Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10406808June 14, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BOUGHT CAR FOR DAUGHTER FEB.2011. THE GEAR SEEMS TO GET HUNG UP BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD THEN THE CAR WILL BARELY MOVE. SOMETIMES WHEN IT GOES IN TO GEAR IT LUNGES FORWARD. MY DAUGHTER ALMOST HAD A WRECK TRYING TO TURN AND THE GEAR GOT HUNG UP AND STALLED IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10404302June 3, 2011
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOONROOF WAS SEPERATING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403776May 31, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING ABNORMALLY HARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THE VEHICLE COMPUTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403626May 28, 2011
VISIBILITY
DEFECT IN DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW. WINDOW NOT USED FOR SEVERAL YEARS. AS OF MAY 28, 2011 WINDOW OPENED & WILL NOT CLOSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402974May 27, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT BEGAN EMITTING SMOKE AND THE PLASTIC COATING WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,610.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403531May 26, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON APRIL 25, 2008 WE TOOK OUR 2003 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE TO OUR VW DEALER FOR SERVICE AND A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD OR CLUNKING AT TIMES. THEY SAID THE NOISE WAS THE EXHAUST AND ADJUSTED IT AND SIGNED OFF. THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE HARD SHIFTING CONTINUED OCCASIONALLY FOR SOME TIME. THEN IT STARTED TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN AND BE MORE SEVERE. ON OCTOBER 23, 2009, WE RETURNED TO OUR DEALER FOR SERVICE AND TOLD THEM AGAIN ABOUT OUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE HARD SHIFTING AS WE HAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE PAST. AT THIS TIME THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ($90.00) ON THE TRANSMISSION. THEY HAD TO ORDER A PART AND WE RETURNED ON NOVEMBER 5, 2009 TO HAVE THE CABLE INSTALLED. ($1406.36) THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND WE RETURNED NOVEMBER, 10, 2009 FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC AND ANOTHER CABLE INSTALL.($179.78) STILL NOT FIXED THE CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE WHEN YOU TRY TO DRIVE IT. WE LEFT THE CAR WITH OUR DEALER FOR THEM TO TRY TO FIND A USED TRANSMISSION. NO LUCK. ON DECEMBER 2, 2009 WE DECIDED TO CONTACT A TRANSMISSION SHOP A FRIEND TOLD US ABOUT. I CALLED A TRANSMISSION SHOP TO PICK UP THE CAR AT OUR DEALER AND TAKE IT TO THEIR SHOP TO LOOK INTO REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION. ALL TO NO AVAIL THEY COULD NOT GET PARTS FOR THAT TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT STEP WAS TO LOOK FOR A USED ONE AGAIN. STILL UNABLE TO LOCATE A USED TRANSMISSION WE DECIDED TO HAVE A VW REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. ($5469.60) THIS WAS DONE AND THE CAR WAS PICKED UP ON JANUARY 7, 2010. NOW ON DECEMBER 14, 2010 WE RECEIVE A LETTER THAT DESCRIBES OUR ORIGINAL COMPLAINT ABOUT THE HARD SHIFTING. THE LETTER WAS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION. I THEN SENT A CLAIM TO VW TO ASK FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THAT CLAIM WAS NOT ACCEPTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402663May 25, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 VW BEETLE... TRANSMISSION "LURCHES" FORWARD... NOT SAFE. VW EXTENDED WARRANTY BY ONLY 7 YEARS. THAT EXCLUDED ANY 2003'S SOLD DURING NORMAL MODEL YEAR. ONLY HAD 54,000 MILES. COST OVER $3,000.00 TO FIX. HOW CAN VOLKSWAGEN KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEN EXCLUDE VEHICLES LIKE THIS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402666May 25, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FAULTY IGNITION COILS, CAR WILL STALL DURING DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT AND AFTER ONE -TWO HOURS DRIVING STOP AND GO THE ENGINE WILL STALL OR MISFIRE. VW DEALER IDENTIFIES THE PROBLEMS BY MISFIRE OF COIL BUT REPLACES ONLY ONE COIL. THE PROBLEM COMES BACK WITHIN 2 MONTH WITH DIFFERENT COIL. VW SHOULD REPLACE ALL 5 COILS IN ORDER TO AVOID DAMAGE OR ACCIDENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402767May 25, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVES A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 47,000 ACTUAL MILES. RECENTLY SHE HAS BEEN HAVING SOME VERY SCARY EXPERIENCES WITH THE VEHICLE AND WE ARE HIGHLY CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES 55 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY, IT STARTS TO AUTOMATICALLY SLOW DOWN WHILE HER FOOT IS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN AS SHE CONTINUES TO KEEP HER FOOT ON THE GAS, IT ALL THE SUDDEN VIOLENTLY JERKS INTO GEAR AND STARTS TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. SHE WAS ON FLAT TERANINE AND WAS NOT GOING UP A HILL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. SHE SAID THE EXPERIENCE TODAY LEFT HER TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE!! ALSO, SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, AND THE BREAKS AND STEERING WHEEL BOTH LOCKED. SHE COULDN'T STEER OR STOP THE CAR WITHOUT USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I ASKED HER IF SHE IS SURE THE CARE WAS NOT IN NEUTRAL AND SHE SAID IT WAS ABSOLUTELY 100% IN THE REVERSE POSITION. ALSO SHE STATED THE BRAKES ARE MAKING A HISSING SOUND LIKE WHEN YOU LET AIR OUT OF TIRES, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME AND HER BRAKES SEEM FINE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT ANY RECALLS THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD AND ALSO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO DO TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE FOR HER TO BE DRIVING AT THE MOMENT AND SHE HAS STATED THAT WHEN THE ISSUE HAPPENS, IT FEELS LIKE HER AND THE CAR JERK FORWARD WITH A VERY VIOLENT EXCESSIVE FORCE. I WOULD LIKE CORRESPONDENCE STARTED IN CASE IN CASE ANYTHING HAPPENS TO MY DAUGHTER WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE IS APPRECIATED. [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
#10403295May 23, 2011
VISIBILITY
WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. THIS IS THE 3RD OF 4 WINDOW REGULATORS TO FAIL. REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FAILED TO ASCEND LEAVING CABIN OPEN TO WEATHER. POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENT INCREASED AS DRIVER WAS FORCED TO DIVIDE ATTENTION BETWEEN FAILED WINDOW AND DRIVING TASKS AT NEAR HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402395May 23, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
2004 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE - PUT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW DOWN (WINDOW OPEN). WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT UP, IT ONLY WENT HALF-WAY UP, THEN AUTOMATICALLY WENT BACK DOWN. AFTER TRYING TO GET IT TO GO UP TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES, THERE WAS A LOUD CRUNCHING NOISE AND A CRACKING NOISE, SO I STOPPED TRYING TO MOVE IT. CURRENTLY IN THE HALF-WAY POSITION. AFTER READING OTHER VW OWNER FORUMS ONLINE, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT VW NEEDS TO ADDRESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403271May 21, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO ADAPTER FOR ANTI THEFT LUG NUTS IN SPARE TIRE KIT. NOBODY CAN REPAIR FLAT TIRE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400876May 14, 2011
AIR BAGS
MY CAR WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND MY FIANCE, WHO WAS DRIVING, SUSTAINED A SPRAINED NECK AND A CONCUSSION AS A RESULT OF HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10400448May 10, 2011
VISIBILITY
RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND WINDOW BECAME INOPERABLE. VW ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT NOT A RECALL. REPAIR IS $1200 FOR ONE WINDOW REGULATOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399568May 9, 2011
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE TIRE SENSORS FAILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHICH TIRE SENSOR FAILED BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT WOULD NOT OFFER TO REPLACE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AN OPERABLE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400100May 5, 2011
POWER TRAIN
SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR CAUSING JERKING AND SLOWING. THIS CAUSES UNPREDICTABLE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE WHICH IS A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH. REPLACING THE VALVE BODY AS VW HAS INDICATED IT "MIGHT"--IF YOUR VEHICLE MEETS CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS--WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM PERMANENTLY. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION IS AT FAULT AND MUST BE COMPLETELY REPLACED TO ENSURE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399275May 5, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2004 VW BEETLE TURBO BEGAN JERKING, SURGING, ETC, SEPT/OCT OF 2010. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS, AS OBVIOUS. STAFF SAID NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, BUT PAID OVER $1000 FOR "OTHER" ISSUES. DEC. 2010 CAR ABRUPTLY STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE. LOST ALL POWER! CAR WILL SURGE UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. UNABLE TO CONTROL AS CAR SHIFTS ITSELF INAPPROPRIATELY. THE HAPPENS EVERYDAY AFTER THE CAR IS WARMED UP. EVERY TIME YOU BRAKE OR ACCELERATE, IT JERKS, SURGES, STALLS, ETC. FINALLY, APRIL 19, 2011, (3 CAR SHOPS LATER), ANOTHER TRANSMISSION SHOP CONFIRMED MY PROBLEMS. ONLY 69,000 MILES ON MY CAR . . NEED NEW TRANSMISSION! VW DEALERSHIP HAS TURNED THEIR BACK ON ME AND "COVERED UP" THE FACT THAT THIS MODEL CAR HAS MAJOR TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS AND WAS MADE DEFECTIVE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS HORRIFIC ORDEAL. A RECALL IS IMPERATIVE. I COULD HAVE HAD TWO CARS FOR THE PRICE THAT I AM STILL PAYING FOR THIS CAR. VERY UNSAFE AND SCARY RIDE. AN INJUSTICE AND INSULT TO THE PUBLIC, HARD-WORKING TAX-PAYERS!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399001April 30, 2011
POWER TRAIN
DSG 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. DASH PANEL DRIVE DISPLAY ILLUMINATES AS A SINGLE BAR. ESP INDICATOR FLASHES AND STAYS ON. MUST PULL OFF ROAD AND TURN ENGINE OFF, WAIT AND START ENGINE AGAIN. MAY OR MAY NOT ALLOW CAR TO SHIFT PROPERLY AFTERWARDS. USED ROADI RDT45 SCAN TOOL TO CHECK FOR FAULT CODE. TRANSMISSION FAULT CODE 18262/P1854 "DATA BUS POWER TRAIN HARDWARE DEFECTIVE" CAME UP REPEATEDLY. VW DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED SAME FAULT CODE, CLEARED FAULT AND TOLD CAR OWNER IF TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN THE MECHATRONICS ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $2,000. THE VW DEALERSHIP TOLD CAR OWNER THAT THERE IS NO EXTENDED WARRANTY NOR RECALL ON THIS MODEL YEAR AND TRANSMISSION. THE CAR OWNER MUST PAY THE REPAIR COST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397962April 26, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NEAR-MISS BUT NO TRAFFIC COLLISION DUE TO UNEXPECTED JERKINESS, LOSS OF POWER TRANSFER TO DRIVE WHEELS, WITH ASSOCIATED REVVING OF ENGINE OF 2003 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WHILE I TRIED ENTERING TRAFFIC STREAM ON A BUSY STREET. SYMPTOMS WERE INTERMITTENT FOR 9 MONTHS; NOW PRESENT WHENEVER VEHICLE WARMED UP AFTER 3 MILES DRIVING; VEHICLE NOT USED FOR PAST 9 MO. VOLKSWAGEN DEALER ADVISES "REPLACE TRANSMISSION". VALVE BODY FAILURE IN 6-SPEED TIPTRONIC (AISIN-WARNER 09G) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUSES HARD UPSHIFTS AND DOWNSHIFTS AND LAPSES IN POWER TRANSFER, RESULTING IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS WHEN MERGING ONTO FREEWAY OR INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC, FOR EXAMPLE. THE 6 ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED VALVES AND ASSOCIATED SOLENOIDS IN THIS TRANSMISSION GRADUALLY WEAR OUT, TYPICALLY SOON AFTER THE VOLKSWAGEN 5-YEAR, 60000-MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRES. THE PROBLEM IS TRACEABLE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE COMBINATION OF ALUMINUM VALVE BORES, SHIFT VALVES WHICH CAUSE WEAR IN THE BORES, FAULTY SOLENOIDS, AND SHIFT PROGRAMMING WHICH RELIES ON FREQUENT ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATED MOVEMENT OF THE VALVES TO MODULATE AND PRODUCE SMOOTH SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS. THE CONSEQUENCE OF CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR CAN BE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WHICH MAY OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY AND PLACE THE DRIVER IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF UNABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY, OR IF FAILURE OCCURS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE OR EXECUTE NORMAL DRIVING MANEUVERS. IN MY CASE, THE TRANSMISSION OPERATES WELL FOR THE FIRST 3 MILES, BUT NOT WHEN WARMED UP. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA ANNOUNCED A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE "VALVE BODY ONLY" FOR THE 09G MODEL TRANSMISSIONS, FOR A SPECIFIC 7 YEARS FROM VEHICLE-IN-SERVICE DATE OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. I WILL HAVE THE VALVE BODY REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP, USING GENUINE VW PARTS, AS VWOFA HAS DECLINED TO REPAIR MY TRANSMISSION OR REPLACE IT COMPLETELY UNLESS I AM WILLING TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE USED PARTS WILL BE SAVED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10396753April 19, 2011
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I TOOK THE TOP DOWN THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME THE REAR RIGHT SIDE WINDOW WENT DOWN BUT WOULD NOT GO UP TRIED TO GET IT FIXED AT THE DEALER THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE MORE THEN $600.00 WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE THEY TOOK IT APART AND IT STARTED WORKING FINE THEN LESS THEN A WEEK LATER IT WAS STUCK DOWN AGAIN AND TWO DAYS LATER WENT UP WITH SOME WORK NOW I DON'T EVEN WANT TO PUT IT DOWN AT ALL! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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