Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10352136August 26, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2004 VW CONVERTIBLE BEETLE THAT I HAVE HAD LESS THAN 2 YEARS. OBVIOUSLY I BOUGHT IT USED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE VW DEALER FOR A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG, DROVE IT 5 DAYS AND LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. AT THE SAME TIME THAT LIGHT CAME BACK ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & HAD TO REPLACE AN 0-2 SENSOR. DROVE IT ANOTHER APPX. 8 MO. & HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP. THE LAST FEW MO. HAVE BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE TRANSMISSION, IT ALL STARTED WITH IT NOT SHIFTING OUT OF 3RD GEAR AFTER STOPPING. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND SIT AND WAIT FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES, START IT UP AND CONTINUE ON MY WAY. THIS IS REALLY DIFFICULT IN TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE AND DANGEROUS!! IT ALSO BEGAN TO SHIFT VERY HARD FROM 2ND, TO 3RD AND 4TH. IT JERKS SO HARD I'M AMAZED I DON'T HAVE WHIPLASH! ANYWAY, I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND IT NEEDS A NEW $6000 TRANSMISSION. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT VW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING FAULTY PARTS. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. ONE LAST THING IS THAT BOTH MY REAR WINDOWS SEEM TO BE STICKING, I'M AFRAID TO ROLL THEM DOWN. I'M NOT DRIVING IT NOW ANYWAY, IT CAN'T SAFELY BE DRIVEN. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THESE ISSUES. WE BOUGHT THE CAR WITH EARLY WITHDRAWAL RETIREMENT MONEY, BECAUSE WE NEEDED A RELIABLE CAR. NOW IT JUST SITS! THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351903August 26, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2005 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WITH TRIPTONIC TRANSMISSION, WITH ONLY 56,300 MILES, LURCHES IN THE LOWER GEARS AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY BETWEEN THE LOWER GEARS AND OFTEN REVS UP TO 5000 RPM BEFORE IT "SLAMS" INTO HIGHER GEAR. VW DEALERSHIP IN OKLAHOMA CITY ASSERTS "WE CAN REPLICATE THE PROBLEM". PLEASE HELP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351669August 25, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2004 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WITH TRIPTONIC TRANSMISSION, ONLY 53,800 MILES, LURCHES IN THE LOWER GEARS AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY BETWEEN THE LOWER GEARS AND OFTEN REVS UP TO 5000 RPM BEFORE IT "CLUNKS" INTO HIGHER GEAR. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY, LEFT TURNS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ARE DANGEROUS. THE CAR MAY DECIDE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL RATHER THAN LURCH INTO GEAR. AFTER STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, I AM OFTEN TAILGATED BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT GET UP TO SPEED QUICKLY. LUCKILY I HAVE NOT BEEN REAR-ENDED AS SOME OTHERS HAVE. THE VW DEALER MECHANIC WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST TO ME OF $6800. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL AT ONLY 53,800 MILES UNLESS THERE IS A MAJOR DESIGN DEFECT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS IN VARIOUS CAR FORUMS, IN PARTICULAR HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM WHERE THERE ARE MORE POSTS ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR THE NEW BEETLE THAN ANYTHING EXCEPT MAINTENANCE. MY RESEARCH HAS LEARNED THAT THE FIRST GENERATION OF VW'S DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSIONS HAD A CHRONIC WEAK POINT. THEY COMBINE A WET CLUTCH (AS IN TRADITIONAL AUTOMATIC) AND A GEAR PART (AS IN TRADITIONAL MANUAL TRANSMISSION), HOWEVER BOTH ARE LUBRICATED OUT OF SAME OIL SUMP. THE GEAR PART CAUSES THE OIL TO BE MORE CONTAMINATED WITH WEAR PARTICLES (VS. TRADITIONAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE CONTAMINATED OIL IS USED ALSO IN THE VALVE BODY AND THE WET CLUTCH, AND THESE WEAR PARTICLES CAN DETERIORATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WET CLUTCH (CLUTCH MATERIAL, RESULTING IN SLIPPAGE, OR CLUTCH AND GEAR CHANGE HYDRAULIC CONTROLS, RESULTING IN DEFECTIVE SHIFT STRATEGIES). ONCE THAT HAPPENS, DAMAGE IS USUALLY IRREVERSIBLE. VW CHANGED THE OIL SERVICE RECOMMENDATION FROM "FILL FOR LIFE" OR 100,000 MILES TO 40,000 MILES. EVEN AT THIS REDUCED AMOUNT, THEY CLEARLY STILL HAD A PROBLEM. THEY PROBABLY MODIFIED THE DESIGN SINCE BUT HAVE NOT ADMITTED IT. VW HAS NOT BEEN ETHICAL IN THEIR HANDLING OF THIS DESIGN DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351667August 25, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY LEFT FRONT HEADLAMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE JUST A BULB. I WENT TO PULL THE BULB AND THE HEADLAMP HARNESS WAS MELTED AND FUSED. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL VW DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED THIS CAN HAPPEN AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. THIS IS A $400.00 REPAIR. WHY DOES THE HARNESS MELT , THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD UNDER THE HOOD. PLUS WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS TO BOTH HEADLIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME ?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351710August 25, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
I HAVE A 2004 VW BUG WITH 51,000 MILES . THE CAR STARTED JERKING SO HARD ITS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS TO ME AND OTHERS ! VW SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW 7000 DOLLAR TRANSMISSION! THEY WONT ADMIT THE PROBLEM IS OF EPIC PROPORTIONS WITH THIS MODEL . IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET. MY CAR HAS ALSO HAD THE WINDOW MOTOR GO OUT AND MANY PARTS JUST FALL OFF SUCH AS SEATBELT LATCH COVER. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY!PLEASE HELP ME GET VW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351762August 25, 2010
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDOW MOTORS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED AT HER EXPENSE. THE SEAT BELTS LATCHES HAD ALSO FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD INTERMITTENTLY JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UP SHIFT FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
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
#10351119August 22, 2010
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I BOUGHT A USED 2004 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE AND LOWERED THE BACK WINDOW AND WOULD NOT RAISE AGAIN WAS TOLD THE BACK WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT AND IS COSTING ME 1200.00. NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY OR BY VOLKSWAGON. I AM FINDING OUT THIS WAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AFTER THE FACT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351155August 22, 2010
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I HAVE A 2005 VW BEETLE WITH 52K MILES. A FEW WEEKS AGO BOTH REAR WINDOWS QUITE WORKING WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF EACH OTHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351158August 22, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A 2007 VW BEETLE THAT I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS ON ABOUT SIX TIMES. THE TAILLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. NOW MY HEADLIGHTS WON'T STAY ON. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW, BECAUSE IF YOU PUSH ON THE LIGHTS, THEY WILL COMRADE ON. HOWEVER IF I HIT JUST A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, THEY WILL GO OUT. THIS IS A HAZARD, ESPECIALLY DRIVING IN THE DARK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350756August 20, 2010
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
FAULTY WINDOW MECHANICS, BOTH REAR WINDOWS HAVE BROKEN IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS, CHEAP MADE AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350347August 18, 2010
VISIBILITY
OWN A 2006 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR MOTOR HAVE BEEN OUT TWICE. REAR WINDOW REGULATORS AND CABLE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AT MY COST BOTH TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350406August 18, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I AM AN ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2005 VW BEETLE. STARTED NOTICING THE TRANSMISSION, HESITATING AND SLAMMING INTO GEAR, MAINLY WITH 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. THE PROBLEM IS WORSENING, NOW AT 75,000 MILES I EITHER NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION OR AT MINIMUM, A NEW FLYWHEEL. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS AND FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10349948August 17, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2005 VW BEETLE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WIRING PROBLEMS AND LIGHTING PROBLEMS. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS IN A LOT OF BEETLES THAT ARE ON THE ROAD. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 80,000 MILES... THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THE VW COMPANY SEEMS NOT TO CARE. SINCE CAR BOUGHT MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, WHICH VW HAS FIXED MOST OF THEM. THE LIGHTING HARNESS MELTED TOGETHER ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT SIDES, THIS WAS CONCERN OF MINE. WHY????, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED... WITHOUT WARNING.. TOOK IT IN FOR 80,000 MILE SERVICE PAID 600.00 AND THEN TRANSMISSION FAILS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. BUT I FEEL LIKE THERE NEEDS TO BE A PROPER INVESTIGATION INTO THE ONGOING PROBLEMS. .... MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO WORK IN REVERSE 3 TIMES NOW AND THIS IS SCARY.... I FINALLY GET STOPPED AND THEN HAVE TO PUMP BRAKES. NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM SO FAR WHEN TAKING INTO VW DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350078August 17, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350126August 17, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2005 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE TRANSMISSION . CARS SLIPS FROM 2ND TO 3RD. JERKS HARD, COMPLAINT TO VW, WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL. RPM'S SUDDENLY ESCALATE WHILE IN CONSTANT GEAR TO 4000 RPM AND THEN LEVEL OFF WHILE ALREADY IN THAT GEAR FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, ALSO WILL HAPPEN WHILE ON CRUISE. STOPS ARE ROUGH AND STARTS ARE THE SAME. 6 SPEED TRIPTRONIC. LUCKY NOT IN ACCIDENT AS OF YET BECAUSE OF DELAYS IN SHIFTING. WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT 82,000 STARTED ACTING UP AROUND 60,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350160August 17, 2010
STRUCTURE, VISIBILITY
WHILE THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS BEING LOWERED BY THE 20 YEAR OLD FEMALE DRIVER IT MADE A HORRENDOUS GRINDING NOISE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL AS SHE TRIED TO STOP QUICKLY. SHE FEARED SOMETHING IN THE REAR WHEEL WAS BREAKING. A SHORT TIME LATER THE PASENGER SIDE WINDOW GROUND TO A STATE OF DISREPAIR. NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW NEEDS TO BE LOWERED VERY CAREFULLY TO AVOID ENGAGING THE AUTOMATIC FEATURE AS THIS CAUSES THE WINDOW TO MAKE A TERRIBLE NOISE. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO STOP THE WINDOW JUST BEFORE IT REACHES THE FULLY OPEN POSITION. THE REAR WINDOWS HAVE TO BE MANUALLY POSITIONED JUST RIGHT TO ALLOW THE CONVERTIBLE TOP TO BE LOWERED PROPERLY. ALSO, WHEN SMALL CHILDREN ARE IN THE BACK SEAT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO FALL DOWN ALL THE WAY SUBJECTING THEM TO EJECTION OR THE ABILITY TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON THEIR OWN. WHEN IT IS RAINING OR SNOWING THE ELEMENTS FLY IN THROUGHT THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THEY WON'T STAY UP. THIS IS ALSO VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. REPAIR ESTIMATES FOR THE REAR WINDOWS START AT $1500.00 WHICH THIS PARTICULAR OWNER/DRIVER CANNOT BEGIN TO AFFORD!. VW REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350186August 17, 2010
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2003 VW BEETLE REAR WINDOW ISSUES. 3 TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED WHERE THE REAR WINDOW WONT ROLL UP. 3 TIMES VW DEALERSHIP CHARGED US CLOSE TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX BECAUSE OF THERE DESIGN FLAW. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ITS TIME TO INVESTIGATE...PLEASE! I HAVE PUT THE LATEST DATE THIS OCCURRED, BUT AS I SAY THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10349581August 16, 2010
AIR BAGS
VW DEALER ADVISES THAT AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATES AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED AND CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION IN THE SEATBELT ASSEMBLY COSTING OVER $500 TO REPAIR. D.O.T. REQUIRES MANUFACTURERS TO INSERT AIRBAGS AS SAFETY MEASURES, BUT FAILS TO ENFORCE AUTO MANUFACTURERS MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS DEFECT. FAILURE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE AN AUTOMATIC RECALL AND MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR DEFECTS AT THEIR COSTS AND NOT COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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