Volkswagen Beetle Complaints (2005)

261 consumer complaints on file.

#10249982November 26, 2008
POWER TRAIN, AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY
PURCHASED 2005 VW BEETLE WITH 7,300 MILES ASSURED FULL WARRANTY....GUARANTEED PAINT ON FRONT BUMPER WOULD BE CORRECTED...DID IT TWICE STILL PEELING OFF....ELECTRIC WINDOWS REPAIRED TWICE....BEGAN MAKING NOISES WHEN WEATHER WAS DAMP...TOOK IT TO BE CHECKED OUT AND WAS ASSURED IT WOULD NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN BUT NORMAL...TOLD THEM TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING....ONE HEADLIGHT HAD A SHORT, AND THEN RECALL ON BRAKELIGHT...THEY DID REPAIR THAT...BUT INFORMED ME THAT WAS ALL THEY HAD TIME TO DO THAT DO DUE TO RECALL...GAS CAP COVER WAS STICKING AS WELL...DIDN'T FIX IT EITHER....THEN MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON...TOOK IT IN FOR RECALL ON THAT ...AFTER IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED AIRBAG LIGHT DID NOT GO OFF, INSISTED IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH SENSOR THAT WAS RECALLED...NOISE IN FRONT END BEGAN AND FLOORBOARD FLOODED DURING HEAVY RAIN....WITH NO OBVIOUS ENTRY POINT....DID SEARCH FOR PROBLEMS WITH VW BEETLES AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS HAVING THE VERY SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING....NOW HEAT GAUGE LIGHT COMES OFF AND ON, ALARM RANDOMLY SOUNDS.....BUT NOISE IN FRONT END CONCERNS ME GREATLY...WOULD NOT EVEN DIAGNOSE CAR WITHOUT $98 BUCKS AN HOUR LABOR CHARGE TO FIND PROBLEMS.... THIS CAR ONLY HAS 34,952 MILES ON IT AND IT IS FALLING APART...NO WAY CAN ALL THESE PROBLEMS BE FIXED AND ME MAKE PAYMENTS....BUT THOUSANDS ARE HAVING THESE VERY SAME PROBLEMS...WHY HAS OUR GOVERNMENT NOT INSISTED ON A RECALL..... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244701October 8, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2005 VW NEW BEETLE. AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO LIGHT UP. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO VW SHOP CONTINUALLY FOR THIS ISSUE AND NOW THE WARRANTY IS OUT IT WILL COST $108.00 FOR THE TEST AND $100.00 PLUS LABOR TO REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM IS CONTINUING AND THE FACTORY SHOULD HAVE A SOLUTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240531September 1, 2008
POWER TRAIN
DMF FAILED BLEW SHRAPNEL THROUGH BELL HOUSING! NORMAL DRIVING, VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE, 2005.5 DIESEL 1.9L TDI AUTOMATIC TRANS DSG. DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) EXPLODED ON THE ROAD UNDER 10MPH. SMALL METAL PARTS OF SPRINGS AND ALUMINUM PUNCHED HOLE IN SIDE OF CASE. CLEAR 'GREASE' AND SHAVINGS EVERYWHERE. COULD HAVE CAUSED ENGINE OR WHEELS TO LOCKUP IF IT HAD JAMMED A LARGER PIECE IN THE DRIVETRAIN. TOWED TO DEALER WITH 95K MILES, SOUNDS LIKE A SLIGHT GRINDING NOISE ON ACCELERATION. THIS IS HEAVY PART WITH A LARGE HOLE BLOWN IN THE EDGE WHERE PARTS CAME FLYING OUT. ONLY OFFERED A $750 REBATE ON PURCHASE OF A NEW VW... THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IMHO, THAT VWOA DID NOT COVER. REPLACEMENT PART NUMBER FOR DMF, OEM PART NO LONGER AVAILABLE. VW REPLACED WITH PART NUMBER 03G-105-266-BE $785. WORK DONE AT DEALER, ALMOST $2K! MANY DMF FAILURE STORIES BLAME THE CLUTCH, BUT MINE IS AN AUTOMATIC! THIS IS A BAD PART, THAT VWOA IS TRYING TO HIDE KNOWLEDGE OF, BLAMING CUSTOMERS. OTHER AUTO MAKERS HAVE ADMITTED BAD PART AND REPLACED AT 100K MILES! I HAVE THE OLD PART AND FURTHER CHECKS CAN BE DONE TO SHOW IT FAILED ON THE INSIDE. MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER IS SCARED TO DRIVE IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN TO HER! NO WAY TO KNOW, THERE IS NO SCHEDULED MAINT, NOTHING TO CHANGE OR CHECK. FLYWHEEL SHOULD BE COVERED BY VWOA, IT IS NOT A WEAR ITEM! CAN YOU HELP? MANY OTHERS MAY NOT BE REPORTING IF VWOA IS REPLACING UNDER WARRANTY, AS MY WEB RESEARCH SEEMS TO SHOW. THEY HAD TO REPLACE AN AIRBAG, BUT MY DMF EXPLODING ON THE ROAD IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM? WHY NO RECALL AND NO TSB'S? BEW GYS WITH DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX. DAMPING LAYER FAILED IN DMF. THIS WILL BECOME A LARGER ISSUE AS MORE MILES ARE LOGGED ON THIS PART. WILL IT CAUSE SOMEONE TO LOOSE LIFE? THANKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239198August 21, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V178000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE), AND CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. HE HAD TWO SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS THAT WERE CANCELLED BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. HE WAS INFORMED THAT VOLKSWAGEN WAS ONLY ALLOTTING TEN PARTS PER WEEK TO THE DEALERS FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 08/29/08.*LJ UPDATED 09/03/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238328August 14, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE AND EJECTION OF ENGINE UPON IMPACT. I WAS GOING THE 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT AND WENT TO PUT ON MY BRAKES TO TURN RIGHT ONTO ANOTHER ROAD. I HAD NO BRAKES. IT WAS LIKE PUSHING ON AIR. I WENT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ACROSS 4 LANES. HIT THE BACK OF A SEMI AND 4 OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKES AT ALL TO EVEN SLOW DOWN LET ALONE STOP. UPON IMPACT MY ENGINE WAS THROWN 150 FT. AWAY FROM THE CAR AND INTO ANOTHER CAR. THIS WAS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10202000September 5, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
FOR SEVERAL DAYS VW SHREWSBURY MOTORS FAILED TO CALL ME ON THE STATUS OF MY CAR DUE TO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW NOT BEING ABLE TO GO UP NOR A LOANER CAR PROVIDED. THE WORSE CUSTOMER SERVICE I RECEIVED!!!! BUT MY CAR WAS NOT FIXED AT ALL BUT TO RECEIVE THE CAR BACK WITH A WINDOW THAT STILL DOES NOT GO UP BUT TO HAVE TUBES STICKING OUT TO PREVENT ME FROM PUTTING THE WINDOW. BUT TO TOP THIS ALL OFF THEY CAN NOT GIVE ME A DATE OF WHEN THE PART WILL COME IN BECAUSE IT IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER WHICH TO MY IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AT ALL!!!! I HAVE ONE MONTH OF GOOD WEATHER AND I CAN NOT PUT THE TOP DOWN NOR THE WINDOWS AND I PURCHASED THE CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO AND I DO NOT HAVE A DATE OF WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED. I WILL NEVER BUY A VW AGAIN!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202003September 5, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I BROUGHT MY CAR IN A FEW DAYS TO NOT RECEIVE A CALL AT ALL ON THE STATUS AS I BROUGHT IT IN TO HAVE THE BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FIXED DUE TO IT WOULD NOT GO UP AT ALL. THE DEALER KEPT IT FOR TWO DAYS AND NOT EVEN PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER CAR- WORSE CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAVE EVER RECEIVED!!!! I WILL NEVER GET A VW CAR EVER !! NOR WOULD I RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE ELSE. I JUST RECEIVED MY CAR BACK TO NOT EVEN HAVE THE WINDOW FIXED NOR A DATE OF WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED DUE TO THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. I PURCHASED THE CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THIS CAR NOR DOES THE DEALER WANT TO ASSIST IN RESOLVING THEM. I RECEIVED MY CAR BACK TO HAVE TUBES STICKING OUT OF THE BACK WINDOW PREVENTING ME FROM PUTTING IT DOWN AND IT LOOKS HORRIBLE WHICH I BELIEVE RAIN WOULD GO IN AND THEY SEEM OKAY THAT I SHOULD BE FINE WITH THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10194531June 21, 2007
STRUCTURE
2005 VOLKSWAGEN CONVERTIBLE CUSTOMER STATES THAT HER GRANDDAUGHTER GOT HER THUMB STUCK IN THE WIND STOP MOUNTING HOLE AND HAD TO HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CUT PART OF THE CAR TO GET IT OUT CUSTOMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT**CC THE CONSUMER PROVIDED MULTIPLE PICTURES OF THE CAR SEAT AND INJURED CHILD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10174213November 24, 2006
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, 4 TRIPS TO TWO DIFFERENT VW DEALERS. THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, LEAVING ME WITHOUT FUNCTIONING AIR BAGS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173163November 10, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
MY 2005 TURBO VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE IS GETTING 19 AND 20 MPG HIGHWAY AND SURFACE STREET DRIVING). THIS IS FAR BELOW THE MANUFACTURES ESTIMATE. THE DEALER CONTENDS THAT THE CAR NEEDS TO BE BROKEN IN, AND OR IT IS LOWER DUE TO CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172262October 31, 2006
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
I OWN A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW "EXPLODED" MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE,WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT IN OUR SUBDIVISION. THIS SAME WINDOW HAD BEEN REPAIRED ABOUT 6 MONTHS PRIOR BECAUSE IT WAS RATTLING. IT WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MORNING THE WINDOW EXPLODED WAS THE COLDEST MORNING SINCE IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED-39 DEGREES. I CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN OUR GARAGE THAT EVENING. THE GARAGE WAS MUCH WARMER THAN THE OUTSIDE AMBIENT AIR. WITHIN ONE MINUTE OF MY WIFE DRIVING THE CAR FROM THE GARAGE THE WINDOW EXPLODED. HAD SHE BEEN ON A MAJOR ROAD THIS COULD HAVE TURNED INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I THINK VOLKSWAGEN IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SIDE WINDOWS RATTLING ON THEIR CONVERTIBLE MODELS. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW HAS STARTED TO RATTLE. THIS INCIDENT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE MANNER THE DEALER FIXED IT FROM RATTLING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167552September 7, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BROADSIDED A SECOND VEHICLE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD, AND WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED IN THE COLLISION. UPDATED 10/04/06. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166546August 25, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE WHO DECLARED THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO DECLARED THAT OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME ELECTRONIC MODULE PRESENTED THE SAME TRANSMISSION DEFECT BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY SOLUTION. UPDATED 10/17/2006 - THE HESITATION AND STALLING PROBLEMS OCCURRED WHEN USING THE LEFT FOOT TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE. THE VW TECHNICIAN SAID THE COMPUTER MODULE RECEIVES CONFLICTING SIGNAL DUE TO ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ONE ON THE GAS PEDAL. THERE WERE NO APPARENT WARNINGS IN THE VW OWNERS MANUAL. THERE SEEMED TO BE NO PROBLEM WHEN USING THE RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND GAS BUT THE PROBLEM SHOWED UP IMMEDIATELY WHEN USING THE LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND RIGHT FOOT ON THE GAS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165860August 14, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, SUSPENSION
2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WOULD NOT START PROPERLY. MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TEMP SENSOR WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT. *KB PARTS FOR THE CONVERTIBLE TOP AND HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE DEALER IN NOW TELLING THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS A STRUT BEARING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160632June 23, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
ENGINE MISFIRE FAULT. DTC P0300. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149012January 30, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND COLLIDED WITH A LIGHT POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAS BEEN INSPECTED. UPDATED 3/28/2006 - THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THIS ACCIDENT. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144043November 30, 2005
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED . *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140808October 26, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ATTEMPTED TO STOP IN DRIVEWAY, ENGINE RACED OUT OF CONTROL, COULD NOT STOP AND HIT UTILITY TRAILER IN YARD, CAR CAME TO STOP BECAUSE OF COLLISION, SHIFTED INTO CAR STILL IN GARAGE BEING FIXED. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131377August 3, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2000 VW BEETLE WITH 47,500 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I PURCHASED IT IN MAY OF 2000 FROM COOLEY. . I HAVE CLOSELY FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES ETC. I HAVE BEEN VERY WELL PLEASED WITH THIS CAR DESPITE SOME UNUSUAL PROBLEMS. FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH A SENSOR THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO STALL ( SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED). THAT COST ME $100. THEN AT ABOUT 35K I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED BRAKES $400 +. ON SATURDAY JULY 16, 2005 I WAS ENROUTE TO WELLS, MAINE. APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES BEFORE MY DESTINATION, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY DESTINATION. AFTER THE CAR HAD COOLED, WE INSPECTED THE HOSES AND COOLANT AND BELT. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE OK AND WE THOUGH EVERYTHING WAS GOOD SO WE STARTED OUT TO COME HOME (SUNDAY JULY 17TH, 2005) A SHORT DISTANCE INTO THE TRIP ( 5 -10 MILES). HEAT INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF AND THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY CAME BY, CALLED A TOW AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO BROWN'S AUTO REPAIR IN WELLS, MAINE. MY FRIEND, WHO IS THE FACILITIES MANAGER FOR THE WELLS SCHOOL DISTRICT, HAS HIS FLEET OF CARS AND TRUCKS SERVICED THERE SO I BELIEVED THE REPAIR SHOP TO BE REPUTABLE. MR.. BROWN, REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, THE WATER PUMP, FAN MOTORS, SENSORS, SERPENTINE BELT, TIMING BELT AND COOLANT ETC. AT A COST OF $1396.. THE FIRST TOWING EXPENSE WAS COVERED BY MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. BOTH MR... BROWN AND THE VW DEALERSHIP WHERE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE PURCHASED SEEMED TO THINK THAT I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE LOW MILEAGE. I AGREE. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT RECOURSE I HAVE. IF OTHER BEETLE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES AND PROBLEMS. I HAVE OWNED FIVE OTHER VW AUTOMOBILES AND AM A VW LOVER BUT THIS DOES NOT MAKE ME A HAPPY VW OWNER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130983August 2, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: 2005 VOLKSWAGEN, BEETLE. ON OCCASION WHEN STOPPING AT RED LIGHT,THE CAR BOGGED DOWN, WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. IT WOULD HESITATE FOR AT FEW SECONDS, AND IT WILL NOT TAKE THE GAS. THE ENGINE HAD NOT QUIT AS OF YET. CONSUMER SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY PUT IT ON A MACHINE, AND DROVE THE CAR. HOWEVER, COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WAS COOPERATING , AND SAID THEY WOULD TRY TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED AT 5 OR 6 TIMES SINCE MAY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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