Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10280209August 12, 2009
TIRES:VALVE, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
FAULTY VALVE STEMS -- SUSPECT -- MADE IN CHINA, PURCHASED AT LOCAL AAA REPAIR FACILITY THAT PURCHAES SUPPLIES FROM TECH INT'L. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279871August 10, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 1 1/2 YEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT AND SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT A NEWER MODEL MIGHT HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 09/11/09 *BF UPDATED 09/14/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279199August 3, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, DOES NOT TURN OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279206August 3, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES. PLEASE REFER TO COMPLAIN ODI 10279199. CALLED VW RECALL CENTER 800.822.8987, THERE IS A RECALL #08V178000 FOR EXACT SAME ISSUE. VW SAID MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED FOR THAT ISSUE. ASKED IF THEY WOULD TAKE MY CAR FOR INSPECTION, REQUEST DENIED UNLESS I PAID FOR THE INSPECTION. MY CONCERN IS THAT AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT TO MY FAMILY, BESIDES THE ACTUAL ISSUE OF NOT DEPLOYING PROPERLY. EVEN IF MY VEHICLE HAS NO DUAL STAGE AIRBAG, THE ISSUE OF AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON MAY BE CAUSED BY THE SAME QUALITY/POOR DESIGN ROOT CAUSE. BELOW IS THE ACTUAL RECALL DESCRIPTION AND REMEDY: "VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 76,900 MY 2004-2005 NEW BEETLE AND MY 2003-2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED (DUAL-STAGE) AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM MAY HAVE AIR BAG FRONTAL CRASH SENSORS THAT CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE FALLBACK ALGORITHM WILL ENSURE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS ALWAYS DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE'S DECELERATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS. CONSEQUENCE: IN LOW-SEVERITY FRONTAL IMPACTS, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY MORE FORCEFULLY THAN DESIGNED, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO OUT-OF-POSITION FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSPECT EACH VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE SPECIFIC DEFECT CRASH SENSOR IS PRESENT ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE DEFECT CRASH SENSORS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278679July 29, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. WHEN SLOWING DOWN, NOT TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND I TRY TO ACCELERATE AND GO AGAIN, THE CAR TOTALLY STALLS (STOPS). THIS HAPPENS EVEN WHEN MAKING TURNS- YOU CAN PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENS AND THEN IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES IT RACES FORWARD. I CALLED THE LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO BE TOLD IT WAS A "BYPASS WIRE" PROBLEM, THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE, THEY ALL DID THAT AND VOLKSWAGEN WAS AWARE OF THE SITUATION. THERE ARE SO MANY TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED THAT I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE CAR STALLING. IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME, I SLOW DOWN, BUT DO NOT COMPLETELY STOP. TO ME THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF RECALL, THAT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I AM SURPRISED THERE HAVE NOT BEEN NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS OF DEATHS BECAUSE OF THIS. EVEN WHEN YOU ARE SITTING THERE PUMPING THE GAS PEDDLE, IT JUST SITS THERE, AND THEN FLIES OFF IN A HURRY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276858July 15, 2009
VISIBILITY, VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER, STRUCTURE
REAR WINDOW IS DETACHING FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP CREATING OPEN SPACE INTO CAR, RAIN ENTRY AND POOR VISIBILITY THRU REAR VIEW MIRROR WHEN WATER IS COMING IN. FABRIC SHRINKING BACK FROM GLASS. CANNOT BE RE GLUED. WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED THE ENTIRE TOP MUST BE REPLACED. RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS WITH A COMPANY THAT REPLACES CONVERTIBLE TOPS EVIDENTLY HIS IS COMMON ON THE 2003 MODEL. THE REAR CONVERTIBLE TOP WINDOW STARTED FALLING OUT LATE 2008. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. TOO MANY SAFETY CONCERNS DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276879July 15, 2009
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE BACK WINDOW OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS COMING APART FROM THE CLOTH TOP. I HAVE READ ONLINE SEVERAL POSTS OF MANY CONSUMERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THIS MAY BE RELATED TO A DEFECT IN THE GLUE OR SEALING THEY USE TO HOLD THE WINDOW IN PLACE.MY CONCERN IS THE BACK WINDOW MAY FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING OR EVEN FALL INTO THE BACKSEAT ONTO SOMEONE CAUSING SEVER INJURIES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276393July 11, 2009
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I PURCHASED MY USED 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 1.8T IN JUNE '07. WE HAVE TAKEN IT DO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY HAVE QUOTED OUTRAGEOUS PRICES FOR REPLACING THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS, UPWARDS OF $700. LAST YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS, WHICH WE HAD REPLACED. BUT THE LIGHT STILL REMAINS ON, AND NOW THEY SAY IT IS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT SWITCH, AND QUOTED $300 FOR REPAIRS. A QUICK WEB SEARCH SHOWS THIS SEATBELT SWITCH ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD, AND IS USUALLY CAUSED BY BROKEN WIRES UNDER THE SEAT. APPARENTLY THESE WIRES ARE TOO SHORT AND/OR EXPOSED, AND CAN EASILY BE BROKEN BY MOVING THE SEAT TOO FAR FORWARD OR BY ITEMS PUSHED UNDER THE SEAT. I THINK THIS IS YET ANOTHER POORLY DESIGNED SYSTEM THAT CREATES A REAL HAZARD FOR PEOPLE UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO PAY FOR THE DEALER TO POKE AROUND UNTIL THEY FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275813July 5, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS FAIL PREMATURELY CAUSING LOSS OF VISION AT NIGHT. NEW BULBS ONLY LAST ABOUT 3 MONTHS BEFORE THEY BURN OUT. WE ASKED THE VW DEALERSHIP IF THERE IS A REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY ANSWERED "NO". I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275226June 29, 2009
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WINDOW REGULATORS ON VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE FAILED CAUSING WINDOW GLASS TO FALL INSIDE OF DOOR. THIS ISSUE HAS TWO TSB'S ISSUED 6402-03 AND 6408-06. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE REQUIRE TO FIX THIS DEFECTIVE PART ON ALL VEHICLES REGARDLESS OF AGE OR MILEAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274943June 25, 2009
AIR BAGS
2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE RECENTLY MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE HAD THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON. I SCOURED THE INTERNET TO FIND POSSIBLE CAUSES AND TO MY AMAZEMENT, MANY PEOPLE SUFFER FROM THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THE SENSORS AND WIRE HARNESSES IN THE NEW BEETLES FREQUENTLY FAIL TRIGGERING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON. I WAS TOLD BY AN SERVICE TECH. THAT WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, THE AIRBAGS BECOME DEACTIVATED, WHICH SEEMS TO POSE AN EXTREMELY HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, SEEING AS THE NEW BEETLE SUFFERS MANY DEFECTS REGARDING THE AIRBAGS. THANKFULLY, THE PROBLEM IN MINE IS THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WIRE HARNESS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. THE WIRE LENGTH IS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO WITH STAND A LOT OF SEAT MOVEMENT. MOVING THE SEATS FORWARD TOO MANY TIMES CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE THESE WIRES TO BREAK IN HALF, WHICH HAPPENED IN MY CASE, DEACTIVATING ALL THE AIRBAGS AND BRINGING UP AN ERROR IN THE SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T MAKE THE MATTER ANY BETTER, BY SAYING THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY $600.00 TO REPLACE NOT ONLY THE WIRE HARNESS, BUT THE SIDE AIRBAG AS IT COMES AS A COMPLETE PACKAGE AND THE HARNESS IS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY. IN THIS ECONOMY, I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE AN ENTIRE PERFECTLY GOOD AIRBAG FOR A SIMPLE WIRE, SO I AM STUCK HAVING TO DRIVE AROUND KNOWING THAT MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT OR POSSIBLY DEPLOY PREMATURELY WITHOUT ANY CAUSE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE LOOKED AT, SINCE IT NOT ONLY AFFECTS THE 2000 MODEL, BUT ALL MODELS UP TO 2006. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SELLING A PRODUCT DESIGNED FOR OCCUPANT SAFETY, THAT FAILS BEFORE THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274962June 25, 2009
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WINDOW SWITCHES/REGULATORS ON 2003 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE CONTINUE TO FAIL WHICH THEN DOES NOT ALLOW THE WINDOWS TO GO UP OR DOWN. ONE OF MY REAR-SEAT QUARTER WINDOWS JUST FELL INTO THE WINDOW SLOT AND I COULDN'T GET IT BACK UP. WINDOWS THAT DO NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY ARE SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274768June 23, 2009
VISIBILITY
REAR WINDOW IS DEATTACHING FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP CREATING OPEN SPACE INTO CAR. FABRIC SHRINKING BACK FROM GLASS. HEADLINER DEATTACHED FROM INSIDE WINDOWS EVEN THOUGH CLIPS HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. $1850 FOR NEW TOP PER DEALER PLUS 6-8 HOURS FOR LABOR AT $98 AN HOUR.GLASS CANNOT BE RE GLUED ..WHOLE TOP MUST BE REPLACED. VWOA CUSTOMER CARE CONTACTED MANY TIMES AND WAS TOLD SORRY YOU ARE OVER WARRANTY. MANY MANY PEOPLE ON LINE REPORTING SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2003 MODEL. VWOA NOT INTERESTED IN CHECKING INTO THE PROBLEM ONLY REPEATING THAT I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT FALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING..OR FALLS IN TO THE BACKSEAT AND HITS PASSENGER OR GOD FORBID SOMEONE WITH A BABYSEAT BACK THERE. VWOA WAS NOT INTERESTED IN THE PROBLEM JUST IN LETTING ME KNOW THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND IT IS NOT COVERED. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE TOP IT IS A DEFECT IN THE HEAT SEAL OR ADHESIVE HOLDING THE WINDOW IN PLACE. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE SAME WINDOW PROBLEMS AS THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE SITE BUT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME. HOWEVER ,FROM MY INTERNET SEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THE REAR CONVERTIBLE TOP WINDOW STARTED FALLING OUT STARTING FOR MOST IN 2008. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 04 AND CAN'T BELIEVE I CANT EVEN DRIVE IT SAFELY EVEN THOUGH I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT WITHOUT MAKING A $3000 REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273720June 14, 2009
EQUIPMENT, VISIBILITY, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ASAP TO MAKE VOLKSWAGEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 2003 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE DOORS AND WINDOW PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2003 WITH LESS THAT 10 MILES ON IT SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH MOST OF THE PROBLEM BEING WITH THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR HINGES BROKE OFF AND ALL OF MY WINDOWS REGULATORS/MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE. TODAY TOPS THE CAKE WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP!! NOW WITH THE REGULATORS JUST BEING REPLACED IN 2006 THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!!! AFTER READING EVERYONE ELSE'S COMPLAINTS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ONGOING PROBLEM THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN AND HOLD VOLKSWAGEN RESPONSIBLE!! I DID NOT PAY THE AMOUNT I DID FOR A NEW VEHICLE TO HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. I HAVE OWNED OTHER TYPES OF CARS AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. IF THERE IS AN ATTORNEY READING THIS I WOULD BE HAPPY TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS THAT FEEL THE SAME!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273516June 11, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE DOOR HINGES ON MY DRIVERS' SIDE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN CONVERTIBLE BEETLE HAS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME. VOLKS OF AMERICA AND VW OCONNOR IN AUGUSTA MAINE ARE VERY UNHELPFUL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOUR YEARS AND TURNS OUT BEFORE I OWNED THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR ON SAT 6/6/09 AND MY DOOR HINGE SNAPPED AND THE DOOR IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. NOW MY ALARM SYSTEM WILL NOT GO ON. SOMEONE NEED TO FIX MY CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273493June 10, 2009
AIR BAGS
2004 VW BEETLE 27,660 MILES VW DEALER - KELLY MOTOR, SCRANTON, PA AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK CAR TO VW. PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED CONTROL MODULE DEFECTIVE. TOLD PART WILL TAKE 8 WEEKS TO ARRIVE. CAR SIDE AIRBAG NOW DOES NOT WORK. 2ND TIME AIRBAG LIGHT HAS LIGHTED AND BEEN IN SHOP, THIS ON TOP OF RECENT RECALL FOR ANOTHER AIRBAG SENSOR FIXED EARLIER THIS YEAR. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT BEING WITHOUT AN AIRBAG FOR 8 WEEKS; VW HAS NO REASON FOR THE DELAY. I CALLED THEIR HEADQUARTERS IN CALIFORNIA WITH NO SUCCESS. SECOND CONCERN IS GENERAL RELIABILITY FOR THIS AIRBAG SYSTEM DUE TO REPAIRS PLUS RECALL. VW WON'T RESPOND IN GETTING THIS PART IN EARLIER, CAN YOU HELP GET THIS PART TO MY VW DEALER SO THEY CAN MAKE THIS CAR SAFE? THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272591June 1, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT ON MY 2004 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND WAS PULLED OVER AND GIVEN A TICKET. VW REPLACED THE WIRING THE NEXT DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270199May 28, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY
REAR WINDOW WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269686May 22, 2009
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
2002 VW BEETLE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE DIAGNOSIS IS THAT A WIRE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH IS BROKEN THEREFORE RELAYING THAT THE SEAT BELT IS NOT LATCHED (FALSE POSITIVE). WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG FUNCTION IS DISABLED. THE REPAIR IS NOT OF A WIRE, BUT OF THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT AT $250+. AT ANY TIME THIS IS A LOT BUT WHEN OUT OF A JOB MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE. AS MY COLLEGE-AGE DAUGHTER IS THE ONE IN THE SEAT, I AM LEFT WITHOUT MUCH CHOICE, BUT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS GONE ON, ALL WITH DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS. WHY IS THIS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE? THE TOPIC IS FREQUENT ON THE WEB. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269750May 22, 2009
POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, VEHICLE SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD, EVEN THOUGH FOOT WAS FIRMLY PRESSING DOWN ON BRAKE PEDAL. TURNED WHEEL TO THE RIGHT WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD AND MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FROM "DRIVE" TO "PARK". LEFT FRONT OF VEHICLE MADE CONTACT WITH REAR OF VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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