Volkswagen Beetle Complaints (2001)

203 consumer complaints on file.

#10136406October 6, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DIESEL. THE VEHICLE WILL SWAY BACK AND FOURTH AND THIS WAS HARD FAST SWAYS. THIS OCCURRED A LOT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE SWAYING WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE CONTACT HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS FROM THIS BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE. THE VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR AT LEAST TWO MONTHS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WHEELS ALIGNED AND THIS DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT PROGRESSIVELY WAS GETTING WORSE. IT OCCURRED AT ALL SPEEDS AND PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE THE FASTER THAT THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136922September 19, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I OWN A NEW VW BEETLE AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS BEEN GIVING DISPLAYS THAT COME ON AND OFF CONCERNING THE ABS SYSTEM, AIR BAG AND ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS CORROSION OF THE TERMINAL STRIP FROM THE COOLANT TANK THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT AND GIVEN A FIELD SERVICE TECHNICAL BULLETIN THAT OUTLINED THE PROBLEM DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THIS CAN BE A PROBLEM AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS UNRELIABLE AND THE SAFETY SYSTEMS CANNOT BE SURE TO BE WORKING. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN TO NO AVAIL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT RECOURSE I HAVE TO HAVE A DESIGN FLAW CORRECTED? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134413August 28, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
LOSS OF POWER ON 2001 VW NEW BEETLE TDI. AIR INTAKE CLOGS UP DUE TO WATER LIKE SUBSTANCE CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL POWER LOSS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130782August 1, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE RECALL. EPC LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF, CAME ON AGAIN. CURRENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OFF. TRIED TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, JUST TURNING THE KEY HAVE WAY , BUT THEY STILL WILL NOT COME ON. IT CAME ON ONCE BEFORE ABOUT 4 OR 5 MONTHS, BUT IT WENT BACK OFF. CONTACTED DEALER ,THEY HAD CHECKED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129919July 25, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
2001 VW BEETLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. RESEARCED ON LINE TO FIND THERE WAS A RECALL CONCERNING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHS IN 2001 BEETLE. TOOK CAR TO BUTLER VW TO HAVE FIXED AND WAS CHARGED FOR REPAIR KNOWING THEY HAVE A HISTORY WITH THESE SWITCHS BEING DEFFECTIVE. DEALER WOULD NOT PAY BASED ON VEHICLE NOT FALLING INTO VIN'S THAT WERE RECALLED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129973July 25, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
2001 NEW BETLE. IN SHOP 7 TIMES SINCE PURCAHSE ON MARCH 15, 2005. WAS TOLD IT WAS 02 SENSORS. REPLACED SENSORS, RE WIRED, AND PLACED NEW COMPUTER IN AUTOMOBILE. PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED. SEVERAL OHTERS HAVE EXPREINCED THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE SEE HTTP://WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM/UBB/FORUM3/HTML/000059.HTML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129783July 23, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1. ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE; 2. ENGINE THEN "EXPLODED" RESULTING IN ENGINE FIRE AND DESTRUCTION OF ENGINE AND ALL UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129758July 22, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
PURCHED A USED 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE FOR MY DAUGHTERS 16TH BIRTHDAY. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FIRST. AFTER 3 TRIPS TO THE DEALER( WHICH IS 50 MILES AWAY) THAT WAS FINALLY FIXED. THEN IS WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PARK. SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY PUT IN A NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. WELL NOW IT IS STUCK IN PARK AGAIN AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR TOWING AGAIN TO HAV THE SAME PART REPLACED AGAIN. THE TOW BILL ALONE IS WELL OVER 100.00. I CALLED VW AND THEY TELL ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALLL THAT IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THIS CAR IS COSTING ME A FORTUNE AND SHE HAS HAD IT ONLY 1 YEAR AND IT HAS ONLY 48,000 MILES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE TIMES THEN OUT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW. THEY ARE TOTALLY JUNK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128388July 11, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DRIVER DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTION. NO PRIOR EVENT. DRIVER DOOR LATCH (DIODE/ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED) FAILED -CAR DOOR DOES NOT SHUT/STAY LATCHED. WHILE DRIVING CAR DOOR OPENS ON ITS OWN ACCORD. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT DOOR LATCH WILL NOT OPERATE/CLOSE WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONS. SUGGESTED I USE TAPE TO HOLD DOOR SHUT-WHILE WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT LATCH. PART # 3B1-837-015-AK LOCK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127207June 30, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I HAVE A 2001 NEW BEETLE. I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN JULY 2000. MY COMPLAIT IS THAT I HAD MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON AND DIABLED MY STOPPING ABILITY OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED REPLACING THE ELECTRONIC CONTOL UNIT OF MY ABS SYSTEM. THIS COST ME 1300.00 TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL CAR UNDER THE SAME MANUFATURER DATES OF SEPT 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 2001. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS #02V031000. MY VEHICLES VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SEQUENCE OF RECALLED VEHICLES. I AM APPAULED THAT MY CAR HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MANUFATURE DATE IS NOT COVERED ON THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED AND DEMAND AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT IS OK FOR ME TO RISK MY FAMILY'S LIVES WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY IDENTIFIED AS A MAJOR PROBLEM. NOT TO MENTION A BIG EXPENSE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126361June 23, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY ABS DASH INDICATOR CAME ON STEADY, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE INTERIOR CHIME STARTED SOUNDING CONTINUOUSLY. I PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. A PUFF OF SMOKE/STEAM CAME UP FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEELWELL AND THERE WAS A HORRIBLE HISS AND WHINE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE SAME SIDE AND A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ABS MODULE (WHICH THEY CHANGED FOR $950!!!) AND THAT ONLY FIXED THE ABS LIGHT. NO CLUE ON THE FLASHING BRAKE IDIOT LIGHT AND NOW THEY SAY THE AC DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. NO REFRIGERANT, SO OBVIOUSLY A LEAK. IT SEEMS WAY TOO COINCIDENTAL. I HEARD ABOUT AN ABS MODULE RECALL BACK IN '03 WHICH COULD SHORT CIRCUIT AND CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GEOGRAPHY AND I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR (BOUGHT USED) FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. SEE ATTACHED LINK: HTTP://FORUMS.NEWBEETLE.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=50457
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117457April 5, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED THAT THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115567March 9, 2005
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SEATS, VISIBILITY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, BEARINGS, AXLE, COOLING SYSTEM, SEAT TRACKS AND BOLTS AND WINDOW TRACK IN HER 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. *NM THE CONSUMER ALSO NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE FRONT AXLE. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112360March 1, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
2001 VW BEETLE, REAR BRAKE CALIPERS LOCKED CLOSED CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. VW MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. ALL SERVICE AND INSPECTIONS DONE BY VW DEALER AS REQUIRED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111251February 9, 2005
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER CLIPPED THE CURB WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER ESTIMATED A CHARGE OF $1,400 TO MAKE THE REPAIRS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10108493February 3, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY 2001 GLX BEETLE NEEDS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE REPLACE WHICH THE DEALER TELLS ME WILL COST $900. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 39,000 MILES. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE 2001 GLX BEETLE FOR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE BUT IT APPARENTLY ONLY AFFECTS VEHICLES WHERE THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF THE VIN ARE 475001 OR HIGHER. MY VEHICLE'S VIN IS IN THE 457XXX RANGE. I CAN'T BELIEVE MY PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL YET BECAUSE MY VIN IS TO LOW, THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE VOLKSWAGEN EXTEND THE RECALL TO COVER VEHICLES IN MY VIN RANGE. THERE IS RISK OF FIRE IF THE UNIT IS NOT REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE SO NOW I MUST INCUR A LARGE EXPENSE TO REPLACE A PART I BELIEVE WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103013December 15, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
MULTIPLE REQUESTS TO HAVE OUR 2001 NEW BEETLE TDI HEADLIGHTS ADJUSTED PROPERLY HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH BY GURLEY-LEEP VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SINCE THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, 2001 WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW.*AK SPECIFICALLY: LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SET FAR, FAR TOO LOW; I ESTIMATE THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE ABOUT 60 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, LIMITING TRAVEL AT NIGHT TO ~35 MPH; THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY HAZARD FOR TWO REASONS: 1) WE CAN'T SEE HAZARDS SOON ENOUGH, AND 2) OUR LOWER SPEEDS PRESENT A HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES TRAVELING AT HIGHER (NORMAL) SPEEDS. WHEN I ASK WHY THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SET TOO LOW, I'M TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL THAT "THEY'RE SET TO SPEC". LATEST, 12/14/04: SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN TOLD US THEY SET THE HEADLIGHTS "TO SPEC", BUT THE RIGHT LIGHT ASSEMBLY DOESN'T STAY IN ADJUSTMENT, I.E., IT "DROPS", AND WE NEED TO BUY A NEW ASSEMBLY AT ABOUT $330.00. THIS IS A STRANGE SITUATION BECAUSE THE LEFT HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATES THE ROAD AT THE SAME DISTANCE AS THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT, AND THE GURLEY LEEP SERVICE DEPARTMENT PEOPLE DID NOT TELL US THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT. BOTTOM LINE: THIS IS APPARENTLY EITHER A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OR A POORLY MANAGED MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT; EITHER WAY IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND MUST BE CORRECTED BY VW AT NO CHARGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098301November 5, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
IT COULD POTENTIALLY EFFECT YOUR ABS SYSTEM AND COULD START A FIRE. THE 3 GREEN FUSES ON TOP OF THE BATTERY. THERE IN A SMALL COVER. OPEN THE COVER AND CHECK THE FUSE LOCATED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS THE FUSE FOR THE AC COMPRESSOR AND FANS. I SAW 3 CARS WITH SEVERELY MELTED AND BURNED CONNECTORS. THE FUSES DON'T BLOW, OR THEY MELT INTO THE CONNECTOR ALLOWING CURRENT TO CONTINUE TO FLOW. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD AND I WANT TO VOICE MY CONCERNS BEFORE ANYONE LOOSES A CAR TO THIS. THE CARS THAT I CHECKED WERE ALL 1999-2001 CARS AND ALL USE THE AC PRETTY FREQUENTLY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE PART SINCE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. SEE HERE FOR MORE CASES OVER 26 DOCUMENTED. HTTP://FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=26315&PERPAGE=40&PAGENUMBER=1. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10088518August 25, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES, EQUIPMENT
WIRE BROKEN ON SEAT BELT LIGHT AND AIR BAG. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10088226August 19, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
2001 VW TURBO BEETLE (22,770 MILEAGE) LOW OIL PRESSURE. SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP. OIL SLUDGE CLEANED FROM PAN AND PICKUP TUBE REPLACE, COST $457.53. SYNTHETIC OIL USE VICE NORMAL OIL TO AVOID SLUDGE BUILDUP. VW MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ENGINE DESIGN PROBLEM THAT CAUSED NORMAL OIL TO BREAK DOWN. OWNER'S MANUAL SHOULD STATE ONLY USE SYNTHETIC OIL. ALL PREVIOUS OIL CHANGES AND SERVICING WERE PERFORMED AT SPECIFIED MILEAGES AT THE VW DEALERSHIP. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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