Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#11145170November 3, 2018
POWER TRAIN
ON 11/3/2018 AT AROUND 11:00PM, I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE ON THE HIGHWAY (90E TOWARDS CLEVELAND) GOING 65MPH. SUDDENLY, MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND HARD DOWNSHIFTED. THIS CAUSED A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED, AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A SEMI-TRUCK WHICH WAS BEHIND ME . LUCKILY, THE DRIVER OF THE SEMI WAS ALERT AND SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY JUST IN TIME. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS AUTO TRANS HAS ACTED UP EITHER. HOWEVER, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WHERE I REALLY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF IT. THIS TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY, THE SYMPTOMS POINT TO A MALFUNCTIONING VALVE BODY UNIT, AND THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION OR A RECALL. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENTS,HURT, OR EVEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS BAD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (JERKING/POPPING OUT OF GEAR AT RANDOM) NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11144504October 31, 2018
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES BUT WAS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER YET TO DETERMINE IF THEY MAY BE ABLE TO CHECK THE DTC TO DETERMINE A REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, HAD NOT ISSUED ANY TSB AND NO RECALL CAMPAIGNS FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE MAY BE REPAIRED WITH A PERMANENT REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11144112October 30, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN OFF THE CAR AND IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. IT WILL NOT TURN BACK AS YOU NORMALLY WOULD TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND REMOVE THE KEY. THE ONLY WAY TO SHUT THE CAR OFF IS TO PULL THE FUEL PUMP RELAY/FUSE. THE CAR CAN BE LOCKED MANUALLY USING THE OTHER KEY IN THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THAN THE BATTERY MUST BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT DRAIN FROM THE ACCESSORIES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11142675October 25, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY, I HEARD A "CLICK" THEN A "POOF", THEN THE CAR LOST POWER, IN TRAFFIC! IT WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WE ALWAYS USE. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FUSE BOX/ALTERNATOR CABLE MELTED. THEY SAID THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BEETLE. WE CHECKED TO SEE IF WE MISSED ANY RECALLS AND WERE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY ON SUCH A DANGEROUS ISSUE! I AM INCLUDING SCREEN CAPTURED IMAGES FROM VIDEO WE HAVE OF THE PROBLEM BEING INSPECTED. WE ALSO HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM THE MECHANIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11141909October 22, 2018
VISIBILITY/WIPER
REAR WINDOWS FALLING. REGULATOR BROKEN WHILE MOVING. CITY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11138907October 7, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VISIBILITY/WIPER
MY VIN NUMBER ON CAR IS DIFFERENT FROM THE VIN NUMBER ON MOTOR. I JUST FOUND THIS OUT ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. I WASN'T TOLD THIS WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE.. SO, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM OR NOT. ITS A 2005 VW, WITH A 2004 ENGINE FROM A SLAVAGE YARD, BANDB, OR B AND R?? THIS CAUSED ME GREAT ALARM. THE WIRING SINCE HAD TO BE DONE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. ALSO, THE BELLY PAN HAD BEEN MISSING. I HAD IT FIXED. AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAD TO BE REPAIRED TOO. THIS CAR HAS COST ME THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS SINCE PURCHASE. AND I DON'T HAVE MORE THOUSANDS TO PUT IN IT. PLEASE HELP I HOPE THE CAR IN EXCELLENT SHAPE NOW. ALSO, I NOTICED THE DIP STICK BROKE TO OIL CHECK AND HADN'T BEEN PRIOR TO MY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. ALSO, THE CAR HAS A SOFT TOP AND I WAS TOLD WAS NEWLY REPLACED IN 5/2018. BUT IT SEEMS TO HAVE A DIFFERENT LOOK INSIDE THEN A TIGHT SHAPE REGARDING TOP, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS SHOULD BE OR NOT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11131113September 24, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, SEATS
ELECTRICAL MAIN FUSE BOX UNDER HOOD BURNT AND MELTED INTO BATTERY. SEE PICS OF BURNT FUSE BOX, AND INDENTION OF MELTED BATTERY. CAR CUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, CAUSING MY 19 YEAR OLD COLLEGE DAUGHTER TO ALMOST WRECK IN ROUTE TO SCHOOL LAST WEEK AT 8PM EST. HER MAJOR IS NURSING. I WANT TO MAKE SURE SHE'S ALIVE TO SEE HER GRADUATE. OUTSIDE AIR TEMP WAS 65 DEGREES. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, NOT TO MENTION THE COST THAT WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH PAYING FOR VOLKSWAGONS POOR DESIGN ELECTRICAL MISENGINEERING FLAW, A NEW ALTERNATOR, ALL ELECTRICAL WIRING, A NEW BATTERY, AND POSSIBLY NEW CONVERTIBLE TOP MOTOR. HER VW IS/WAS IN MINT CONDITION WITH FEWER THAN 80K MILES. VW ESTIMATES COSTS TO FIX OVER $5K TO 6K. KBB VALUE IS MUCH LESS. MY DAUGHTERS LIFE IS PRICELESS. ALSO, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE SEATBELTS UNDERNEATH THE SEAT ARE TOO SHORT!! IF YOU SLIDE THE SEATS BACK, IT BREAKS ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS WHICH TRIGGERS SEATBELTS LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH DISENGAGES AIRBAGS TO WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE 2 FRONT SEATS ALSO MUST SLIDE FORWARD IN ORDER FOR BACK SEAT PASSENGERS TO ENTER VEHICLE. IS THIS HOW VW SAVES MONEY, BY SHORTENING ELECTRICAL WIRE TO CONNECT SEATBELTS? PERHAPS IT'S ON PURPOSE TO AVOID MILLIONS OF ELECTRICAL LAWSUITS?
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11130265September 18, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REMAINED IN THE ON POSITION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHERN VOLKSWAGEN GREENBRIER (1248 S MILITARY HWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, (757) 424-4689) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 181253450. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,288.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11129857September 17, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WEATHER CONDITIONS: RAIN. AFTER RELATIVELY SHORT DRIVE GARAGED VEHICLE AND TURNED ENGINE OFF. VERY NOTICEABLE BURNING ODOR APPEARS TO COME FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. LOUD MOTOR NOISE COMING FROM REAR AREA (ELECTRICAL MOTOR NOISE NOT ENGINE/FAN NOISE) WHICH CONTINUED FOR APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES. I AM AWARE OF THE FUEL PUMP RUNNING FOR A SECOND OR TWO WHEN I FIRST OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. THIS IS A QUIET HUM, HARDLY NOTICEABLE, AND NOT AN ISSUE. THE NOISE ADDRESSED ABOVE IS QUITE LOUD AND ABNORMAL ( ALMOST LIKE A BEARING RUNNING DRY). WEEK LATER ' SAME WEATHER CONDITIONS ' RAIN. RAN VEHICLE ON SHORT SHOPPING TRIP AND, AGAIN, UPON GARAGING: SAME SYMPTOMS. TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED VW DEALERSHIP. THEIR ANALYSIS: UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. VEHICLE WAS DRY AT THE TIME AND UNDERSTAND THEY COULD NOT FIX ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT OCCUR WHILE THEY ARE CHECKING. VERY NERVOUS BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM APPEARS LIMITED TO RAIN/WATER ENCROACHMENT SOMEWHERE IN/ON THE VEHICLE DURING INCLEMENT OPERATIONS. VEHICLE APPEARS TO FUNCTION NORMALLY DURING OPERATIONS IN RAINY WEATHER'PROBLEM NOTICEABLE ONLY WHEN GARAGED AND TURNED OFF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11130009September 17, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THIS CAR HAS HAD MANY ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO LIGHTS, TURNING SIGNALS NOT WORKING. THE SECOND TIME ABOUT 2 YEARS LATER I LOST ALL ELECTRICAL CONTROLS. NO LIGHTS, WIPERS, AC FAN, AC ADAPTER, RADIO, TURN SIGNALS. NOW JUST 5 MONTHS LATER I AM NOTICING HEADLIGHT ISSUES. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE VW OF OCALA, THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT I JUST NEED BULB REPLACEMENT. AFTER DRIVING OVER AN HOUR TO GET MY CAR, I GET IN TO FIND MY WINDOWS ARE NO LONGER WORKING NOW.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11129732September 16, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SINCE PURCHASING MORE THAN 7 MONTHS AGO, VEHICLE'S BLIND SPOT MONITORING SYSTEM FAILS TO RECOGNIZE APPROACHING VEHICLES AND DOES NOT HAVE AN AUDIBLE ALERT INSIDE THE VEHICLE MAKING IT NEARLY UNUSABLE AND UNSAFE. REAR-CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT SYSTEM GOES CRAZY (INCESSANT BEEPING) AND UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. EVEN IF THERE ARE NO VEHICLES AROUND AND THERE IS NOTHING SURROUNDING THE VEHICLE THE SYSTEM WILL GO OFF AND BEEP FRANTICALLY. REAR-CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT FREQUENTLY WILL NOT IDENTIFY OR WARN OF VEHICLES PASSING BEHIND, SUCH AS WHEN TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. VEHICLE'S IN-DASH DISPLAY WILL PERIODICALLY GO BLACK WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED. VEHICLE'S RADIO SYSTEM WILL DISPLAY RANDOM CHARACTERS FOR THE SONG OR ARTIST, OR DISPLAY THE SAME SONG AND ARTIST FOR 10 MINUTES OR LONGER EVEN THOUGH THE SONG, ARTIST, OR STATIONS HAVE CHANGED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. VW CORPORATE WAS CONTACTED AND RESPONDED QUICKLY AND WITH CONCERN, BUT DEALER WAS STILL UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11129605September 14, 2018
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2005 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE WAS NOT WORKING. I AM NOT ABLE TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED BECAUSE THE SENSOR LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF! I LOOKED UP RECALL PARTS FOR MY CAR, AND I NOW SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAG: FRONTAL: SENSOR / CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL STATES THAT THE SOLDIER JOINT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, AND THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE FALL BACK ALGORITHM WILL ENSURE THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. HOPEFULLY I WILL NOT NEED THEM AND WILL NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I WANT THE DEALER TO REPLACE THIS CONTROL MODULE THAT WAS RECALLED, AND FIX MY CAR SO I CAN GET IT TO PASS INSPECTION, AND GET BACK TO DRIVING IT SAFELY. THANK YOU, (XXXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11122795August 27, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OPEN FOR THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11122200August 24, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MID 2014, WE PURCHASED OUR 2013 VW BUG FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. BY FALL OF THE SAME YEAR, THE BUG WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR IGNITION KEY SWITCH EXHIBITING DIFFICULTY NOT ONLY ENGAGING TO THE "ON" POSITION, BUT ALSO REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE HOUSING SWITCH. THE DEALER SUGGESTING THAT THE KEYS MAY BE DEFECTIVE, AS THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE SALE (AS IF THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE). THEY SUGGESTED PURCHASING A NEW SET OF KEYS. COST: CLOSE TO $400. NOT SURE IF THEY DID ANYTHING ELSE WITH THE CAR WHILE THEY HAD IT, BUT THE "PROBLEM" ABATED FOR A WHILE, RETURNING WITH A VENGEANCE ABOUT A YEAR LATER- WE LITERALLY COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE BUG WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER- THIS TIME FOR A NEW KEY SWITCH CYLINDER, STEERING LOCK AND BOLT. COST APPROX. $625. IF YOUR KEEPING SCORE, THAT'S APPROX. $1000. SPENT. FAST FORWARD TO CURRENT DAY, END OF AUG. 2018. SAME IGNITION ISSUES. TWO WEEKS AGO, WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM VW OF AMERICA ACKNOWLEDGING THE "PROBLEM", WITH A SPECIFIC WARRANTEE EXTENSION OFFERED. SO, BACK TO THE DEALER IT GOES. THANKS TO THIS NHTSA WEBSITE, I SEE THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11120493August 16, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT PROPERLY WHEN TURNED ON TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. LIGHTS ONLY STAY IN DAYTIME MODE. TOO DARK TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSE TO SEE IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11120021August 15, 2018
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" (?) SRS WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. 65000 MILES ON VEHICLE. CODE (00591) INDICATES FAULT IN DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT/SAFETY BELT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11119913August 14, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RANDOMLY YOU CANNOT TURN OFF THE CAR. YOU TRY AND TURN THE KEY AND IT IS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. YOU CAN TURN TOWARD START, BUT NOT OFF. YOU MAY HAVE TO PUT IT IN GEAR AND DRIVE AROUND FOR A FEW MINUTES FOR IT TO TURN OFF. HAVE TRIED TO PUT IN GEAR, AND BACK OUT WITHOUT ANY LUCK, HAVE ALSO TRIED TO FORCE, BUT DO NOT WANT TO BREAK THE KEY. I GUESS IT IS THE SAME AS THE JETTA ISSUE, WHICH THEY HAVE CONFIRMED, AND ARE RESOLVING. IF YOU HAD TO SHUT OFF IN EMERGENCY YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THIS. NOW HAPPENING A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11119914August 14, 2018
STEERING
THE CAR HAS ABOUT 33000 MILES. THE BUSHINGS ON THE LINKAGE ARE WORN OUT ALREADY. WE HAVE CLANKING SOUNDS WHEN PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, OR TURNING. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THIS IS TOO SOON. SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN PARTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11119919August 14, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BLUETOOTH SPEAKERPHONE DOES NOT WORK. IN OUR STATE HANDSFREE CALLING IS REQUIRED. AT THIS POINT IT IS A SAFETY RISK. WE HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 30 DAYS OVER DIFFERENT TIMES. IT WAS ESCALATED TO VW, BUT ALL THEY COULD DO WAS SAY IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT, AND OFFER 14% TO BUY ANOTHER VW. SEEMS STRANGE THEY WOULD NOT DO MORE WHILE UNDER MFG WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11118153August 6, 2018
STEERING
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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