Volkswagen Beetle Complaints (2005)

261 consumer complaints on file.

#11705055December 15, 2025
AIR BAGS
The contact's son owned a 2005 Volkswagen Beetle Turbocharged. The contact stated that while her son was driving at 60 MPH during early evening hours, he traveled over black ice in the road, which caused the vehicle to spin around several times before crashing into the guardrail and concrete wall several times, striking the front and rear of the vehicle, where it eventually came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. The front passenger side occupant sustained a severe concussion. The driver sustained a spinal curvature injury and a severe concussion. Medical attention was received, and both occupants were seen at a hospital. There were no warning lights illuminated before or after the failure. The police were on the scene, but it was unknown if a police report was filed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V178000 (Air Bags). The contact spoke with the sheriff, who referred to a lawyer. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The contact was notified of the crash through the 360 app. A local dealer was able to be located. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11452921February 19, 2022
POWER TRAIN
my 2005 VW Beetle auotmatic has 96k miles. When taking off the car shudders hard on 1st and 2nd gear. It feels like the transmission is out to fall out of the car. It also stops moving forward at times. I have quit driving it due to fear of getting hit. I feel this is a very dangerous and could cause serious injuries to me and other drivers. Please help
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427169July 30, 2021
AIR BAGS
Passenger Air Bag Off. Light comes on.0
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339544July 15, 2020
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I WASA DRIVING AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN.AOLL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE DASHAND IT JUJST STOP POWER THE STEARING WHEEL LOCKED .I WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOD GOING SPEED LIMIT IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY I DONT KNOW WHAT WOULD OF HAPPEN , IM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11329670June 18, 2020
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT THAT IS LOCATED ON THE DASH IS ON. TOOK TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THAT PART IS NO LONGER MADE. WITHOUT THIS SENSOR THE AIR BAG IS RENDERED USELESS. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS THE CODE THAT IS GIVEN 00003 CONTROL MODULE DEFECTIVE. AND 00532 SUPPLY VOLTAGE LOWER LIMIT NOT REACHED. AIR BAG MODULE HAD INTERNAL FAILURE. WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AND CHECK PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. IN THE EVIDENT I WANT TO SELL THIS VEHICLE I CAN NOT DUE TO THIS FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11292351December 31, 2019
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HARD SHIFTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CRAIN VOLKSWAGEN OF FAYETTEVILLE (LOCATED AT 2011 WEST FOXGLOVE DR, FAYETTEVILLE, AR 72704, (479) 695-5900), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. *LN*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11230963July 11, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE LIGHT BULBS ARE SHORT FUSE ABOUT EVERY YEAR. I THINK WATER GETS IN.I PURSHASE IT 0N 2011 H ON A USE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11194478April 7, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I BOUGHT USED. ONE HEADLIGHT WAS WORKING. THE OTHER ONE WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER I GOT IT. WE REPLACED THE HID LIGHTS WITH BRAND NEW HALOGEN LIGHTS. WAS WORKING GREAT! THEN I WAS DRIVING TO TOWN LATE ONE NIGHT AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE LOW BEAMS, I STILL HAD THE HIGH BEAMS. THEN I GOT PULLED OVER CAUSE MY TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. SO I HAD TO DRIVE WITH MY FLASHERS ON. THEN THE CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I NEED A NEW SEAT BELT, CAUSE IT IS NOT WORKING RIGHT. THE DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN A LITTLE WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. THE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE MAKING ME MAD CAUSE NO MATTER WHAT WE HAVE DONE THEY NEVER WORK. HELP!!! I WANT IT FIXED!! I LOVE MY LITTLE CONVERTIBLE. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GET RID OF IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11191179March 24, 2019
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON JUST WONDERING IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE TAKATA RECALL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11142675October 25, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY, I HEARD A "CLICK" THEN A "POOF", THEN THE CAR LOST POWER, IN TRAFFIC! IT WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WE ALWAYS USE. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FUSE BOX/ALTERNATOR CABLE MELTED. THEY SAID THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BEETLE. WE CHECKED TO SEE IF WE MISSED ANY RECALLS AND WERE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY ON SUCH A DANGEROUS ISSUE! I AM INCLUDING SCREEN CAPTURED IMAGES FROM VIDEO WE HAVE OF THE PROBLEM BEING INSPECTED. WE ALSO HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM THE MECHANIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11138907October 7, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VISIBILITY/WIPER
MY VIN NUMBER ON CAR IS DIFFERENT FROM THE VIN NUMBER ON MOTOR. I JUST FOUND THIS OUT ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. I WASN'T TOLD THIS WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE.. SO, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM OR NOT. ITS A 2005 VW, WITH A 2004 ENGINE FROM A SLAVAGE YARD, BANDB, OR B AND R?? THIS CAUSED ME GREAT ALARM. THE WIRING SINCE HAD TO BE DONE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. ALSO, THE BELLY PAN HAD BEEN MISSING. I HAD IT FIXED. AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAD TO BE REPAIRED TOO. THIS CAR HAS COST ME THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS SINCE PURCHASE. AND I DON'T HAVE MORE THOUSANDS TO PUT IN IT. PLEASE HELP I HOPE THE CAR IN EXCELLENT SHAPE NOW. ALSO, I NOTICED THE DIP STICK BROKE TO OIL CHECK AND HADN'T BEEN PRIOR TO MY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. ALSO, THE CAR HAS A SOFT TOP AND I WAS TOLD WAS NEWLY REPLACED IN 5/2018. BUT IT SEEMS TO HAVE A DIFFERENT LOOK INSIDE THEN A TIGHT SHAPE REGARDING TOP, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS SHOULD BE OR NOT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11129605September 14, 2018
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2005 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE WAS NOT WORKING. I AM NOT ABLE TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED BECAUSE THE SENSOR LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF! I LOOKED UP RECALL PARTS FOR MY CAR, AND I NOW SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAG: FRONTAL: SENSOR / CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL STATES THAT THE SOLDIER JOINT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, AND THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE FALL BACK ALGORITHM WILL ENSURE THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. HOPEFULLY I WILL NOT NEED THEM AND WILL NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I WANT THE DEALER TO REPLACE THIS CONTROL MODULE THAT WAS RECALLED, AND FIX MY CAR SO I CAN GET IT TO PASS INSPECTION, AND GET BACK TO DRIVING IT SAFELY. THANK YOU, (XXXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11120493August 16, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT PROPERLY WHEN TURNED ON TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. LIGHTS ONLY STAY IN DAYTIME MODE. TOO DARK TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSE TO SEE IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11096750May 18, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED BILL MARINE VOLKSWAGEN AT (937) 210-4257 (LOCATED AT 415 E NORTH ST, SPRINGFIELD, OH 45503) AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11083572April 6, 2018
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR DOWNSHIFTS INTO A LOWER GEAR WITH A 'HARD' SOUND. SOMETIMES AFTER THE CAR IS WARM IT TAKES A MOMENT TO GO INTO GEAR FROM A FAST SPEED TO A SLOW OR STOP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11082012March 29, 2018
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (CLAY COOLEY VOLKSWAGEN PARK CITIES 6223, 5555 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209 (469) 425-9452) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT CONTROL SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. *TT *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11076784March 7, 2018
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION SLIPS OR DOWNSHIFT VERY HARD CAUSES SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE SPEED AND OR LOSS OF CONTROL AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR ON SECONDARY ROADWAYS CAUSING FOLLOWING VEHICLES TO EITHER HEAVY BRAKING OR SWURVE TO AVOID REAR END COLLESION WITH THE VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11044494November 8, 2017
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" THIS VEHICLE AIRBAG SIGNAL LIGHT SHOWS ON THE GAUGE AND DOES NOT GO OFF DURING DRIVING FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10971456April 8, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP - WAS INSPECTED BY EK AUTOMOTIVE IN CHICAGO. HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY IS NOT CONNECTING TO POWER SUPPLY THEREFORE, THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN! . EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT GOES OUT !! VW NEEDS TO FIX THIS AT THEIR EXPENSE!! I'VE SEEN SO MANY NEW BEETLES WITH ONE HEADLIGHT OUT...MAKE IT RIGHT!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10969325March 29, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DRIVERS WINDOW DOES NOT WORK. THEY ARE USING INFERIOR PARTS THAT ARE KNOWN TO BREAK. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING AND THE TRUNK WILL NOT WORK USING THE REMOTE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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