Volkswagen Beetle Complaints (2002)

165 consumer complaints on file.

#10406904June 15, 2011
STRUCTURE
WE PURCHASED A USED 2002 VW BEETLE FOR OUR DAUGHTER. IT SMELLS LIKE BURNT CRAYONS AND GIVES HER A SERIOUS HEADACHE. ONLINE THERE A NUMEROUS PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT COMES FROM SOMETHING SPRAYED ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE, THAT SMELLS MORE WHEN THE CAR IS HEATED UP. YOU MUST BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO. WHAT SHOULD WE DO. THE ODOR WAS COVERED UP DURING THE TEST DRIVE, BUT HAS NOW BECOME UNBEARABLE. WHAT AVENUES SHOULD WE PURSUE. LEMON LAW, RECALL, ...WHAT SHOULD WE DO...OR MORE APTLY WHAT AREN'T YOU DOING? I WANT A SOLUTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394438April 6, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE POWER WINDOWS, TURN SIGNALS, HEADLIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONER AND DEFROSTER WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE BRAKE AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392831March 24, 2011
AIR BAGS
I HAVE A 2002 VW BEETLE. I HAD AN AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON 3 YEARS AGO. I HAD IT FIXED ONCE. ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM MAY CONTINUE. I DID NOT HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN. I AM NOW READING THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? *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
#10370670December 14, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SERIOUS ELECTRICAL LONG TERM QUALITY ISSUES, STARTING WITH UNDER HOOD WIRING FOR GLOW PLUGS MELTED AWAY, AIR BAG/SEAT BELT WIRING BROKE/FAILED, SEAT HEATER FAILED, PASSENGER DOOR SWITCH FAILED, TURN SIGNAL BULB HOLDER FAILED, REPEATED HEAD LAMP AND TAIL LIGHT FAILURES, ALTERNATOR PULLEY CLUTCH FAILED(EXPLODED) FACTORY ALARM PROBLEMS - JUST SETS OFF, AIR BACK LIGHT ON DASH ON, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368931December 1, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING REPLACEMENT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS THE SAME SWITCH THAT WA REPLACED UNDER RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360173October 12, 2010
AIR BAGS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
VW DEALER ADVISES THAT AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATES AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED AND CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION IN THE SEATBELT LATCH ASSEMBLY COSTING $386 TO REPAIR. VW DEALER SAYS THIS HAPPENS A LOT. VW DEALER SAID THAT AIRBAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. VW DEALER SAID THAT WIRING INSIDE THE LATCH "JUST BREAKS" EVENTUALLY. 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
#10358287September 29, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 NEW BEETLE TO WORK. THE BRAKES FROZE UP, I COULD NOT STOP RAN A STOP SIGN I PUT CAR IN PARK STILL COULD NOT STOP. HAPPENED TWICE MORE B/4 I GOT TO WORK. I LOOKED UP RECALL FOR VOLKSWAGEN 2002. THERE WAS ONE "SERVICE BRAKES ,HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK RECALL. I CALLED VOLKS AND WAS ASKED IF I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER? I TOLD THEM NO. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE ABOUT MY PROBLEM I GOT NO RESULTS. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALLS FOR VIN NUMBER I GAVE HER. I CAME BACK TO WORK AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS, SAID EVERY VEHICLE HAS IT'S OWN ID NUMBER WHICH I UNDERSTOOD BUT I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10352433August 27, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
CHEMICAL ODOR INSIDE CAR. RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2002 VW BEETLE. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SMELLS LIKE BURNT CRAYONS. IT IS SO STRONG IT BURNS MY EYES AND THE SMELL GETS IN YOUR HAIR AND IN YOUR CLOTHING. THIS CANNOT BE HEALTHY TO BE BREATHING. I LIVE IN MS AND THE HEAT SEEMS TO MAKE THE SMELL STRONGER. I'VE READ MANY THREADS WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE ON LINE COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT VW DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT HELP. *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
#10346741August 2, 2010
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 75MPH, THE TRANSMISSION INDEPENDENTLY DOWNSHIFTED YET THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY DECELERATED FROM 75 TO 15 MPH WITHIN SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION REAR DIFFERENTIAL GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346386July 30, 2010
AIR BAGS
FAILED AIRBAG WIRING - DEALER SAYS ITS RELATED TO A SEAT SENSOR - LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AT 62,000 MILES HAS 108,000 CURRENTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345744July 27, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT
2002 VW BEETLE TURBO 1.8 WHILE DRIVING THE RED LIGHT SENSOR WOULD COME ON STATING MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. NOTHING WAS LEAKING, SENSORS WERE REPLACED A FEW MONTHS PRIOR DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE ALONG WITH A RING AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE RED LIGHT FLASHES THEN ABOUT 2 MILES LATER THE OIL LIGHT GOES ON AND IF THE CAR IS NOT PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY THEN YOU RISK ENGINE DAMAGE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS MADE UP OF PLASTIC PARTS PRETTY MUCH WHICH CRACK AND MELT VERY EASY WHEN HEAT GETS TO THEM. SO NOW AFTER SPENDING MONEY ON WATER PUMPS, ASSEMBLIES, HOSES, SENSORS WHICH TOTAL OVER 3K IT IS NOW AN ISSUE ONCE AGAIN AND THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE. ALSO MY IGNITER COILS WERE REPLACED 8 TIMES (2X EACH ONE) PRIOR TO A RECALL AND THEY DO NOT REIMBURSE YOU ALL THE MONIES SPENT. NOW THERE IS A RECALL IN MY SUNROOF WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX SINCE THE WATER DAMAGE IS ALREADY AFFECTING THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. SO WITH ALL OF MY RECEIPTS NOT INCLUDING RENTAL CARS FOR REPAIRS ONLY I HAVE INVESTED OVER 6K IN A CAR WORTH LESS AND I DOUBT NO ONE WILL PAY TO TAKE IT OFF MY HANDS WHICH WILL LEAVE A SINGLE MOTHER CAR LESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345027July 24, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OUR 2002 VW TRANSMISSION WENT OUT @ 75,000 MILES WITH NO NOTICE. JUST ONE DAY IT WOULD NOT BACK UP. THEN IT WAS ALMOST LIKE IT JUMPED INTO REVERSE AND THEN WHEN WE PUT IT IN DRIVE YOU COULD JUST TELL IT WAS NOT RIGHT. WE LIMPED IT AROUND FROM PLACE TO PLACE GETTING OPINIONS ON WHAT WAS WRONG AND GETTING ESTIMATES ON REPAIR. HAD ONE GARAGE TAKE THE COVER OFF SIDE OF TRANSMISSION SEEING METAL SHAVINGS WAS WHEN WE GOT IT REPLACED. THAT REPLACEMENT LASTED A TOTAL OF 3 DAYS, IT WAS USED WITH ONLY 23000 MILES ON IT AND ONLY LASTED 3 DAYS. IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD AND WOULD NO GO INTO ANY GEAR. REPLACED THAT ONE WITH ANOTHER ( BOTH WERE FDF TRANSMISSIONS) AND NOW THE SPEEDOMETER IS OFF X 8-13 MPH, THE RPM ARE RUNNING HIGH AROUND 2800 TO 3000 @ 55 -60 MPH. FUEL MILEAGE IS DOWN CUT IN HALF. HAVE TAKEN IT TO A VW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO CODES ANYWHERE AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG OR WHY THESE PROBLEMS WERE HAPPENING. THIS TELLS ME THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM SOMEWHERE WITH VW TRANSMISSIONS AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO INQUIRE INTO THIS. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF VW TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343574July 16, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. ALTERNATOR, WIRING HARNESS, FUSE BLOCK AND BATTERY ALL WENT BAD. MELTED PARTS (WIRE AND FUSE BLOCK), WHICH INDICATES HIGH CURRENT DRAW AND POTENTIAL FOR FIRE, CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. VW SAYS ISOLATED ISSUE, WEB SEARCH SAYS A DIFFERENT STORY. CALL VW CUSTOMER CARE, LOGGED A CASE, DEAD END. I'M SURE IT'S THEIR ISSUE HOWEVER THEY WON'T ADMIT AND INSTEAD WE GET A $1500 BILL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340228June 26, 2010
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
I'M IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING MY SECOND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH (THE FEMALE END THAT THE BELT ATTACHES TO) ON MY 2002 VW NEW BEETLE. THIS FAILURE TRIGGERS THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FIRST SEAT BELT LATCH WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2007; NOW, THREE YEARS LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AND THE ERROR CODE INDICATES THE SAME ISSUE, SO I'M FORCED TO REPLACE THE SAME PART AGAIN. FROM MY READING VW NEW BEETLE FORUMS, THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. AT THE VERY LEAST YOU'D THINK VW WOULD RE-DESIGN THE PART TO ELIMINATE THE ISSUE SO IT ONLY HAS TO BE REPLACED ONE TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339260June 21, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2002 VW NEW BEETLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT HAS FAILED WITH 220,000 MILES ON IT. IT BEGAN TO SLIP AND NOT DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY AT 170,000 MILES. IT IS A DIESEL AND I EXPECT THE ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO PERFORM FOR ANOTHER 3 TO 400 THOUSAND MILES. HAS VW BEEN HONEST WITH THE CONSUMER ABOUT ITS TRACK HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THE NEW BEETLE? PLEASE ADD MY NEW BEETLE TO THE LIST OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326230April 18, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS SHIFTING IN BETWEEN GEARS. THE PROBLEM BEGAN ON A ROAD TRIP TO HOUSTON, TX AND WAS STUCK ON A BACK HIGHWAY IN LOW GEAR IN THE MIDDLE ON NOWHERE. AFTER BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT WORKED FOR SOME TIME BUT THE ISSUE PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS. I LIVE IN NACOGDOCHES, TX WHERE THERE ARE MANY HILLS THROUGHOUT TOWN, THIS PAST FRIDAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND I COULD NOT GET OVER THE HILLS. ANOTHER CAR CAME OVER THE HILL AND ALMOST HIT ME AS THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55 MPH IN THAT AREA AND MY CAR WAS NOT EVEN MOVING AS I HIT OVER 6000 RPM AND I COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD TO CLIMB THE HILL. NOW THE VEHICLE WILL NOT EVEN MOVE FORWARD ONCE IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY DRIVEWAY, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE RESTARTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10296869December 23, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY COOLANT LIGHT STARTED BEEPING AND FLASHING RED. I ENDED UP STRANDED. I GOT IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAYS IT IS A WATER PUMP. SO I AM REPLACING THE WATER PUMP. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293744November 28, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, I STOPPED AT A REDLIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, MY CAR ACTED LIKE IT DID NOT HAVE A LOT OF POWER AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEARS WITHOUT OVER REVVING. WHENEVER I SLOWED BACK DOWN, THE CAR ABRUPTLY AND SEVERELY DOWNSHIFTS. THE SHIFT IS HARD ENOUGH THAT IT SLINGS ME FORWARD. I FEAR THAT I WILL SOON BE REARENDED BECAUSE OF THIS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR. THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND I CAN'T GET IT FIXED UNTIL A MECHANIC WITNESSES IT HAPPENING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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