2003 Volkswagen Beetle complaints

PURCHASED 2003 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE IN JUNE 2003. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAD APPROX. 69 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THE CAR NOW HAS 39,038 MILES AS OF THIS WRITING. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH (WHEN THE CAR TURNED OVER TO 39,000), I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING MAJOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, ACCELERATING, THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR. INSTEAD, THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS & THEN JUMPS (LURCHES) FORWARD, CAUSING THE TIRES TO SCREECH. WHEN THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD, THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW TIMES WHEN IT JUMPED SO AS TO ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT & SEEMS TO OCCUR ONCE I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR FOR 10 MILES OR MORE. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM, & I CANNOT PREDICT WHEN OR WHERE IT WILL HAPPEN. I WOULD SAY THAT IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. I HAVE READ ON LINE THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR OF CAR HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. SOME PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED THAT AN ACCIDENT WAS BARELY AVOIDED - - SAME SCENARIO THAT I AM COMPLAINING OF IN THIS COMPLAINT. MY QUESTION - WHY IS VOLKSWAGEN NOT RECALLING THIS CAR FOR THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED BY THIS UNEXPECTED LURCHING PROBLEM. LIKE THE TOYOTA ACCELERATOR PROBLEM OF RECENT WEEKS, INJURIES COULD BE PREVENTED IF THE CAR MANUFACTURER WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD TO REPAIR MY CAR & HAVE AN AD ON CRAIGS LIST FULLY DISCLOSING THE PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING. HOPEFULLY, I WILL BE ABLE TO SELL THE

1) PUT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DOWN 2) REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WENT 1/2 WAY UP AND ALL THE WAY DOWN THREE TIMES AND THEN A GRINDING NOISE AND WINDOW WOULD NOT COME BACK UP AGAIN 3) TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, REPAIR TO COST ABOUT $1000.00 AWAITING PARTS. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION BANG INTO GEAR SOMETIME AND GETS STUCK IN GEAR BETWEEN 3TH AND 4TH. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT GOING TO HAPPEN, WHEN ACCELERATING ON TO THE INTERSTATE IT CAN BE DANGEROUS.*TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. CAR ONLY HAS 74K MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BADLY. WHEN DOWNSHIFTING IT SHIFTS REALLY HARD AND LUNGES FORWARD. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN UPSHIFTING IN THE AUTO TRANS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE NEW BEETLES. THE ONLY FIX IS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH COST ABOUT 6,000. THERE IS NO REASON FOR A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 74K MILES. *TR

I HAVE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE BAD ONCE ALREADY AND WAS REPLACED BY A NEW ONE...BUT THE TRANNY HAS GONE BAD AGAIN JUST AFTER 35,000 MILES AFTER THE NEW TRANNY WAS REPLACED...ITS REALLY SCARY DRIVING THAT CAR BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO SKIP...IT RUNS WELL FOR A WHILE THEN IT JUST STARTS SKIPPING GEARS...WE HAVE CHANGE THE TRANNY FLUID ABOUT 3 TIMES AND NOTHING HAS WORKED OUT...ITS GOING TO COST ME $1,700 TO FIX....I THINK VW SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON NEW BEETLES TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS... *TR

I STARTED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION SHIFT PROBLEMS ON MY '03 VW BEETLE TURBO, JUST AROUND ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE FROM A VW DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS PRE-CERTIFIED AT THE TIME, SINCE I COULDN'T AFFORD THE WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALER HAD, I PRESUME, DECLARED IT FREE OF DEFECTS AND PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE PROBLEM, UPON WHICH I WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $4200. NO FURTHER DETAILS WERE GIVEN AS TO THE REASON OR POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM, IN SPITE OF MY REQUESTS FOR A DESCRIPTION. THE SERVICE ADVISOR JUST STATED "IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED". I HAVE SINCE VISITED ONLINE AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS AND FOUND OUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS AS WELL. I AM CONCERNED NOW THAT EVEN IF I REPLACE IT, THE REPLACEMENT MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IN THE MEAN TIME THE TRANSMISSION UNPREDICTABLY STARTS SLIPPING, OR MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN SLIPPING AND AT OTHER TIMES WON'T EVEN SHIFT FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. *TW

2003 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE HAS A TRANSMISSION FLAW WHICH RESULTS IN JERKY SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR CAUSING WHIPLASH TO THE DRIVER AS WELL AS A HESITATION (AND HIGH ENGINE REVVING) SHIFTING INTO 5TH GEAR. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH SOME KIND OF SHIFTING CONTROL PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION WORKS FINE WHEN IT IS COOL (FIRST START DRIVING) BUT GETS WORSE AS THE CAR WARMS UP. AFTER 15 MILES THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING IS VERY JERKY AND UNSETTLING. THERE IS A HESITATION AND THEN A VERY HARD CLANKING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. HIGHWAY DRIVING IS VERY DANGEROUS DUE TO HESITATION BETWEEN GEARS 4 AND 5 AT AROUND 60 MILES PER HOUR. CITY STREET DRIVING IS DANGEROUS DUE TO THE JERKY SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AT AROUND 20 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS HAPPENING 1 DAY AFTER HAVING THE CAR IN THE VW SHOP FOR 4 DAYS HAVING THE TIPTRONIC GEAR SHIFT CONTROL MODULE REPLACED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO A LESSER DEGREE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE CAR HAS HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED 4 TIMES IN 5 YEARS TO ADDRESS THE ROUGH SHIFTING CONDITION. THE VW DEALERS\SERVICE PEOPLE REPORT THE TRANSMISSION IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS NOT DESIGNED TO JERK ROUGHLY BETWEEN GEARS NOR TO HESITATE BETWEEN UPPER GEARS. ANY HESITATION AT 55 TO 60 MPHS SHIFTING FROM 4TH TO 5TH GEAR (SIMILAR TO PUSHING IN THE CLUTCH BUT NOT SHIFTING GEARS IN A MANUAL TRANNY) CAN RESULT IN SOMEONE RUNNING INTO TEH REAR END OF THE CAR. IN

I OWN A 2003 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, 4 CYL, 6 SP AUTO. IT HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN THE PAST YEAR, IT'S STARTED JERKING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FIND I'M NOT ALONE. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF OTHERS IN THE SAME POSITION. ACCORDING TO VW, THE TRANSMISSION IS $6,800. WOW - I KNOW! YOU HAVE TO USE THE DEALER BECAUSE THE PARTS AREN'T AVAILABLE TO THE AFTER MARKET. IN ANY EVENT, THE CAR HESITATES WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO PULL OUT, JERKS WHEN YOU STOP. I'VE NARROWLY AVOIDED SEVERAL REAR END COLLISIONS AS WELL AS SAID SEVERAL PRAYERS WHEN IT DIDN'T ACCELERATE AS QUICKLY AS IT SHOULD HAVE. I'M NOT A MECHANIC, BUT I'M NOT STUPID EITHER. THE TRANSMISSION IS FINE UNTIL THE ENGINE IS WARM. I CAN SHIFT GEARS WITH NO PROBLEM USING THE TIPTRONIC PART OF THE SYSTEM - BUT OTHERS HAVE SAID THIS ONLY WORKS FOR A SHORT PERIOD. THERE ARE NO METAL SOUNDS WHEN THE ENGINE IS SHIFTING. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. VW REFUSES TO PUT THE TIME AND EFFORT INTO DETERMINING WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS. THEY JUST REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS AND POCKET $6,800. BY THE WAY, THE BLUE BOOK VALUE OF THE CAR IS $6,800. IRONIC, I KNOW. I'VE READ POST AFTER POST FROM PEOPLE WHO HAD THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY VW ONLY TO FIND THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. I UNDERSTAND THEY DON'T WANT TO FIND THE ISSUE, BUT I REALLY LOVE MY CAR AND WANT IT FIXED. CORRECTLY. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE VW T

LIKE ALMOST ALL 2005 VW NEW BEETLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, MINE (AFTER WARMING UP) SHIFTS VERY HARD BOTH UP AND DOWN THE GEARS AND REVS UP BETWEEN GEARS. OCCASIONALLY IT HANGS UP IN THIRD GEAR UNTIL IT SITS AND COOLS DOWN FOR SEVERAL HOURS. I HAVE HAD IT FAIL ON MULTIPLE LANE HIGHWAYS CAUSING ME TO BECOME TRAPPED BETWEEN LANES. THIS TRANSMISSION IS FAILING IN MOST IF NOT ALL VW BEETLES AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. JUST DO AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR "NEW BEETLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE" AND YOU'LL SEE HOW PERVASIVE IT IS. MY BEETLE BEGAN GIVING PROBLEMS AT 45,000 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKWAGEN BEETLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2008. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ACCELERATING OR SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL AND BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AT A COSTS OF OVER $6,000 AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 100,000.

THE REAR WINDOWS ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON. *TR

ROLLED THE BACK WINDOW DOWN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THEN WHEN I WENT TO ROLL IT BACK UP IT FAILED AND THE WINDOW WENT DOWN ON ITS OWN. WINDOW IS NOW INOPERABLE. WILL HAVE TO REPLACE BACK WINDOW REGULATOR, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. *TR

VW NEW BEETLES HAVE A SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CONSTANT AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON DUE TO POOR QUALITY WIRING UNDER THE SEAT AND IN THE SEAT BELT HARNESS. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICAN DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR QUALITY WORKMANSHIP. PARTS ARE TOO EXPANSIVE AND ONLY A DEALER ITEM. THERE ARE A LOT OF VW BEETLE OWNERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE THE SOME PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 59,500K MILES. IN LOWER GEARS THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD, SHIFTS VIOLENTLY AND TRANSMISSION SLIPS. CAR CANNOT GET ENOUGH POWER IN LOWER GEARS TO MOVE AT A SAFE RATE OF SPEED. WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR VISA VERSA CAR VIOLENTLY JERKS. THERE HAVE BEEN LOUD BANGING NOISES WHEN CAR IS SHIFTING IN LOWER GEARS. MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING CAN CANNOT MOVE FAST ENOUGH BECAUSE OF VIOLENT SHIFTING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES. TRANSMISSION ISSUES HAPPEN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS USED. NOT USING CAR MUCH BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS AND CONCERNED OF SAFETY ISSUES. PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YRS AND IS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. TAKING CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE ESTIMATE ON REPAIR. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WITH AUTO AND TIPRONIC TRANSMISSION. AT ABOUT 64,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED "SLIPPING". AS IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE TO A HIGHER GEAR THE CHANGE WOULD SLIP AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REV UP UNTIL IT CHANGED INTO THE NEXT GEAR THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO JUMP OR LURCH. WHEN IN THE TIPTRONIC MANUAL MODE THE GEAR WOULD SLIP ALSO. ALSO WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE IT JUMPS IN REVERSE AND WANTS TO ACCELERATE BACK QUICKLY. A FEW OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND GETTING INTO TRAFFIC THE CAR WOULD TAKE SO LONG TO GET INTO GEAR THAT IT CAUSED TRAFFIC BEHIND TO ALMOST REAR END ME. NO CRASH BUT ALMOST. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION JERKS IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THIS HAPPENS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND IS VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE READ FROM OTHER OWNERS THAT THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES. MY AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING OTHER THAN REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

I PURCHASED MY VW 2003 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE NEW IN 2003. I HAVE KEPT VEHICLE MAINTAINED- MOSTLY AT DEALERSHIP ACCORDING TO THE SCHEDULE. I HAVE ABOUT 115,000 MILES. OVER THE PAST MONTH IT HAS BEGUN "REVVING UP" OR "JERKING"- ESPECIALLY WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM STOP. THIS HAPPENS VERY SPORADICALLY, BUT IS VERY SCARY WHEN IT OCCURS. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT HAVE AN AMATEUR GUESS THAT IT IS TRANSMISSION RELATED. *TR

2003 VW NEW BEETLE WINDOW REGULATORS BREAK AND MOTORS GO OUT WAYYYY TOO EARLY. THE 2005 AND UP ARE DESIGNED TO POP DOWN WHEN YOU PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEYLESS ENTRY BUT ON THE PREVIOUS YEARS, THEY DO NOT. THEREFORE, THIS CAUSES STRESS ON THE WINDOW AND WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY MOST OF THE TIME. ALSO, SINCE THEY DO NOT POP DOWN WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY, WHEN THE TEMP DROPS BELOW FREEZING AND THE CAR IS OUTSIDE, THE WINDOWS FREEZE AND WILL NOT POP DOWN TO CLOSE THE DOOR UNTIL COMPLETELY THAWED OUT. MEANING YOU GET TO SPEND UP TO 45 MINS WITH THE DOOR CRACKED WAITING FOR THE '!@#$% THING TO UNFREEZE ENOUGH TO POP DOWN AND CLOSE. *TR

CAR JERKING, LURCHING, AND SHIFTING GEARS- TRANSMISSION- AS CAR STARTS AND STOPS IT JERKS REALLY BAD THIS MAKE IT HARD TO STOP THE CAR...VERY SCARED THAT I WILL HAVE AN INCIDENT. *TR

VW BEETLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS, MAY OTHER INDIVIDUALS ARE COMPLAINING ALSO. VERY UNSAFE AND THE COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT. CONSUMERS NEED HELP. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. 77315 MI. TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY. SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR...BANGS INTO GEAR SHIFTING FROM 3 TO 4. ENGINE REVS WHILE TRANSMISSION TRIES TO "FIND" THE NEXT GEAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS ! PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED BEFORE FORCING VW TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT !! *TR

WITH ONLY 64000 MILES ON THE CAR, MY 2003 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE'S MANUAL TRANSMISSION LET GO AND SOMETHING TORE A 3/4" BY 2" HOLE IN THE BELL HOUSING. LUCKILY, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE OPEN ROAD. THE RESULTING GUSH OF TRANNY FLUID COULD HAVE CAUSED MAJOR PROBLEMS. *TR

I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY 2003 VW BEETLE WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN APRIL OF 2003. I HAVE JUST OVER 60K MILES AND IT APPEARS THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. I HAVE TAKEN IT A REPUTABLE MECHANIC WHO TELLS ME IT COULD BE APPROX $3000 TO FIX IT. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VW'S AND I THINK THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD RECALL THE TRANSMISSIONS AND PAY TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. *TR

2003 VW BEETLE, TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR ON UPSHIFT. VW 'REBUILT' THE TRANSMISSION LAST YEAR BUT PROBLEM RETURNED. *TR

MY COMPLAINT CONCERN OUR VW BEETLE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR BACK IN JANUARY 2008 I RECEIVED A EMAIL FROM SAFETY ENGINEER STEVE CHAN REGARDING A INVESTIGATION WHICH SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN FILED WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMIN REGARDING THE SAME MATTER. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE SENSORS. WE DID HAVE OUR REPLACE ON OUR 2003 VW BEETLE WHICH WE GOT REIMBURSTMENT. HOWEVER NOW, AGAIN THE SAME (FRONT) CRASH AIRBAG SENSOR HAVE WENT OUT (FAIL) AGAIN. OUR VEHICLE IS BEEN SERVICE AT MURRITEIA VW SERVICE ADVISOR STEVE (951) 894-6555 EXT 1358 DUE TO CONSIST FAILURE OF THIS MANUFACTURER PART. I FEAR THAT MY LIFE IS IN DANGER EVERY TIME I DRIVE OUR VW BEETLE VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS GREAT BIG SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

OVER THE LAST MONTH OR TWO MY WIFE'S 2003 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE HAS HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT PROGRESSIVELY HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. DEALER SAYS TRANS IS BAD WITH ONLY 120K MILES. TRANS IS NON SERVICEABLE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING TRANS SLAMS BETWEEN GEARS MAKING CAR UNDRIVABLE. DEALER WANTS $6500 TO REPLACE. FORUMS ON THE INTERNET CLAIM THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR YEARS AND VW IS NOT DOING SQUAT ABOUT IT. $6500 TO FIX A '!@#$% TRANSMISSION IS RIDICULOUS. WHEN WILL THERE BE A RECALL. THIS IS UNSAFE! *TR

THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE 2003 AND 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT DOES NOT ALLOW THE WINDOW TO GO DOWN ENOUGH OR SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. THIS CAUSES THE WINDOW TO RUB AGAINST THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. I NOW HAVE A SMALL TEAR IN MY TOP, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LARGER TEAR OR POSSIBLE BREAKDOWN OF MY CONVERTIBLE TOP, RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE IN MY MINNESOTA CLIMATE. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH THESE CARS AND VW REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS THE REGULATOR CAN COST UP TO $700 PER SIDE TO FIX. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS FOR SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING TO VIRTUALLY EVERY 03, 04 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE--ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUSEBOX MELTED DUE TO A SHORT. THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED. IT JUST PASSED INSPECTION 2 WEEKS BEFORE MELTDOWN. THE BATTERY WAS CHECKED AS WELL. NO WARNING OR DASH LIGHTS INDICATING A PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS NEARLY NOT POSSIBLE TO START IN RECENT HOT HUMID WEATHER. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THEY FOUND THE MELTED FUSEBOX. THIS HAS TO BE CHANGED ASAP BECAUSE IT COULD AFFECT THE CAR'S COMPUTER AND THEY AREN'T SURE ABOUT THE ALTERNATOR YET AS IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME STARTING THE CAR. THIS REPAIR IS GOING TO COST ME $400.00 OUT OF POCKET SO FAR. IF THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW BY VW WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE BECAUSE THEY DON'T PROTECT THE ENGINE FUSE BOX OR ANY RELATED WIRING FROM HEAT FROM THE BATTERY, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. I NOTICED A SIMILAR POST FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS ON THIS SITE. MY CAR SEEMS TO BE AMONG SEVERAL WHICH HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE MILEAGE OF THIS VEHICLE IS 66,417. *TR

REAR WINDOW IS DETACHING FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP CREATING OPEN SPACE INTO CAR, RAIN ENTRY AND POOR VISIBILITY THRU REAR VIEW MIRROR WHEN WATER IS COMING IN. FABRIC SHRINKING BACK FROM GLASS. CANNOT BE RE GLUED. WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED THE ENTIRE TOP MUST BE REPLACED. RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS WITH A COMPANY THAT REPLACES CONVERTIBLE TOPS EVIDENTLY HIS IS COMMON ON THE 2003 MODEL. THE REAR CONVERTIBLE TOP WINDOW STARTED FALLING OUT LATE 2008. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. TOO MANY SAFETY CONCERNS DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE BACK WINDOW OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS COMING APART FROM THE CLOTH TOP. I HAVE READ ONLINE SEVERAL POSTS OF MANY CONSUMERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THIS MAY BE RELATED TO A DEFECT IN THE GLUE OR SEALING THEY USE TO HOLD THE WINDOW IN PLACE.MY CONCERN IS THE BACK WINDOW MAY FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING OR EVEN FALL INTO THE BACKSEAT ONTO SOMEONE CAUSING SEVER INJURIES. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I PURCHASED MY USED 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 1.8T IN JUNE '07. WE HAVE TAKEN IT DO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY HAVE QUOTED OUTRAGEOUS PRICES FOR REPLACING THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS, UPWARDS OF $700. LAST YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS, WHICH WE HAD REPLACED. BUT THE LIGHT STILL REMAINS ON, AND NOW THEY SAY IT IS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT SWITCH, AND QUOTED $300 FOR REPAIRS. A QUICK WEB SEARCH SHOWS THIS SEATBELT SWITCH ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD, AND IS USUALLY CAUSED BY BROKEN WIRES UNDER THE SEAT. APPARENTLY THESE WIRES ARE TOO SHORT AND/OR EXPOSED, AND CAN EASILY BE BROKEN BY MOVING THE SEAT TOO FAR FORWARD OR BY ITEMS PUSHED UNDER THE SEAT. I THINK THIS IS YET ANOTHER POORLY DESIGNED SYSTEM THAT CREATES A REAL HAZARD FOR PEOPLE UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO PAY FOR THE DEALER TO POKE AROUND UNTIL THEY FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEMS. *TR

WINDOW SWITCHES/REGULATORS ON 2003 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE CONTINUE TO FAIL WHICH THEN DOES NOT ALLOW THE WINDOWS TO GO UP OR DOWN. ONE OF MY REAR-SEAT QUARTER WINDOWS JUST FELL INTO THE WINDOW SLOT AND I COULDN'T GET IT BACK UP. WINDOWS THAT DO NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY ARE SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

REAR WINDOW IS DEATTACHING FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP CREATING OPEN SPACE INTO CAR. FABRIC SHRINKING BACK FROM GLASS. HEADLINER DEATTACHED FROM INSIDE WINDOWS EVEN THOUGH CLIPS HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. $1850 FOR NEW TOP PER DEALER PLUS 6-8 HOURS FOR LABOR AT $98 AN HOUR.GLASS CANNOT BE RE GLUED ..WHOLE TOP MUST BE REPLACED. VWOA CUSTOMER CARE CONTACTED MANY TIMES AND WAS TOLD SORRY YOU ARE OVER WARRANTY. MANY MANY PEOPLE ON LINE REPORTING SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2003 MODEL. VWOA NOT INTERESTED IN CHECKING INTO THE PROBLEM ONLY REPEATING THAT I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT FALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING..OR FALLS IN TO THE BACKSEAT AND HITS PASSENGER OR GOD FORBID SOMEONE WITH A BABYSEAT BACK THERE. VWOA WAS NOT INTERESTED IN THE PROBLEM JUST IN LETTING ME KNOW THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND IT IS NOT COVERED. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE TOP IT IS A DEFECT IN THE HEAT SEAL OR ADHESIVE HOLDING THE WINDOW IN PLACE. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE SAME WINDOW PROBLEMS AS THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE SITE BUT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME. HOWEVER ,FROM MY INTERNET SEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THE REAR CONVERTIBLE TOP WINDOW STARTED FALLING OUT STARTING FOR MOST IN 2008. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 04 AND CAN'T BELIEVE I CANT EVEN DRIVE IT SAFELY EVEN THOUGH I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT WITHOUT MAKING A $3000 REPAIR. *TR

SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ASAP TO MAKE VOLKSWAGEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 2003 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE DOORS AND WINDOW PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2003 WITH LESS THAT 10 MILES ON IT SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH MOST OF THE PROBLEM BEING WITH THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR HINGES BROKE OFF AND ALL OF MY WINDOWS REGULATORS/MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE. TODAY TOPS THE CAKE WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP!! NOW WITH THE REGULATORS JUST BEING REPLACED IN 2006 THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!!! AFTER READING EVERYONE ELSE'S COMPLAINTS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ONGOING PROBLEM THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN AND HOLD VOLKSWAGEN RESPONSIBLE!! I DID NOT PAY THE AMOUNT I DID FOR A NEW VEHICLE TO HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. I HAVE OWNED OTHER TYPES OF CARS AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. IF THERE IS AN ATTORNEY READING THIS I WOULD BE HAPPY TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS THAT FEEL THE SAME!!! *TR

THE DOOR HINGES ON MY DRIVERS' SIDE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN CONVERTIBLE BEETLE HAS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME. VOLKS OF AMERICA AND VW OCONNOR IN AUGUSTA MAINE ARE VERY UNHELPFUL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOUR YEARS AND TURNS OUT BEFORE I OWNED THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR ON SAT 6/6/09 AND MY DOOR HINGE SNAPPED AND THE DOOR IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. NOW MY ALARM SYSTEM WILL NOT GO ON. SOMEONE NEED TO FIX MY CAR. *TR

REAR WINDOW WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. *TR

1. MY AIRBAG LIGHT IN MY CAR CAME ON. 2. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT FOUND THE SEATBELT SENSOR HAD GONE BAD THUS CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. 3. THE SEATBELT WAS REPLACED SO THAT THE SENSOR WOULD AGAIN BE WORKING CORRECTLY AND THE AIRBAGS WOULD BE DEPLOYED IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. AS THE SEATBELT MECHANISM WAS WORKING FINE, BUT JUST A TINY SENSOR ON THE SEATBELT ARM WENT BAD, IT CAUSED MY AIRBAGS TO BE DEACTIVATED. THERE SHOULD BE A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON SUCH SAFETY PARTS SUCH THAT THERE IS NEVER A FAILURE TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS OR AN ISSUE WITH SEATBELTS. THE AUTO REPAIR EMPLOYEES SAID THEY HAVE REPLACED HUNDREDS OF THESE SEATBELTS IN VWS FOR THE VERY SAME REASON I HAD. *TR

THE WINDOW REGULATORS/MOTORS IN MY 2003 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE HAVE ALL BROKEN. THE FRONT PASSENGER BROKE TWICE. THE BACK PASSENGER IS NOW BROKEN AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT. IT IS SPRING IN CHICAGO AND RAINY. NOW I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR. THE LAST TIME, THE FRONT AND BACK DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOWS BROKE. MY DEALER HELPED ME WITH THE COST SINCE VWOA WOULD NOT LISTEN. I THINK I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE LAST REPAIR AND GET THE NEW REPAIR DONE AND PAID FOR BY VWOA. READING THE CHATS AND THE COMPLAINTS HERE TELL ME THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I ALSO WAS TOLD BY VWOA THAT THE RECALL DID NOT COVER THE BEETLE CONVERTIBLES. WHAT A LOOPHOLE! IF OWNERS DRIVE THE CARS REGULARLY AND DON'T BABY THE WINDOWS, THEY BREAK. MY KIDS' FRIENDS WON'T SHUT THE DOORS BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID THE WINDOWS WILL BREAK. PLEASE FORCE VWOA TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS! *TR

MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP AND TO FIX IT WILL COST OVER 800 DOLLARS. SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME THING. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THERE PRICE AGAIN IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 VW BEETLE THAT ONLY HAS 46,000 MILES ON IT. THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK WINDOW WILL NOT COME UP. BEFORE I TOOK MY BEETLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED, I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH VW BEETLES. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT BROUGHT BY THE LAW FIRM OF STUEVE SIEGEL HANSON IN WHICH VW AGREED TO (1) REIMBURSE ALL EXPENSES INCURRED BY VW OWNERS IN THE PAST RELATED TO REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE WINDOW REGULATORS, (2) INSTALL A REDESIGNED METAL WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACING ANY FAILED WINDOW REGULATORS (WHICH USED PLASTIC COMPONENTS) UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, (3) EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS AT ISSUE TO 7 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE CAR PURCHASE INCLUDING 1999-2003 MODEL YEAR VW GOLF, GTI AND JETTA AND 1998-2003 MODEL YEAR VW BEETLE. HOWEVER, WHEN I SPOKE WITH VW ABOUT THIS AGREEMENT, THEY STATED THAT MY VW 2003 NEW BEETLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS SETTLEMENT BECAUSE IT WAS A CONVERTIBLE. MY CAR'S WINDOW REGULATORS ARE DEMONSTRATING THE EXACT FAILURE AS THESE VEHICLES. IT IS UNSETTLING TO DRIVE A CAR EXPECTING A WINDOW TO FALL DOWN INTO THE TRACKS AT ANYTIME - ESPECIALLY IF IT IS DURING THE WINTER, RAINING, ETC. THIS DEFECT, IN MY OPINION, IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO IT IS UNSETTLING THAT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DOES NOT HAVE A COMPANY-WIDE POLICY CONCERNING THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR NOR HAS INSTITUTED A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT. THERE ARE MANY HORROR STORIES OF WINDOWS FAILING AND CARS BEING OUT

AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE WARNING LIGHT FOR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP COMES ON AND DOES NOT GO OUT ALSO DRIVER SEAT IS STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON 11/15/2005 AT THAT TIME IT WAS ONLY THE AIR BAG CAUSE; 00591. DRIVERS SEAT BELT SWITCH FAULTY IT WAS REPLACED ON 12/12/2007 THE SAME PROBLEM AND MORE BUT,THIS TIME I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND I HAVE FOUND A ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND NHTSA IS AWARE OF IT.THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY I HAVE HAD REPAIR DRIVER SEAT SLIDER. IT HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING, NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VW. *TR

2003 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE RIGHT SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO MANUAL FROM AUTOMATIC WHILE STOPPED. IT WAS INTERMITTENT AND AT ABOUT 58,000 FAILURE IS PERMANENT AND NO LONGER IS USABLE. *TR

MY COMPLAINT IS ON THE 2003 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR. THE WINDOW IS DOWN AND WILL NOT ROLL UP. I TOOK MY CAR INTO FIX THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, AND GOT A QUOTE OF $880 FOR EACH WINDOW. WHY IS VWOA MAKING CONSUMERS PAY FOR REPAIRS ON THEIR CARS WHEN IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW? I HAVE READ NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND THEY WERE FULL OF PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME THAT GET STUCK WITH A BILL FROM VW FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULD BE COVERING. IS THERE ANY TYPE OF CLASS ACTION HAPPENING ABOUT THIS? OR POSSIBLY A RECALL? THANK YOU! *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT ALWAYS ON EVEN AFTER THE 6 SECOND RULE THAT THE MANUAL EXPLAINS. *TR

2003 VW BEETLE SHIFTS SO VERY HARD BETWEEN 2ND, 3RD AND 4TH GEAR IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO BREAK. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC. THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION GASKET. I REPLACED IT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW ROLLS DOWN ON ITS OWN. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HITS THE TOP (WHEN PUTTING IT UP) THEN ROLLS DOWN. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE. *TR

MY COMPLAINT IS ON THE 2003 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR. I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR LEFT, AND RIGHT WINDOW 3 TIMES, ALL 3 UNDER WARRANTY. NOW, I TOOK MY CAR INTO FIX THE BACK RIGHT, AND DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, AND GOT A QUOTE OF $480 FOR EACH WINDOW. WHY IS VWOA MAKING CONSUMERS PAY FOR REPAIRS ON THEIR CARS WHEN IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW? I HAVE READ NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND THEY WERE FULL OF PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME THAT GET STUCK WITH A BILL FROM VW FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULD BE COVERING. IS THERE ANY TYPE OF CLASS ACTION HAPPENING ABOUT THIS? OR POSSIBLY A RECALL? THANK YOU! *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND I HAVE FOUND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH VW NEW BEETLE. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHILE THIS LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

CAR BOUGH USED FROM VS DEALERSHIP ON 7/31/2006. BEEN IN FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT 4TIMES, AIRBAG LIGHT 3 TIMES, A/C BROKE ONCE, WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP ONCE, NEEDED NEW ROTORS ONCE, RATTLING UNDER HOOD ONCE, BATTERY DIED TWO DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT AND I HAD TO TOW IT BACK TO VW. CAR JERKS WHEN GOING OUT OF FIRST GEAR-I TOLD VW THIS REPEATEDLY AND THEY ONLY TRIED TO FIX IT AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $700 TO FIX. ON 12/9/2008 MY CAR WOULD NOT GO OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS CAR. I CAN NOT PUT ANYMORE MONEY INTO IT. WHEN THE WARRANTY WENT UP, ALL OF THE SUDDEN EVERYTHING STARTED GOING WRONG. I REQUESTED PRIOR INFORMATION FROM THE VW DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE OTHER OWNER BEFORE ME. I FEEL THAT THIS CAR WAS DOCTORED SO THAT I WOULD BUY IT AND THEN IT STARTED FALLING APART. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. ON DECEMBER 19, 2008, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE RELAY WAS MALFUNCTIONING. ALL THE COMPONENTS ATTACHED TO THE RELAY FAILURE WERE REPAIRED, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR MORE INFORMATION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPENT OVER $800 REPAIRING THE FUEL PUMP THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. HIS LAST RESORT WAS TO HAVE THE DEALER REPAIR THE FUEL PUMP; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE UNDER WARRANTY. THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,968.