1999 Volkswagen Beetle complaints

POWER DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING. VW DEALER CLAIMS IT IS A KNOW COMPUTER GLITCH. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. THE RECALLED PART FAILED TWICE SINCE THE ORIGINAL PART WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS BECOMING INOPERATIVE, THE TRANSMISSION ALSO LOCKS RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE BEING INOPERABLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, 03V265000 CONCERNING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, HOWEVER THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED TO REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART THAT WAS PURCHASED.

PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW IN 1999. WAS PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THROUGH 2001 SUCH AS FAULTY RADIO ( 2 OCCURRENCES) ,FAULTY DOOR LOCK SWITCH AND 1 OCCURRENCE OF NON FUNCTIONING LIGHTS( INSIDE AND OUT) , HORN, DOOR CHIME . COMPLAINED OF SMOKE STREAMING FROM STEERING COLUMN IN 2004. SMOKE WAS CONSISTENT WITH MELTED PLASTIC ODOR. DEALER WAS ABLE TO LOCATE ORIGIN OF ODOR IN FEB 2006. IGNITION COIL + WIRING OVERHEATED AND MELTED. RELAY ALSO OVERHEATED. PARTS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER. DEFECTIVE IGNITION COIL RETAINED. *NM

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON (HAS GONE OFF AND ON FOR OVER A YEAR); LOCAL MECHANIC UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. 11.09.2005 TOOK IT TO VW IN BRUNSWICK, MAINE. MECHANIC THINKS THERE IS A RESISTANCE ISSUE AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. HE THINKS IT IS A MALFUNCTION. THE COST IS OVER $500! I SPOKE TO TWO CO-WORKERS WITH DIFFERENT MODEL VW'S AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT A MECHANIC THINKS IS WRONG AND OTHERS HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY PAY FOR? IF IT IS A DEFECT THEN VW SHOULD BE PAYING FOR IT! MY AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED BEFORE. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITH THIS LIGHT ON. *JB

FUSE PANEL LOCATED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY MELTED IN THE AREA OF THE FUSE FOR THE RADIATOR COOLING FANS. THIS FURTHER DAMAGED THE FUSES FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS CAUSED POWER TO THE ABS SYSTEM TO BE LOST. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THIS PROBLEM AS SHORTED COOLING FANS. HOWEVER, THE WIRING TO THE MOTORS AND THE FAN CONTROL UNIT WERE NOT AFFECTED. THERE WAS ALSO THE DISTINCT SMELL OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND MELTED PLASTIC UNDER THE HOOD. THE FUSE PANEL HAS WHITE DEPOSITS UNDER ITS COVER ABOVE THE AREA THAT MELTED. I ASKED THE DEALER TO GIVE ME THE PARTS AFTER THE SERVICE. THE FAN MOTORS APPEAR TO OPERATE CORRECTLY WHEN CONNECTED TO A 12V POWER SUPPLY. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN THAT SUBJECTS THE FUSE TERMINALS TO CORROSIVE FUMES FROM THE BATTERY. THE INSERT MOLDED TERMINALS THEN BECOME CORRODED WITH HIGH ENOUGH RESISTANCE TO HEAT UP AND CAUSE THE FUSE PANEL TO MELT AND OR CATCH FIRE. I'M GLAD THAT THE PANEL WAS CONSTRUCTED OF A FLAME RETARDANT PLASTIC OR IT WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY BURNED MUCH MORE THAN IT DID. I AM ONLY TOO HAPPY TO FURNISH PICTURES IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEE THE DAMAGE. *NM

WATER PUMP BROKE, CAUSING THE TIMING BELT TO BREAK WHICH RESULTED IN ALL VALVES BENT AND AN ENGINE REBUILD. THE CAR HAD 69,000 MILES...VW MANUAL SAYS MANITENANCE AT 120,000 MILES.

DT: VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1999. THE CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH MIRRORS ON THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE. THEY HAVE TOO MUCH OF A BLIND SPOT FOR ONCOMING VEHICLES. ALSO, THE POST BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES, BEFORE GETTING TO THE DOORS, ARE ALSO GIVING THE CONSUMER TROUBLE, AS BEING A BLIND SPOT. THE CONSUMER PULLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND DIDN'T SEE ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE BLIND SPOTS FROM THE CAR. *AK *SC *JB

I OWN A 1999 NEW BEETLE WITH THE 2.0 ENGINE WITH 37,000 ORIGINAL MILES. THE CAR QUIT RUNNING APPROX. 2 1/2 YRS AGO,APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT FROM A CERTIFIED VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, USED. A FEW DAYS AFTER DELIVERY THERE WAS A ROTTEN EGG SMELL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, ENGINE SLUGGISH. AFTER ONE MONTH THE BATTERY WENT DEAD COMPLETELY. REPLACED THE BATTERY, CAR WOULD NOT RUN. BATTERY DEAD AGAIN AFTER FOUR DAYS. I FOUND INFO ON THE INTERNET THAT SECURITY SYSTEM MUST BE SET OR THE BATTERY WILL LAST ONLY FOUR DAYS. INSPECTED PLUGS, FOUND HEAVY CARBON BUILDUP. INSPECTED PRE O2 SENSOR, FOUND SAME. DECIDED TO OVERHAUL ENG. FOUND HEAVY CARBON ON TOPS OF PISTONS AND VALVES. MACHINE SHOP HAD TO REPLACE PISTONS, RINGS, ALL BEARINGS, OIL PUMP, PLANE THE CYLINDER HEAD, PLANE THE HEAD MATING SURFACE, REPLACE SEALS, TURN THE FLYWHEEL. I HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, CLUTCH, THROWOUT BEARING, O2 SENSOR, PLUG WIRES, AND THE DIPSTICK HOLDER. AFTER CONSIDERABLE MONEY SPENT, ENGINE WOULD START BUT NOT RUN. I FOUND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT IF ELECTRICAL POWER IS LOST, VEHICLE MUST BE TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND BE REPROGRAMMED. IT WILL NOT RUN UNTIL THAT IS DONE. THE REASON GIVEN WAS THAT VOLKSWAGEN DID NOT WANT ANY OWNERS TO FIX THEIR OWN CAR. THIS COULD BE A SIGNIFIGANT SAFETY ISSUE IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION! THERE ARE REPORTS ON SEVERAL INTERNET FORUMS OF THE ORIGINAL BATTERIES BLOWING UP AND EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT

DT:CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH UNLOCKING VEHICLE. WHEN SHE TURNED THE KEY THE WINDOWS ROLL DOWN ON THEIR OWN. IT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN RIGHT AT THAT TIME, BUT SOME TIME AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND OFF THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. SOMETIMES THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE WILL WORK AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT WORK. CONSUMER KNEW OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WAS REPAIRING THE PROBLEM . DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. REPAIRS WERE DONE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. DEALER REPLACED THE CYLINDER LOCK SWITCH.CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE SHE OWNED THE VEHICLE.*AK

VEHICLE PURCHASED 03/1999. PROBLEM: BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER NON-FUNCTIONING OR STAYED ON CONTINUOUSLY. REPAIRS: REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH VOLKSWAGEN PART#1J0945511A,B,& D. OCCURENCES: 05/12/1999, 09/24/1999 AND 04/23/2001 OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE. THREE OTHER OCCURENCES UNTIL 2003 REPLACED UNDER IN-HOUSE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION "WARRANTY". SAFETY RECALL ISSUED 10/2003. RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETED 11/2003. OCCURENCE: 06/2005 RECALLED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AGAIN. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. REPLACES BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, BUT REFUSES TO HONOR ANY KIND OF WARRANTY OF THE PART THAT FULFILLED THE ORIGINAL RECALL. THIS NEGATES THE 10/2003 RECALL OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. IT LEAVES ME, THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, JEOPARDIZED WITH THE SAME REAR CRASH SAFETY SITUATION I WAS ENCOUNTERING BEFORE THE RECALL. I AM REPLACING THE PART, OF COURSE, BUT AT MY OWN EXPENSE AND WITHOUT ANY CONCERNS FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. QUESTION: HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY THE MALFUNCTION OF THIS SAME RECALL MANDATED REPAIR? WILL THERE BE DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO THIS MALFUNCTION? I CAN ONLY PRAY THAT THERE ARE NONE.

COOLING PROBLEMS LED TO OVERALL DIAGNOSIS OF COOLING SYSTEM. 30 AMP FUSE LOCATED IN FUSE PANEL ON TOP OF BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE BURNED AND MELTED. THE PLASTIC FUSE PANEL WAS DESTROYED AND THE FUSE ITSELF MELTED INTO THE FUSE HOLDER. THE CONTACTS IN THE PANEL FOR THE REMAINING FUSES APPEAR TO BE VERY SMALL (APPROX 18-GAUGE WIRE SIZE) AND POSSIBLY THIS EXTREMELY SMALL CONTACT AREA CONTRIBUTED TO THE OVERHEATING, MELTING AND BURNING OBSERVED. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS DETAILED IN THIS THREAD ONLINE: HTTP://FORUMS.NEWBEETLE.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=E9AEE49B8C9FDDF9B634388731C5D59A&THREADID=26315&PERPAGE=15&HIGHLIGHT=30A%20FUSE&PAGENUMBER=1 THE FUSE BOX AND FUSE (ORIGINAL OEM GREEN FUSE) APPEARED THE SAME AS THE PICTURES PRESENTED IN THE ABOVE-LINKED THREAD. *JS

AFTER BEING REAR ENDED, THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN WHIP LASH. AFTER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, THEY STATED THE SEAT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB

1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TIE ROD EQUIPMENT.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND NOISY ON TURNS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION GEAR AND TIE ROD ENDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BAKE TO THE DEALER FOR FRONT END VIBRATION AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE ROD ENDS WERE WORN. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT CLOSE DUE TO DEFECTIVE REGULATORS. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR AND REST THE READINESS CODES. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP TEMPORARILY. DEALERSHIP INFORMED/REPAIRED THE FRONT RACK AND PINION.*AK *NM

WENT IN FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND WHEN DRAIN PLUG WAS REMOVED FROM OIL PAN THE THREADS FELL OUT. TECH. WAS ABLE TO PUT IN OVERSIZE DRAINPLUG BUT STATED I WILL NEED NEW OIL PAN (ESTIMATED AT $430) UPON NEXT OIL CHANGE. TECH. STATED THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON 1999 NEW BEETLES AND HE HAS SEEN A SERVICE BULLETIN RE: THIS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CLUTCH WENT OUT, AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SHIFT THE GEARS. AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. VEHIICLE WAS LATER TOWED. THE AIR PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

THE DRIVER WAS SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. NO INJURIES TO REPORT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO EXTINGUISHED OUT THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. UPDATED 04/19/06. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE MOTOR BLEW. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

I BOUGHT A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE ON AUGUST 4, 2004. ON AUGUST 27, 2004 I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. I THEN BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM AND ASKED THEM TO FIX THE CLUTCH, AS IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED, AND SAID THAT I RUINED THE CLUTCH DUE TO MY DRIVING. ACCORDING TO THEM THIS CAN HAPPEN IN THE 23 DAYS THAT I OWNED THE CAR. THEY STILL CONTINUE TO REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A FUEL LEAK. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD A CRACK IN IT. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL COMING THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ENGINE FELL OUT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. THE CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG CHEMICAL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO FEEL NAUSEOUS AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED GAS FUMES LEAKED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. GAS SMELL BECAME OVERWHELMING WHEN VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND WITHOUT HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS BLINKED ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN, AND SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. BUT, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS. *AK

AFTER STOPPING AT A GAS STATION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN WHICH THEY REPLACED THE SHIFT CARRIER. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS PART SHOULD BE MADE OF METAL INSTEAD OF PLASTIC. *AK *SC

CURRENT PROBLEM: MANUAL TRANSMISSION STICK SHIFT MECHANISM COMPLETELY BROKE DURING SHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (DURING RUSH HOUR). IT WENT TO NEUTRAL, BUT I WAS ABLE TO FIND 3RD GEAR AND GET THE CAR OFF OF THE ROAD.

ENGINE LIGHT ON, AND CAR RUNNING ROUGH, LOSING POWER AND JERKING UPON ACCELERATION. DIAGNOSIS WAS PLUG WIRES AND PLUGS ARE FOULED, CAUSING IGNITION COIL TO BURN OUT. WARRANTY COVERS COIL, BUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW PLUGS AND WIRES BECAUSE THEY ARE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR SERVICE ITEM.

JUNE 2, 2003 THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS SENT TO VOA DEAR VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA I HAVE A 1999 BEETLE THAT CAUGHT FIRE ON MAY 4TH 2003; AS OF TODAY MAY 12, 2003 THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD BY [XXX] FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT. HE SAID, CORPORATE VOLKSWAGEN WILL DO NOTHING WITH THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS TOO OLD AND HAS TOO MANY MILES. THEY WILL NOT BE SENDING ANY KIND OF PAPERWORK TO ME, AND I WILL NOT GET ANY MORE CALLS FROM VOLKSWAGEN ON THIS ISSUE, THIS IS AN INSURANCE ISSUE? I AM NOT PLEASED WITH THIS ANSWER AND THIS IS WHY: 05/04/03 SUNDAY SMOKE THEN FLAMES CAME POURING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD OF OUR 1999 VW BEATLE PURCHASED OCT 1998. I WAS GIVEN A CASE # OF [XXX] TO REFER TO. [XXX] SAID THE A/C SWITCH WIRE CAUSED THE FIRE. HE WAS WAITING FOR A CALL FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA?S CUSTOMER RELATION'S PERSON. 05/12/03 MONDAY 1:38 PM I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AGAIN BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM [XXX]. [XXX] GOT ON PHONE AND SAID THAT A FIRE REPORT WAS SENT TO THEIR PRODUCT LIAISON PERSON. [XXX] SAID, CORPORATE VOLKSWAGEN WILL DO NOTHING WITH THE CAR BECAUSE IT'S TOO OLD AND HAS TO MANY MILES. THEY WILL NOT BE "SENDING PAPERWORK" TO ME AND ? I WILL NOT GET ANY MORE CALLS FROM VOLKSWAGEN ON THIS ISSUE, THIS IS AN INSURANCE ISSUE. I HAVE A RECORD OF ALL PAST SERVICE RECEIPTS (DATING BACK TO THE PURCHASE DATE) AND HAVE DOCUMENTED PROOF OF RECENT PROBLEMS AND REPAIRS TO THE A/C AND ELECTRICAL WIRING ON THIS CAR IN THE PAST. MY DAUGHTER, A CURRENT RESIDENT OF ARIZONA, CURRENTLY IS EMPLOYED AS A FULL

THE WATER PUMP HAS A PART THAT GOES INTO THE ENGINE; IT'S MADE OF PLASTIC AND CALLED AN IMPELLER. IT IS PART OF THE WATER PUMP. THE PLASTIC IMPELLER DISINTEGRATED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON JUST MINUTES BEFORE THE ENGINE CEASED UP. OTHER THAN THAT, THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT. NORMALLY WHEN A WATER PUMP GOES OUT, THE WATER LEAKS OUT. IN THIS CASE, THE WATER REMAINED IN AND DID NOT CIRCULATE. REPAIRER HAS ASKED OWNER FOR MONEY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE ENTIRELY. VW WILL NOT STAND BY ITS MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, WHICH THE OWNER HAS. THE PLASTIC IMPELLER IS A COMMON DESIGN DEFECT WHICH VW KNOWS HAS A SHORT LIFE, BUT THEY KEEP DESIGNING THEIR VWS WITH A PLASTIC IMPELLER!

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL AND RADIO.*MR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE RADIO OPERATED ON IT'S OWN AND THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN ON THEIR OWN. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO USE THE POWER CONTROLS TO. HE WROTE A LETTER TO THE VW DEALERSHIP AND HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN AND AUCTIONED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE SURE VOLKSWAGEN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *CB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ODOMETER ROLLED UP APPROXIMATELY 9000 MILES, THE DEALER RAN A COMPUTER CHECK BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB

THE BRAKE SENSOR WENT OUT. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WAS NOT ON. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

AT 25,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. AT 28,516 VW FINALLY AGREES THE CAR IS BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY. VW REPLACED PISTON RINGS. BUT AT 35,000 THE PROBLEM RETURNS! NOW VW STATES THIS IS "NORMAL". WHY IS THIS NORMAL NOW AND THE SAME PROBLEM WAS NOT NORMAL BEFORE? I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED PER VOLKSWAGEN,IS SUPPOSED TO USE A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS BY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE!!! ITS MY OPINION, BUT I SUSPECT THAT VW IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO EAT THE COST OF REPLACING THOUSANDS OF ENGINES. SO....THEY DECLARED THIS SITUATION "NORMAL".I AM TOTAL DISCUSSED WITH VW OF AMERICA. BECAUSE THIS CAR BURNS MORE OIL THEN THE OLD HEAP I GOT TIRED OF. I WOULD LIKE A NEW ENGINE THAT DOES NOT BURN OIL!!!! "NORMAL" IS JUST A STANDARD WAY TO WEASEL OUT OF TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VERY REAL PROBLEMS THAT MYSELF AND OTHER HAVE WITH THEIR VEHICLES!!!! *PH

VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD INTO A PARKED VEHICLE IN A NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHEN SHE TRIED TO APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONSUMER STATED WAS GOING TO HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER CHECKED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A LEFT FRONTAL COLLISION YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NLM *CB *NLM

DEALER HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS 7 TIMES THIS YEAR. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS NOT LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO SHE HAD TO PAY $60.OO FOR EACH HEAD LAMP. *AK

#1 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY REPLACED A SENSOR AND IT DID NO GOOD, IT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEY COULD NOT FIX IT, I TOOK IT BACK FOUR TIMES AND THEY STILL DID NOT GET IT FIXED PROPERLY. # AFTER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH A NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS OK, BUT I TOOK IT BACK AFTER MY STEP DAD TOLD ME TO AND THEY LOOK AT IT AND TOLD ME IT WAS MY SWAY BAR AND TOLD ME THEY HAD TO ORDER A NEW PART BUT IT WAS OK I TOLD THEM I HAVE TWO KIDS AND I WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT WAS OK TO DRIVE . THIS IT THE FIFTH TIME IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR AND WANT SOME ONE TO CHECK IT OVER AND CLEAR IT TO DRIVE SO I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING IN TO A ACCIDENT WITH A UNSAFE CAR WOULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME TO TAKE CARE OF THIS SO I HAVE A SAFE CAR TO TAKE MY CHILDREN IN AND DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT GOING OFF THE ROAD . *JB

1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE UNDER WARRANTY OF 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES-POWER TRAIN-TRANSMISSION. BECAUSE PARTS WERE LEFT OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION DURING REPAIR IN 2001 AND BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY FROM THE PURCHASE DATE OF 4-28-1999, MANY CLOSE CALLS/NEAR ACCIDENTS WERE EXPERIENCED ON THE FREEWAY. THE BEETLE JUMPED OUT OF 1 GEAR OR ANOTHER AND IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC THAT IS LIFE THREATENING. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER CLASSIC VW OF ESCONDIDO, CA. DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FROM 1999 TO 2-03, 7 ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR WITH THE ONE 2-13-03 BY PARADISE VW OF INDIO, CA, 110 MILES FROM HOME. ONE DEALER WOULD NOT EVEN ATTEMPT BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T GET PAID. PER PHONE 2 OTHER DEALERS TOLD US TO GO BACK TO CLASSIC WHERE WE PURCHASED THE BEETLE AND HAVE THEM FIX THEIR OWN BAD WORK. THE TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, 70 MPH, AND WHEN YOU LOOSE GEAR IN THAT KIND OF TRAFFIC IN THE 2ND OR 3RD LANE YOU ARE IN REAL DANGER. ABOUT 10 OF THIS KIND OF NEAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. LUCKILY ACCIDENTS WERE AVOIDED. FREEWAY TRAVEL CANNOT ALWAYS BE AVOIDED. COULD NOT GET THE CAR REPAIRED SO WE DROVE IT. CLASSIC ALWAYS MAINTAINED THE CAR WAS REPAIRED OR DIDN'T NEED REPAIR, AND WE DROVE IT. WE ALWAYS FELT IN DANGER. THIS TYPE OF DEFECT NEEDS MORE ATTENTION BECAUSE IT IS LIFE THREATENING, A DEATH WAITING TO HAPPEN. *JB

THE 5TH GEAR IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR A NUMBER OF TIMES RENDERING ME HELPLESS IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. I HAD MADE AT LEAST 5 ATTEMPTS TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE ON THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION PROPERLY AND WHEN IT WAS REPAIRED IT WAS IMPROPERLY REPAIRED, WITH PARTS LEFT OUT. BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DUPLICATED BY ANOTHER DEALER NO REPAIRS WERE DONE UNTIL THE CAR WAS SEEN BY A 3RD DEALER WHO FOUND THE PROBLEM AND CORRECTED IT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS UNDERWARRANTY OF 10 YRS/100,000 MILES. . WE, THE CONSUMER, MUST LEARN TO BE AGRESSIVE AND GET PROPER REPAIRS DONE ON OUR AUTOMOBILES AND WE MUST USE EVERYMEANS AVAILABLE TO US TO ENCOURAGE/FORCE THE DEALERSHIPS TO BE MORE AWARE OF CONSUMER SAFTEY. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED OTHERS ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO THE CAR SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. I NEED TO USE MY CAR AND I DID TRY TO GET IT FIXED SO IT WOULD BE SAFE ON ALL ROADWAYS AND IN ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS ON ROADWAYS. IF A CAR CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY A DEALER THEY SHOULD BE HONEST ENOUGH TO ADMIT THEIR LACK OF SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE AND THE CONSUMER REFERRED TO A PLACE OF REPAIR THAT HAS THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TOOLS OF THE TRADE TO ACCOMPLISH THE REPAIR. A CAR OUT OF GEAR AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON A FREEWAY IS AS DANGEROUS AS ANY OF THE TOP 3 DANGERS LISTED AND SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST. SO SHOULD THE NAMES OF THE DEALERS WHO ARE SO LAX IN ACCOMPLISHING LIFE SAVING REPAIRS.

ON 01/28/2003 WHILE CRUISING AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH MY DIESEL ENGINE SIMPLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE WARNING WHATSOEVER. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A VERY BUSY ROAD WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO JIM ELLIS VW ON PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341 (PHONE: 770-458-6811). THEY WERE ABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM AND DIAGNOSED A FAILED POWER SUPPLY RELAY WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED. THUS FAR THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REPEATED ITSELF. THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION!!!!

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE DRIVER SHIFT GEARS AND THE LEVER BROKE OFF IN THEIR HAND. VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE SHIFTER AND ALL RELATED COMPONENTS HAD BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

WHILE DRIVING IN METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, D.C. BELTWAY ("HIGHWAY") TRAFFIC AT EVENING RUSH HOUR, I WAS PREPARING TO SWITCH LANES AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS .... WHEN MY STICK SHIFT BROKE (ONE PIECE BECAME TWO PIECES). I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED, I WAS FURTHER BLESSED THAT I WAS ABLE TO COAST AT HIGHWAY SPEED (CAR WENT TO NEUTRAL) UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO MOVE FROM THE MIDDLE LANE TO THE SLOWER RIGHT HAND LANE. AT THIS POINT I CONTINUED ON WITH FLASHERS AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN THIRD GEAR, BUT THE STICK SHIFT REMAINED BROKEN. I HAVE ASKED APPROXIMATELY 50 PEOPLE IF THEY HAVE EVER HEARD OF SUCH A MALFUNCTION. NONE HAD! I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE DEALING WITH ONLY VW PEOPLE CONCERNING THE ACCEPTIBILITY OF THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED USAA AND THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I GET YOUR GROUP INVOLVED. THANK YOU

1)DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAD DIFFICULTY GOING UP SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE, HAVE TO PUSH WITH HAND TO ASSIST. 2) JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE SENSOR BEHIND BRAKE PEDAL FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM PARK, REPLACED. 3) AIR BAG CAME ON AND THEN ENGINE LIGHT SOON AFTER, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. BOTH WARNING LIGHTS OFF AND REPLACED. 4) HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING OUT, EVIDENCE OF A SHORT WHEN REPLACED. BURN MARKS, AND EXPOSED WIRING BECAUSE PLASTIC ON CONNECTORS GOT BRITTLE AND CRACKED OFF. 5) AIR BAG LIGHT ON AGAIN, TWO WEEKS LATER ENGINE LIGHT ON. TOLD TWO SENSORS ON MASS AIR FLOW AND SOME OTHERS ARE MALFUNCTIONING AND NOW BEEN REPLACED. TOLD THERE IS A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING IN STEERING COLUMN ALONG WITH BAD WIRING HARNESS, BOTH AFFECTING AIR BAGS. ALSO, TOLD AIR BAG IS NOW BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OTHER DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS HAVE SHORTED IGNITER IN AIR BAG OUT. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND CANNOT CONTINUE TO FUND REPAIRS TO THIS VEHICLE. CANNOT SELL EITHER BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND NOW REPUTATION OF BEETLE FOR PROBLEMS. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, EVEN SO MUCH AS BUMPED. METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS----------------770755. *AK *NLM

EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN IT ON. AFTER THE THIRD TIME, CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. *JG

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 18 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INOPERATIVE SPEEDOMETER BUT IT ENDED UP BEING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS WOULDN'T WORK BECAUSE OF AN ERROR WITH THE ELECTRONICS. *SCC

SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, ENGINE"CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. ALSO, CD PLAYER WAS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY AND TEMPERATURE DISPLAY (BY REAR VIEW MIRROR) DID NOT WORK. TOOK IN TO DEALER'S SVC DEPT. MANY TIMES, BUT PROBLEMS PERSITED . DEALER SVC. DEPT. CLAIMED EVERYTHING WORKING FINE. RECENTLY, THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE FAILED AND IT WOULD NOT GO UP. TOOK CAR IN TO DEALER SVC. DEPT. AND GOT REPAIRED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, CAR DIED. IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY, SO CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER SERVICE DEPT. ON 8-14-02. DEALER EXAMINED CAR AND SAID IT WAS THE TRI-LOCK SYSTEM AND DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. TRI-LOCK SYSTEM REMOVED BY DEALER BUT CAR STILL NOT WORKING. PROBLEM: POWER WINDOWS DID NOT WORK, PUSH WINDOW BUTTON AND TRUNK WOULD POP OPEN, AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON, ETC. ETC. ETC. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALESHIP FOR OVER A WEEK AND DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME IT'S FIXED, BUT WHEN I GO PICK IT UP (3 TIMES), THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS STILL ON ALL THE TIME. VERY FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED.*AK

AS YOU DRIVE THE ABS LIGHT DISPLAYS ON THE DASH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES VERY SOFT AND LONG. IT COMPROMISED BRAKING DISTANCE. THIS HAS HAPPEN 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME AFTER ONLY 19 044 MILES. WE TALKED WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SHARED . *AK

WHILE IN MOTION, THE RED ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER CHECKED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR AND FOUND IT TO BE EMPTY. THE CAUSE, A LEAKING COOLANT RESERVOIR CAP. THE RED ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATES OCCASIONALLY. THE OIL LEVEL WAS EXTREMEMLY LOW. MAZDAS SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE NEW BEETLES TENDS TO USE OIL. THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT FAILED ALSO. THE OIL PAN HAS A HOLE IN IT WHICH ALLOWED THE OIL LEVEL TO CONTINUOUSLY BE LOW, THEREFORE ALLOWING THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT TO CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATE, ALSO THE TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER BELT WERE REPLACED. *JG

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD A FAILURE IN FUSE BOX WHICH CAUSED SOME FUSES TO MELT. ONE FUSE SHORTED OUT A WIRE TO THE RELAY BOX WHICH ALSO SUSTAINED A SHORT. HEAD LIGHTS, DEFOGGER, HORN, TURN SIGNALS ETC, BECAME INOPERATIVE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK

WHEN TIRES WERE ROTATED, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THREE BULGES ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE. THE GOODYEAR DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS ROAD DAMAGE AND WOULD NOT HONOR THE TIRE WARRANTY. THE TIRE WAS LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD AND HAD GONE LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. IT HAD REPLACED THE ORIGINAL, WHOSE SIDEWALL WAS PUNCTURED WHEN MY WIFE HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD. I SUSPECT THAT THE SIDEWALLS ON THIS MODEL TIRE SHOULD BE STRONGER THAN THEY ARE.*AK

WINDOWS ON PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE WILL CONTINUOUSLY FALL WHENEVER CONSUMER IS DRIVING VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER . DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK