Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10197398July 24, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
MECHATRONIC UNIT FAILURE IN TRANSMISSION. FAILURE CAUSED CAR TO GO INTO "LIMP MODE" (ONLY ABLE TO TRAVEL IN 1ST AND 3RD GEARS, REVERSE INOPERABLE, CAR NEARLY STALLED AT 20 MPH GOING FROM 1ST TO 3RD GEAR). REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE: $1800 FOR PART, $400 FOR LABOR, $200 FOR RENTAL CAR DURING TIME CAR WAS IN THE SHOP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197075July 20, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIR BAG FAULT LIGHTS HAS BEEN COMING ON AND GOING OFF FOR OVER A YEAR,,, EVERYTIME I GET TIME TO GO BY AND GET IT FIXED, IT GOES OFF, HOOKED THE COMPUTER UP AND IT SHOWS NO FAULT... NOW IT IS ON ALL THE TIME, I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED BUT AT GREAT EXPENSE TO ME,,, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT REALLY HURTING ANYTHING.. I WAS TOLD THAT IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING, BUT I WONDER... THE ONLY WAY TO FIND OUT IS HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND I DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT, SO WE , THE OWNERS ARE AT THE MERCY OF THE VW CORPORATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196382July 15, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH, P/N 1CO 953 235 FAILED CAUSING TURN SIGNALS TO WORK ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. REPLACEMENT OF SWITCH WITH P/N 1CO 953 235 B RESTORED PROPER OPERATION. COMMUNICATIONS/LETTER DATED JUNE 25, 2007 WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION) TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA SETTING FORTH THIS CONDITION AS AN EXPANSION OF THE CURRENT RECALL OF JETTAS AND GOLF MODELS , RECALL 04V584000) WITH SAME SYMPTONS AND CURE, WITH REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT, HAS BEEN IGNORED. FAILED SWITCH WA SRETAINED, AND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THIRD PARTIES FOR ENGINEERING ANALYSIS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196306July 13, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE WIPER ARM DETACHED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195643July 9, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, 98. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK AROUND 9:00 AM. THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT TURN PAST 2. I COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN OFF EITHER. SMOKE THEN BEGAN TO COME OUT FROM AROUND THE VENTS OF THE AC. I PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD, CALLED MY WORK, AND MY FIANCE. THE SMOKE THEN GOT WORSE, THEN WERE FLAMES. I THEN CALLED 911. POLICE AND FIRE TRUCKS ARRIVED. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE INSIDE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND MOST OF THE OUTSIDE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195504July 6, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
PASSENGER WINDOW NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. FALLS INTO DOOR. I HEARD A CRACK AND THEN THE WINDOW NO LONGER WORKED. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE VW DEALER FOR THE RECALL ON THE WINDOW REGULATORS. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE WINDOW CLIPS ON MY CAR WERE NOT BROKEN SO THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY WINDOW REGULATOR. STATING THAT ONLY THE WINDOW CLIPS ARE UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE TWO LETTERS FROM VWOFA STATING THERE IS" A LIMITED WARRANTY COVERING THE REPAIR OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE FRONT DOOR WINDOW MECHANISMS IN YOUR CAR." AFTER CONTACTING VWOFA THEY STILL SAY THEY WILL NOT FIX MY WINDOW SINCE THE WINDOW CLIPS ARE NOT BROKEN. THE TECH AT THE VW DEALERSHIP REPORTS THAT "THE CABLES TO THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR BINDING." SO NOW I HAVE MY WINDOW HELD IN PLACE BY THREE PIECES OF TAPE THAT THE DEALERSHIP PUT THERE TO KEEP THE WINDOW FROM FALLING INTO THE DOOR AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE WINDOW REGULATOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195258July 3, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE PLASTIC TUBE THAT EXTENDS FROM THE VACUUM PUMP TO THE VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER IS CRACKED AND DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHOUT THIS PIECE, BRAKE FAILURE IS LIKELY TO OCCUR. AS A RESULT, HE WOULD HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD IN ORDER FOR THEM TO WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,957. THE CONSUMER STATED PLASTIC LINE REPLACED WITH 3/8" VACUUM LINE. UPDATED 07/26/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10194027June 22, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
I HAVE TWO VOLKSWAGEN BEETLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. LAST YEAR BEFORE WE WERE AWARE OF THIS RECALL, THE CAR LEFT ME ABANDONED AT THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM PARKING LOT. I WAITED FOR HALF AN HOUR AND THEN IT WENT OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET HOME. THE PROBLEM CORRECTED ITSELF AND YESTERDAY WHEN I GOT OUT OF WORK IT DID THE SAME BUT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME AFTER. NOW THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN ALLOW ME TO PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE TO GET IT TO THE DEALER FOR THIS RECALL AND VOLKSWAGEN, EMPLOYEE BY THE NAME OF AMY AT 1-800-822-8987, SAYS I NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED AT MY EXPENSE IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE FIXED. THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE CAR TO BE TOWED TO GET FIXED. VOLKSWAGEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE IS REFUSING TO TOW IT TO GET IT FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193906June 21, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR, I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF. IT DID NOT GO OFF. THEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO TENSION. THERE WAS NO BRAKING ACTION AT ALL. I DROVE ALONG SOME GRASSY AREAS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO SLOW THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NO DECELERATING, AND HIT A TREE AT ABOUT 50 MPH. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED. THE CAR WAS SOLD TO A JUNK YARD BECAUSE THE REPAIR COSTS WERE TOO HIGH AND BECAUSE THE REPAIR FACILITY SAID THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKES FAILED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
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
#10193691June 19, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE # 5 AND # 9 FUSES. THE FUSES BLEW THE SAME DAY AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE MORE WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING MELTED WIRING. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH SOME WIRES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL # 02V031000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 92,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193586June 18, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START IN VERY COLD WEATHER. SHE NOTIFIED A REPAIR SHOP THAT CAME OUT AND GOT THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST SHOP WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ENOUGH OIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE COMPUTER BOARD WAS CHANGED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193649June 18, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLASS ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS BEGUN TO SEPARATE FROM THE CANVAS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO PAY 75% OF THE REPLACEMENT COST. AS OF JUNE 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193666June 18, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I PURCHASED A USED 2004 VOLKSWAGON CONVERTIBLE NEW BEETLE TURBO IN APRIL 2005 . I NOTICED THE OIL LIGHT KEPT COMING ON , SO I SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILDUP, AND STATED THAT UNLESS I HAD RECEIPTS ON RECENT OIL CHANGE, THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. I WAS FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I WAS PAYING ON A FAIRLY NEW VOLKSWAGEN, AND COUD NOT EVEN DRIVE IT. THEY HAD QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $5,000 TO REPAIR IT . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193663June 18, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WATER INSIDE AUTOMOBILE DAMAGED ELECTONICS. APPEARED TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192185May 31, 2007
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
I WAS THE PASSENGER IN MY PARENTS' 2006 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE YESTERDAY AND WE WERE STOPPED AT A 4 WAY STOP WHEN WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND BY A DELIVERY VEHICLE. I HAD MY SEATBELT FASTENED SECURELY, HOWEVER, THE MECHANISM FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, SOMEHOW COMING UNLATCHED, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HIT THE DASH OR WINDSHIELD WITH MY FACE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY FRONT TEETH. I WENT TO THE DENTIST THIS MORNING AND WAS TOLD THAT MY TEETH COULD HAVE LONG TERM DAMAGE, SOME OF WHICH MIGHT NOT SHOW UP FOR WEEKS, MONTHS, OR EVEN YEARS FROM NOW. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE SEATBELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT RETRACT LIKE IT DID ON THE DRIVERS' SIDE AND YOU COULD DEFINITELY SEE DAMAGE AROUND THE AREA WHERE THE SEATBELT RETRACTS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10191719May 25, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE BATTERY AND THE ECP WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE TIMING BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR FREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 38,000 MILES AND 49,000 MILES. THE TIMING BELT WAS REMOVED TO REPLACE THE PUMP. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191336May 21, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH WINDOWS THAT ROLL DOWN SLIGHTLY WHEN THE DOOR IS AJAR AND ROLL BACK UP WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. HOWEVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THIS FEATURE FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED, BUT A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. OFTENTIMES, THE CONTACT WOULD HEAR WIND NOISE WHILE DRIVING OR WATER WOULD ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190895May 16, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
02 NB WITH 7700 MILES, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOLD SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK WITH THIS FAULT. TOOK TO ROYAL VOLKWAGEN, WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH AIR BAG COMPUTER, SO, SORRY. NO OFFER TO INVESTIGATE NOR FIX PROBLEM. SPOKE WITH VOLKWAGEN CARE LINE, WHAT A JOKE, SORRY, NOT UNDER WARRANTY. COME ON VOLKSWAGEN, LETS DO A RECALL, OR DO YOU REALLY NOT CARE ABOUT OUR LIVES??? GERMAN ENGINEERING MY MONEY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190926May 16, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I OWN A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE THAT I BOUGHT NEW. LAST YEAR ONE OF THE LENS COVERS ON THE HEADLIGHT FELL OFF. I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO THE PART FALLING OFF AS I WAS DRIVING. I REPLACED IT THROUGH EBAY. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THE OTHER FACTORY HEADLIGHT LENS COVER FELL OFF . IT SEEMED THE SEALANT THAT WAS BEING USED WAS DRYING OUT, CAUSING THE LENS TO COME LOOSE AND FALL OFF THE ASSEMBLY. LAST WEEK, THE HEADLIGHT , THAT I REPLACED THROUGH EBAY, ALSO FELL APART, WITH THE LENS COVER COMING OFF. IF I GO THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE LENS COVERS IT WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $ 250.00 A PIECE FOR THEM. I AM NOW LOOKING AT HAVING TO REPLACE TWO OF THEM AT A COST OF MORE THAN $500.00. THIS TO ME SEEMED TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT AS IT KEPT HAPPENING.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Beetle