Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10711771April 20, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAS GAS FUME ODOR ACCUMULATING WHILE INSIDE GARAGE AND INSIDE VEHICLE FOR OVER ONE YEAR. TOOK TO DEALER ON FEBRUARY 2015 WHO DID A 27 POINT INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BUT STILL HAS GAS ODOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10706353April 17, 2015
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DIAGNOSED AT SERVICE BY DEALER (CAMPBELL/NELSON VW) INDICATED THAT A SENSOR OR SWITCH LOCATED IN THE DRIVER-SIDE SEATBELT LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND EVEN WHEN THE SEATBELT WAS LATCHED, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A $400 REPAIR AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10706354April 17, 2015
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DIAGNOSED AT SERVICE BY DEALER (CAMPBELL/NELSON VW) INDICATED THAT A SENSOR OR SWITCH LOCATED IN THE DRIVER-SIDE SEATBELT LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND EVEN WHEN THE SEATBELT WAS LATCHED, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A $400 REPAIR AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10705479April 13, 2015
ENGINE, STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10705356April 13, 2015
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS GONE BAD IN A VEHICLE THAT IS UNDER 55,000 MILES AND BARELY OVER THE 8 YEAR WARRANTY TIME FRAME. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS ISSUE FOR A POSSIBLE EXTENSION TO THE YEAR TIME FRAME FOR VW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10705180April 12, 2015
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
ON THE 2ND MY SON WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY WITH ME AS A PASSENGER AT 70 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE RPM'S SHOT UP AND THE CAR STALLED OUT. FORTUNATELY HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND SAFELY GET US OFF THE HIGHWAY. WE THEN APPROACHED A LIGHT IN WHICH WE HAD TO STOP AT AND THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO GO. I FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE CAR WAS IN A SAFETY MODE AND IS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR. I HAVE HAD THREE MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR. NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT AT THIS POINT IF IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION OR IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. EITHER WAY A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE ISSUES AT UNDER 100,000 MILES. I HAVE ALSO LOOKED ON LINE AND SEEN TO SHOCK HOW MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR ARE HAVE ISSUES WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. WHY HAVE THE TRANSMISSIONS NOT BEEN RECALLED? WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN THE CAR JUST STALLED OUT AT 70 MPH. ON TOP OF THE CAR IS FALLING APART! IN THE 9 MONTHS I HAVE OWED THE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT, WATERPUMP, TIMING BELT, AND THERMOSTAT AS WELL. NOT TOO FORGET TO MENTION THAT THE INTERIOR IS SLOWLY FALLING APART AS WELL. SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10704834April 9, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
CAR STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND THE EPC CODE APPEARED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10704554April 8, 2015
POWER TRAIN
WE HAVE PURCHASED THIS 2003 BEETLE BUG FOR MY DAUGHTER AND THE TRANSMISSION IS HARD SHIFTING AND DOWN SHIFT REALLY BAD. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR. THERE AS BEEN NOTHING BUT COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION (VALVE BODY). MY UNDERSTANDING THE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR 7 YEARS AND 100,000 MILES. THIS BEETLE BUG ONLY HAS 86560. WE CAN'T EVEN DRIVE THIS CAR. I CAN'T BELIEVE WITH ALL THE ISSUE THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS HAD WITH TRANSMISSION THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10703502April 3, 2015
POWER TRAIN
WE JUST BOUGHT A 2003 BEETLE BUG AND ONLY HAS 86560 AND SHIFTING AND JERKING REALLY HARD AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A COUPLE MILES. IT SHIFT HARD AND DOWN SHIFT THRU 1, 2, 3 GEARS. AFTER READING SEVERAL REPORTS THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. EVERY WHERE I READ, THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY UNTIL 2010 AND 100,000 MILES. WE ARE UNDER THE MILEAGE BY FAR. I FEEL THE DEALER NEED TO FIX THIS ISSUE SINCE THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR. YOU DON'T KNOW YOU HAVE AN ISSUE UNTIL YOU HIT AROUND 80,000 MILES MARK. I NEED SOME HELP AND DIRECTION WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR THIS CAR, *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10703049April 1, 2015
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED FOR AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION, FLASHED, AND REMAINED LIT INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V178000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10701312March 24, 2015
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE BACKUP CAMERA ON THE BEETLE DOES NOT WORK. THE IMAGE ON THE SCREEN IS TOO DARK TO SEE ANYTHING. THE ONLY TIME YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE BACKUP CAMERA IS IN FULL SUN, AND THEN IT IS STILL DISTORTED AND UNABLE TO USE. I KNOW THAT 2018 THAT ALL CARS ARE SUPPOSE TO HAVE A BACK UP CAMERA, BUT IF A CAR ALREADY HAS THE SAFETY FEATURE SHOULD IT NOT WORK PROPERLY? MY THEORY IS THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO TEST THE SYSTEM TO SEE HOW MUCH THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH. TO HAVE THE CAMERA IN PLACE, BUT ONLY MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF THE LAW. BUT THIS IS NOT USABLE. I HAVE TAKEN THE BEETLE INTO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, ALL THEY HAVE DONE IS VISIBLE COMPARISON WITH OTHER BEETLES. THEY SAY THAT IT MEETS ALL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS, AND THERE IS NO FIX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10701218March 23, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692777March 8, 2015
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I RECEIVED A COUPON IN THE MAIL FROM MIDAS FOR $19.95 OIL CHANGE WITH COUPON.THE COUPON SPECIFIED TO BRING COUPON WITH ME TO A MIDAS MECHANIC SHOP TO GET THE $19.95 OIL CHANGE.I WENT TO MIDAS AT 4480 S BABCOCK STREET, MELBOURNE FLORIDA AND I PRESENTED THE COUPON. THE MANAGER ASKED ME DID YOU BRING YOUR OWN SYNTHETIC OIL LIKE YOU USE TO, I RESPONDED NO I HAVE A COUPON.HE PRINTED THE RECEIPT FOR $19.95, AND I SIGNED. I USE TO BUY MY OWN SYNTHETIC OIL AND MIDAS CHARGED ME $19.95 FOR OIL CHANGE AT SAME RATE THEY CHARGE FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGE.MIDAS ALWAYS ADVERTISED OUTSIDE THEIR SHOP AN OIL CHANGE FOR $19.95. THIS PRICE IS WITHOUT A COUPON. AS THE MECHANIC DROVE MY CAR INTO THE SHOP FOR OIL CHANGE, I REMINDED THE MECHANIC MY CAR TAKES ONLY SYNTHETIC OIL. HE TOLD THE MANAGER/OWNER AND CAME BACK TO TELL ME THEY ARE GOING TO PUT SYNTACTIC OIL. SO HE STARTED CHANGING THE OIL. AFTER HE WAS DONE THE MECHANIC TOLD ME TO GO AND PAY FOR THE OIL CHANGE. THE MANGER/OWNER ASKED FOR MY CREDIT CARD AND HE DID ALL THE TRANSACTIONS AND HAND ME THE RECEIPT IN A ENVELOP. AS I AM LEAVING THE SHOP I TOOK THE RECEIPT OUT OF THE ENVELOP AND FOUND OUT THE MANAGER/OWNER CHARGED ME $62.66 FOR OIL CHANGE WITHOUT SAYING A WARD TO ME.HE SHOULD OF TOLD ME TO COME BACK AND SIGN ANTHER AGREEMENT FOR THE $62.66 BUT HE CHOOSE NOT TO BECAUSE HE WANTED TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND IF HE TOLD ME I WOULD OF SAID NO, AND I WOULD OF TOLD HIM I WANT TO COMEBACK WITH MY OWN SYNTHETIC OIL. THE OWNER WANTED ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK SO HE COULD TAKE HIS SYNTACTIC OIL OUT AND PUT REGULAR OIL INSTEAD IN MY CAR EVEN THOUGH HE KNOWS MY CAR DOES NOT USE REGULAR OIL. I REPLIED YOU WOULD BREAK MY CAR AND MIGHT DO SOMETHING TO THE ENGINE THAT COULD CAUSE DANGER TO ME AND OTHERS IF BREAKS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I REFUSED TO LET HIM PUT REGULAR OIL IN MY CAR FOR FEAR OF MECHANICAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692311March 5, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
GAS LEAKAGE FROM UNDER HOOD IDENTICAL TO RECALL #20I4 BUT WAS TOLD BY VW DEALERSHIP CAR WAS CHECKED 3 YEARS EARLIER AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM IN THE LOCATION OF PARTS AND THAT THIS LEAKAGE HAPPENED AT ANOTHER AREA OF THE FUEL LINE AND VW OF AMERICA CONCURRED WITH DEALERSHIP. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO FIRE BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING BAD AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER SMELLING GAS ODOR INSIDE CAR. IT SEEMS VW WON'T OWN UP TO ANYTHING UNLESS THERE IS A CASUALTY. AFTER HAVING BOUGHT THREE BEETLES I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN VW OF AMERICA AND THIS DEALERSHIP ANYMORE. ALSO THE HEADLINER HAS TO BE REPLACED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AFTER DEALERSHIP CHECKED IT WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. VERY LOW MILEAGE TO BE INCURRING DESIGN PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10691922March 3, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES
STOPPED AT RED LIGHT LOSE BRAKE PRESSURE ON '14 BEETLE TDI. BRAKE PEDAL POPPING TO TOP AND CAN NOT DEPRESS, CAR STARTS ROLLING. HAPPENED 3 TIMES CALLED FOR SERVICE. WILL SEE WHAT OUTCOME BRINGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10690997February 27, 2015
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE RPM'S WILL GO EXTREMELY HIGH FOLLOWED BY A THUMP SOUND AS IF THE CAR JUMPS BACK INTO GEAR. VW OF AMERICA ISSUED EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH EXPIRED IN FEBRUARY 2014. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A VALVE IN THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD SO AN EXTENSION WAS ISSUED ON THE WARRANTY BUT OWNERS WERE NOT TOLD OF THIS AND HAD TO HAVE CAR PROBLEMS SINCE THERE WAS NO OTHER TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR ANY REPAIR OF THE TRANSMISSION. A RECALL NOTICE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED SINCE NUMEROUS OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WHICH IS COSTING THOUSANDS PER CAR TO CORRECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10690293February 24, 2015
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
I AM THE 2ND OR 3RD THIRD OWNER, AND I SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THIS CAR OUT FURTHER, SINCE WHOMEVER ('S) SOLD IT TO ME DIDN'T TELL ME A [XXX] THING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I AM SO DISGUSTED ABOUT THIS INCIDENT OF BUYING BASICALLY A LEMON FROM DISHONEST CREEPS. I ONLY DROVE IT ONCE BEFORE I HANDED OVER EVERY HARD EARNED PENNY I HAD SAVED OVER SUCH A LENGTHY TIME DUE TO THE FACT I AM A STRUGGLING SINGLE MOTHER. I DON'T GET CHILD SUPPORT NOR WELFARE, THANK YOU! I PAID ALL I HAD LITERALLY EVER SAVED UP EVER IN MY WHOLE LIFE. (YES I AM THAT POOR TO BE QUITE FRANK) I PAID $4500 FOR A 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. I HAVE ALWAYS ONLY EVER HEARD EXCELLENT THINGS OF VW'S, THERE FOR I JUST PRAY AND WISH THAT VW WOULD HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW I AM WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO AND FROM WORK, AS WELL AS MY CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL. I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE TO GET GROCERIES OR ANYTHING! HELP!! WHY CAN'T VW AT LEAST PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED? I AM JUST TO POOR. I AM LOOKING INTO A LAW SUIT. DISHONEST VW, WHY CAN'T YOU JUST BE HONEST AND FIX YOUR ERROR AND WRONG DOING? THEY SELL THESE BEETLES KNOWINGLY TO INNOCENT TRUSTING FAMILIES, SINGLE MOMS, ETC: ETC;, AND THAT ALONE I BELIEVE SHOULD BE GROUNDS ENOUGH FOR A HELL OF A LAW SUIT. THEY KNOWINGLY PUT WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND INNOCENT PEOPLE'S LIVES IN SERIOUS DANGER WITH NO CONSCIENCE WHAT SO EVER. BUYING A VW IS LIKE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE. FOR YOU, YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR FAMILY, LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS. [XXX] EVEN INNOCENT BY STANDERS AND PASSER BYES. FIX MY BEETLE EVIL CREEPS. MAY GOD DEAL WITH YOU EVENTUALLY EITHER WAY AMEN! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)*JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10689894February 23, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE. VEHICLE ACTED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. OPENED HOOD AND FOUND A PARTIALLY MELTED FUSE BOX FUSES, BURN MARKS AND MELTED WIRES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10689767February 21, 2015
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY GRANDSON TO DRIVE TO WORK..THE GUY I BOUGHT IT FROM SWORE IT WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, THAT HIS DAUGHTER DROVE IT TO SCHOOL ETC......WHEN WE GOT IT, I TOOK IT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE FOR MY GRANDSON TO DRIVE, THEY BEGAN TO FIND THINGS WRONG AND THE COST WAS MOUNTING UP AND UP AND THEY EVEN HAD US TAKE IT HOME ONLY TO TAKE IT RIGHT BACK BECAUSE IT HAD NO HEAT (AND ITS VERY COLD HERE) SO THEY WORKED ON IT SOME MORE...BOTTOM LINE IS SO FAR THEY HAVE CHARGED ME 3 TIMES WHAT I PAID FOR IT AND WHEN I LOOKED IT UP ON LINE, EVERY THING THEY DID WAS A RECALL....MY QUESTION TO YOU IS..HOW LONG ARE THE RECALLS GOOD FOR AND I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THE GUY WAS APPRAISED OF THEM OR HE WOULDN'T HAVE LET HIS DAUGHTER DRIVE IT LIKE THAT ....I HAVE THE PAPERWORK RIGHT HERE WHERE IT SHOWS 9 RECALLS AND 62 SERVICE BULLETINS...PLEASE ADVISE ME OF MY OPTION AS I COULD HAVE BOUGHT HIM A MUCH NICER CAR FOR WHAT I HAVE IN THIS!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME [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
#10689580February 20, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES
AT 7AM ON A 5 DEGREE ABOVE ZERO MORNING, MY VW PULLED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE FINE, I DROVE ONE BLOCK, FINE, AT THE SECOND BLOCK'S STOP SIGN, MY BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK I HAD TO DRIVE VERY SLOWLY, BRAKE VERY HARD FOR THE CAR TO COME TO A STOP. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT ALTHOUGH NEVER PART OF A RECALL, THAT THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED BEFORE, AND HAS POTENTIAL TO BE DANGEROUS. FOR EXAMPLE, MY KNEE IS VERY SORE FROM PRESSING ON THE BRAKES, AND IF I HAD BEEN GOING AT A HIGHER SPEED WHEN I FIRST DISCOVERED THE ISSUE - I WOULD HAVE INHERENTLY SLID INTO THE CAR(S) AHEAD OF ME, POSSIBLY CREATING A BAD SITUATION. THE MECHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER DUE TO AN UNEXPECTED DEMAND. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY VW OF AMERICA, FOR SAFETY ISSUES ON A RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLE (LESS THAN 55,000 MILES / 4.3 YRS OLD). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Beetle