2000 Volkswagen Beetle Complaint Log

CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT COMIMG ON/OFF WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND STATED THAT AIR SENSOR FAILED. *AK

MY 2000 VW BEETLE HAS RECENTLY HAD IT'S AIRBAG SAFETY LIGHT COME ON. I TOOK IT TO BILL BLACK VW DEALERSHIP IN GREENSBORO NC. THEY SAY IT'S A COMON PROBLEM THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY FACTORY DEFECT OR WARRANTY. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF I WAS TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO SAID IT'S CONNECTED TO THE SEATBELT. I THOUGHT SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS WERE GOVERNMENT MANDATES ON ALL VEHICALES. SHOULD THIS NOT BE COVERED UNDER A VW RECALL? THEY WANT $400.00 TO CHANGE OUT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE SEATBELT/AIRBAG. THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE. NOT FOR AN AIRBAG OR SEATBELT SAFETLY EQUIPMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, OR HAD THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT EXPLAIN TO ME A MECHANICAL REASON WHY THIS HARNESS COULD "WEAR OUT" (WHICH IS THE EXACT WORDS THEY USED). AS STATED THEY SAY THE DEFECT IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE SEATBELT, AND THAT "EXCESSIVE WEAR" OR "STRAIN" OF THE SEATBELT MAY BE THE CAUSE. HELLO? THE LAW IN MY STATE REQUIRES THAT I WEAR A SEATBELT. I WEIGH 105 LBS, AND IF THAT CAN CAUSE "EXCESSIVE WEAR" OR "STRAIN" THEN THE MAJORITY OF ALL DRIVERS WILL NOT BE SAFE DRIVING A VW. I AM ACTUALLY PLAYING RUSSION ROULET EVERY TIME I STEP INTO MY CAR. CAN SOMEONE DIRECT ME ON HOW TO GET HELP ON THIS ISSUE. SINCERELY, TRACEY MCCALL

I PURCHASED A 2000 VOLKSWAGON BEETLE ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO AND ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER I BROUGHT IT HOME THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I READ THAT THESE CARS WERE COMING WITH SOME KIND OF SAFTEY DEFECT IN THE ENGINE AND THAT'S THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THE DEALER HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX TWICE ALREADY GOING ON THREE TIMES. THE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND THESE PEOPLE SEEM TO BELIEVE THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. WHAT SHOULD I DO I DON'T WANT THE CAR TO CAUSE SOME KIND OF ACCIDENT OR ENDANGER MY FAMILY OR ME.

CHECK MILL LIGHT CAME ON AT 41K. HAD TO REPLACE AIR MASS FLOW METER, AIRFLOMETER, HOSE, AND INSTALL NEW VACUUM VALVE. ALSO SOMETHING TO DO WITH INJECTION SOLENOID TO THE COMBI VALVE AND A FAULTY MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. COST ME CLOSE TO $300.

ONE RELAY SENSOR IN MY HORN FAILED WHICH CAUSED HORN NOT TO FUNCTION. HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR RELAY SENSORS IN ORDER TO CORRECT PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $ 300.

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. *AK THE DEALER FIXED THE VEHICLE DIFFERENTLY EACH TIME. (AIRBAG, AIR BAG HARNESS, AIR BAG CONNECTOR AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER) WERE ALL REPLACED. *SCC *JB

WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND WOULD STAY LIT FOR THE REMINDER OF THE TIME THAT VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK VEHICLE STALLED, BUCKED, ALL LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP. FAILURE OF WINDOW SWITCHES.*TS

THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. PREVIOUSLY THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE STALLING CONTINUED. *JB

2000 VW BEETLEOUGHT THE CAR NEW. AT 12,000 MILES HAD A BENT TIE ROD WHICH VW INSISTED THAT I DAMAGED WHICH I DIDN'T. IF I DID I WOULD HAVE BLOWN THE TIRE OUT. TRODDLE BOX NEEDS REPLACING BECAUSE OF A BAD CENSOR. TOTAL COST OVER $500 NOT INCLUDING WHAT I SPENT REPLACING THE TIE ROD. LOST POWER IN THE CAR, TWICE AND SERVICE CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS ON COMING ON ALONG WITH THE EPC LIGHT. AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT HAD TO BE RESET DUE TO THE POWER FAILURE. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE IS WORTHLESS. DON'T EVEN WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEMS.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE AND STALL WITHOUT NO POWER AT ALL. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF.*AK

BRAKE SWITCH MALFUNCTION EDON THE 2000 ,VOLKSWAGEN, NEW BEETLE CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO STICK IN PARK. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH A QUARTER TANK OF GAS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. *AK *SCC *JB

I HAVE A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BETTLE AND SINCE THE CAR HAS HAD ABOUT 30000 MILES I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO VOLKSWAGEN THE PROBLEM IS THE WIRING FOR THE AIR BAGS IS LOCATED UNDER THE SEATS AND BECAUSE OF THIS I HAVE HAD THE AIR BAG LIGHT RESET 2OR 3 TIMES FINALLY THEY SAID I WOULD NEED A WIRE HARNESS INSTALLED SO I PAID A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR THAT TO BE DONE IN AUG 2003 NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN EVERY TIME THE LIGHT COMES ON IT CAUSES THE AIR BAG SYSTME TO SHUTDOWN THIS IS A BIG SAFTEY ISSUE SINCE 2/3 RDS OF THE TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON I FOUND OUT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BEETLE AND THEY INSTALLED THE HARNESS ON THE NEW ONES TO FIX THIS WELL I HAD THAT INSTALLED AND IT IS BROKEN AGAIN I CALLED VW AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY ANOTHER 95 FOR A DIOGNOSTIC PLUS AND THEN THEY WILL DECIDE IF THEY WILL REPAIR IT AT NO COST THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED ITEM IT PLAGUES THE BEETLE AND IT IS A SAFTEY ISSUE AND I CANT KEEP PAYING FOR THE SAME REPAIR PLEASE HELP ME. *AK

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE VENTS. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE . *AK

COOLING SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING THE ORIGINAL OVERHEATING. THE CAR HAS CONTINUED TO PERIDODICALLY OVERHEAT SINCE. THE CAR WAS FULLY REPAIRED FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT AND HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR MANY TIMES SINCE. NOW THERE ARE SEVERAL FAILURES WITH THE CAR.

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY WORN. *JB

FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. *AK

WITHIN 5,500 MILES OF PURCHASING MY 2000 BEETLE I STARTED EXPERIENCING SUDDEN MAJOR POWER LOSS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY WOULD RUN A DIAGNOSTIC AND COME UP WITH NOTHING. ACCORDING TO THEM THE PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST. THEY SAID TO ME, THEY WERE NOT GOING TO START THROWING PARTS AT IT. THEY REFUSED TO TAKE ANY CORRECTIVE STEPS TO TRY AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WASN'T SHOWING UP ON THE DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT. NOW WITH A TOTAL OF 12,455 MILE ON THIS CAR ( I DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM) VW HAS RECALLED THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE 1.8 LITER ENGINES DUE TO AN IGNITION COIL PROBLEM. I HAVE THIS SAME TYPE ENGINE BUT THE RECALL DID NOT COVER MY MODEL YEAR. I HAD TO ARGUE AND INSIST THAT THEY LOOK AT MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER FINALLY AGREED , ACCORDING TO THEM MY COIL IS FINE . THEY DID NOT REPLACE IT AND THEY STILL REFUSE TO TAKE ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION TO START TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I CAN NOT SELL MY CAR BECAUSE I WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACCIDENT CREATED BY THIS PRE-EXISTING PROBLEM, AND IF I DISCLOSE THIS PROBLEM TO A PERSPECTIVE BUYER THEY WILL NOT BUY IT. IF I WAS ABLE TO AFFORD TO TRADE IT IN, LET'S SAY, ON A NEW VW, THE DEALER WOULD NOT GIVE ME MUCH ON THE TRADE IN ( KNOWING IT HAS THIS PROBLEM) AND THEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO TURN AROUND AND FINALLY FIX IT. THEY COULDN'T RESELL IT OTHERWISE. THIS IS A MAJOR POTENTIAL ACCIDENT PROBLEM WAITING TO HAPPEN. UPDATE: THE DEALER CALLED ME. THEY FINALLY DID SOMETHING. THEY REPLACED THE "FUEL PUMP RELAY". THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY SO NOW I HAVE A BIG REPAIR BILL TO DEAL WITH. THAT IS ANOTHER ISSUE I WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH SEPARATELY. I HOPE THIS WILL CORRECT MY PROBLEM, TIME WILL TELL. I WILL STILL FILE THIS COMPLAINT FOR THE RECORD (HOPING THE REPLACEMENT PART WORKS). IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUES I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH ANOTHER COMPLAINT. *NLM

I BOUGHT A VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE ON THE 12TH OF JUNE BEFORE WE WENT ON VACATION. WE TRAVELED 860 MILES ONE WAY. THE CRUISE LIGHT WOULD NEVER COME ON, NOT EVEN WHEN YOU STARTED THE VEHICLE. ANYWAY WE COULD GO ANYWHERE FROM 10 MILES TO 100 MILES AND THE CRUISE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY KICK OFF, JERKING THE CAR. WE CALLED OUR DEALER IMMEDIATELY BUT HE COULD NOT HELP. WHEN WE GOT BACK FROM VACATION WE TOOK IT UP THERE. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT. ALSO IN THE MANUAL IT SAYS THAT THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FUSE FOR CRUISE: THERE IS NOT ONE. THEY TEST DROVE ANOTHER ONE THAT WAS ON THEIR LOT AND THAT CRUISE LIGHT DIDN'T WORK EITHER. I'M JUST WONDERING IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS OR HOW CAN SOMEONE FIX IT. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT WITHOUT ANY REASON. GOODYEAR, EAGLE RS8, SIZE 205/55R16 DOT- - - - - - - - - -. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

TRANSMISSION LOCKS ITS SELF INTO PARK. YOU CANNOT RELEASE THE CAR FROM PARK. DEALER CANNOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. WILL NOT FIX TE BRAKE SWITCH WHICH HAS CAUSED TEH SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER CARS. *AK

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON REPEATEDLY SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR FROM BURNSVILLE VW, BURNSVILLE, MN. SERVICE DEPT. STATED "IT'S NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT" AND RESET THE COMPUTER. AFTER PERSISTENT REOCCURANCE, REQUESTED THEY ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM, THAT IS WHEN THEY INFORMED US THE RIVETS TO THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP HAD FAILED AND IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. CALLS TO VW NORTH AMERICA RESULTED IN THE SAME, "NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY", "CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT MATTER", ETC. ESTIMATED $650 TO REPLACE ITEM. WHILE WE ARE BEING TOLD IT IS A "MINOR" FAILURE AND WILL NOT AFFECT THE CAR PERFORMANCE, IT SEEMS THAT IT TRIGGERS AN "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FOR A REASON. ALSO, WE WERE TOLD TO "IGNORE" THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. HOWEVER IF WE IGNORE IT THEN WHEN A "SIGNIFICANT" PROBLEM OCCURS, HOW WOULD WE KNOW?! VW NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER ADMITTED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM BUT UNLESS IT IS REPORTED WITHIN THE FIRST 2 YEARS IT IS NO LONGER COVERED.*AK

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *NLM *TS

I HAVE A 2000 VW BEETLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF BUYING THE CAR I STARTED HAVING ENGINE/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT IN........SEVERAL TIMES, SAME PROBLEM. AS I AM DRIVING THE CAR IT JUST DIES. I CAN BE GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY OR 1 MPH PULLING TO OR AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN. WITH NO WARNING THE CAR CUTS OFF. IT ALWAYS STARTS BACK UP, BUT IT WILL CONTINUALLY DIE. I LOSE ALL POWER TO THE CAR INCLUDING STEERING. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN AND HAS BEEN FOR TWO YEARS AND APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES IN THE VW SHOP. THE CAR DEFINITELY HAS A PROBLEM THAT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIX. I HAVE OR MY WARRANTY COMPANY HAS REPEATEDLY PAID FOR THE SAME AND THEN SOME REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. SOME PARTS (THE SAME PART) WERE REPLACED WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. MOSTLY THE SHOP DETERMINES IT IS THE O2 SENSORS THROUGHOUT THE CAR (APPARENTLY YOU HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT O2 SENSORS) OR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TURBO (WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED ONCE OR TWICE NOW). THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. SOME MORE THAN ONCE. THE CAR STILL DIES. IT GIVES NO WARNING IT JUST SHUTS OFF. LOSING POWER AT 70 MPH ON A CROWDED INTERSTATE CAN SHAKE ONE UP. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THE MANUFACTURER, AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN. NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE OR WANT TO HELP ME. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP!*JB

VEHICLE: 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED RESULTING IN A LACK OF ABILITY TO PROPERLY GAUGE SPEED. ALSO, LOST THE ABILITY TO DETERMINE WHETHER FUEL LEVEL WAS LOW. VW DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE CLUSTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE IS 3 YEARS AND 1 MONTH OLD. THE WARRANTY PERIOD WAS 24 MONTHS OR 24,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS 16,000 MILES. I CONTACTED VW "CUSTOMER ADVOCATE" (THEIR NAME, NOT MINE) DEPARTMENT AND REQUESTED THEIR HELP. I REFERENCED SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 0103; "SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NONFUNCTIONAL". AFTER REVIEW THE "ADVOCATE" SAID THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING IN REGARDS TO 'GOODWILL' BASED ON AGE (1 YEAR OUT OF WARRANTY) AND MILEAGE. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THEIR APPLICATION OF MILEAGE (THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 16,000 WHILE WARRANTY IS 24,000) THE ADVOCATE RESTATED THE REASON FOR DECLINE, BUT WITHOUT MILEAGE. FURTHER, THE ADVOCATE STATED THAT SINCE I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, THEY WOULD NOT APPLY GOODWILL. WHEN I ASKED WHAT THE BASIS WAS FOR OWNERSHIP DISCRIMINATION, SHE INDICATED THE LACK OF SERVICE RECORDS. WHEN I, AGAIN, INDICATED THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER THREE MONTHS AGO AND COULD PROVIDE THE PRIOR SERVICE RECORDS, SHE SAID BASICALLY "TOO BAD", I COULD SEND THEM A COPY, BUT UPON REVIEW VW CUSTOMER ADVOCATE WOULD NOT LIKELY REVISE THEIR DECISION. *JB

THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WOULD FIX IT SO THE LIGHT WOULD NOT COME ON, AND STATED THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER AIRBAG HAD A LEAK IN IT. CONSUMER WAS LATER INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM

ONGOING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS/FALSE POSITIVES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. GEL-LIKE SUBSTANCE IN THE OIL. FREQUENT REPLACEMENT OF INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS. NLM

THE VEHICLES ABS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM

DRIVER'S SIDE SIDE IMPACT-AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A FREEWAY. VOLKSWAGEN THEORIZED THAT ROAD DEBRIS PENETRATED THE FLOORBOARD CAUSING THE SENSOR TO GO OFF. HOW THIN IS THE FLOORBOARD THAT A ROCK OR PIECE OF ROAD DEBRIS COULD PENETRATE IT? AND WHY DOES THAT THROW OFF THE SENSOR FOR A SIDE AIRBAG? VOLKSWAGEN REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR TOWING, REPAIRS, OR MY ARM INJURY. *NLM

MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE GLX CAUGHT FIRE FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER I PARKED IT IN MY GARAGE, CAUSING THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GARAGE, THE BEETLE, AND TWO OTHER CARS. *NLM

THE 2000 NEW BEETLE THAT MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED APPARENTLY HAS A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 2003. AT THAT TIME THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. THE FIRST TIME I PUT GAS IN THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY HUSBAND CONTACTED A LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO SEE ABOUT GETTING IT FIXED. HE WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL PROBLEM. IF THE GAS CAP WASN'T PUT BACK ON AND CLICKED AT LEAST SEVEN TIMES, THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE GAS CAP, PUT IT BACK ON AND TURN IT UNTIL THERE HAD BEEN SEVEN CLICKS. AFTER THAT, WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO A COLD START TO MAKE THE LIGHT GO OFF. THIS WORKED, BUT WE HAVE HAD TO DO IT SEVERAL TIMES. THE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND GO OFF, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE NO ENGINE PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD ANOTHER MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR, AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, SO IT HAD TO BE A PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AFTER SEEING SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED, I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CAR STALLING, MALFUNCTIONING, OR, AS IN SOME OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE SHOWN, THE CAR CATCHING ON FIRE. I FEEL THAT THE VOLKSWAGEN COMPANY NEEDS TO REALLY EXAMINE THIS ISSUE. WE HAD TO HAVE A SENSOR REPLACED FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT WAS UNDER RECALL, AND WE ONLY GOT IT DONE BECAUSE WE WERE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. WE HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AT ALL. I DON'T FEEL THAT THE VOLKSWAGEN COMPANY IS CONCERNED ABOUT ANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE GOING ON WITH THIS MODEL. IT IS VERY DISTRESSING TO THINK THAT I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT ISN'T WORTH WHAT I PAID FOR IT BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CHECK ENGINE IS ONGOING AND I AM NOT PLEASED WITH THE RESPONSE I HAVE GOTTEN FROM THE DEALER. IT HASN'T MADE THE PROBLEM GO AWAY.

WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR WOULD COME ON, AND CONSUMER WOULD NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

THE VEHICLE HESITATES, SHUTS DOWN AND WILL NOT RESTART. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH

CAR HAS A HISTORY OF STALLING WHEN IT IS DECELERATING, SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE DATE IN JUNE 2000. PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED BY DEALER. HERE IS THE HISTORY OF THE PROBLEM. JULY 2000: CAR SPATTERS AND STALLS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN TAMPA WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND THEY FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY SAYING IT WAS A FUEL INJECTION PROBLEM. SEPTEMBER 2001 BEGINS STALLING AGAIN PERIODICALLY. TOOK IT TO DEALER IN NASHVILLE, DECEMBER 2002. THEY REPLACED THE AIR INTAKE SENSOR FOR THE FUEL INJECTION. OCTOBER 2003 CAR STILL STALLING PERIODICALLY BUT WITH MORE FREQUENCY. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE AIR INTAKE CENSOR FOR THE FUEL INJECTION WAS FAULTY AND THEY REPLACED PART FOR FREE AS IT WAS UNDER ONE-YEAR WARRANTY. OCTOBER 2003: A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR BEGINS TO STALL. MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2004: TAKE CAR BACK TO DEALER WHO SAID FUEL INJECTION GASKETS WERE LEAKING. WORK IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. PICKED UP CAR ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 15. CAR STALLED AGAIN SATURDAY, JANUARY 17. CAR STALLS AGAIN SUNDAY, JANUARY 18. CAR HAS STALLED AROUND 50 TIMES OVER ITS HISTORY. IT HAS STALLED IN VERY DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS WHILE I DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. *CB

ON JANUARY 16, 2003 WHILE DRIVING MY VW NEW BEETLE TDI (DIESEL) ON THE INTERSTATE WITH A HALF OF A TANK OF NO. 1 DIESEL FUEL WITH THE TEMPERATURE BELOW 0 DEGREES F AND WIND CHILL IN THE -40 TO -50 F RANGE, MY VEHICLE DIED SEVERAL TIMES AND TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESTART EACH TIME. BY THE TIME I GOT IT TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP 12 MILES FROM MY RESIDENCE 5 DAYS LATER (I LIVE OVER 100 MILES FROM THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP) THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL UNDER LIGHT LOAD (ANY SPEED ABOVE 20-40 M.P.H.) OR TRYING TO DRIVE UP A HILL AND, AFTER STALLING 4 TIMES THE BATTERY WAS BECOMING DRAINED. THE REPAIR SHOP MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO A DEALERSHIP IN BURNSVILLE, MN. (WHICH HAD 4 OR 5 OTHER VWS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM) AND WAS TOLD THAT VOLKSWAGON RECOMMENDED TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO REMOVE (NOT REPLACE) THE ANTI-SIPHON FLAP IN THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE MOISTURE WAS FREEZING ON IT THUS LETTING AIR INTO THE FUEL LINES. WHILE AT THE REPAIR SHOP I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THERE WERE ALSO 3 OR 4 OTHERS COME IN OR BE TOWED IN WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. SINCE THIS WAS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT ON JUST MY VEHICLE AND VOLKSWAGON RECOMMENDED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REMOVE THIS PART, I WOULD CONSIDED THIS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW AND AM EXPECTING TO BE REIMBURSED. THE VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER IN ROCHESTER HILLS, MI. DOES NOT AGREE. SO, I AM NOT CONTACTING YOU NECESSARILY TO HELP ME BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS $200 EXPENSE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY TO INFORM YOU OF THE SEVERITY OF THIS PROBLEM. NOT ONLY HAS IT COST ME AND OTHERS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN TOWING AND REPAIR COSTS BUT IS LEAVING PEOPLE STRANDED IN VERY DANGEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE FROSTBITE WILL SET IN LITERALLY IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES. IT SEEMS APPARENT THAT VW HAS NO PLAN TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IN SPITE OF THEM KNOWING THERE IS A PROBLEM SO I HOPE YOU CAN HELP OR AT LEAST INVESTIGATE THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS.

FAILURE OF STARTER

MY HUSBAND WAS INSTALLING THE BABY SEAT INTO THE BACK SEAT OF OUR CAR IN PREPARATION FOR BRINGING OUR NEWBORN SON FROM THE HOSPITAL ON A COLD RAINY EVENING. WHEN HE TURNED THE REAR-WINDOW DEFOGGER ON. THE REAR WINDOW OF THE CAR EXPLODED INTO SMALL FRAGMENTS OF FLYING SHRAPNEL WHICH SPATTERED ALL OVER THE BACK SEAT AND BABY SEAT. MY HUSBAND SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS ON HIS HANDS AND HEAD. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY, WHEN WE WERE TO BRING MY SON HOME. HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN BLINDED AND BADLY LACERATED OR MUCH WORSE. THE ENTIRE BACK OF THE CAR WAS SOAKED DUE TO THE DRIVING RAIN. BEFORE MY HUSBAND GOT THE CAR INTO A GARAGE, SIGNIFICANT WATER DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE ENTIRE BACK PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I CONTACTED VW TO PAY FOR OUR DEDUCTIBLE AND REIMBURSE US FOR THE WATER DAMAGE, AND THEIR ONLY ANSWER WAS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTEE AND THAT THEY WILL NOT HELP US. I MENTIONED THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE INJURIES WHICH COULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD MY SON BEEN IN HIS REAR FACING BABY SEAT WHEN THE GLASS SHATTERED. THEY WEREN'T EVEN INTERESTED IN TAKING THE INFORMATION DOWN. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT, A MR. BRANDON CURTIS, SEEMED WILLING TO HELP, BUT IT SEEMS HIS SUPERVISOR OVERRULED HIM. I HOPE WE CAN FIND A WAY TO GET VW TO PAY FOR OUR EXPENSES, BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT IS VITAL TO MAKE SURE THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO ANYONE WHILE THERE IS A CHILD OR INFANT ON THAT BACK SEAT. DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. CONTACTED DEALER. MR THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT AFTER REVIEWING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS SLIGHT DAMAGE DISCOVERED ON THE LEFT SIDE IN THE FIREWALL AREA. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IMPROPERLY ENGINEERED. SCC

SRS SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 16000 MILES. VEHICLE FAULT CODE WAS RESET WITH THE FIRST FAILURE. SIDE AIRBAG WAS REPLACED WITH THE SECOND LIGHT ILLUMINATION. SYSTEM FUNCTIONED PROPERLY FOR ABOUT 8000 MILES AND HAS FAILED AGAIN. AWAITING RESOLUTION FROM VW AS THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. ONE OF MY EMPLOYEES ALSO PURCHASED A 2002 JETTA WHICH HAD AN SRS FAILURE IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS. THERE APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN'S SRS SYSTEM WHICH YOU MAY WISH TO INVESTIGATE.

WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED, THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR THE MOTOR RUNNING BUT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT MOVE. NLM

WHILE DRIVING , THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RESULTING IN THE HORN, RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS FAILING INTERMITTENLY.*JB

CONSUMER STATES THE HEADLIGHTS WILL BURN OUT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED TWICE OVER LAST 2 MONTHS. CONSUMER HAS TO REPLACE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT UNIT.*JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

I HAVE HAD TWO BRAKE RELAY SWITCH PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR IN THREE MONTHS. I THINK ITS A COMMON DEFECT. DT

BOLTS THAT HOLD ENGINE FRONT ON RIGHT HAND SIDE CRYSTALIZED, HEAT TREATMENT FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO COME LOOSE. *AK *YH

THIS IS A QUOTE FROM THE POLICE REPORT (FULL COPY AVAILABLE ON REQUEST) "DRIVER AND ONLY OCCUPANT BUTLER STATED HE ENTERED THE PARKING LOT AND PUT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION OF THE VEH. INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED INTO THE PARKING SPACE, BUT THEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES OF THE VEH. THEY DIDN'T WORK, CAUSING FRONT OF VEH. TO JUMP OVER THE APPROX. 6" HIGH CURB AND COME TO REST HANGING OVER EDGE OF THE RIVER WALL. BUTLER REPORTED HE HAS HAD THE LEASE VEH. FOR APPROX. 3 YEARS AND HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IT, BUT NEVER ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES" "AN UNIDENTIFIED MALE WAS SITTING ON THE BACK OF THE VEH. TO KEEP IT FROM TIPPING INTO THE WATER" "BUTLER WAS NOT INJURED BUT HE DIDN'T WANT TO EXIT THE VEH. AS HE REPORTED IT WAS TEETERING BACK AND FORTH BEFORE THE MALE SAT ON THE BACK END" ON REPORTING THE ABOVE TO VOLKSWAGEN, THEIR OFFICIAL RESPONCE THAT I FOUND INSULTING WAS THAT IT WAS "OPERATOR ERROR". I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STICK SHIFT VEHICLE FOR 12 YEARS AND NEVER MISTAKEN THE CLUTCH WITH THE BRAKE, AND AFTER RELUCTANTLY TAKING BACK THE BEETLE I WENT TO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT TO SEE IF IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR ME TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH BY MISTAKE AND FOUND THAT MY RIGHT FOOT WOULD NOT EASILY REACH THE PEDAL AND THEREFORE BEYOND ANY DOUBT DISMISS THE CLAIM OF "OPERATOR ERROR". SINCE THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY AND MINIMAL VEHICLE DAMAGE IT IS NOT FINANCIALLY VIABLE FOR ME TO TAKE LEGAL PROCEEDING, ALTHOUGH 4 MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT I STILL HAVE FLASHBACKS AND BAD DREAMS OF THE NEAR FATAL EVENT. NLM

AT 4:20PM ON 5/28/02 MY WIFE WAS ON INTERSTATE 95 NEAR GEORGETOWN, MA ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP IN AMESBUY FOR SERVICE BECAUSE THE CAR'S AIRCONDITIONER HAD QUIT AND SOME OF THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT STOP FLASHING. SUDDENLY SHE SAW SMOKE IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THEN MORE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, SO SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR. MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND BLACK SMOKE. TEN MINUTES LATER IT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE GEORGETOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT AND STATE POLICE HAD RESPONDED, BUT BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WE HAVE NOT CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN DIRECTLY BECAUSE WE FEEL THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIVE. MAYBE THE INSURANCE COMPANY OR THE NHTSA CAN FORCE THE MANUFACTURER TO LOOK INTO THIS, SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO OTHER 2000 BEETLES AS WELL, AND SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS APPARENT DEFECT.*AK