1998 Volkswagen Beetle

Defect. The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Risk. A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Defect. K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Defect. CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy. AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.

Risk. THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENDGE OF THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY TRAY. THE WIRING CAN BECOME DAMAGED OVER TIME BY CHAFING AND THE AIR-CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND/OR THE FUEL PUMP CAN MALFUNCTION.

Risk. A MALFUNCTION OF THE FUEL PUMP CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AND IN SOME INSTANCES, COULD ALSO RESULT IN A WIRING FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED BATTERY TRAY AND INSPECT, PROPERLY ROUTE, AND SECURING THE WIRING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS.

Separation between belts near the sidewall Cooper cs5 grand touring 205/65 r16. I have had 4 tires that this has happened to. Replaced both front tires twice. This seems to be a recurring problem with these tires.

The driver was driving the speed limit (55 mph) and tried to slow down as they approached a red light. The brakes failed to work, and the driver rear-ended the vehicle waiting at the stoplight. The airbags did not deploy.

DON'T WORK

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL, CAR STALLED, RESTARTED CAR THEN SAW SMOKE AND FIRE UNDER PASSENGER SIDE DASH. CAR BURNT COMPLETELY, TOTALED. HAVE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES. ..UPDATED 11/12/14 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON A/C. WHEN A/C WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY, SHE PULLED OFF ROADWAY AND STOPPED. SMOKE AND BURNING ODOR CAME OUT OF VENTS, WITH FIRE EVENTUALLY SHOWING FROM CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL. INTERIOR OF VEHICLE WAS FULLY INVOLVED IN FIRE WHEN FD ARRIVED. ENGINE COMPARTMENT NOT INVOLVED. RADIO OPERATING PROPERLY PRIOR TO INCIDENT. NO PRIOR ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. *TR

TWO SMALL BOLTS THAT HOLD DOWN THE FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BECAME LOOSE AND OVER TIME THEY EVENTUALLY BROKE COMPLETELY FREE ALLOWING THE SEAT TO ROLL AND TIP BACKWARD AND SIDEWAYS. THIS WAS A COMPLETE SHOCK WHEN IT OCCURED, I HAD NOTICED THE SEAT BECOMING LOOSE BUT THEN TO HAVE IT BREAK FREE WAS A SCARE. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT A CRASH AND INJURY AS A RESULT. IT APPEARS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO IT IS SURPRISING THAT THAT CARS ARE NOT RECALLED TO HAVE THREAD LOCKER OR DIFFERENT BOLTS INSTALLED. *TR

WINDOWS STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN RANDOMLY AND DOORS LOCKING/UNLOCKING RANDOMLY. AS I WAS REACHING THROUGH MY WINDOW TO GRAM MY KEYS FROM THE IGNITION MY ARM GOT PINCHED, AND LODGED IN THE WINDOW THAT WAS GOING UP, (I WAS TRYING TO GET MY KEYS BEFORE GETTING LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR (AGAIN) DUE TO THE RANDOM LOCKING AND UNLOCKING). AUTO REVERSAL OF THE WINDOWS WHEN AN APPENDAGE GETS LODGED IN THE WINDOW DID NOT OCCUR. THIS PINCHED AND LODGED MY LEFT ARM IN THE WINDOW TO A POINT OF BRUISING AN AREA OF 4 INCHES BY 2 INCHES. AFTER EXHAUSTIVELY RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE (WHICH IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE DOOR LOCK MODULES ON THE 98-02 VW BEETLES WITH THE OLD STYLE "LOUD" POWER LOCKS) I CONCLUDED THAT THE DOOR LOCK MODULE AND THE DOOR CLOSED MICROSWITCH WERE WITH CULPRITS OF THIS INCIDENT. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT THIS ONLY OCCURRED TO A 32 YEAR OLD MAN AND NOT ONE OF MY 4 SMALL CHILDREN (7MO-7 YEARS). VWOA SHOULD DO THEIR RESEARCH AND SEE THAT HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF VW OWNERS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE DLMS ON MULTIPLE DOORS AT A COST OF AT LEAST $200+ EACH DOOR (MORE AT THE DEALERSHIP). THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE SAFETY FACTOR ALONE, LET ALONE THE INCONVENIENCE FACTOR OF HAVING TO REPLACE A DLM BECAUSE OF A $3 MICROSWITCH AT THE DOOR CLOSED SENSOR, OR 1 OF 6 BAD SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD INSIDE THE DOOR LOCK MODULE. INFORMATION ON THE EXACT PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND ON MULTIPLE VW REPAIR SITES (TDICLUB.COM; VWVORTEX.COM; NEWBEETLE.ORG; ETC, ETC, ETC) I DO UNDERSTAND THAT MY CAR

THE VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING IN 9/2010. AFTER PAYING FOR REPAIR OF THE AC SYSTEM IT STILL DID NOT WORK AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE WIRING AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. RECENTLY, 4/2012, THE GAS PEDAL HAS STARTED TO FLUCTUATE ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR MUST BE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF FOR TO RESET THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THEN STARTED AGAIN TO CONTROL THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR AT FREQUENT INTERVALS. I CONTACTED VW AFTER READING ABOUT THE RECALLS CONCERNING ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUSED BY A WIRE CONNECTION TOO CLOSE TO THE BATTERY TRAY (RECALL ID # 11675 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD) THEY TOLD ME THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL WAS IN THE SAME 1998 MODEL YEAR. I TOLD THEM WE ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE CAR IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WE ARE LEFT TO DIY ON THIS ONE. IS THERE ANY RESOLTION THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED HERE? IT SEEMS IT SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE RECALLED/REPAIRED BY VW. *TR

I PURCHASED A 98' VW NEW BEETLE 3 DAYS AGO FROM A DEALER AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE W/ IT UNTIL TODAY. THE CAR STARTED OVER HEATING AND COME TO FIND OUT THE ENGINE FUSE HAD MELTED OVER THE BATTERY TERMINAL THAT RUNS THE COOLANT FAN. AFTER THE FUSE WAS REPLACED THE TEMP. LIGHT WENT OUT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD THE CODES READ AND IT SAD IT WAS A P0332 KNOCK SENSOR 2 CIRCUIT LOW. I'VE READ ALOT OF SIGHTS AND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAID THEY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TOO, BUT I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO FIX YET. I ALSO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE READ IN OTHER POSTS ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO GET YOUR CAR STARTED. I TURN THE KEY EVERYTHING COMES ON IT CRANKS IT SOUNDS LIKE IT JUST ABOUT TO START BUT IT JUST WON'T TURN OVER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT TOO. IT'S A GOOD IDEA ABOUT SIGHTS LIKE THIS, BUT THERE'S ALOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT THESE SIGHTS. THERE SHOULD BE A WAY TO ADVERTISE SOMEWHERE TO GET TO MORE PEOPLE ON HOW THEY COULD MAKE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SIGHT OR SIGHTS LIKE THESE AND MAYBE EVENTUALLY SOMETHING COULD BE DONE AND WE COULD GET SOME HELP TO GET THESE CARS FIXED INSTEAD OF FIXING ALL THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS OURSELVES. *TR

MY 98 VW NEW BEETLE HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT. AROUND 66,000 MILES IT BEGAN TO SHIFT REAL HARD. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR OR HIGHER I HAVE TO ACCELERATE ENOUGH TO GET THE ENGINE UP TO 4,000+ RPM'S, EASE OFF THE GAS A LITTLE AND THEN IT WILL FINALLY LURCH INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER STOPPING IN INTERSECTIONS DUE TO THE HIGH TRAFFIC VOLUME IN MY AREA. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT AND HAPPENS WHENEVER THE CAR IS RUNNING. I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO BE SERVICED BECAUSE OF THE EXTREMELY HIGH COST OF REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS WORTH LESS THAN THE NECESSARY REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT BEGAN BEEPING, THEN SUDDENLY STOPPED BEEPING AND A RED LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. THE CONTACT NOTICED A THUMP UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SO SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. SHE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT SIDE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, SO SHE COASTED OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED, THERE WERE FLAMES ERUPTING AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 136,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VW BEETLE DIESEL. DRIVER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 5MPH ON A CLEAR DAY WHEN SHE NOTICED A SQUEAK IN THE ENGINE. TOOK TO DEALER FOR A NEW BATTERY AND TO CHECK SQUEAK IN FRONT END AND CHECK AIR CONDITIONER. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED FUSES WERE BURNT AND THAT BOTH FANS WERE MELTED. AFTER REPAIRS MADE CONTACT STATES THAT SQUEAK STILL PRESENT AND FANS STILL NOT WORKING. TECHNICIAN INFORMED CONTACT THAT REPAIRS MADE CORRECTLY. CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER AND IT IS STILL THERE. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. CURRENT MILEAGE 106,075.

MY DRIVER SEAT WAS DISLOCATED N PUSHED TO THE BACK WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING IN THE TOWN N THE SPEED WAS SLOW N I MANAGED TO PARK MY CAR AFTER MUCH DIFFICULTY COS I COULD NOT REACH THE PEDAL OF BRAKE N HAD TO PULL MYSELF FORWARD TO DO IT. GOD BLESSED ME THAT NOTHING HAPPENED EXCEPT RUSHING OF ADRENALINE. LATER I FOUND OUT THAT THE DISLOCATION OF SEAT WAS CAUSED BY THE LOOSING SCREWS WHICH SECURED THE SEAT. THE SCREWS ARE IN PERFECT CONDITION. THEY CERTAINLY CANNOT COME LOOSE COS THERE IS NOT WEAR N TEAR. IT MUCH BE MANUFACTURED DEFECT. I REPORT TO VW DEALER BUT THEY WANT DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. WHAT A JOKE. I DO NOT SEND MY CAR FOR REPAIR COS I WANT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER. I ONLY TAPED MY SCREWS TO FIX THEM. STILL THEY WILL COME LOOSE AFTER A WHILE.

VOLKSWAGEN OVERHEAT WITH FUSE BLOCK ELECTRICAL FIRE. FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE FUSE BLOCK OF 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE FUSE BLOCK ON TOP OF THE BATTERY CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

MY 1998 VW NEW BEETLE DRIVER SEAT DISLODGED COS SCREWS UNDERNEATH CAME OUT WHILE DRIVING ON OAKLAND HIGHWAY. I WAS PUSHED TO THE BACK ON THE SEAT N I WAS NOT ABLE TO REACH MY ACCELERATOR N BRAKE PEDALS. I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ON FREEWAY IF IT HAPPENED FIVE MINUTES EARLIER. THE SCREWS CAME LOOSE THE SECOND TIME. THE THIRD TIME I HAVE TO USE THE WHITE TAPE ON THE SCREWS TO TIGHTEN THEM. *TR

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS FAIL PREMATURELY CAUSING LOSS OF VISION AT NIGHT. NEW BULBS ONLY LAST ABOUT 3 MONTHS BEFORE THEY BURN OUT. WE ASKED THE VW DEALERSHIP IF THERE IS A REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY ANSWERED "NO". I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW STUCK IN DOWN POSITION. PRESSING THE WINDOW UP TOGGLE RESULTS IN GRINDING NOISE AND BURNT/ELECTRICAL SMELL. *TR

AIRBAG LAMP TURNED ON WITHOUT ANY PHYSICAL INCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT THE DRIVER AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD, THE DRIVER NOTICED AN 18-WHEELER HEADING TOWARDS THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO AVOID A CRASH. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE DRIVER REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND AN INSURANCE AGENT INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

I HAVE A 98 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. I HAVE HAD THE EXACT PROBLEMS LISTED IN ONE OF THE RECALLS THAT HAS BEEN DONE ON SOME NEW BEETLES, BUT WHEN I TALKED WITH VOLKSWAGEN, THEY SAID THAT BASED ON MY VIN #, MY CAR IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THAT RECALL. WHAT IS MY RECOURSE SO THAT THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED? HERE IS THE INFORMATION ON THE RECALL THAT I THINK THEY NEED TO DO ON MY CAR: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY TRAY. THE WIRING CAN BECOME DAMAGED OVER TIME BY CHAFING AND THE AIR-CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND/OR THE FUEL PUMP CAN MALFUNCTION. CONSEQUENCE A MALFUNCTION OF THE FUEL PUMP CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AND IN SOME INSTANCES, COULD ALSO RESULT IN A WIRING FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW FUEL PUMP FOR MY CAR THIS YEAR AND MY MECHANIC IS TELLING ME THAT I NOW NEED TO GET A NEW AC COMPRESSOR. SINCE THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE AFFECTED BY A BAD ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND MY CAR HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THESE, I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS RECALL. PLEASE HELP! *TR

MY CAR BEGAN TO OVER HEAT IN JULY AND I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. I HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT AND TIMING BELT. @ MONTHS PASS AND AGAIN ITS OVERHEATING AGAIN NOW I'M TOLD THE HEAD GASKET IS BAD. I FIX THE HEAD GASKET AND ITS OVERHEATING. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. $1500 LATER I'M STILL IN THE SAME BOAT. *TR

LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ACCUMULATES IN REAR PASSENGER FOOTWELL AFTER A HEAVY RAIN. I DO NOT HAVE A MOONROOF SO THERE ARE NO CLOGGED DRAINS THERE. ALL DRAINS HAVE BEEN CLEAR IN THE DOORS AND UNDER BATTERY AND POLLEN FILTER. I HAVE CONCLUDED THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AS HUNDREDS OF OTHER POSTS ONLINE WITH VW'S SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER VW'S WARRANTY. *TR

1998 VW NEW BEETLE: BOTH DOOR LOCKS FAILED. AT FIRST ONLY DRIVER DOOR WITH FOB. PROGRESSED TO NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCK EITHER DOOR WITH FOB OR KEY. VW DEALER IN ALEXANDRIA, VA SAID PROBLEM COULD HAVE DETERIORATED FURTHER TO THE ALARM SYSTEM AND BE UNABLE TO START THE CAR. REPAIR COST $850. *TR

SINCE I PURCHASED MY BEETLE IN 2001, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING MONEY DRAIN. IN 6 YRS. I HAVE REPLACED THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TWICE, HAD THE BRAKES WORKED ON A NUMBER OF TIMES, BEEN UNABLE TO OPEN THE GAS "DOOR" ON THE CAR W/ THE GAS CAP LATCH, HAD TO REPLACE THE HOOD OPENING LATCH, HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL FAILURES, PROBLEMS W/ FRONT & REAR LIGHT WIRING, HAD DOOR LOCKS/ALARM FAIL & SUBSEQUENTLY HAD MY LAPTOP STOLEN FROM THE CAR, THE RADIO HAS NOT WORKED FOR 1+ YEAR, & IT'S COVER PANEL IS LOOSE & FALLING BACK INTO THE DASH, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR SWITCHES HAVE FAILED, THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FELL OFF (!) OF ITS TOP HINGE WHEN THE HINGE BROKE WHILE OPENING THE DOOR NORMALLY AT A GAS STATION, THE AIR COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED MANY TIMES, THE A/C IS CURRENTLY NOT WORKING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK FELL OUT OF THE HANDLE(!!!!), THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, & THE LIST GOES ON. CURRENTLY I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL WKS B/C THOUGH ONLY A WEEK OR TWO OUT OF THE SHOP, AGAIN IT IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I AM AT MY WITS END WITH THIS CAR & HAVING RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, AM NOT IN THE GREATEST POSITION TO HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR. MOREOVER, I AM SO DISPLEASED W/ THE CAR THAT I WOULD LITERALLY FEEL GUILTY ABOUT TRADING IT IN TO BE SOLD TO SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING PERSON. VW SHOULD BE SO ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, & SHOULD BE REIMBURSING OWNERS OF THE 1998 BEETLE IN FULL FOR ALL OF THE STRIFE & TROUBLE THAT

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.

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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE VEHICLE HAD EX THE SAME FAILURE AS INDICATED IN RECALL # 98V100000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AFTER THE ENGINE RAN FOR FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, SAVAGE KIA, AND THE CAUSE WAS DIAGNOSED AS WIRING FAILURE. THE DEALER REMEDIED THE FAILURE. ON APRIL 12, 2007, THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR THREE MILES AT 45 MPH AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED ONCE MORE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER , WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE TOO CLOSE TO THE BATTERY. THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE WIRES TO HEAT AND SHORT OUT, PREVENTING THE FANS FROM OPERATING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000. *AK UPDATED 05/21/07. *JB

WITH NORMAL USE OF THE SEATS IN THE VEHICLE, THE 2 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE RAIL TO THE SEAT OF THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE CAME LOOSE AND THE SEAT SLID AROUND RECKLESSLY. IT ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE IT WOULD COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WE FINALLY HAD TO USE LOCK TIGHT ON THE BOLTS TO HOLD THEM IN PLACE BECAUSE EVEN AFTER TIGHTENING IT BACK IT PLACE IT WOULD STILL COME LOOSE.*AK

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

I OWN A 1998 VW BEETLE AND TWO YEARS AGO THE DRIVER WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE THEN NOTIFIED ME OF A RECALL ON THE WINDOWS SO HE TRANSPORTED IT TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER THEY REPAIRED IT THEY ALSO SCRATCHED THE WINDOW DURING THE REPAIR AND AFTER THAT REPAIR TOOK PLACE I STILL HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED IT AND LEFT MESSAGE FOR GM TO CALL ME WELL I NEVER GOT A RETURN CALL AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOW STILL WAS THERE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THIS DEALERSHIP LOCATED IN COLERAIN TWP CINCINNATI OHIO NORTHGATE VOLKSWAGON WAS VERY RUDE TO ME AND NEVER DID THE GENERAL MANAGER RETURN MY CALL WELL LONG STORY SHORT I HAD TO HAVE THIS WINDOW PROBLEM REPAIRED NOW ORIGINALLY THIS WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL ISSUED BY VOLKSWAGEN BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED AND THEY TOLD ME SORRY WE CANNOT RE-FIX THIS SORRY WELL MY FEELINGS ARE THAT'S CRAZY IF THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED THEY SHOULD FIX IT OR VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD REFUND MY MONEY FOR HAVING IT FIXED DUE TO THEIR LACK OF DOING IT INCORRECTLY. *JB

I AM REPORTING THE SECOND FAILURE OF A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 1998 VW BEETLE. THE FIRST SWITCH WAS REPLACED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO UNDER A FACTORY RECALL -- IT FAILED, LEAVING THE BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED WITH A "REVISED" PART WHICH HAS ALSO FAILED, LEAVING THE BRAKE LIGHTS STUCK ON. I HAVE HEARD OF COUNTLESS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE WITH THESE CARS; SOME USERS ARE REPORTING THAT THEIR SWITCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR OR MORE TIMES. I WILL BE SEEKING ANOTHER REPLACEMENT AND WILL KEEP THE OLD PART. *NM

IN EARLY MAY I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH OUR 1998 VW BEETLE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PART. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE, AND I PUSHED DOWN THE BRAKE PETAL. THEN I CHANGED GEARS TO REVERSE AND GENTLY STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY AT AN ACCELERATED SPEED AND HIT A TRAILER AT MY PLACE OF WORK CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH THE BEETLE AND TRAILER. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICING AT VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN (1401 SONOMA BLVD, VALLEJO CA) THE PREVIOUS FRIDAY, SO IT WAS SURPRISING THAT THE CAR WOULD MALFUNCTION SO DANGEROUSLY AFTER HAVING JUST BEEN SERVICED. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT BACK TO VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHTS SWITCH AND THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I LEFT THE CAR THERE OVERNIGHT AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION WAS INDEED THE FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE PART IN QUESTION WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL AND HAD APPARENTLY BEEN REPLACED IN MY CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2003. VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN DISAVOWED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCIDENT AND ATTRIBUTED THE MALFUNCTION TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF THE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH. HOWEVER, IF THIS PART IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKDOWN DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TARE THEN IT SHOULD BE INSPECTED WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED. VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH AND HAD THE AUDACITY TO CHARGE ME FOR DOING SO. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS SITUATION AND FEEL LIKE BOTH VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN AND VOLKSWAGEN ARE LIAB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT INCIDENT, BOTH THE LOWER PIVOTS FOR THE EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRRORS FRACTURED. THE MIRRORS ARE INOPERABLE AND CANNOT BE TURNED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENTIRE MIRROR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AND THE REPLACEMENT PART DISTORTS THE VIEW ALONG THE BOTTOM PASSENGER SIDE AND THE OUTER DRIVER SIDE. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE WORK WAS PERFORMED HAS BEEN ALERTED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS MANUFACTURED BY SEKURIT MODEL #43R-004527. UPDATED 05/10/06. *JB

I"VE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH MY 1998 BEETLE. THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING--FOUND OUT THAT THE ENGINE FUSES WERE MELTED OVER THE BATTERY TERMINAL. MY REVERSE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING--NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THAT YET, MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DON'T USUALLY WORK, BUT SOMETIMES WILL COME ON ALL BY THEMSELVES. GOT LOCKED IN MY CAR TWICE. THE ALARM SOMETIMES GOES OFF FOR NO REASON. THE CAR PERIODICALLY DOESN'T START. HAD IT TOWED TO VW TWICE FOR THIS. THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS. ALSO, SOMETHING IN THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IS DROWNING THE BATTERY--HAVE TO BUY A NEW BATTERY EVERY SIX MONTHS. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH WINDOWS ONCE . I HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED THREE TIMES AND WAS REAR -ENDED ONCE BEFORE VW FINALLY DID A RECALL ON THAT PART. I'M SURE I HAVE LEFT SOMETHING OUT--THERE IS SO MUCH IT'S HARD TO REMEMBER. BOTTOM LINE--THIS CAR IS A HAZARD ON THE ROAD FOR THE PERSON DRIVING AND OTHER MOTORISTS. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED WHEN THE CAR STALLED. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN JANUARY OF 2005. THE CONSUMER TO THE CAR TOOK THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS DONE WITH NO RESULTS. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECTIFIED. THE WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED AND JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. TWO WEEKS LATER, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ONE MOTOR MOUNT BOLT WAS MISSING AND ONE NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. *AK *JB

THE LOCK MECHANISM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF MY 1998 BEETLE JUST FELL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS MISSING AND WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP TO GET IT REPLACED, ONLY TO LEARN THE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BEETLES BECAUSE THE LOCK IS HELD IN BY ONLY ONE TINY SCREW. THIS DEFECT WILL COST ME $350.00 TO REPAIR, IN A CAR THAT HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE A FUSE THAT POWERED THE RADIATOR FAN BECAUSE THERE IS NO EARLY WARNING SYSTEM IN THE CAR TO INDICATE THAT THE FAN IS NOT WORKING. I WAS ONLY AWARE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WHEN THE CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, BY WHICH TIME THERE COULD HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE RADIATOR. THE FUSE ITSELF HAD GOTTEN SO HOT IT HAD VIRTUALLY MELTED. THIS PROBLEM COST ME NEARLY $370.00 TO FIX. THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS HAPPEN WITH BEETLES SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THERE IS NO TEMPERATURE INDICATOR ON THE DASH -- YOU HAVE NO IDEA THERE IS A PROBLEM UNTIL THE CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *NM

THE TURBO CHARGER ON THE TDI VOLKSWAGONS ARE FAILING AT A VERY HIGH RATE. THE COST FOR REPAIR AVERAGES ABOUT $1600. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE FORCED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND REPAIR THIS PREMATURE FAILURE. *JB

I HAVE INVESTED IN A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE I ONLY DROVE IT 3 TIMES IT WHEN DOWN ON ME 6 MILES FROM MY HOUSE THE GUY THAT'S WORKING ON SAID MY HEADON MOTOR WAS CRACK , THEN I HAD ELE , PROBLEMS EVERYDAY I CALL IT IS SOMETHING ELSE I PAY DOWN TO EZWAY AUTO 5,000.00 THEN I PAY 383.00 A MONTH I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 WEEKS . I ASK FOR MY MONEY BACK THEY SAID NO .WHAT SUCH I DO I AM DISABLE ON A LIMIT INCOME. *NM

DT: HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINING ON. THIS OCCURRED WHEN BOTH BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED AND EVEN WHEN IT WAS NOT. CONSUMER REMOVED BRAKE LIGHT FUSE ON HIS OWN. ALSO, REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BUT STILL PROBLEM RECURRED. . CONSUMER WAS C WITHOUT ANY BRAKE LIGHTS . CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *AK

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A SERIES OF PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A VOLKSWAGEN ENTHUSIAST. SO WHEN I SAW THE NEW BEETLES I WAS NATURALLY EXCITED AND COULDN'T WAIT TO OWN ONE. WHAT I EXPECTED WAS VOLKSWAGENS USUAL EXCELLENT QUALITY AND VALUE FOR MONEY. WHAT I GOT WAS A VEHICLE THAT NOT ONLY IS AN INCONVENIENCE TO DRIVE, BUT IS ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD AT LEAST 8 MAJOR DEFECTS. I CALL THEM DEFECTS BECAUSE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THEIR NEW BEETLES. KEEP IN MIND THE VEHICLE IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED, AND IS ONLY AT 97,000 MILES. 1. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND VEHICLE STALLS OR CUTS OUT ON A REGULAR BASIS. 2. THE LOW BEAMS ON MY HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS BURN OUT. I CHANGE THE LIGHTS AND THEY JUST BURN OUT AGAIN. I ALWAYS HAVE TO DRIVE INSTEAD WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. 3. MY DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS HAVE FALLEN INTO MY DOORS. MEANING THAT THEY WONT ROLL UP, A LOUD, NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHEN YOU TRY. I WAS TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN THAT THEY WERE "AWARE" OF THE PROBLEM. THEY EVEN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THEY USED PLASTIC CLIPS TO HOLD THE WINDOWS AND THEY ARE NOW REPLACING WITH METAL CLIPS. FINE AND GOOD, BUT WHILE MY WINDOWS WERE DOWN MY SEATS BECAME SEVERELY STAINED. (THEY STAIN EASY) WHO'S GOING PAY FOR THAT??? 4. THE WINDOW SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE WINDOWS GOING UP AND DOWN BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. 5. THE RADIO TRIES TO LOAD A TAPE WHEN THERE ISN'T ONE. HOOD LATCH BROKE, HAS TO BE OPENED WITH SCREWDRIVER NOW. THANKS VWO

WHILE DRIVING. THE HEADLIGHTS SHORT OUT WHICH BURNS THE BULBS. THE WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM

I OWN A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND I WAS LOCKED IN MY CAR. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT USING A NEW REMOTE I HAD JUST PURCHASED.*AK SECONDLY, TWO DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE, IT WAS WARM, AND I TURNED ON THE FAN. IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED BLOWING 'HIGH' AND WOULDN'T TURN OFF. WITHIN A MINUTE THE DASHBOARD BEGAN SMOKING AND THERE WAS A DISTINCT ELETRICAL SMELL. I STOPPED, RAISED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE FAN STUCK IN THE 'HIGH' POSITION AND CAUSED A FIRE WHICH 'TOTALLED' THE CAR. THE DASH AND SEATS MELTED AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BROKE OUT FROM THE FLAMES.

MY 1998 BUG HAS BURNED APPROX. 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES, DEALERSHIP REPORTED THIS AS NORMAL? DON'T THINK SO. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS EVERY SIX MONTHS UNTIL THE SWITCH ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FOR THE DAYTIME RUNNINGS LAMPS BROKE. I OPEN THE CAR DOOR (STILL IN WARRANTY) AND THE HANDLE FELL OFF IN MY HANDS. FOG LIGHT HAD MOISTURE IN IT, NOW BOTH HAVE FALLEN OUT. BOTH DOOR HINGES BROKE. YOU CANNOT OPEN DOORS AND SHUT THEM, I HAD TO CLIMB IN AND OUT OF THE WINDOWS TO GET INTO THE CAR. THE TRUNK LATCH HAD TO BE REPAIRED, IT WOULDN'T OPEN. THE GAS LATCH IS BROKEN AND DOESN'T HINGE, THE GLOVE BOX HINGES DON'T WORK, THE COMPARTMENT ABOVE THE CLOCK DOESN'T HINGE PROPERLY. THE RADIO TURNS ITSELF OFF, THE TEMP READ OUT IN THE CAR FADES IN AND OUT, SOMETHING ON THE TRANSMISSION BROKE AND I ONLY HAD 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, I HAVE REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSORS TWICE, MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, I HAVE BEEN TOLD I NEED A NEW SEAT TO CORRECT THIS, EVEN THOUGH IT IS DUE THE THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS EVERY BUG SEEMS TO HAVE. HUB CAP HAS FALLEN OFF SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE LOST ANTIFREEZE, BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHERE II'S GOING. I'M SURE THERE IS MORE, BUT THIS CAR CONSTANTLY HAS SO MANY THINGS WRONG WITH IT, I CAN'T KEEP UP ANYMORE. UNFORTUNATELY THE DEALERSHIPS ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN'T SEEM TO SEE ALL THE CRONIC PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN MY CAR THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT WENT OUT. THE BRIGHTS STILL WORK BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT DOESN'T UNLESS IT IS ON BRIGHTS, I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST NORMAL MAYBE THE LIGHT WORK OUT BUT I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CONNECTION AND I HAVE SEEN SO MANY WITH THE SAME HEADLIGHT OUT THIS IS UNSAFE AND CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A TICKET OR A WRECK. *NM

I WAS DRIVING MY 98 BUG WHEN THE ENTIRE SEAT FELL OFF THE TRACK, AND I FELL IN THE BACKSEAT, THE CAR STALLED WHILE ON A 45 MPH ROAD I WAS NOT INJURED.KEFFER VOLK RECURED THE SEAT BUT SAY I WILL COST $1000 FOR A NEW FLOOR TRACK. VOLKS SAYS THIS ISN'T A WARRANTY ISSUE. IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A SEAT TO DRIVE THE CAR. MY CONCERN IS HOW MANY OTHER CARS/VOLKS HAVE DONE THIS AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THEIR LACK OF CONCERN. HAD I BEEN INJURED OR WORSE KILLED THERE WOULD BE A HUGE LAWSUIT AT THIS TIME. I DO NOT WEIGH 300 POUNDS NOR AM I ABUSING TO MY VEHICLES. I DO BELIEVE A MOTOR CAR INDUSTRY SHOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD A CAR THAT KEEPS THE SEAT IN PLACE. I RARELY HAVE EVEN MOVED THE SEAT BACK AND FORTH ON THE TRACK. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A WRECK. WE ARE GETTING RID OF THE CAR VERY SOON. I HAVE LOST MY CONFIDENCE IN VOLKS. THIS WAS MY SECOND CAR WITH THEM. THANK YOU. PREVIOUS FIREFIGHTER AND ER NURSE AND SAFETY PREVIONTION OFFICER WITH THE FIRE DEPART. *AK

I OWN A 1998 BEETLE AND I AM MAKING YOU AWARE OF A SAFETY CONCERN THAT CAN POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN CAUSE A DEATH. I HAVE COMPLAINED BEFORE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. THE EXTERNAL MIRRORS ON THE EARLY NEW BEETLES ARE DANGEROUSLY OVERSIZED THUS CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT BLIND-SPOT(S) WHEN DRIVING. THESE BLIND SPOTS, (ESPECIALLY DRIVERS SIDE) PREVENT VISIBILITY TO THE FRONT SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. EX. IF THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE CROSSWALK IN FRONT LEFT OF YOU, YOU CANNOT SEE THEM OR IT!!! ON TOO MANY OCCASIONS TO COUNT I AND OTHERS HAVE ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN AND ANOTHER ONCOMING VEHICLE DUE TO THIS FAILURE!!! I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MORE TIMES I WILL BE SO LUCKY, BUT I FEEL AS IF I AM DRIVING A TICKING TIME BOMB. VW HAS COME UP WITH THE SOLUTION BY REDESIGNING NEWER BEETLES WITH SMALLER AND RELOCATING THE EXTERNAL MIRRORS THUS ELIMINATING THE PROBLEM. BUT, THOSE OF US WHO HAVE THESES OLDER VERSIONS ARE STUCK WITH THIS VERY CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN...PLEASE HELP! *JB