2001 Volkswagen Beetle complaints

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT ABOUT 12 AM IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE ON HIGHWAY 217 IN TIGARD OREGON, JUST PASSED EXIT 4 MY STEERING STARTED PULLING ME TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, TOWARDS THE GUARD RAIL. (WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 55 MPH) I TRIED TO CORRECT BY PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. I THEN HEAR A VERY LOUD SNAPPING/BREAKING NOISE UNDER MY LEFT FOOT AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY CAR SLIDES TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, INTO THE GUARD RAIL. I THEN BOUNCED OFF OF THE GUARD RAIL AND THE CAR CONTINUED SLIDING/SPINNING UNTIL COMING TO REST IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. TIGARD POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND STATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE "SUSPENSION BROKE AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF", CAUSING THE WRECK. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END (LEFT SIDE) AND MARKS ON THE REAR BUMPER. WITNESS FOLLOWING BEHIND ME STATED THAT THEY SAW ME DRIVING IN FRONT OF THEM AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SPINNING, APPARENTLY FOR NO REASON SINCE THERE WAS NO IMPACT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS NOT WORKING AND EXPRESSED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. UPDATED 08/25/06. *JB

ALMOST TOO MANY TO LIST O2 SENSOR AT 20K MILES - TWICE TEMP SENSOR FOR COOLING FAN ($5 PART - $200 TO INSTALL) AT 30K MILES IGNITION COILS AT 50K MILES. VW HAD INITIATED A "CUSTOMER ACTION" ON ALL 1.8L ENGINES FOR DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS ON VW AND AUDI MODELS. CUSTOMER SERVICE ACTION MEANS NOTHING, COST ME $600 WITHOUT RENTAL CAR ADDED. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PRESS RELEASE WHEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY. WATER PUMP WENT SOUTH AT 61K MILES ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WENT SOUTH AT 61K MILES ALSO. WARRANTY COVERED STILL COST ME $300 FOR RENTAL CAR FOR 5 DAYS. TIMING BELT DAMAGED WHEN WATER PUMP WENT. VOA WILL TELL YOU TO "CHECK" IT AT 50K BUT IT SHOULD LAST TO 108K. PAID FULL LABOR EVEN THOUGH ENGINE WAS APART FOR PUMP WORK. VW SHOULD BE FORCED TO HONOR THE QUALITY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND FORCE A RECALL ON THE COILS, POTENTIALLY THE O2 SENSOR AND DEFINITELY THE ECM. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE INSANE. ECM ON THIS CAR IS $1300 NO LABOR. CURRENT WARRANTY ON NEW IS 60K. MINE WENT AT 61K. 2001 WARRANTY WAS 10/100 AND 8/80. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE PROBLEMS. CAR IS A LEMON, CONTACT LAWYER TOO MUCH HASSLE - THEY WIN AGAIN. *JB

MY 2001 VW BEETLE TURBO WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. IT IS STUCK THERE. I WAS PARKED ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE WITHOUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I T WAS 95 DEGREES F. I CALLED VW AND THEY TOLD ME TO DO THE FOLLOWING. * 1. I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF * 2. PUMP THE BRAKE 5 TIMES AND HOLD IT FOR THE 5TH TIME ALL THE WAY DOWN * 3. TURN THE CAR ON COMPLETELY * 4. WAIT 5 SECONDS * 5. THEN TURN IT OFF * 6. TURN IT 1/4 TURN (NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE CAR) * 7. THEN I CAN TURN THE SHIFT IN BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE * 8. THEN TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY ON TO TURN IT COMPLETELY ON TO SHIFT IT INTO DRIVE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE SETTING OFF AND FREEZING THE ALARM. THE FIRE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT INTERIOR. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE ON THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CLOSEST DEALERS WERE CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE WILLING TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERS FOR A FEE. PRIOR TO THE DASH BOARD CATCHING ON FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BECAUSE OF A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE DETAILER SPRAY WAS CAUSING THE SMELL BUT THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE. *AK

2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED. *KB THE DEALER DETERMINED THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *JB

LOCK ON GAS LID WAS LOOSE. I DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL I RAN THE CAR THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE AIR FROM THE DRYER POPPED THE LID OPEN AND IT WENT FLYING THROUGH THE AIR. LID IS FIBER GLASS AND IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH TO BREAK IT. I SAW ANOTHER BUG LAST WEEK WITH THE GAS LID GONE TOO! *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5O MPH THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE HIT AGAINST A TREE. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HOWEVER ONLY THE DRIVER WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE END OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HIT THE DRIVER'S FACE CAUSING PERMANENT FACIAL DAMAGE (ACUTE RECESSION GLAUCOMA). THE CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING THE BRAKE LAMPS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE GETS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION. AN NHTSA RECALL, # 03V265000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH HOWEVER; THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS RECALL, #03V265000, CONCERNING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. FOUR BRAKE SWITCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR ALL OF THEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT IT DID NOT HELP. IT COST THE CONTACT OVER $3,000 IN REPAIRS. UPDATED ON 05/16/2006. *AK *NM

THESE ARE SECONDARY SAFETY ISSUES: 1) GAS GAUGE REQUIRES $700 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 2) HEADLIGHTS SHIPPED FROM FACTORY MISSING RETAINER BAND AND REQUIRE $650 FIX JUST TO ALIGN. VW SAN JOSE, CA INVOICE [XXX] ON 2001 VW BEETLE LEMON [XXX]. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM SOLENOID. THE REPLACEMENT ONLY REMEDIED THE PROBLEM FOR A TWO YEAR PERIOD AND IT HAS NOW RETURNED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID, THE SAFETY FEATURE THAT REQUIRES THE BRAKE TO BE DEPRESSED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK FAILED TWICE. *AK

AT THE END OF MY WORKDAY MY CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT HE WOULD RATHER SOMEONE WITH MORE VW EXPERIENCE LOOK AT IT. WHEN I CALLED THE VW DEALER THE SERVICE PERSON SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH AND THAT THERE WERE RECALLS THAT IT MAY BE COVERED UNDER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE NEXT DAY THE FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, AFTER SEARCHING MY VIN# THE DEALER SAID MY CAR WAS NOT ON ANY RECALL. AFTER SEARCHING THE NHTSA WEBSITE, I FOUND A RECALL FOR MY MAKE/MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *JB

I OWN A 2001 BEETLE. IT HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE OTHER DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I JUST TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO REPLACE A COIL AND AN O2 SENSOR. ALL THIS IS GOING TO COST ME CLOSE TO $1000! AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT FOR VW BEETLES. VW NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL SINCE THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR SO MANY PEOPLE. I READ OF PEOPLE HAVING THE CAR STOP RUNNING WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING. THIS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *NM

AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON. ONLY A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER HAS THE EQUIPMENT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND TELL ME WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. THE DEALER WILL NOT LOOK AT MY CAR UNLESS I GIVE THEM $100. IS THIS NOT PRICE GOUGING? NO AUTOMOBILE DIAGNOSIS WITH THAT EXPENSIVE. IT WILL NOT TAKE BUT A FEW MINUTES TO HOOK THE COMPUTER UP TO THE CAR AND SPIT OUT A REASON FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT. SO, I CAN PAY THEM $100 TO TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR I CAN RIDE AROUND WITHOUT AIRBAGS. THIS TYPE OF EXTORTION SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.*AK

TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER ON 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE FAILED IN SAME WAY AS DESCRIBED IN YOUR RECALL #04V584000-WHICH APPLIES TO OTHER MODELS BUT NOT NEW BEETLE. OCCURRENCE DATE: 12 JANUARY 2006, MILEAGE 64,200 APPROX. THIS IS SAME BEHAVIOR ALREADY IDENTIFIED BY YOU. I REQUEST THAT INVESTIGATION BE OPENED TO BROADEN THE RECALL TO THIS MODEL. I AM TRYING TO FIND REPLACEMENT PART. *JB

DAUGHTER'S 2001 VW NEW BEETLE, PURCHASED PRE-OWNED ODOMETER READING 34908 WITH HIGHEST LEVEL EXTENDED WARRANTY AVAILABLE. ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY (IGNITER OF AIR BAG) HAD SPORADIC VOLTAGE READING. PRE-EMPTYING WARNINGS OF AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY, HOWEVER SINCE THE BOTTOM LINE TO CORRECTING THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY WOULD RELY ON REPLACING THE AIR BAG, THE WARRANTY REFUSES TO COVER THE CHARGE. SERVICE TECHNICIAN INSISTS IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, WHICH WARRANTY DOES COVER...WARRANTY INSISTS THE CORRECTING OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT RESULTS IN AIR BAG REPLACEMENT...WARRANTY DOES NOT STATE AIR BAG COVERAGE-THEREFORE WE WILL NOT COVER EXPENSE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO PARK THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE LAMPS ILLUMINATED, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *AK

THE POWER SHUTS DOWN IN MY 2001 BEETLE TURBO WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, KILL THE CAR, AND THEN START IT BACK UP. AFTER THAT, IT SEEMS FINE. *NM

2001 BEETLE GETS STUCK IN PARK. WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, IT WILL MOVE FREELY INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. WHEN I START THE CAR, THE GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DIESEL. THE VEHICLE WILL SWAY BACK AND FOURTH AND THIS WAS HARD FAST SWAYS. THIS OCCURRED A LOT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE SWAYING WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE CONTACT HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS FROM THIS BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE. THE VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR AT LEAST TWO MONTHS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WHEELS ALIGNED AND THIS DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT PROGRESSIVELY WAS GETTING WORSE. IT OCCURRED AT ALL SPEEDS AND PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE THE FASTER THAT THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING. *AK *JB

I OWN A NEW VW BEETLE AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS BEEN GIVING DISPLAYS THAT COME ON AND OFF CONCERNING THE ABS SYSTEM, AIR BAG AND ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS CORROSION OF THE TERMINAL STRIP FROM THE COOLANT TANK THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT AND GIVEN A FIELD SERVICE TECHNICAL BULLETIN THAT OUTLINED THE PROBLEM DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THIS CAN BE A PROBLEM AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS UNRELIABLE AND THE SAFETY SYSTEMS CANNOT BE SURE TO BE WORKING. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN TO NO AVAIL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT RECOURSE I HAVE TO HAVE A DESIGN FLAW CORRECTED? *NM

LOSS OF POWER ON 2001 VW NEW BEETLE TDI. AIR INTAKE CLOGS UP DUE TO WATER LIKE SUBSTANCE CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL POWER LOSS. *JB

DT: HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE RECALL. EPC LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF, CAME ON AGAIN. CURRENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OFF. TRIED TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, JUST TURNING THE KEY HAVE WAY , BUT THEY STILL WILL NOT COME ON. IT CAME ON ONCE BEFORE ABOUT 4 OR 5 MONTHS, BUT IT WENT BACK OFF. CONTACTED DEALER ,THEY HAD CHECKED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK

2001 VW BEETLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. RESEARCED ON LINE TO FIND THERE WAS A RECALL CONCERNING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHS IN 2001 BEETLE. TOOK CAR TO BUTLER VW TO HAVE FIXED AND WAS CHARGED FOR REPAIR KNOWING THEY HAVE A HISTORY WITH THESE SWITCHS BEING DEFFECTIVE. DEALER WOULD NOT PAY BASED ON VEHICLE NOT FALLING INTO VIN'S THAT WERE RECALLED.

2001 NEW BETLE. IN SHOP 7 TIMES SINCE PURCAHSE ON MARCH 15, 2005. WAS TOLD IT WAS 02 SENSORS. REPLACED SENSORS, RE WIRED, AND PLACED NEW COMPUTER IN AUTOMOBILE. PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED. SEVERAL OHTERS HAVE EXPREINCED THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE SEE HTTP://WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM/UBB/FORUM3/HTML/000059.HTML

1. ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE; 2. ENGINE THEN "EXPLODED" RESULTING IN ENGINE FIRE AND DESTRUCTION OF ENGINE AND ALL UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS.

PURCHED A USED 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE FOR MY DAUGHTERS 16TH BIRTHDAY. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FIRST. AFTER 3 TRIPS TO THE DEALER( WHICH IS 50 MILES AWAY) THAT WAS FINALLY FIXED. THEN IS WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PARK. SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY PUT IN A NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. WELL NOW IT IS STUCK IN PARK AGAIN AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR TOWING AGAIN TO HAV THE SAME PART REPLACED AGAIN. THE TOW BILL ALONE IS WELL OVER 100.00. I CALLED VW AND THEY TELL ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALLL THAT IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THIS CAR IS COSTING ME A FORTUNE AND SHE HAS HAD IT ONLY 1 YEAR AND IT HAS ONLY 48,000 MILES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE TIMES THEN OUT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW. THEY ARE TOTALLY JUNK.

DRIVER DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTION. NO PRIOR EVENT. DRIVER DOOR LATCH (DIODE/ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED) FAILED -CAR DOOR DOES NOT SHUT/STAY LATCHED. WHILE DRIVING CAR DOOR OPENS ON ITS OWN ACCORD. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT DOOR LATCH WILL NOT OPERATE/CLOSE WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONS. SUGGESTED I USE TAPE TO HOLD DOOR SHUT-WHILE WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT LATCH. PART # 3B1-837-015-AK LOCK

I HAVE A 2001 NEW BEETLE. I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN JULY 2000. MY COMPLAIT IS THAT I HAD MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON AND DIABLED MY STOPPING ABILITY OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED REPLACING THE ELECTRONIC CONTOL UNIT OF MY ABS SYSTEM. THIS COST ME 1300.00 TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL CAR UNDER THE SAME MANUFATURER DATES OF SEPT 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 2001. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS #02V031000. MY VEHICLES VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SEQUENCE OF RECALLED VEHICLES. I AM APPAULED THAT MY CAR HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MANUFATURE DATE IS NOT COVERED ON THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED AND DEMAND AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT IS OK FOR ME TO RISK MY FAMILY'S LIVES WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY IDENTIFIED AS A MAJOR PROBLEM. NOT TO MENTION A BIG EXPENSE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

MY ABS DASH INDICATOR CAME ON STEADY, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE INTERIOR CHIME STARTED SOUNDING CONTINUOUSLY. I PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. A PUFF OF SMOKE/STEAM CAME UP FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEELWELL AND THERE WAS A HORRIBLE HISS AND WHINE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE SAME SIDE AND A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ABS MODULE (WHICH THEY CHANGED FOR $950!!!) AND THAT ONLY FIXED THE ABS LIGHT. NO CLUE ON THE FLASHING BRAKE IDIOT LIGHT AND NOW THEY SAY THE AC DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. NO REFRIGERANT, SO OBVIOUSLY A LEAK. IT SEEMS WAY TOO COINCIDENTAL. I HEARD ABOUT AN ABS MODULE RECALL BACK IN '03 WHICH COULD SHORT CIRCUIT AND CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GEOGRAPHY AND I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR (BOUGHT USED) FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. SEE ATTACHED LINK: HTTP://FORUMS.NEWBEETLE.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=50457

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED THAT THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK

THE CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, BEARINGS, AXLE, COOLING SYSTEM, SEAT TRACKS AND BOLTS AND WINDOW TRACK IN HER 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. *NM THE CONSUMER ALSO NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE FRONT AXLE. *SC

2001 VW BEETLE, REAR BRAKE CALIPERS LOCKED CLOSED CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. VW MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. ALL SERVICE AND INSPECTIONS DONE BY VW DEALER AS REQUIRED. *JB

CONSUMER CLIPPED THE CURB WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER ESTIMATED A CHARGE OF $1,400 TO MAKE THE REPAIRS.*AK

MY 2001 GLX BEETLE NEEDS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE REPLACE WHICH THE DEALER TELLS ME WILL COST $900. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 39,000 MILES. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE 2001 GLX BEETLE FOR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE BUT IT APPARENTLY ONLY AFFECTS VEHICLES WHERE THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF THE VIN ARE 475001 OR HIGHER. MY VEHICLE'S VIN IS IN THE 457XXX RANGE. I CAN'T BELIEVE MY PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL YET BECAUSE MY VIN IS TO LOW, THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE VOLKSWAGEN EXTEND THE RECALL TO COVER VEHICLES IN MY VIN RANGE. THERE IS RISK OF FIRE IF THE UNIT IS NOT REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE SO NOW I MUST INCUR A LARGE EXPENSE TO REPLACE A PART I BELIEVE WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *JB

MULTIPLE REQUESTS TO HAVE OUR 2001 NEW BEETLE TDI HEADLIGHTS ADJUSTED PROPERLY HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH BY GURLEY-LEEP VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SINCE THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, 2001 WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW.*AK SPECIFICALLY: LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SET FAR, FAR TOO LOW; I ESTIMATE THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE ABOUT 60 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, LIMITING TRAVEL AT NIGHT TO ~35 MPH; THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY HAZARD FOR TWO REASONS: 1) WE CAN'T SEE HAZARDS SOON ENOUGH, AND 2) OUR LOWER SPEEDS PRESENT A HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES TRAVELING AT HIGHER (NORMAL) SPEEDS. WHEN I ASK WHY THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SET TOO LOW, I'M TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL THAT "THEY'RE SET TO SPEC". LATEST, 12/14/04: SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN TOLD US THEY SET THE HEADLIGHTS "TO SPEC", BUT THE RIGHT LIGHT ASSEMBLY DOESN'T STAY IN ADJUSTMENT, I.E., IT "DROPS", AND WE NEED TO BUY A NEW ASSEMBLY AT ABOUT $330.00. THIS IS A STRANGE SITUATION BECAUSE THE LEFT HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATES THE ROAD AT THE SAME DISTANCE AS THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT, AND THE GURLEY LEEP SERVICE DEPARTMENT PEOPLE DID NOT TELL US THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT. BOTTOM LINE: THIS IS APPARENTLY EITHER A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OR A POORLY MANAGED MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT; EITHER WAY IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND MUST BE CORRECTED BY VW AT NO CHARGE.

IT COULD POTENTIALLY EFFECT YOUR ABS SYSTEM AND COULD START A FIRE. THE 3 GREEN FUSES ON TOP OF THE BATTERY. THERE IN A SMALL COVER. OPEN THE COVER AND CHECK THE FUSE LOCATED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS THE FUSE FOR THE AC COMPRESSOR AND FANS. I SAW 3 CARS WITH SEVERELY MELTED AND BURNED CONNECTORS. THE FUSES DON'T BLOW, OR THEY MELT INTO THE CONNECTOR ALLOWING CURRENT TO CONTINUE TO FLOW. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD AND I WANT TO VOICE MY CONCERNS BEFORE ANYONE LOOSES A CAR TO THIS. THE CARS THAT I CHECKED WERE ALL 1999-2001 CARS AND ALL USE THE AC PRETTY FREQUENTLY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE PART SINCE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. SEE HERE FOR MORE CASES OVER 26 DOCUMENTED. HTTP://FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=26315&PERPAGE=40&PAGENUMBER=1. *AK

WIRE BROKEN ON SEAT BELT LIGHT AND AIR BAG. *AK

2001 VW TURBO BEETLE (22,770 MILEAGE) LOW OIL PRESSURE. SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP. OIL SLUDGE CLEANED FROM PAN AND PICKUP TUBE REPLACE, COST $457.53. SYNTHETIC OIL USE VICE NORMAL OIL TO AVOID SLUDGE BUILDUP. VW MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ENGINE DESIGN PROBLEM THAT CAUSED NORMAL OIL TO BREAK DOWN. OWNER'S MANUAL SHOULD STATE ONLY USE SYNTHETIC OIL. ALL PREVIOUS OIL CHANGES AND SERVICING WERE PERFORMED AT SPECIFIED MILEAGES AT THE VW DEALERSHIP. *AK

ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR. *SC *JB

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ROTORS. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS SHOWED NO SIGN OF WEAR AND THE REAR BRAKE PADS WORE TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BRAKE ROTOR WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. *SC *JB

2001 VW BEETLE, 10,000, WELL MAINTAINED MECHANICALLY/GARAGE PARKING - ALTERNATOR SHUT DOWN ON I-66 IN VIRGINIA WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING; NUMBER OF LIGHTS ON THE PANEL LITE UP ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 20, 2004 ON A TRIP TO TENNESSEE AND CAR JUST SHUT DOWN, LOST POWER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD.THEN, CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. *AK

CONSUMER FELT THAT THE AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELTS SHOULD NOT BE HOOKED UP TOGETHER. BOTH AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERABLE. *AK

VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING. *AK

AT 30,000 MILES MY BEETLE NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES AFTER DAMAGE OCCURED TO THE ROTOR. AFTER OBSERVING THEM I DECIDED TO CHANGE THE FRONT BRAKES AS WELL, THE FRONT BRAKES HAD PLENTY OF PAD LEFT. IS IT NOT NORMAL THAT THE FRONT WEAR MORE PREMATURELY THAN THE REAR??? *JB

AT 30,000 MILES MY BEETLE NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES AFTER DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE ROTOR. AFTER OBSERVING THEM I DECIDED TO CHANGE THE FRONT BRAKES AS WELL, THE FRONT BRAKES HAD PLENTY OF PAD LEFT. IS IT NOT NORMAL THAT THE FRONT WEAR MORE PREMATURELY THAN THE REAR??? *JB

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

I HAVE 21,500 MILES ON MY 2001 VW BEETLE, HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP APROX 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, CAR HESITATES AND STALLS OUT AS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS A CONSTANT ON, DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM, MY WIFE AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED IN VEHICLE DUE TO STALLING OUT IN FRONT OF FAST MOVING TRAFFIC, I LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS AN ENDANGER TO MY AND MY FAMILIES LIFE WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD LIKE THIS VEHICLE TOWED IN, AND SINCE WAS AN ON GOING PROBLEM ALSO NEEDED A RENTAL CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA BOTH REFUSED ON BOTH ACCOUNTS, BECAUSE OF THE BITTER TASTE IN MY MOUTH FOR VW. I NO LONGER WANT THIS CAR.