Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10239185August 21, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT IMMEDIATELY BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
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
#10237892August 12, 2008
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES ON NOV 15,2005 CAUSE:00591 LT SIDE BELT SWITCH IT WAS REPLACED. ON DEC/12/ 20007 THE TEST DIAGNOSTIC AND CONFIRM FAULT COD 00591,DRIVERS SEAT BELT SWITCH FAULTY. ESTIMATE FORE SERVICE $472.00 I HAD TO DECLINED .IF THEY REPLACED IT TWO YEARS AGO IT SHOULDN'T HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237717August 11, 2008
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT - THE LIGHT WENT ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER I ADJUSTED MY SEAT. I DO NOT KNOW IF I HAVE FUNCTIONING AIR BAGS OR AN IDIOT LIGHT MALFUNCTION. I OWN 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS ISSUE HAPPENS A LOT WITH VW JETTAS AND NEW BEETLES 2000- 2004. THERE IS A FORUM NAMED FREDS TDI WHERE YOU WILL NOTE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES. APPARENTLY YOU CANNOT JUST CLEAR THE FAULTY CODE. VW SHOULD MAKE SURE THESE DEVICES ARE NOT MALFUNCTIONING. IF THE CODE WAS ERRONEOUSLY CLEARED THE DRIVER/PASSENGERS WOULD BE UNAWARE IF AIR BAG IS OPERATIONAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237756August 11, 2008
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/15/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237364August 7, 2008
AIR BAGS
THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 47,000 MILES ON IT AND THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. THIS AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN USED OR DEPLOYED. IT IS NOT DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $700 FOR A NEW AIRBAG. I BELIEVE THE DEALER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT IF THEY EQUIPPED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237207August 6, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
DEFECTIVE PART. CATALYST FAILED ON OUR 2001 NEW BEETLE TURBO. THIS VEHICLE, FOR SOME REASON, WAS NOT OF WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS ISSUE FROM 80,000 TO 120,000. WE DID NOT GET ANY NOTICE, AND, AS A RESULT, VW REFUSES TO REPLACE OUR CATALYST AS WE HAVE 85,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237014August 5, 2008
SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR, AND SEAT BOUNCES AS I DRIVE. WAS REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP IN DEC 2007, BROKE AGAIN IN JUNE 2008. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. SUGGESTS REPLACING THE SEAT FRAME FOR $700. NORMAL USE OF A DRIVERS SEAT SHOULD NOT CAUSE THIS TYPE OF AN ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236251July 29, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN HIS VEHICLE WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DUE TO RESISTANCE IN THE WARNING LIGHT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF EIGHT TIMES. THE MOST RECENT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WAS IN DECEMBER OF 2006 AND THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. IN JULY OF 2008, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONTACT CONSULTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V178000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE), BUT THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL. THE RECALL WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON APPROXIMATELY JULY 31, 2008. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR SOMEONE FROM VOLKSWAGEN TO CALL BACK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,694.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235807July 25, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I HAVE A 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. I HAVE REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT, WHICH WAS DRAINS THE BATTERY, SERPENTINE BELT, REMOTELESS KEY WHICH IS STILL BROKEN- BASICALLY 6 DAYS AFTER BUYING THIS CAR- I SPENT $1200 ON REPAIRS- NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTING FUNNY, AND BASICALLY- MY VW DEALERSHIP HAS A FIELD DAY WITH ME. TO TOP IT OFF- MY BATTERY DIED A MONTH AGO- AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN I TRIED TO JUMP IT. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS CAR WILL BLOW UP ON ME AT ANY TIME. PLEASE HELP ME! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235586July 24, 2008
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235116July 21, 2008
AIR BAGS
RE: ILLUMINATION OF AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. CAME ON AGAIN 1 WEEK LATER AND A CRASH SENSOR WAS REPLACED, AGAIN UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. CAME ON AGAIN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER AND WAS CHARGED DUE TO EXPIRATION OF FACTORY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MANUFACTURER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234645July 17, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED, SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AT EVER INCREASING SPEEDS UNTIL DISENGAGED. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, WITHOUT WARNING AND SEEMINGLY WITHOUT A COMMON DENOMINATOR (SUCH AS 30 MIN AFTER ENGAGED OR AT A PARTICULAR SPEED). IT DOES HAPPEN WITH MORE REGULARITY EXCEEDING SPEEDS OF 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED AT 45-50 MPH AS WELL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO SUBSEQUENTLY DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233785July 10, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
APPROX 2-3 WEEKS AGO MY 2004 VOLKSWAGEN CONVERTIBLE BACK WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP. THE REGULATOR/MOTOR IS THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS UNDER A RECALL, BUT I CANNOT FIND THE RECALL ANYWHERE ON INTERNET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE 800-822-8987 AND REPORTED THIS. THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JANUARY. I HAVE BEEN TO DEALER SHIP 3 TIMES BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED FOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. NOW THE BACK WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233067July 2, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
CONVERTIBLE ROOF DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT DOES NOT GO COMPLETELY UP OR DOWN. THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE ROOF. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE ROOF IN ANY POSITION OTHER THAN COMPLETELY UP OR DOWN. THE ROOF BLOCKS THE FIELD OF VIEW AND THEREFORE MAKES IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ADDITIONALLY THE WIND CATCHES ON THE ROOF AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HAVE CONTROL ISSUES. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED MANY TIMES EACH YEAR AT THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231630June 19, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN TWO OF THE VW NEW BEETLES. ONE IS 2002 AND THE OTHER IS 2003. BOTH OF THEM HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE TAILLIGHT/STOPLIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CONTACT DESIGN IN THE BULB SOCKET. IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE ASSEMBLY OUT AND BEND THE CONTACT TO PUT MORE SPRING IN THEM WHICH PUTS MORE PRESSURE AGAINST THE BULB. THIS MAY FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A TIME ( 1 TO 60 DAYS) THEN THE PROBLEM REVERTS. ALL PARTS ARE OEM EQUIPMENT. I HAVE CONTACTED VW ABOUT THIS AND THERE IS NOT A RECALL. I WOULD THINK THAT TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LIGHTS WOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY FAMILIES SAFETY AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A MANDATORY RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231468June 18, 2008
AIR BAGS
FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IN MY DAUGHTER'S 2002 NEW BEETLE LIT UP. AFTER A COSTLY ($315) DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS RESISTANCE IN THE SEAT BUCKLE. WHEN I SCHEDULED THE DIAGNOSIS, THE SERVICE DESK PERSON PREDICTED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THAT INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT. SHE ALSO SAID THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT IS ON. WHICH IN ITS SELF IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231151June 16, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
REAR WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP. WAS TOLD IT IS THE WINDOW REGULATOR & IT IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230928June 13, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DIESEL TURBO SEALS AND/OR BEARING FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN OIL FILLING THE INNER COOLER AND AIR TUBES--THIS RESULTED IN OIL BEING TAKEN INTO THE INTAKE AND FILLING THE CYLINDERS--THIS LED TO HYDRO LOCK OF THE ENGINE AND CYLINDER DAMAGE--HAD THE VEHICLE NOT JUST BEEN STARTED WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED, THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN RUNAWAY ENGINE RPM'S AND NO WAY TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO THE ENGINE BLOWING UP AND/OR FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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