Volkswagen Beetle Complaints (1998)

171 consumer complaints on file.

#561528June 11, 2001
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS ON THE DOORS OF THE CAR ARE PLACED EXACTLY IN THE LINE OF VISION AND IN ORDER TO SEE WHEN TURNNG A CORNER THE CONSUMER HAS TO PUT HIS HEAD DOWN AND LOOK UNDER HTHE MIRROR, THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS DESIGN IS UNSAFE. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#746433June 5, 2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
BAD WIRING, ALARM GOES OFF IN THE MIDDLE OG THE NIGHT, REAR HATCH LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, WIRING IS BAD IN COLD WEATHER, FRONT HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURINING OUT, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, AT ABOUT 2000 MILES ENGINE WILL BE BONE DRY, EXCESSIVE ROAD NOSIE, RADIO NO LONGER WORKS, IN GENERAL THE CAR IS IN BAD SHAPE AFTER TWO YEARS OF USE AND IT SEESM TO BE ALL FACTORY RELATED TYPE OF PROBLEMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#745010May 7, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CAR OVERHEATS ROUTINELY. INITIALLY IN FOR REPAIR ON 1/25/01 WHEN DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. SINCE THEN, CAR HAS OVERHEATED ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WATER LEAKAGE HAS BEEN OBSERVED. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AND UNLOCK RELIABLY, FORCING ME TO ENTER AND EXIT CAR THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR. REPORTED TO DEALER THREE TIMES (INITIALLY 5/31/00). ONE TIME DEALER LUBRICATED LOCK; CURRENTLY THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND WILL NOT FIX. AFTER WATER PUMP REPAIR IN 1/01, CAR EXHIBITED A WHINING NOISE AND POWER STEERING STIFFNESS AT LOW RPMS -- LIKELY DUE TO IMPROPER WORKMANSHIP DURING THAT REPAIR. DEALER CLAIMS POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW, AND HAS BEEN "TOPPED OFF" TO ALLEVIATE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I RECENTLY HAD ROUNTINE MAINTENANCE AT ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT JUST 4 DAYS PRIOR TO TAKING INTO SHOP; DURING THAT SERVICE, POWER STEERING FLUIDS WERE INDICATED AS "OK." OIL CONSUMPTION IS EXCESSIVE. DESPITE REPEATED REPORTS TO VW (INITIALLY 5/00), HAVE RECEIVED NO RESOLUION OR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE. THROUGH RESEARCH, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON BEETLE PROBLEM, AND SOME BEETLE OWNERS ARE RECEIVING NEW ENGINES OR VALVE STEM REPAIRS TO REMEDY. TRANSMISSION JERKS SEVERLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. INITIALLY REPORTED 9/29/98 AT 9596 MILES AND NOT ADDRESSED BY DEALER. RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHT SEALANT LEAKAGE AND WATER GETTING INTO HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO BE UNRELIABLE AND POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL/FIRE HAZARD. HAVE RESEARCHED VW AND LEARNED DURING INITIAL BEETLE PRODUCTION IN PUEBLA, MEXICO, THEY EXPERIENCE AN ABOMINAL 40% DEFECT RATE. FROM RESEARCH INTO OTHER CONSUMER ISSUES WITH 1998 BEETLES, I AM CERTAIN THAT VW PASSED THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES ON TO CONSUMERS. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER DETAILS. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED WINDOW REGLATOR FAILURES, DEAD BATTERY, INTERIOR PIECES FALLING APART AND OTHER ISSUES. THANK YOU!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#886801April 25, 2001
SEATS
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING , APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, AND APPLYING BRAKES AND SEAT CAME LOOSE. DRIVER WAS FORCED INTO STEERING WHEEL, AND THEN WENT ALL WAY BACK, NOT ALLOWING DRIVER TO REACH THE PEDALS. ONLY COMPONENT THAT HELD THE SEAT TO VEHICLE WAS A WHEEL MOUNTED IN A TRACK. THERE WERE 2 SCREWS (3/4") THAT HAD COME LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THIS DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#885785April 12, 2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN, LOW BEAMS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A WIRING HARNESS MALFUNCTION. DEALER REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHT BULBS, AND REPLACED HEADLIGHT HARNESS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#743480April 3, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY PROBLEM. I STOPPED AT SIGNAL AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE ENGINE STOPPED AND I WAS ALMOST REAR END. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WAS TOWED. APPARENTLY THE BATTERY WAS FALLING OUT OF THE CAR AT 13,000 MILES. A FEW MONTHS LATER I HEARD A NOISE AND SLIPPING WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. AS IT TURNED OUT, ENGINE COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND A REBUILT WAS PUT IN. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE REBUILT WAS PUT IN, IT WAS MAKING SOME NOISE AND IT HAD INTERMITTENT LURCHING. I COMPLAINED TO VW OF AMERICA AND THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOOK CARE OF THE NOISE AND SAID THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO HELP WITH THE LURCH PROBLEM. I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT A MONTH AND A HALF AFTER GETTING THE REBUILT. I WENT INTO A POLE SIDEWAYS. I HAD AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST TEST DRIVE IT AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. HE REPORTED AN UNUSUALLY LONG PAUSE FOR ENGAGEMET. I BELIEVE THAT WHEN I WAS IN A ROLL FORWARD MOTION AND WOULD PUT MY FOOT TO THE GAS, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY AND LURCHED. THE REASON IT WAS INTERMITTENT , IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT SOMETIMES WHEN YOU WOULD BE IN A ROLLFORWARD MOTION IT WOULD BE IN GEAR AND NOT LURCH. IF IT WAS NOT IN GEAR DUE TO THE LONG PAUSE, YOU WOULD GET A LURCHING MOVEMENT. MY FIRST TRANSMISSION NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A POTENTIAL DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. WHEN I WAS TALKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT COMMONWEALTH, WITH MY FIRST TRANSMISSION, HE HAD STATED THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE JETTA TRANSMISSIONS.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#882482March 8, 2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ELECTRICAL WIRING LOCATED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO ENDGE OF VEHICLE BATTERY TRAY. WIRING BECAME DAMAGED BY CHAFING. AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND FUEL PUMP COULD MALFUNCTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#742096March 7, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
COOLANT LOSS ON TWO OCCASIONS CAUSING ENGINE TO BLOW, NO WARNING UNTIL LAST MINUTE, ALL FLUIDS AND MAINTENACE DONE AND UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, DEALER REFUSED TO PAY FOR NEW ENGINE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#880110February 8, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING PLASTIC COVER THAT PROTECTS ENGINE/ EXHAUST SYSTEM AND PLUGS DISENGAGED FROM UNDER VEHICLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#879057January 25, 2001
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT IS LOOSE FROM FLOORBOARD. THERE'S ALOT OF MOVEMENT WHEN DRIVING AND BRAKING. SEAT WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. CONSUMER WILL ATTACH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK SEAT BOLTS FAILED. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#739738January 22, 2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
AM DOING THIS FORM TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THERE ARE BEETLES AND PROBLEMS. ALSO THAT VW IS NOT STANDING BEHIND REPAIRING THESE PROBLEMS. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BLOWN (BAD WIRING) 4 TIMES AT NIGHT. NOT A FUN THING TO HAVE HAPPEN AT 65 MPH. YOU TRY STOPPING BLIND. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#877231January 2, 2001
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THIS VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 25 TO 30 MPH, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#785136December 19, 2000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S WINDOW FAILED. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#737895December 16, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE VW DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE ENGINE FAN CONTROL BOX WHICH ALSO BURNED WIRES IN THE ENGINE HARNESS THE DEALERSHIP ONLY REPAIRED WHAT THEY CONSIDERED NECESSARY. I WAS DRIVING 12/14/00, DURING THE RAIN AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, SIGNAL LIGHTS, AIR CONDITION, FAN CONTROL FOR HEAT, ETC., AND THE EMEMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ON WITHOUT BEING PULLED UP. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE MAY HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING IN THE VEHICLE DURING THE RAIN. I PAID ALMOST $700.00 TP HAVE THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FIXED AFTER ONLY OWNING THE CAR FOR ONLY 4 MONTHS. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE ASSIST ME IN FINDING OUT REPAIR INFORMATION BEFORE I INVEST ANY MORE $$$ INTO THIS VEHICLE?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#735823November 6, 2000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
FAILURE OF HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#735720November 4, 2000
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES REPLACED TWICE, WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AS WELL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#735693November 3, 2000
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
COMPLETE FAILURE OF UNIT. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMAN PROBLEM IN NEW VW'S. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#735367October 28, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I AM STUCK PAYING $650.00 IN REPAIRS FOR SOMETHING I THINK THE VW OR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY SHOULD COVER. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#734109October 12, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH CAR SINCE PURCHASE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#733295October 3, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW AND THIS IS THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD... THE LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT ON ME .. ALWAYS THE LEFT ONE FIRST THEN THE RIGHT FOLLOWS... LEAVING ME WITH ONLY THE BRIGHTS... DEALERSHIP HAS FIXED THEM MAYBE THREE TIMES NOW... AND NOW THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO .. LEAVING ME ONLY MY BRIGHT LIGHTS... DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE ELECTRICAL WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY AND SAID COULD BE FIXED AT A PRICE OF 350.00... NO WAY.. I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THAT WHEN HE SAID THEY WERE MADE WITH A DEFECT... THE SECOND THING GONE WRONG WAS MY BATTERY... THE FIRST TIME.. IT JUST GAVE A LOUD POP AND EVERYTHING DIED... DEALERSHIP FIXED IT AND.. THE SECOND TIME THE BATTERY WENT OUT IT GAVE ANOTHER LOUD POP BUT THIS TIME THE ACID FROM THE BATTERY EXPLODED OUT OF THE BATTERY AND ONTO THE DRIVEWAY...THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT .. THE THIRD TIME THE FUSES NEEDED TO BE CHANGED THAT ARE ON THE BATTERY...THE COOLING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING AS WELL WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO OVER HEAT... THEY FIXED IT AND MY WATER PUMP... A MONTH LATER.. THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN... HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO FIXED A SECOND TIME... . THE SWITCHES ON THE LEFT DOOR THAT CONTROL THE WINDOWS ARE BROKEN AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME.. THE FIRST TIME THEY FIXED IT.. NOW THEY WONT EVEN FIX IT.. THEY CLAIM ITS NOT ON MY WARRANTY AND WANT ME TO PAY 400.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED... WHEN WARRANTY COVERED IT THE FIRST TIME... AND NOW MY RIGHT WINDOW DONT WANT TO GO UP... DEALERSHIP AGAIN CLAIMS WARRANTY WONT COVER IT... WHEN MY INSURANCE AGENT SAYS IT WILL... DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT.. WANT ME TO PAY 600.00 TO HAVE IT FIX... NOW THE DEALERSHIP SAYS MY LEFT WINDOW WONT GO UP... SO NOW I HAVE TWO WINDOWS THAT WONT GO UP ...SO IN A BRIEF SUMMARY.. MY HEADLIGHTS FAILED FOUR MAYBE FIVE TIMES.... MY COOLING SYSTEM TWICE... MY WATER PUMP ONCE... MY WINDOW SWITCHES TWICE.... MY BATTERY TWICE... AND THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HELP MATTERS ANY EITHER... PLEASE GET BACK TO ME ON THIS...THANK YOU. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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