2003 Volkswagen Beetle complaints

CAR WILL NOT START. ENGINE NOT RECEIVING FUEL. FUEL PUMP, SENDER, RELAY, & FUSES ARE NOW BEING REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME WITHIN 3 WEEKS TIME. DEALER WILL NOT WARRANTY PARTS EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED 10 OR 12 OTHER INCIDENTS WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. FOREIGN CAR MECHANIC AND INDEPENDENT TOW TRUCK DRIVERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED KNOWLEDGE OF OTHER INSTANCES OF THE SAME SITUATION IN THIS AREA. REPAIR COSTS HAVE ALREADY EXCEEDED $800. NOT INCLUDING TOWING THE VEHICLE ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. CONCERNS ARE RELATED TO FUEL SAFETY ISSUE AND MAYBE RELATED TO 2003 VW PASSAT FUEL PUMP RECALLS. *TR

2003 VW BEETLE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON, WILL NOT GO OFF. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V178000, INVESTIGATION PE08-012, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE08012 LISTS MODEL YEAS 2003-2005 HOWEVER, 2003 MODEL WITH THIS VIN NUMBER NOT LISTED. BELIEVE TO BE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

2003 VW BEETLE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON, WILL NOT GO OFF. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V178000, INVESTIGATION PE08-012, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE08012 LISTS MODEL YEAS 2003-2005 HOWEVER, 2003 MODEL WITH THIS VIN NUMBER NOT LISTED. BELIEVE TO BE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE OIL PRESSURE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO OIL SLUDGE AND THE SENDING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. 4/01/09 *NJ THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE OIL PAN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. UPDATED 04/06/09. *JB

SINCE SEPTEMBER 22, 2008, THE OIL LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON, FIRST INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN CONSTANTLY, FOLLOWED BY BUZZING SOUND. THE VW SERVICE REPAIR REPLACED A CLOGGED OIL PUMP WHICH THEY STATED WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. OCTOBER 6, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON-REPLACED OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND OIL FILTER.. ON OCTOBER 17, 2008 THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN - VW SERVICE KEPT THE CAR TO TEST DRIVE UNTIL OCTOBER 20 AT WHICH TIME THEY REPLACED THE OIL PUMP. OCTOBER 22, 2008 THE OIL LIGHT CAME BACK ON- VW SERVICE REQUESTED TO KEEP THE CAR BECAUSE THEY NEEDED TO CALL VW HEADQUARTERS TO TRY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE OIL LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMING ON. ON NOVEMBER 3, VW SERVICE STATED THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, HOWEVER, SUGGESTED REPLACING THE ENGINE, AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. IN REVIEWING INFORMATION ON VARIOUS DISCUSSION BOARDS, THE 1.8T ENGINE THAT IS IN THE VW NEW BEETLE IS THE SAME ENGINE THAT CAUSED SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE OIL LIGHT IN THE PASSAT AND THE AUDI. IN CONVERSATION WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE (1-800-822-8987), THEY INDICATED THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS RE NEW BEETLE AND THE 1.8T ENGINE AND STATED THE OIL PAN SIZE IS DIFFERENT. IT IS UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT THAT AN ENGINE WITH 55,000 MILES AND 5 YEARS OLD , AND THAT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANUAL WOULD NEED REPLACING---AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE SCARY PART IS THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT REPLACING THE ENGINE WOULD FIX THE OIL LIGHT ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE DOOR, THE WINDOW WOULD NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY AND WOULD ROLL DOWN APPROXIMATELY HALF AN INCH. ONCE THE WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN, THERE WAS NO WAY TO ROLL THE WINDOW BACK UP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONICS THAT CONTROL THE WINDOW FAILED AND THE ENTIRE WINDOW OPERATING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING ALL FOUR REGULATORS, MOTOR, AND ALL THE RELATED COMPONENTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $1,400. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 60,000.

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHT BEING ON. APPARENTLY THE SENSOR IN THE BUCKLE IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW WENT DOWN 1/2 WAY THEN STOPPED. I TRIED TO ROLE IT BACK UP AND IT DROPPED DOWN AND WOULD NOT COME UP OR DOWN. THEN THE TOP WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND THE RIGHT WING FLAP FROZE OPEN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST 300.00 TO GO IN AND THE PART WOULD COST 3-5 HUNDRED FOR THE PART. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAPPENED QUIT OFTEN ON THE 2003 VW CONV. IF THAT IS THE CASE, IF THIS IS SUCH A WIDE SPREAD AND INHERENT PROBLEM, WHY HAS VW NOT BEEN FORCED TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. WOULD THIS COME UNDER THE LEMON LAW AS IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE PERMENANTLY REPAIRED. I UNDERSTAND THAT LATER MODELS WERE GIVEN EXTENDED WARRANTIES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE PROBLEMS. I WILL NEVER TRUST VW DEALERSHIPS OR PRODUCTS AGAIN. *TR

I HAVE A TRANSAXEL ON MY 2003 BEETLE CONV. THAT HAS A SETTING FOR MANUAL SHIFT OR AUTO. I CAN NO LONGER SHIFT TO THE MANUAL SETTING. AT FIRST IT WOULD ALLOW ME TO SHIFT INTO MANUAL IF I STOPPED THEN, I HAD TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND SHIFT QUICKLY FROM PARK TO MANUAL. NOW, NOTHING. THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A NEW TRANSAXEL INSTALLED. I HAVE DRIVEN OLDER VW FOR 20 YEARS, NOW I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW PRODUCT OF ANY KIND. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A LOOSE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED INCORRECTLY. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT WITH NO RESOLUTIONS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED WITH THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

2003 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE WITH APPROX 23,000 MILES ON CAR. BOTH REAR WINDOWS REGULATORS HAVE FAILED IN THE PAST YEAR ALLOWING THE REAR WINDOWS TO FALL DOWN INTO THE CAR WITH A VERY LOUD NOISE WHICH COULD EASILY DISTRACT THE DRIVER. ONCE IT HAS FALLEN DOWN IT CANNOT BE RAISED AND COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS IN A VERY COLD OR HOT ENVIRONMENT. VW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE FRONT WINDOWS BUT HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THE REAR WINDOW FAILURES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT IMMEDIATELY BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.

AIR BAGS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES ON NOV 15,2005 CAUSE:00591 LT SIDE BELT SWITCH IT WAS REPLACED. ON DEC/12/ 20007 THE TEST DIAGNOSTIC AND CONFIRM FAULT COD 00591,DRIVERS SEAT BELT SWITCH FAULTY. ESTIMATE FORE SERVICE $472.00 I HAD TO DECLINED .IF THEY REPLACED IT TWO YEARS AGO IT SHOULDN'T HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/15/08. *JB

THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 47,000 MILES ON IT AND THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. THIS AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN USED OR DEPLOYED. IT IS NOT DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $700 FOR A NEW AIRBAG. I BELIEVE THE DEALER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT IF THEY EQUIPPED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. *TR

DRIVERS SEAT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR, AND SEAT BOUNCES AS I DRIVE. WAS REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP IN DEC 2007, BROKE AGAIN IN JUNE 2008. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. SUGGESTS REPLACING THE SEAT FRAME FOR $700. NORMAL USE OF A DRIVERS SEAT SHOULD NOT CAUSE THIS TYPE OF AN ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN HIS VEHICLE WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DUE TO RESISTANCE IN THE WARNING LIGHT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF EIGHT TIMES. THE MOST RECENT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WAS IN DECEMBER OF 2006 AND THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. IN JULY OF 2008, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONTACT CONSULTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V178000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE), BUT THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL. THE RECALL WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON APPROXIMATELY JULY 31, 2008. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR SOMEONE FROM VOLKSWAGEN TO CALL BACK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,694.

WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED, SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AT EVER INCREASING SPEEDS UNTIL DISENGAGED. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, WITHOUT WARNING AND SEEMINGLY WITHOUT A COMMON DENOMINATOR (SUCH AS 30 MIN AFTER ENGAGED OR AT A PARTICULAR SPEED). IT DOES HAPPEN WITH MORE REGULARITY EXCEEDING SPEEDS OF 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED AT 45-50 MPH AS WELL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO SUBSEQUENTLY DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN RESET THE AIR BAG SENSORS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE DISCOUNTED PRICE OF $250. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V178000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) DOES NOT BEGIN UNTIL JULY 31, 2008, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. AT 27,680 MILES, THE DEALER IDENTIFIED THE FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR. THEY REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CRASH SENSOR AND TWO WINDOWS. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT 27,680 MILES AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V178000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,297. UPDATED 07/08/08. *BF UPDATED 07/03/08. *JB

REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WENT DOWN,BUT WOULDN'T COME BACK UP. *TR

I HAVE A VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 2003 LESS THAN 49,000.00 MILES AND SUDDENLY BOTH BACK WINDOWS STOP WORKING PROPERLY. EVERYTIME I TURN THE ENGINE THE WINDOWS GO DOWN AND DO NOT WANT TO CLOSE WITH THE ELECTRIC BOTTOM, IT IS RAINING AND MY CAR IS GETTING DAMAGE, I DON'T HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER, I HAVE BEEN TOLD, I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS . NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY COMPLAINS IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE, THIS IS A DEFECT, SHOULD THE COMPANY BE RESPONSIBLE? THANK YOU, *TR

FRONTAL AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR IS BAD BARLEY OUT OF WARRANTY . I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ALOT ON THE INTERNET AND BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY VOLKSWAGEN'S IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

THIS THE SECOND WATER PUMP REPLACED DUE TO IMPELLER FAILURE. *TR

DOOR HANDLE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE BODY OF THE 2003 VW BEETLE WHICH MY DAUGHTER, KIMBERLY FREISNER HAS OWNED SINCE IT WAS NEW HAS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE SCREWS WHICH HOLD THESE MECHANISMS IN PLACE AND THE DOOR CLOSED KEEP LOOSENING SEVERAL TURNS. I HAVE TIGHTENED THESE UNITS BEFORE ONLY TO HAVE THEM LOOSEN UP OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. IF THE CAR WAS HIT I THINK THE DOORS WOULD OPEN DURING THE CRASH. *TR

DRIVERSIDE REAR ELECTRIC WINDOW CEASED FUNCTIONING ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THIS HINDERS LOWERING THE TOP AND I HAVE LEARNED THAT IN SOME CASES THE WINDOW FALLS OPEN AND CANNOT BE CLOSED. WHILE THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED YET, I WORRY THAT IT MIGHT. THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS BEEN ON NATIONAL BACKORDER FOR MONTHS. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND OTHER OWNERS ARE FACING THE SAME DIFFICULTY GETTING IT RESOLVED. I SUSPECT THIS TO BE A SERIOUSLY DEFECTIVE DESIGN TO BE HAPPENING SO FREQUENTLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FRONTAL AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT A FORMAL COMPLAINT WAS NOT MADE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT IS IN POSSESSION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,439. CRASH SENSOR.PCO

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND THE DEALER SAID THE SENSOR WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED REPAIR. THEY SAID THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT ACTIVATE WITH THE SWITCH INOPERABLE. I PAID BIG$$$ ($391)TO HAVE THIS REPAIR PERFORMED. *TR CRASH SENSOR.PCO

I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. IT HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY THAT WERE NEVER PARTICULARLY CORRECTED. WOULD GO OUT AND CAR WOULD NOT START - COMPLETELY DEAD. BATTERIES WERE REPLACED, ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, SOMETHING WITH THE STEREO SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, ETC. THIS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF TWO YEARS, FROM APPROXIMATELY 2005 TO 2007. I COULD PROVIDE SPECIFICS IF NECESSARY SINCE I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS. IT SOMETIMES HAPPENED WITHIN A WEEK OF GETTING THE CAR BACK FROM THE PREVIOUS "REPAIR." NEEDLESS TO SAY IT HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING, AND WE WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VW. THE REASON I AM JUST NOW WRITING IS BECAUSE MY LOCAL NEWSPAPER HAD A SMALL PARAGRAPH MENTIONING THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING A POSSIBLE CRASH SENSOR MALFUNCTION IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OF THE SENSORS AT MY OWN EXPENSE SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT FIRST CAME ON IN JUNE 2007 AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT CRASH SENSOR WAS REPLACED. JUST A SHORT TIME LATER, SEPTEMBER 2007, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE CRASH SENSOR THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THESE REPAIRS COST ME ROUGHLY $1000 OUT OF POCKET. I THINK THE NHTSA WOULD LIKE TO BE AWARE OF THIS AS PART OF THE INVESTIGATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PS: WHILE LISTING "FAILURES" BELOW I WILL STICK WITH JUST THE TWO AIRBAG FAILURES AND ONLY PROVIDE INFO ON OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IF REQUESTED TO DO SO.

2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE BEGAN TO SPARK WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE PULLED OVER AND THEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. *KB THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-91-0903

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE AND AVOID A SEMI-TRUCK THAT WAS IN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED BETWEEN 30-40 MPH BUT DID LOSE CONSCIENCE SO AM NOT SURE IF REMEMBER EXACTLY HOW FAST I WAS GOING. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING MY FACE TO SLAM DIRECTLY INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHICH CONTAINED NO PASSENGERS NOR ITEMS DID DEPLOY. I SUFFERED FACIAL FRACTURES AND A BROKEN NOSE. MY FRACTURES HAVE HEALED BUT MY NOSE NEEDS TO BE RECONSTRUCTED. MY CAR WAS SERVICED AT A COLLISION CENTER AND THEN SENT TO THE AUTOBARN IN COUNTRYSIDE, IL WHERE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED IN AUGUST OF 2006. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME ON DEC 27 BUT NO EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN FOR THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO NOT WORKING PROPERLY SO I RETURNED THE CAR FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CAR WAS FINALLY RETURNED TO ME 2 WEEKS LATER WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION BUT STILL NO EXPLANATION FOR THE AIRBAG. UPON LEAVING THE AUTOBARN ON JANUARY 17 WITH MY CAR, THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON AND STAYED ON WHILE I DROVE ABOUT 10 MILES. I RETURNED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THE LIGHT DID NOT GO ON FOR THEM AND OFFERED AGAIN NO EXPLANATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE WELDING HAS FAILED ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH AND, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT WOULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WERE NOT OBLIGATED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07

HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WHILE STARTING THE CAR. DEALER FOUND A BURNED WIRING HARNESS TO BE THE CAUSE. COST TO REPAIR $ 159.31. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM IF BOTH HEAD LIGHTS WOULD HAVE GONE OUT WHILE TRAVELING ON A DARK HWY AT HIGH SPEED. BURNED WIRING HARNESS IS IN MY POSSESSION. SECOND PROBLEM WAS WITH A BRAKE LIGHT THAT WENT OUT DATE 10/30/07. CAUSE AS PER DEALER WAS A FAULTY LIGHT SOCKET. COST TO REPAIR $ 73.61. *TR

THE ALTERNATOR CABLE IS BURN ALSO THE FUSE BOX ON TOP OF BATTERY IS BURN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY SEE THIS HAPPEN ON DIFFERENT VOLKSWAGEN IN THE HOUSTON AREA AND THE FUSE BOX NEEDS SOME KIND OF THERMAL PROTECTION BECAUSE THE BATTERY GETS TO HOT. IF I PLACE SOME KIND OF THERMAL PROTECTION I WILL BE HELD LIABLE. THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER ARE WILLING TO HELP, THEY JUST TOLD ME A HAD 12 MONTH WARRANTY AND IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN AFTER 12 MONTHS IT WILL BE MY EXPENSE. I HAD A 40,000 MILE SERVICE ON 10-3-07 WHICH INCLUDE INSPECTING BATTERY WHICH COST OVER $400.00. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEWS BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH OR GREATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE HOWEVER; THEY HAVE REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. AS OF OCTOBER 9, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE CRASH SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE CRASH SENSOR AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,268 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,278. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE COST. UPDATED *JB SRS.PCO

AIR BAG SAFETY SENSOR FOR AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY WENT OUT. AND WAS NOT COVER $591.00. TO REPLACE SENSOR SWITCH. *TR DUP

REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS FALLEN DOWN AND THE DEALER WANTS AROUND $1,000 TO REPAIR IT. OUR THERMOSTAT WENT OUT LAST WEEK AND COST US $315 FOR JUST THAT, AND THEN THE NEXT DAY OUR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE BROKE. THE CAR HAS AROUND 70,000 MILES ON IT AND THINGS KEEP GOING WRONG EVERY WEEK! I LOVED THIS CAR BUT THE WAY IT IS GOING I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VW PRODUCT (EVEN THOUGH I OWNED 2 IN THE PAST). *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW FELL DOWN, AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. THE DEALERSHIP PRICED REPAIR AT OVER $600 DOLLARS. WAS TOLD OF EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR UP TO 2002 MODELS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM, BUT NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2003 MODELS. *JB

IN 2006 MY RIGHT REAR WINDOW STOPPED WORKING, LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE ISSUE WAS FIXED AT NO CHARGE. LAST WEEK THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW BEGAN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WILL LIKELY COST ME AT LEAST $900. I HAVE LOOKED AT ONLINE MESSAGE BOARDS AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, AND FEEL THAT VW SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS, NOT CAR OWNERS. *JB

2003 NEW BEETLE WINDOWS CONTINUE TO FAIL REAR WINDOW FAILED VW WANTS $900 TO REPAIR STUCK IN DOWN POSITION FRONT WINDOW FAILED WANTS $700 FOR REPAIR I HAD THEM FIXED DURING WARRANTY AT LEAST 10 TIMES, I DON'T THINK THEY EVER GET FIXED THEY JUST KEEP BRAKING AND NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD ROLL DOWN AND BECOME STUCK. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH WINDOW MOTORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SIX OCCASIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START IN VERY COLD WEATHER. SHE NOTIFIED A REPAIR SHOP THAT CAME OUT AND GOT THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST SHOP WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ENOUGH OIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE COMPUTER BOARD WAS CHANGED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLASS ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS BEGUN TO SEPARATE FROM THE CANVAS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO PAY 75% OF THE REPLACEMENT COST. AS OF JUNE 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH WINDOWS THAT ROLL DOWN SLIGHTLY WHEN THE DOOR IS AJAR AND ROLL BACK UP WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. HOWEVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THIS FEATURE FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED, BUT A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. OFTENTIMES, THE CONTACT WOULD HEAR WIND NOISE WHILE DRIVING OR WATER WOULD ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000.

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT CAR INTO REVERSE BRAKE SWITCH DOES NOT RESPOND. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW GOES BACK DOWN BY ITSELF. ALSO CAR SHIFTS REAL HARD IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. SOUNDS LIKE TRANSMISSION WILL BREAK. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS S DEFECTIVE ,AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES , AND NUMEROUS DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED. CURRENTLY, THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE SEPTEMBER 11, 2004. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 59,500 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,651.*AK SRS.PCO

I TEST DROVE SEVERAL VW NEW BETTLES PRIOR TO PURCHASING ONE. IN MANY OF THEM THE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATOR REMAINED ON. IS THIS A PROBLEM THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF? HAVE THERE BEEN RECALL ON THIS? *JB

AFTER ANY RAIN ON MY NON-MOVING 2003 VW NEW BEETLE WATER COLLECTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT FLOOR PAN CAUSING THE CAR TO STINK AND MOLD TO GROW. I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO CLEAR THE SUNROOF DRAIN WITH VERY LIMITED SUCCESS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTENTLY RETURNS. *JB

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AROUND 20 MPH. JERKS SO HARD SOMETIMES IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR WILL STALL OUT. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT IT IS GOOD ON THE TRANSMISSION!? THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS.