Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

2,629 consumer complaints on file.

#10184113March 3, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH. FIRST IT WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP, AFTER 2 MORE DAY IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. THIS CASE IS SIMILAR TO RECALL #04V584000, BUT THE CAR TYPE IS VW NEW BEETLE 2001. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183911March 1, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE HEATER AND IT WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE HEATER EVENTUALLY TURNED ON, THE BLOWER STOPPED ,AND FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM THE HEATER VENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,800. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER CONTROL SWITCH. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT A NON VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR SHOP. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183604February 27, 2007
WHEELS:RIM
2001 NEW BEETLE GL PROBLEM: DURING HEAVY SNOW FALLS GREATER THAN 6 INCHES, SNOW WILL ACCUMULATE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEELS (STEEL APPLICATION ONLY, NO COMMENT ON ALUMINUM WHEELS). WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE TIRES BECOME UNBALANCED WHICH CAUSES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WITH TREMENDOUS FORCE. MY LATEST EXPERIENCE WAS 2/14/06. THE VEHICLE SHAKE WAS SO BAD I COULD NOT DRIVE SAFELY OVER 40 MPH. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. ALL HE DID WAS PUT THE VEHICLE IN A HEATED GARAGE TO MELT THE ICE AND SNOW. APPARENTLY THIS WAS HAPPENING TO NUMEROUS NEW BEETLE OWNERS. THIS SITUATION WILL LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THUS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLS DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183607February 27, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2001 VW BEETLE - GASKET FOR HEADLIGHTS AND HEADLIGHT LENSES DETERIORATED. HAD TO HAVE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183217February 22, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE SERVICE REP AT UNIVERSITY VW REPORTED MY CAR NEEDED A NEW TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP - COST $1,500 (THE WORD WARRANTY WAS NEVER MENTIONED, SO I NEVER CONSIDERED THIS REPAIR MIGHT BE COVERED.) ANOTHER MECHANICS QUOTE FOR THE SAME JOB WAS $448. DURING REPAIR HE FOUND THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER WAS DEFECTIVE, SO MY TOTAL COST WAS $615 - STILL LESS THAN HALF OF THE QUOTE BY UNIVERSITY VW. (I ALSO HAD TO PAY UNIVERSITY $96 FOR THEIR RIP-OFF QUOTE.) I CONTACTED VW, WHO TOLD ME TO TAKE THE PART TO THE DEALER FOR CONFIRMATION OF DEFECT. DEFECT WAS CONFIRMED BY THEIR LEAD MECHANIC. (NOTE THAT HE CONFIRMED DEFECT AND NOT WORN OUT PART. I STILL HAVE ALL PARTS.) SERVICE MANAGER STATED HE WOULD FILE A CLAIM WITH VW FOR ME. HE CALLED ON 2/19 AND REPORTED MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. THE REQUEST WAS NOT MADE TO VW, BUT DECIDED BY HIS REGIONAL MANAGER. I CALLED VW ABOUT A CLAIM. ON 2/20 VW CLAIMS CALLED STATING MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. SHE STATED THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. SHE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY - IF I HAD NOT TAKEN IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC. I TOLD HER I WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, IF I HAD KNOWN IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY! (THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I LEARNED THE PROBLEM WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY!) I TOLD HER I WANTED TO APPEAL THIS DECISION, SO WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT? SHE STATED, "I AM EMPOWERED BY THE CEO OF VOLKSWAGEN, SO THERE ISN'T ANYONE HIGHER. YOUR CLAIM WILL NOT BE PAID." AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, THIS ENTIRE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A SERVICE CONSULTANT NOT TELLING ME THIS REPAIR WOULD BE (OR EVEN, MIGHT BE) COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AS A NON-MECHANICAL CUSTOMER, I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO EXPECT THAT SERVICE. IF I HAD BEEN TOLD THAT, I DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE LEFT MY CAR AT UNIVERSITY VW FOR THE REPAIRS, BUT I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE - EITHER PAY $1,500 OR $500. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183198February 21, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
CAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AAA HAS SEEN THIS CAR MORE THAN I HAVE OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. CURRENTLY AT 51,000 MILES THE TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE. VW SAYS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED VEHICLE WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHOEVER HEARD OF A TIMING BELT BREAKING AT 51,000 MILES!!! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183075February 20, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL*- THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 03V265000 CONCERNING EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH ON THE 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2004. EVER SINCE THE FIRST FAILURE, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE 4 TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A SOLUTION OTHER THAN REPLACING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, WHICH WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE SINCE THEY PERFORMED THE RECALL ONCE ALREADY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 82810. NEITHER THE SPEED NOR THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE A FACTOR IN THE FAILURE.*AK THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE SWITCH, HOWEVER IT FAILED AGAIN. UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182651February 15, 2007
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BUG. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED INCLUDING WHEN THE IGNITIONWAS STARTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE BENEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO MECHANICS, AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS AN AIRFLOW TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182459February 13, 2007
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN 2005. THE DEALER SAID THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG HAD TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR LATER, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME THE DEALER SAID THEY "FIXED" IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID. IN JANUARY 2007, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. I'M WORRIED THAT MY AIRBAGS WON'T WORK IN A COLLISION BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DEALER IS DOING AND THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHAT THE CONTINUING PROBLEM IS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182675February 7, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
2000 BEETLE CUSTOMER CAN'T GET AN APPOINTMENT TO FIXING A SAFETY RECALL N-4**CC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. RECALL# 06V183000. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181802February 6, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF ONE FORCED THE SWITCH ON AND OFF THE HEATER WOULD OPERATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGEWAS 996. THE CONTACT HAS AN APPOINTMENT AT A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181555February 5, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY VEHICLE 2001 VW BEETLE, I HAVE HAD A CONTINUOUS BEEPING AND ILLUMINATION OF VARIOUS CRAZY LIGHTS IN MY DASHBOARD. I HAVE CONTINUALLY TAKEN MY CAR TO VW, AT THE RATE OF $350+ EACH TIME, I AM AT MY WITS END...THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES CANNOT BE FOUND OR FIXED BY A VW REP, AND ARE A DANGER TO MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS, AND SURROUNDING CARS. I HAVE CONTACTED VW AMERICA, AND HAVE BEEN TREATED LIKE I WAS BOTHERING THEM. I HAD ONE SHOP IN SPRINGFIELD, MO FIX THE CONSTANT MIND BOGGLING BEEP THAT I'VE HAD TO LISTEN TO FOR YEARS NOW...THIS REPAIR OF THE BEEP LASTED THE LONGEST OF ALL...(1YEAR)...BUT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT MADE THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATE CONTINUALLY, SO THAT I NEVER COULD TELL IF I HAD BRAKE ISSUES OR NOT. THEN WHEN MY VEHICLE NEEDED TO HAVE A SMOG TEST FOR REGISTRATION BACK IN CA...THE VW SHOP IN CA SAID THEY WOULD NOT SMOG THE VEHICLE UNLESS OF COURSE I PAID ANOTHER $350 TO FIX THE BRAKE LIGHT, AND WHILE THEY FIXED IT, THEY BROUGHT BACK THE BEEP AND THE VARIOUS OTHER DASHBOARD ILLUMINATIONS...I AM SICK OF THIS COMPANY (VW AMERICA)...I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THEIR SERVICE, AND LACK OF CONSUMER WELFARE. I REQUEST THAT YOU HAVE THEM REPLENISH OUR DRAINED SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND RETURN ALL MONIES SPENT ON THESE TYPES OF FLAWS. WE AS CONSUMERS THOUGHT WE WERE GETTING A GOOD LITTLE GAS SAVING CAR...IT'S A NIGHTMARE!!! THERE ARE 110 COMPLAINTS SO FAR...ON THIS SITE...HOW MANY DOES IT TAKE FOR US ALL TO GET OUR MONEY BACK, AND THE REPAIR MONEYS AS WELL. I'M WILLING TO TRY A CLASS ACTION SUIT AT THIS POINT...ANYONE WITH ME CAN REACH ME AT WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DIAMONDBLUE777 PLEASE LET ME KNOW...PLEASE HELP US ALL, THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE A HAZARD TO MYSELF, MY SON, MY PASSENGERS, AND THE PEOPLE DRIVING NEXT TO ME. PLEASE ORDER VOLKSWAGEN TO REFUND OUR MONEYS FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE READ OVER 500 COMPLAINTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS...THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR YOU TO ORDER IT TO STOP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181513February 3, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:UNIT
THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD SOME TIMES WORK , OR THEY JUST STOP WORKING FOR DAYS AT A TIME AM GOING TO TAKE CAR IN TO DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND HAVE IT FIXED. NOW THEY HAVE FAILED ALL TOGETHER AND AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO GET IN TO A ACCIDENT IF I DON'T GET THEM FIXED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181437February 2, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2000 TURBO ENGINE BEETLE WITH 68,700 MILES WAS 'CHUGGING' LIKE A DIESEL IMMEDIATELY AFTER NON-RELATED WARRANTY REPAIR AT THE DEALER. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER WHO QUOTED $1500 TO REPLACE TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP. PAID $95 FOR THEIR DIAGNOSIS AND TOOK THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC WHO DID THE SAME REPAIR FOR $450! HOWEVER, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE "TIMING BELT TENSIONER" WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE BELT TO WEAR OUT. THIS WAS AN ADDITIONAL $150 COST FOR THAT PART. I HAVE ALL THE PARTS FROM THE REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181133January 30, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE CONTACT HAD ALREADY HAD THE REPAIR DONE WHEN THE RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED. THE CONTACT WENT THROUGH THE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND RECEIVED A CHECK FOR $67.59. THE CONTACT PAID A TOTAL OF $224.46. THE CONTACT CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TO SEE WHY HE RECEIVED THIS AMOUNT, AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS ALL THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180755January 25, 2007
STRUCTURE
AFTER ANY RAIN ON MY NON-MOVING 2003 VW NEW BEETLE WATER COLLECTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT FLOOR PAN CAUSING THE CAR TO STINK AND MOLD TO GROW. I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO CLEAR THE SUNROOF DRAIN WITH VERY LIMITED SUCCESS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTENTLY RETURNS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180614January 24, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT MADE A SAFETY REPAIR ON HIS VEHICLE, AND HE LATER RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER. THE CONTACT HAS MADE ATTEMPTS TO BE REIMBURSED BY THE MANUFACTURER, AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED, STATING THAT THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE SAFETY RECALL AFTER THE FACT, AND HE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181591January 24, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
1999 WW BEETLE WITH MANY PROBLEMS INCLUDING SHIFTING, BRAKE SWITCH (RECALL N4)**CC THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK, WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH. THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER ALREADY HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE. THE CONSUMER DIDN'T TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER BECAUSE THEY WOULD ONLY HAD PAID FOR THE SWITCH AND NOT THE LABOR BECAUSE AT THE TIME, THE RECALL WAS NOT IN EFFECT. THE SERPENTINE BELT AND STARTER WAS REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177518January 2, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 12-28-06 VEHICLE WHICH WAS PARKED CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND MADE A REPORT. THE FIREMAN SAID THAT THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY MELTED, AND COULD HAVE BEEN THE POSSIBLE REASON FOR THE FIRE. THAT 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE SHE HEARD WHISTLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND SAW DARK GRAY SMOKE COMING OUT. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE CAR WAS IN IDLE AT THE TIME SHE HEARD THE NOISE AND SAW THE SMOKE. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALL 98V100000 WHICH THE CONTACT FELT COULD BE THE POSSIBLE REASON FOR THE FIRE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177450January 1, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF--FORUM SAYS MAY AIR BAGS MAY NOT WORK WITH LIGHT ON. IT SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH VW BUGS FOR YEARS. SHOULD BE A RECALL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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