1998 Volkswagen Beetle complaints

THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS ON THE DOORS OF THE CAR ARE PLACED EXACTLY IN THE LINE OF VISION AND IN ORDER TO SEE WHEN TURNNG A CORNER THE CONSUMER HAS TO PUT HIS HEAD DOWN AND LOOK UNDER HTHE MIRROR, THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS DESIGN IS UNSAFE. NLM

BAD WIRING, ALARM GOES OFF IN THE MIDDLE OG THE NIGHT, REAR HATCH LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, WIRING IS BAD IN COLD WEATHER, FRONT HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURINING OUT, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, AT ABOUT 2000 MILES ENGINE WILL BE BONE DRY, EXCESSIVE ROAD NOSIE, RADIO NO LONGER WORKS, IN GENERAL THE CAR IS IN BAD SHAPE AFTER TWO YEARS OF USE AND IT SEESM TO BE ALL FACTORY RELATED TYPE OF PROBLEMS.

CAR OVERHEATS ROUTINELY. INITIALLY IN FOR REPAIR ON 1/25/01 WHEN DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. SINCE THEN, CAR HAS OVERHEATED ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WATER LEAKAGE HAS BEEN OBSERVED. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AND UNLOCK RELIABLY, FORCING ME TO ENTER AND EXIT CAR THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR. REPORTED TO DEALER THREE TIMES (INITIALLY 5/31/00). ONE TIME DEALER LUBRICATED LOCK; CURRENTLY THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND WILL NOT FIX. AFTER WATER PUMP REPAIR IN 1/01, CAR EXHIBITED A WHINING NOISE AND POWER STEERING STIFFNESS AT LOW RPMS -- LIKELY DUE TO IMPROPER WORKMANSHIP DURING THAT REPAIR. DEALER CLAIMS POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW, AND HAS BEEN "TOPPED OFF" TO ALLEVIATE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I RECENTLY HAD ROUNTINE MAINTENANCE AT ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT JUST 4 DAYS PRIOR TO TAKING INTO SHOP; DURING THAT SERVICE, POWER STEERING FLUIDS WERE INDICATED AS "OK." OIL CONSUMPTION IS EXCESSIVE. DESPITE REPEATED REPORTS TO VW (INITIALLY 5/00), HAVE RECEIVED NO RESOLUION OR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE. THROUGH RESEARCH, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON BEETLE PROBLEM, AND SOME BEETLE OWNERS ARE RECEIVING NEW ENGINES OR VALVE STEM REPAIRS TO REMEDY. TRANSMISSION JERKS SEVERLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. INITIALLY REPORTED 9/29/98 AT 9596 MILES AND NOT ADDRESSED BY DEALER. RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHT SEALANT LEAKAGE AND WATER GETTING INTO HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING , APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, AND APPLYING BRAKES AND SEAT CAME LOOSE. DRIVER WAS FORCED INTO STEERING WHEEL, AND THEN WENT ALL WAY BACK, NOT ALLOWING DRIVER TO REACH THE PEDALS. ONLY COMPONENT THAT HELD THE SEAT TO VEHICLE WAS A WHEEL MOUNTED IN A TRACK. THERE WERE 2 SCREWS (3/4") THAT HAD COME LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THIS DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN, LOW BEAMS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A WIRING HARNESS MALFUNCTION. DEALER REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHT BULBS, AND REPLACED HEADLIGHT HARNESS. *AK

BATTERY PROBLEM. I STOPPED AT SIGNAL AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE ENGINE STOPPED AND I WAS ALMOST REAR END. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WAS TOWED. APPARENTLY THE BATTERY WAS FALLING OUT OF THE CAR AT 13,000 MILES. A FEW MONTHS LATER I HEARD A NOISE AND SLIPPING WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. AS IT TURNED OUT, ENGINE COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND A REBUILT WAS PUT IN. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE REBUILT WAS PUT IN, IT WAS MAKING SOME NOISE AND IT HAD INTERMITTENT LURCHING. I COMPLAINED TO VW OF AMERICA AND THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOOK CARE OF THE NOISE AND SAID THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO HELP WITH THE LURCH PROBLEM. I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT A MONTH AND A HALF AFTER GETTING THE REBUILT. I WENT INTO A POLE SIDEWAYS. I HAD AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST TEST DRIVE IT AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. HE REPORTED AN UNUSUALLY LONG PAUSE FOR ENGAGEMET. I BELIEVE THAT WHEN I WAS IN A ROLL FORWARD MOTION AND WOULD PUT MY FOOT TO THE GAS, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY AND LURCHED. THE REASON IT WAS INTERMITTENT , IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT SOMETIMES WHEN YOU WOULD BE IN A ROLLFORWARD MOTION IT WOULD BE IN GEAR AND NOT LURCH. IF IT WAS NOT IN GEAR DUE TO THE LONG PAUSE, YOU WOULD GET A LURCHING MOVEMENT. MY FIRST TRANSMISSION NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A POTENTIAL DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. WHEN I WAS TALKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT COMMONWEALTH, WITH MY FIRST TRANSMISSION, HE HAD STATED THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE JETTA TRANSMISSIONS.*AK

ELECTRICAL WIRING LOCATED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO ENDGE OF VEHICLE BATTERY TRAY. WIRING BECAME DAMAGED BY CHAFING. AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND FUEL PUMP COULD MALFUNCTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

COOLANT LOSS ON TWO OCCASIONS CAUSING ENGINE TO BLOW, NO WARNING UNTIL LAST MINUTE, ALL FLUIDS AND MAINTENACE DONE AND UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, DEALER REFUSED TO PAY FOR NEW ENGINE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING PLASTIC COVER THAT PROTECTS ENGINE/ EXHAUST SYSTEM AND PLUGS DISENGAGED FROM UNDER VEHICLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

DRIVER'S SEAT IS LOOSE FROM FLOORBOARD. THERE'S ALOT OF MOVEMENT WHEN DRIVING AND BRAKING. SEAT WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. CONSUMER WILL ATTACH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK SEAT BOLTS FAILED. *SLC

AM DOING THIS FORM TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THERE ARE BEETLES AND PROBLEMS. ALSO THAT VW IS NOT STANDING BEHIND REPAIRING THESE PROBLEMS. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BLOWN (BAD WIRING) 4 TIMES AT NIGHT. NOT A FUN THING TO HAVE HAPPEN AT 65 MPH. YOU TRY STOPPING BLIND. *AK

THIS VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 25 TO 30 MPH, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S WINDOW FAILED. *SLC

THE VW DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE ENGINE FAN CONTROL BOX WHICH ALSO BURNED WIRES IN THE ENGINE HARNESS THE DEALERSHIP ONLY REPAIRED WHAT THEY CONSIDERED NECESSARY. I WAS DRIVING 12/14/00, DURING THE RAIN AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, SIGNAL LIGHTS, AIR CONDITION, FAN CONTROL FOR HEAT, ETC., AND THE EMEMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ON WITHOUT BEING PULLED UP. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE MAY HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING IN THE VEHICLE DURING THE RAIN. I PAID ALMOST $700.00 TP HAVE THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FIXED AFTER ONLY OWNING THE CAR FOR ONLY 4 MONTHS. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE ASSIST ME IN FINDING OUT REPAIR INFORMATION BEFORE I INVEST ANY MORE $$$ INTO THIS VEHICLE?*AK

FAILURE OF HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES REPLACED TWICE, WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AS WELL. *AK

COMPLETE FAILURE OF UNIT. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMAN PROBLEM IN NEW VW'S. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

I AM STUCK PAYING $650.00 IN REPAIRS FOR SOMETHING I THINK THE VW OR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY SHOULD COVER. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH CAR SINCE PURCHASE.

I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW AND THIS IS THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD... THE LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT ON ME .. ALWAYS THE LEFT ONE FIRST THEN THE RIGHT FOLLOWS... LEAVING ME WITH ONLY THE BRIGHTS... DEALERSHIP HAS FIXED THEM MAYBE THREE TIMES NOW... AND NOW THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO .. LEAVING ME ONLY MY BRIGHT LIGHTS... DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE ELECTRICAL WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY AND SAID COULD BE FIXED AT A PRICE OF 350.00... NO WAY.. I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THAT WHEN HE SAID THEY WERE MADE WITH A DEFECT... THE SECOND THING GONE WRONG WAS MY BATTERY... THE FIRST TIME.. IT JUST GAVE A LOUD POP AND EVERYTHING DIED... DEALERSHIP FIXED IT AND.. THE SECOND TIME THE BATTERY WENT OUT IT GAVE ANOTHER LOUD POP BUT THIS TIME THE ACID FROM THE BATTERY EXPLODED OUT OF THE BATTERY AND ONTO THE DRIVEWAY...THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT .. THE THIRD TIME THE FUSES NEEDED TO BE CHANGED THAT ARE ON THE BATTERY...THE COOLING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING AS WELL WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO OVER HEAT... THEY FIXED IT AND MY WATER PUMP... A MONTH LATER.. THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN... HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO FIXED A SECOND TIME... . THE SWITCHES ON THE LEFT DOOR THAT CONTROL THE WINDOWS ARE BROKEN AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME.. THE FIRST TIME THEY FIXED IT.. NOW THEY WONT EVEN FIX IT.. THEY CLAIM ITS NOT ON MY WARRANTY AND WANT ME TO PAY 400.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED... WHEN WARRANTY COVERED IT THE FIRST TIME... AND NOW MY RIGHT WINDOW DONT WANT TO GO UP... DEALERSHIP AGAIN CLAIMS WARRANTY WONT COV

BATTERY BLEW UP, CAUSING WINDOWS TO LOCK/ DOOR LOCKS NOT TO WORK. VOLKSWAGEN WAS CONTACTED. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

A VITAL WIRING HARNESS HAS FAILED AND POSSIBLY BURNED UP CAUSING THE CAR TO DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF MAJOR EXPRESSWAY. VOLKSWAGON CLAIMS THAT THE PART WILL TAKE THREE MONTHS TO GET IF SPECIAL ORDERED FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN GERMANY AND WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE. VOLKSWAGON CLAIMS THAT REPLACING THIS HARNESS MAY NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM ENTIRELY. IN OCTOBER OF 1999, VOLKSWAGON REPLACED AN ELECTRICAL PART ASSOCIATED WITH THE DIESEL FUEL GLOW PLUG ASSEMBLY FOURTEEN MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. VOLKSWAGON REPLACED THE BATTERY IN MAY OF 2000 AND HAS REPLACED 5 HEADLAMPS IN TWO YEARS. THIS VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE.

I HAVE HAD MY CAR INTO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY JUST TOLD ME TO KEEP DRIVING UNTIL HTE "DYING" BECAME CLOSER. I TOLD THEM (AND REPORTED IT TO VOLKSWAGEN "CASE # 407289" ) IT WASN'T SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE THIS CAR I DRIVE 280-320 MILES A DAY. THEY ARE NOW REPLACING THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP (IT SHORTED OUT) THEY ARE CHARGING ME FOR THIS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 20555R16 )

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM THE START. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTERWARDS, IF YOU HIT A BUMP THE HUBCAPS WOULD COME FLYING OFF. THIS WOULD HAPPEN GOING AT THE SPEED OF 25MPH. I'VE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THEY SAID THAT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE NEW MODELS. THEY REPLACED THE HUBCAPS, BUT THE PROBLEM WOULD CONTINUOUSLY HAPPEN. FINALLY I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN FOR SERVICE AND DEMANDED THAT THIS PROBLEM BE FIXED. SO FAR THEY ARE ALL CHANGED AND IT HASN'T OCCURED AGAIN. BETWEEN THESE PROBLEMS A TOTAL OF 5 HUBCAPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE OTHER PROBLEMS, ARE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD KNOCK AND MAKE LOUD NOISES. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND THAT THE CAR WAS CLASSIFIED AS SAFE. IT STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN, AND THEY LOOKED AND SAID IT WAS A "DEFECT" IN THAT YEARS MODEL. SO THEY REPLACED IT, "BECAUSE MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER GUARANTEE". THIS PROBLEM HAS STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN, I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE JUST RECENTLY AND THEY SAID IT'S BECAUSE OF THE DAMP WEATHER WE'VE BEEN HAVING. JUST YESTERDAY I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR TURNING OFF ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE SERVICE CENTER WAS NOT HELPFUL. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME A LOANER AND WOULD NOT EVEN GIVE ME A RIDE HOME OR WORK BECAUSE I WORKED IN THE BRONX. MY CAR IS STILL NOT READY, AND THE COMMENT WAS WHEN I CALLED IF MY CAR WOULD BE READY TODAY WAS, "WELL YOU COULD TAKE IT BACK THE WAY YOU BROUGHT IT IN." GREAT CUSTOMER SERVI

THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, SUCH AS THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE POWER WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONING. *AK

VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, HEADLIGHTS AND POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC TOLD HIM HE NEEDED A NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY.*AK

JUNE 19, 2000 - DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A ROCK HAD HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE. NO DAMAGE FOUND UPON INSPECTION. SHORTLY AFTER, PUT PASSENGER WINDOW DOWN AND IT SOUNDED BAD, POWER WINDOW FAILED TO CLOSE. *AK

THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP "MIL" COMES ON ALL THE TIME AND STAYS ON. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVEN TIMES. HE HASN'T SOLVED THE PROBLEM.*AK THE YELLOW LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OUT SEVERAL TIMES AT DIFFERENT MILEAGE. THE DEALER KEPT TELLING THE CUSTOMER IT IS OKEY TO DRIVE IT. BUT THE CUSTOMER DOES NOT FEEL SAFE. *YH

DEALER REFUSES TO SCHEDULE PROMPT REPAIR FOR CURRENT HEADLIGHT FAILURE (REQUEST 5-10 DAYS); CURRENT HEADLIGHT FAILURE INCLUDES PERMANENT FAILURE OF LEFT HEADLIGHT AND INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS; CONSUMER REPORTS REPORTS 1998 NEW BEETLE AS "USED CAR TO AVOID" (APRIL 2000ISSUE, P. 75); NEW BEETLE WEBSITE CONDUCTED SURVEY OF OWNERS OF 1998 MODEL - 55 PERCENT REPORT TROUBLE WITH THE CAR, 90 PERCENT OF WHICH IS ELECTRICAL; A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR 1998 BEETLES MANUFACTURED IN FIRST HALF OF 1998 BECAUSE OF FAULTY WIRING THAT COULD CAUSE FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT (WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL); THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF BEETLE OWNERS REGARDING VW CONSUMER SERVICE; WE HAVE RECEIVED SUBSTANDARD SERVICE FROM OUR DEALER, INCLUDING ONE REPAIR ON A FAILED HEADLIGHT THAT WAS NOT PERFORMED AS STATED, FORCING US TO RETURN THE CAR. *AK

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE AND MISSING OIL CAP CAUSED FIRE. YH

VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION OPERATION AND SHIFTING, REPLACEMENT OF THE SPEED SENSOR,THROTTLE CABLE AND TCM WIRING RECTIFIED PROBLEMS. *MJS

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE. YH

ELECTICAL WIRING LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE BATTERY TRAY CAUSING THE WIRE TO DAMAGE (RECALL-98V-100), OWNER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH VEHICLE WITH THIS DEFECT. YH

CAR DAMAGED BY DEALER DURING MAINTENANCE. DAMAGE IS PREVALENT TO VW DESIGN AND IS EVIDENT ON A NUMBER OF CARS (VARIOUS OWNERS & VARIOUS DEALERS). IS THIS A DESIGN FLAW? VWOA HAS REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE OR ISSUE A SAFETY/MAINTENANCE BULLETIN TO CAUTION SERVICE PERSONNEL ABOUT IMPROVER LIFTING OF THE CAR. THIS HAS DAMAGED THE CARS FRAME. SEE THE FOLLOWING FOR AN EXAMPLE OF THE DAMAGE: HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/MOTORCITY/DOWNS/5610/BEETLE.HTML - THANK YOU. *AK

WHEN TRAVELING UP AN INCLINE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING. VEHICLE CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING IT TO ROLL BACKWARDS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. ALSO, RECALL 98V100000 DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIIVNG AT 50 MPH A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE CONSUMER AVOIDED THE DEER AND RAN INTO A DITCH. THEN HIT A TREE ON THE LEFT OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND DRIVER SIDE/ PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAD THE SEAT BELT ON AND WASN'T HURT. *AK

ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER BATTERY TRAY.

CABLE IN STEERING COLUMN.

ON 9/1/99, I DROVE THE CAR ALL DAY (BOUT 200 MILES) AND DID NOT KNOW THAT THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING GAS. (I HAVE NO SENSE OF SMELL!!) UNTIL I GOT HOME AND TOOK A FRIEND TO DINNER AND HE SAID "THIS CAR STINKS LIKE GASOLINE"! WE LOOKED UNDER THE BACK SEAT AND REMOVED THE COVER PLATE AND THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE GAS TANK IN THE AREA OF THE SENDING UNIT RETAINING RING WAS FILLED WITH GAS (ABOUT 1/2 INCH DEEP) . TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SEAL ON THE TOP OF THE TANK. TWO DAYS LATER 9/4/99, GAS SMELL RETURNED AND UPON INSPECTION THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN! GAS POURING OUT OF THE CLOSED RETAINING RING!! DUE TO THE HOLIDAY, I HAVE TO WAIT TIL TUES. TO HAVE CAR LOOKED AT. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED JOE BERTRAN AT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA RE THIS SERIOUS DEFECT.

PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T WORK. ALSO, REMOTE CONTRO IS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, AND WHEN THE RADIO IS ON THE TAPE DECK WILL PLAY. *AK

OIL CONSUMED AT RATE OF 1QT/1500 MILES. NO LEAK OR SMOKING EXHAUST. VW RECOMMENDS OIL CHANGE EVERY 10,000 MILES. ENGINE WOULD HAVE NO OIL BY 6,000 MILES. COULD CAUSE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. OTHER NEW BEETLE OWNERS I KNOW HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR GAS 2.0L ENGINE, 5SPD NEW BEETLE. THIS SITUATION IS VERY UNSAFE. *AK

PLASTIC CLIP IN COOLING SYSTEM BROKE, CAUSING ALL COOLANT TO BE DISCHARGED ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. DEALER REPLACED PLASTIC CLIP WITH METAL CLIP. VW SENT DEALER 8 METAL CLIPS THE WEEK PREVIOUS. THEY SAID OTHER BEETLES PROBABLY HAD THIS PROBLEM, THAT'S WHY VW SENT THEM 8 METAL CLIPS AHEAD OF TIME. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, ENGINE TURBO WENT OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO 120 MPH. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES/EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND DOWNSHIFTED VEHICLE, IT DIDN'T WORK. CONSUMER KEPT PUSHING ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN, AND THEN IT ACCELERATED BACK TO HIGH SPEED. FINALLY, SLOWED BACK DOWN AND CAME TO A STOP. *AK

VEHICLE HAS HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, RADIO/CASSETTE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN FIRE, PREVIOUS INCIDENT RADIATOR FAILURE, COMPUTER FAILURE, DEFECTIVE CONTROL SWITCHES AND DEFECTICE ENGINE.

LOSING OIL AT RATE OF 1QT EVERY 1,500 MILES. VW ORDERED NEW ENGINE FOR ME. SERVICE SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT, AND IT IS NORMAL. I DON'T THINK SO. OWNER'S MANUAL RECOMMENDS OIL CHANGES AT 10,000 MILE INTERVALS. THE ENGINE WOULD BE BONE DRY AT 6,000 MILES. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON COUNTY NARROW ROAD AND A DOG WAS ON THE ROAD. SHE SWERVED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WENT AIRBORNE ONTO A HILL. HIT A TREE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. CAR WAS AIRBORNE AND CAUGHT BY A TREE AND ROOF WAS TORN OFF. AFTER THAT, VEHICLE WENT INTO ANOTHER TREE ON THE REAR CORNER, AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CRUSHED IN. *AK

CONSUMER ROLLED DOWN THE PASSENGER'S POWER WINDOW FOR THE FIRST TIME AND THE INSIDE MECHANISM FOR THE WINDOW BROKE, CAUSING THE WINDOW TO BE INOPERATIVE.THE CABLE AND REGULATOR FOR THE POWER WINDOW IS ON BACKORDER. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE WHEN PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. *AK

CONSUMER HIT AN OTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT OR THE SIDE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK