SLAM AND LURCHES FORWARD. THERE IS A PAUSE BEFORE IT SHIFTS WHICH MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, INSTEAD OF MOVING FORWARD WHEN IT SHOULD THERE IS THAT PAUSE WHILE IT LURCHES DOWN AND SLAMS INTO GEAR. IT DOES THIS ON A REGULAR BASIS. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376729January 14, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, UNKNOWN FUMES WOULD ENTER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE HER TO BECOME ILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE FURTHER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,412.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10376591January 13, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 VOLKSWAGEN CONVERTIBLE BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FORWARD AND DOWNWARD SHIFT ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED TO GIVE $1,500 TOWARDS THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376188January 11, 2011
POWER TRAIN
THE ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN THIRD GEAR WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO RESET. THIS IS A PERILOUS MANEUVER, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE MANY OPTIONS. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME PROBLEMS SHIFTING BOTH UP AND DOWN. THE UPSHIFTS ARE PROBLEMATIC IN THAT THE CAR CAN SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGES. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CAR WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND. THE RPMS WILL GO TO @5000, THEN THE SHIFT WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO SQUEAL TIRES AND LURCH FORWARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375552January 11, 2011
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON CONSTANTLY ON A 2000 BEETLE. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM WIRING UNDER THE SEAT CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO STAY ON...THIS SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL INVESTIGATION! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375446January 10, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 TDI BEETLE (AUTO) JERKS ABRUPTLY WHEN UPSHIFTING. THE CAR ALMOST STALLS IN FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC, CREATING A LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION. DEALER SERVICE DEPT. STATES A TEMPERATURE SENSOR FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID IS NOT FUNCTIONING, AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THIS IS NOT A PART THAT SHOULD FAIL AS IT THREATENS LIVES, AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY VW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373889January 3, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 VW NEW BEETLE HAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION WHICH IS PRESENTING A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. CAR DOES NOT SHIFT RIGHT, HARD SHIFTS, BUCKING, ETC. AND NOW STALLING, PROBABLY A TOTALLY FAILED TRANSMISSION FOR WHICH VW IS TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373938January 3, 2011
POWER TRAIN
2004 VW BEETLE - FAULTY TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VIOLENTLY INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEARS CAUSING THE CAR TO JOLT FORWARD. AT OTHER TIMES IT BECOMES STUCK IN 1ST GEAR SO AS YOU ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO INCREASE SPEED ENOUGH TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC APPROACHING FROM BEHIND. A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE FOR SAME PROBLEM. VW ADMITS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND SHIFTING DIFFICULTY ON 1998 - 2006 AUTOMATIC'S. THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR REPAIRS, BUT ONLY COVER THE VALVE BOX, WHICH ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER IS NOT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373711January 1, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2004 VOLKSWAGEN 'NEW BEETLE' HAS SERIOUS DESIGN / OEM-COMPONENT FLAWS IN THE TRANSMISSION AND/OR TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, CREATING VERY-DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE 'STALLS' (STEP ON GAS, MOTOR REVS, BUT TRANSM. DOES NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY) IN TRAFFIC. VW IS AWARE OF THIS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE SENT A 'WARRANTY-EXTENSION / REPLACEMENT OFFER' LETTER FOR THE VALVE-BODY OF THE TRANSM., HOWEVER, DEALER 'COMPUTER' SAYS IT'S NOT THE VALVE-BODY, BUT RATHER A 'MECHANICAL ISSUE DUE TO AN INCORRECT GEAR RATIO' AND OFFERS A COMPLETE TRANSM. REPLACEMENT FOR $5500. (!) NOT A VERY 'HELPFUL' SOLUTION FOR A CAR WORTH THAT OR LESS. IT WOULD SEEM THERE IS A 'CONTROL' PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THEIR OEM COMPONENTS (IE: TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND/OR SOLENOID-PACK) AS THERE ARE *THOUSANDS* OF OWNERS WITH SUCH PROBLEMS, ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, AND IMHO, VW NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX / REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS - HERE IS A LINK TO A 20-PAGE THREAD DETAILING OTHERS' EXPERIENCES: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F124D77/[email protected]@ - THIS IS *NOT* A 'SINGLE-CONSUMER' OR 'PERSONAL PERIODIC-MAINTENANCE ISSUE', AND MAY HAVE GRAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR SOMEONE / SOME FAMILY(IES) IF NOT RECALLED BY VW -PLEASE, HELP US! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373640December 31, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VW BEETLE 2003, 61,000 MILES, I NOTICED IT SHIFTED HARD SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED IT THIS PAST APRIL; JERKS WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND, SECOND AND THIRD, ETC; WENT TO VW AFTER I RECEIVED THE WARRANTY EXTENSION - TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY LETTER (RECEIVED IN DECEMBER 2010, BUT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO COVER THE COST BECAUSE THE EXTENSION IS TO COVER 7 YEARS, AND MY CAR IS 6 MONTHS TOO OLD; THEY'VE ADMITTED THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373654December 31, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373311December 29, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2003 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WINDOW REGULATORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373118December 28, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
SEAT BELT/AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO LOCAL, QUALIFIED MECHANIC. THEY SAID ONLY VW DEALER COULD FIX AND RESET. DEALER SAID IT WAS LOWER SEAT BELT HARNESS ($380), BUT COULD BE MORE (ABOVE $800) AND THE SERVICE WRITER ENCOURAGED US TO DO THE MORE EXPENSIVE WORK. TOLD THEM TO DO THE HARNESS AND SEE IF LIGHT WOULD GO OUT, WHICH IT DID. LIGHT CAME BACK ON AROUND 12/10/2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 79,000 MILES. JUST PRIOR TO THIS, WE PURCHASED ANOTHER VW BEETLE, A 2003 CONVERTIBLE WITH 69,500 MILES WITH THE SEAT BELT/AIRBAG LIGHT ON. SELLER SAID HE COULD NOT GET IT FIXED BY HIS MECHANIC AND HAD TO HAVE VW DEALER REPAIR IT FOR AROUND "$380", MAYBE MORE. SINCE HE MADE OTHER REPAIRS, WE LET IT GO. NOW WE HAVE TWO TO FIX AT THE MERCY OF THE VW DEALER. MY CONCERNS ARE SEVERAL: 1. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR US AND FOR NUMEROUS OTHERS (VW BEETLE FORUM) 2. THE REPAIRS CAN ONLY BE COMPLETED BY A HIGH COST VW DEALER AND THE COMPUTER RESET BY THEM ONLY 3. THE MATERIALS APPEAR TO BE DEFICIENT/DEFECTIVE AND THE ENGINEERING OF THE HARNESS/WIRING SYSTEM SUBSTANDARD 4. REPAIRS NEED TO BE MADE IN THE 60-85,000 MILE RANGE - A CONTRIVED MAINTENANCE/REPAIR ITEM THAT BRINGS WINDFALL REVENUE/PROFIT TO VW DEALERS IN THE $400-1,000 RANGE PER OCCURRENCE WHEN MANY OF THE CARS ARE WORTH ONLY $4,000-7,000. 5. SINCE IT IS A BASIC SAFETY ITEM AND WE DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WORKS OR NOT, WE ARE FORCED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT MAKES US APPEAR AS IF WE ARE NEGLIGENT WHEN IN FACT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT EXIST AND BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER LIKE EMISSION SYSTEMS TO WELL PAST 100-150,000 MILES. IN SUMMARY, VW HAS COLLUDED WITH ITS DEALERS TO CREATE THIS SITUATION AND ALLOW THIS "REPAIR" TO EMERGE AS A WAY TO GENERATE REVENUES AND PROFITS ON CARS THAT WOULD NORMALLY NOT HAVE A REASON TO BE BROUGHT IN TO A VW DEALER. IT IS NON-COMPETITIVE, FRAUDULENT AND UNNECESSARY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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