2001 Volkswagen Beetle Complaint Log

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

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

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

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

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

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

CAR WAS IN SHOP 2 TIMES FOR COILS GOING BAD DROVE CAR TO HAMMOND INDIANA FROM CROWN POINT CAME BACK TO CROWN POINT PARKED CAR WENT IN TO GO TO BED WAS ASLEEP FOR AN HOUR NEXT THING WE HEAR KNOCKING ON DOOR GO OUT SIDE AND CAR IS ON FIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS OUT SIDE PUTTING CAR OUT FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID SOMETHING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE RIGHT WHERE THE COILS ARE. *TR

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.

2001 BRAND NEW BEETLE STARTED DEVELOPING STAINS ON THE SEAT FROM DAY ONE. BLUE JEANS AND DARK SWEATERS STAIN THE INTERIORS TO THAT COLOR EVERYTIME SOMEONE SITS DOWN IN THE CAR. THE THROTTLE BODY HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES, COSTING ME OVER COUNTLESS DOLLARS IN REPAIR FEES AND IS NOW OUT FOR THE FOURTH TIME. CROWN VOLKSWAGEN IN TYLER, TX HAS REPAIRED IT EACH TIME, THE LONGEST REPAIR LASTING ABOUT FOUR MONTHS. THEY'VE PAID FOR THE REPAIR ONCE, BUT DO NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A REPLACEMENT RENTAL VEHICLE, REFUSE TO PICK UP THE PHONE DURING THE DAY OR RETURN PHONE CALLS, AND HAS COST ME TONS OF TIME AND MONEY TRAVELING FROM DALLAS TO TYLER TO CHECK ON THE CAR AND PICK IT UP. ONCE, I DROVE TWO HOURS FROM NACOGDOCHES, TX TO TYLER, TX ON THE SCHEDULED PICK UP DAY, HAVING TRIED TO CALL BEFORE LEAVING TOWN TO MAKE SURE IT WAS READY, ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY HADN'T GOTTEN TO THE CAR WHEN I ARRIVED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE DURING THE SAME REPAIR WHICH LASTED A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THEY HAVE BEEN UNCOOPERATIVE, AND THE CAR IS HORRIBLE. THE ARM REST BROKE ONE DAY AS I LIFTED IT, IT JUST FELL APART IN MY HANDS, THE INTERIOR COVERING ON THE DOORS AND DASHBOARD FLAKES OFF, THE SUNROOF BROKE NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK TO GET TO WORK EVERYDAY. IT FINALLY JAMMED THE VISOR SO THAT IT NO LONGER WORKS. THE SEAT MOVING MECHANISMS NO LONGER WORK. THE AIRBAG IS IN CONSTANT MALFUNCTION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND EPS LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON. I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO PULL MY CAR OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT LOSES POWER AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN, ALTHOUGH IT NEVER HAS A LOT OF POWER. THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE HAS NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL WRECKS. I AM INCREDIBLY LUCKY. THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKS, AND IT TAKES ABOUT 200 DOLLARS A MONTH TO FILL IT UP WITH GAS BECAUSE THE ENGINE PROBLEMS EFFECT THE FUEL EFFICIENCY. *TR

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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 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 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

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

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

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.

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

BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, NEEDED TO REPLACE CALIPERS, ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS AT 16,455MILES.*AK

I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGON BEETLE AND WAS VERY FRUSTRATED WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS CHARGED $100!!!! AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS! I WAS SO UPSET! THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT CAME ON AGIAN AND I WAS FURIOUS! I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $100 AGIAN. I COPMPLAINED AND GOT THE 2ND FEE WAVED. I'M NOT AN EXPERT BUT IT IS VERY RARE FOR AN IGNITION COIL TO FAIL???*AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, NO DRIVABILITY PROBLEMS THOUGH. DEALER SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY; 2001 VW BEETLE WITH 7,600 MILES. CHECKED AND CHARGED $142.00 TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, REPLACED CTS, COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR. IT APPEARS THAT IT IS HARD TO FIND ANY SHOPS WITH EQUIPMENT TO ACCESS VW'S ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM; ONLY WAY IS AT VW OR IF A SHOP HAS A PC BASED SYSTEM CALLED MORPHUS? WAS THIS DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY SINCE IT IS PART OF THE OVERALL ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, CONTROLLING EMISSIONS? THANK YOU, [XXX].*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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

THE REAR DISC BRAKE PADS (BOTH SIDES) COMPLETELY WORN OFF/OUT AT 25,000 MILES ON 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. THE WORN OUT PADS ALSO DAMAGED BOTH REAR HUB/ROTOR ASSEMBLIES, WHICH ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED BY THE CONSUMER, AT THE CONSUMERS COST. THIS CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR ITS 20,000 MILE CHECK UP TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE FEMALE OWNER HAD ASKED ABOUT REAR BRAKE NOISES THAT CONCERNED HER. THE DEALERSHIP ASSURED HER THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK, BUT SOMETIMES IT WOULD JUST NORMALLY MAKE SOME NOISES. A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER THE PADS AND ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY SHOT AND WE HAVE TO PICK UP THE TAB AS THE CAR IS NOW NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. VW HAS HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN(TSB#4602-01 DATED 04-02), I RECENTLY FOUND OUT, CONCERNING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WE EXPERIENCED:BRAKE PADS(REAR) APPARENT PREMATURE WEAR. I MENTIONED THIS FACT TO BOTH THE DEALERSHIP IN RACINE, WI AND VW AT THEIR 1-800-822-8987 "CUSTOMER CARE" CARE NUMBER WHEN SPEAKING TO MR KEN PARROTT. IT WAS TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT PERSON FELT THIS WAS "NORMAL" THOUGH I CONTESTED THAT OPINION. THE VW PERSON, MR PERROTT, SAID HE COULDN'T EVEN LOOK INTO THE MATTER AS THE WORK WAS PERFORMED AT A NON VW DEALERSHIP, THOUGH IT WAS A CERTIFIED NAPA AUTOCARE SERVICE CENTER THAT DID THE REPAIR WORK. HE, MR PARROTT, ALSO STATED IF I HAD TAKEN IT IN TO A VW GARAGE WAS NO GUARANTEE THEY WOULD PAY FOR MY EXPENSES EITHER. I ASKED ABOUT "OPENING A CASE" W/VW AND HE SAID THE CONVERSATION WE WERE HAVING INITIATED IT AND WHEN I HUNG UP(I ASKED HIM ABOUT THIS) THAT THE CASE WOULD BE CLOSED, AS FAR AS THEY WERE CONCERNED. BUT NOT AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED. *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

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

WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM NUT SECURING THE BRACKET TO THE WIPER MOTOR NUT HAS NO LOCKING MECHANISM TO PREVENT THE NUT FROM LOOSENING DURING WIPER OPERATION. THIS RESULTS IN THE NUT WORKING ITS WAY OFF THE WIPER MOTOR AND THE WIPERS CEASING OPERATION. REATTACHING THE NUT ONLY WORKS BRIEFLY UNTIL THE NUT WORKS LOOSE AGAIN. IN ADDITION, I RECEIVE NO RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR THIS VEHICLE IN THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED IT AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.*AK

A FAMILY MEMBER OF MINE RECENTLY BOUGHT, I BELIEVE, A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. AFTER WAITING A WHILE FOR HER TAGS SHE AND HER FATHER LOOKED INTO THE DOCUMENTS GIVEN TO HER BY THE DEALERSHIP AND NOTICED A DISCREPANCY IN MILEAGE AFTER THEY DID A FULL CARFAX REPORT ON THE CAR. THE CARFAX REPORTED THAT THE CAR HAD 76000 MILES ON IT IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 BUT THE DOCUMENT ATESTING TO MILEAGE FROM THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT HAD ONLY 66K WHEN BOUGHT IN MARCH ON IT AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SOLD TO THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL FEBRUARY WITH WHO KNOWS HOW MANY MILES. I BELIEVE THAT THE DEALERSHIP OR THE PREVIOUS OWNER ROLLED BACK THE MILEAGE. IN MY MIND IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT IT IS THE DEALER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE STEPS WE NEED TO TAKE, THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO HAVE AND HOW TO GET IT, AND WHO TO CONTACT IN SOUTH CAROLINA (PREFERABLY IN ROCK HILL, SC) IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK

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

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILS TO OPERATE OR OPERATES RANDOMLY. THE BLADE WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW AND GO NO FURTHER UNLESS I PHYSICALLY PUSH IT DOWN OR TURN THE SWITCH ON THE HIGHEST SPEED AND THEN IT MAY WORK SO I CAN PUT IT IN THE DOWN POSITION SO IT DOESN'T OBSTRUCT MY VIEW. *LA

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

BRAKE LAMPS ON 2001 NEW BEETLE COME ON AND STAY ON EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND PARKED. THIS IS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 03V265000 (7-25-03). I CHECKED VW AND THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL WAS VIN SPECIFIC AND MY 2001 NEW BEETLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. IT SEEMS THERE MAY BE MORE UNITS AFFECTED THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT.*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

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 VW NEW BEETLE THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO IDLE VERY ROUGHLY. THE ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE ENGINE AND DRIVE THE CAR HOME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE O2 SENSOR AND THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE TOTAL COST WAS $1097.00 AND WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS A 2001 MODEL WITH JUST OVER 18000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. A CALL TO THE VOLKSWAGEN "CUSTOMER ADVOCATE" CENTER PROVED HOPELESS AS THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE 2001 VW BEETLE CAME WITH A 2 YEAR 24000 MILE WARRANTY. THE LACK OF WARRANTY LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT VW KNEW THESE CARS WERE OF SUBSTANDARD QUALITY FROM THE DATE OF MANUFACTURER. *JB

2001 NEW BEETLE 1.9 L TDI, 55,000 MI.: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OFF THEN IT COMES ON ONCE GLOW PLUG LIGHT GOES OFF AND CAR HAS STARTED (WITIN 20 SECONDS). THE DEALER FIRST TOLD ME IT WAS THE GLOW PLUG SENSOR. THEN RECANTED AND SAID THE SENSOR WAS FINE AND TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW BRIDGE WIRE AND 4 NEW GLOW PLUGS. SHOULD GLOW PLUGS ONLY LAST FOR 55,000 MILES? THE CAR JUST TURNED OVER 55,023 WHEN THE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. *AK

I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE WHICH WAS LEASED NEW FROM BILL COOK IN FARMINTON HILLS MICHIGAN. THE COMPLAINT REGARDS THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT OF REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT 18,000 MILES WHILE THE FRONTS WERE STILL AT 70%. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND NOTHING IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED OR ANY EVIDENCE OF POOR MAINTENANCE OR ABUSE. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987 AFTER GETTING THE SERVICE COMPLETED AND OPENED A CASE. VOLKSWAGEN VERIFIED THAT I HAVE HAD ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE PERFORMED ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP RECORDS AND CONFIRMED THE DETAILS OF MY COMPLAINT WITH THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THE DEALERSHIP. YET THEY REFUSE TO COMPENSATE IN ANY WAY, STATING THAT NO MANUFACTURING DEFECT EXISTS. I HAVE FOUND A VOLKSWAGEN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 4600-01 ON THE INTERNET REGARDING UNEVEN PAD WEAR INSTRUCTING TECHNICIANS TO USE AN ALTERNATE BRAKE PAD OF DIFFERENT COMPOSITION. I AM AN ENGINEER IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, AND IN MY OPINION THIS LEVEL OF REPAIR AT THIS MILEAGE WITH NO EVIDENCE OF ANY EXTERNAL CAUSE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE STATE OF THE FRONT BRAKES, INDICATES EITHER A DEFECT IN DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. AT THE DEALERSHIP I ASKED WHETHER I COULD EXPECT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO FAIL AS QUICKLY AS THE ORIGINALS AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. THE ONLY WAY THIS COULD BE TRUE IS IF THE NEW PARTS ARE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN OR THE OLD PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THIS COST ME $45.00 TO DIAGNOSE AND $399.15 PARTS AND LABOR PLUS TAX AND SHOP FEES TO REPAIR. I EXPECT A LONGER LIFE FOR THESE COMPONENTS ON A NEW VEHICLE AND CONSIDER THIS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF VOLKSWAGEN TO REPAIR. *LA

VIOLENT SHAKING OF 2001 NEW BEETLE GL (HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AFTER SNOW STORM. 1/14/04 SNOW STORM HITS DETROIT METRO AREA. THE NEXT MORNING 1/15/04 WHILE GOING TO WORK MY VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE/VIBRATE, STARTING AT 45 MPH. I DID NOT TAKE THE BUG ABOVE 55 MPH BECAUSE THE SHAKING WAS GETTING WORSE. AFTER WORK, I DROVE TO THE VW DEALER AND LEARNED THAT 16 OTHER NEW BEETLE OWNERS BROUGHT THEIR CAR IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM (THIS WAS A QUOTE BY THE SERVICE REP. STEVE)AND NUMEROUS OWNERS CALLED IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THE DESIGN OF THE WHEEL RIMS ALLOW SNOW TO ACCUMULATE CAUSING AN IMBALANCE WITH THE WHEELS. THIS CAUSES THE VIOLENT SHAKING WHILE RUNNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (45 MPH AND ABOVE). THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO REMOVE THE SNOW BY HAND OR MELT IT AWAY. (DEALER IS CHARGING ABOUT 72 DOLLARS FOR MELTING IT). I NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DO THIS AFTER ANY SNOW STORM IN MICHIGAN. BUT SINCE I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE INVOLVED, I FELT YOU SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE. I LOVE MY BUG, BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP (VYLETEL BUICK & VW, STERLING HEIGHTS MICHIGAN) I LEFT THE VEHICLE THERE OVERNIGHT FOR 30K MAINTENANCE. I FIGURED, WHILE THEY DO THE MAINTENANCE, THE SNOW WOULD MELT OFF THE WHEELS. GIVEN THE SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE CAUSED BY THE IMBALANCE OF THE WHEELS, I AM CONCERNED THE TIRES WILL HAVE PREMATURE WEAR OR FLAT SPOTS ON THE SURFACE. HOPEFULLY, THIS IS NOT THE CASE, SINCE I ACTED ON THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT. *CB

2001 VW BEETLE - GASKET FOR HEADLIGHTS AND HEADLIGHT LENSES DETERIORATED. HAD TO HAVE REPLACED. *JB