2001 Volkswagen Beetle Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal exhaust odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor was abnormally strong. The contact stated that exhaust fumes were entering the vehicle through the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear latch for the hatchback was not locking securely and was also allowing exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Manufacturer Emissions Recall Circular Code: WA000 Reprograming of Engine Control Module and Replacement of Oxygen Sensor (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

CAR WAS ILLEGALLY REPOSSESSED (I OWN THE VEHICLE BUT USED IT AS COLLATERAL IN A SMALL LOAN) NOVEMBER 29, 2016 WHILE I WAS IN ANOTHER STATE. I THEN RECEIVED A EMAIL FROM CARFAX THAT THE ODOMETER WAS CHANGED AND GAVE ME THE NEW MILEAGE. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2015 AND THE MILEAGE WAS OVER 155,000 MILES BUT NOW IT REPORTS 124, 685 MILES WHICH IS NOT AN ERROR BUT INTENTIONAL AND OBVIOUS ODOMETER FRAUD! I HAVE ATTACHED SEVERAL PHOTOS SHOWING THE DEALERSHIP WEBSITE'S LOG OF MILEAGE WHEN I BOUGHT IT, THE PICTURE OF MY ODOMETER AS OF OCTOBER 2015 (WHEN IT WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO OIL LEAK FROM VALVE COVER), AND THE EMAIL SCREENSHOT FROM CARFAX SHOWING THE ODOMETER FRAUD. THE NEW OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE ARE PETER LANDRY OF FOR FINANCIAL IN DONALDSONVILLE, LOUISIANA 225 473 7652

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ALL THE GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO AND FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE TEMPERATURE AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED, BUT THE OIL WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD, THE WINDSHIELD, AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED BY FLAMES. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR WHO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPROCKET FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE TIMING BELT TO FRACTURE. IN ADDITION, THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEM AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING DOES NOT ADVANCES, THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

2001 VW BEETLE. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, FREE OF CHARGE REPAIRS. I HAVE LOW MILEAGE SO I THOUGHT THAT BY THE TIME THESE ITEMS WERE REPAIRED IT WOULD BE FINE WHEN THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND IN PARTICULAR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS GOING OFF. THE SAFETY ISSUE COMES IN WITH ITS CURRENT PROBLEM. I HAD A FUEL INJECTION FLUSH WHICH INCLUDED THE CARBON DEPOSITS REMOVAL KNOWN AS INDUCTION, AIR FILTER REPLACED, ENGINE FUEL FILTER REPLACED, AND A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH PLUS 4 NEW SPARK PLUGS. PRIOR TO THIS SERVICE, MY CAR WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING WITH MAJOR SHAKING. I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET IT GOING WHILE STARTING. NOW AFTER THE SERVICE IT RUNS MUCH BETTER BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT NOW STALLS WHEN I COME TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STOP FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE OTHER MALFUNCTIONS THAT HAVE HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS ARE AN EXPENSE BUT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I COULD SOMEHOW MANAGE. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND THE GENERATOR COMES ON WHEN I STOP, IT IS WORSE WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGES FAST AND THEN I HAVE TO STOP EVEN MORE SUDDENLY. IMAGINE IF I AM ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT STOPS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE, A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THE CLEANING SERVICE. NOW, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THAT VEHICLE. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AT MESSAGE BOARDS FROM OTHER VW BEETLE OWNERS AND HAD READ SIMILAR STORIES OF SUCH DISSATISFACTION, INCREDIBLE FINANCIAL EXPENSE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF CARS. I HAVE EVEN READ THAT THESE CARS CAN BECOME INFLAMED , NECESSITATING THE FIRE DEPT. TO PUT IT OUT. THIS IS A LEMON AND SO MANY OTHER VW OWNERS HAVE WRITTEN SIMILAR ACCOUNT MESSAGE BOARDS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED IVOQ 07/07/11. *JB *TR

WHY DON'T YOU HAVE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM FOR THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE COMPANY IS REPLACING THEM. I JUST HAD ONE INSTALLED AFTER HAVING THE ENGINE LIGHT INDICATE I HAD A PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE BEETLE DRIVEN BY MY WIFE IT WILL JUST SHUT DOWN!!! IT WILL ONLY CRANK BACK ON ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT WILL SHUT DOWN WHEREVER!!! I ALREADY SPEND 1350.00 DOLLARS. AND NOT YET FIXED! THE CAR HAS BEING PARK OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE FOR LAS YEAR! AND STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT!!!! DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING! *TR

1. NORMAL DRIVING. 2. EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATING (EGR) COOLER CONNECTING PIPE FRACTURES. THIS CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30,000 AND 120,000 MILES. THIS FRACTURE ALLOWS EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER CABIN. AS OF NOW THE PART HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED, $178 DEALER ITEM. OLD PART WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR

I READ THE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PAPER (NHTSA 17V-509, VW 20AE) REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP CUT OUT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO VW A NUMBER OF TIMES OVER THE YEARS THAT MY VW ENGINE STOPS WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH. THE SERVICE WRITERS RESPONSE WAS THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED - A $1000 ITEM. OTHER MECHANICS THAT I'VE ASKED HAVE SAID THAT IF THAT WAS THE CASE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GET FUEL AND NOT WORK AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING ELSE. WHEN I READ THE SYMPTOMS REPORTED IN 20AE, THEY WERE EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY TIMES, BUT NOT CONSISTENTLY. AT 65 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS OUT, THE DECELERATION IS ALMOST IMMEDIATE TO 50 MPH. THE SYMPTOMS STARTED ABOUT 8-10 YEARS AGO. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY SINCE BECAUSE I WAS NEARLY RUN OVER BY A CEMENT TRUCK. THE ARTICLE I READ SAID THAT NO KNOWN CRASHES OR INJURIES WERE CAUSED BY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE CONSIDER EXPANDING THE INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE THE 2001 NEW BEETLE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY SERIOUS INJURIES DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE MY ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ISSUE REPORTED IN THE PRESS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRAIN PLUG IN THE OIL PAN LEAKS OIL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE PLUG IS HARD STEEL AND THE PAN THAT HOLDS THE OIL IS ALUMINUM. IF THE TECHNICIAN TIGHTENS THE NUTS TOO TIGHTLY ON THE DRAIN PAN, ALL OF THE OIL WILL LEAK OUT. THE DEALER PERFORMED A TEMPORARY REPAIR, BUT IT DID NOT WORK. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE OIL PAN AND PLUG AT THE COST OF $360.78; THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,049. UPDATED 11-19-08 *BF UPDATED 11/20/08. *JB

DEFECTIVE PART. CATALYST FAILED ON OUR 2001 NEW BEETLE TURBO. THIS VEHICLE, FOR SOME REASON, WAS NOT OF WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS ISSUE FROM 80,000 TO 120,000. WE DID NOT GET ANY NOTICE, AND, AS A RESULT, VW REFUSES TO REPLACE OUR CATALYST AS WE HAVE 85,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED INTO FIRST GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER, STALL, AND THEN FAIL. A LOCAL TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS FAILING AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $350. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,900. UPDATED 02/05/09 *BF UPDATED 02/06/09. *JB

THE CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON VARIABLY, LOCAL MECHANIC CLAIMS AN OXYGEN SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING, AND ABLE TO CLEAR THE COMPUTER WARNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VW SERVICE STATION CLAIMS CAN'T DIAGNOSE PROBLEM IF LIGHT IS OUT, HAVE TO WAIT TIL LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS, THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISES THAT THE TIMING BELT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT 105,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIMING BELT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 500 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND IS BELOW THE REPLACEMENT MILEAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,575.

THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW, EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE VW DEALER ONLY TO GET SCREWED ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON CAR STARTS MISFIRING HAS NO POWER USES LOTS OF GAS STALLS RUNS RUFF . I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR ON THE FREEWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OF IT STALLING AND GETTING RAN INTO BY ANOTHER CAR ITS A PUBLIC ENDANGERMENT THESE CARS ARE. IN APRIL OF 2007 I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY GAVE IT A QUICK FIX COSTING 450.00 THE LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME I HAD A BAD FUEL INJECTOR THEY REPLACE IT . IT RAN FINE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS THEN IN NOV 15 2007 THE CAR STALLED AGAIN DAUGHTER LIMPED IT HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON THE CAR WAS MISSING BAD IT WAS NIGHT AND GETTING CLOSE TO ZERO OUTSIDE . WE PARKED IT THIS TIME BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THE CAR IT HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT. I REFUSE TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER VW DEALER , AND ALL VW OF AMERICA WILL SAY IS WE ARE SORRY FOR YOU TROUBLE BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT THE FIRST BUYER OF THE CAR AND ARE THE SECOND BUYER OF THIS CAR THAT WAS A LEASE RETURN YOU ARE NOT ENTITLE TO THE 10 YEARS 100.000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY THAT COME WITH THE CAR. IF YOU ARE THE FIRST BUYER OF THE CAR. THEN THESE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED . THE WEEK OF JAN 15 2008 WE TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC SHOP . I TOOK THEM 2 DAYS TO FIND THE PROBLEM THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS BAD AND THE TPS SENSOR IS BAD IN ALL IT WILL TAKE 1,400.00 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS CAR. WE PAID FOR THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR TO BE REPLACED AND THE COST TO FIND THE PROBLEMS. THEN WE TOOK THE CAR HOME AND PARKED IT . IT STILL NEEDS THE TPS SENSOR REPLACED THAT WILL COST 1,000.00 AND THE CAR WILL BE DRIVABLE . *TR

THE TOP OF THE OIL DIPSTICK ON MY 2001 VW BEETLE IS APPARENTLY VERY FRAGILE AND COULD COME OFF BY ITSELF, POSSIBLY LODGING ITSELF INTO ANOTHER PART OF THE MOTOR AND CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT DISAPPEARED DURING PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AT DOVER VOLKSWAGEN, INC. IN DOVER, DELAWARE. THEY CLAIMED THEY DID NOT BREAK IT. *TR

ON 8/21/07 TOOK MY VW TO DEALER DUE TO A RECOGNIZABLE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE AND THE MIL LIGHT CAME ON. PAID $126.94 TO "REMOVE AND REPLACE OIL PAN SHIELD". EIGHTEEN DAYS LATTER, 9/8/07, I RECEIVED A "CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARRANTY EXTENSION" WARNING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DEGRADED PERFORMANCE. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE OWNER ME HEAR A READILY RECOGNIZABLE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER YOUR VEHICLE IN THE AREA OF THE CONVERTER AND/OR THE MIL MAY ILLUMINATE DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF SPECIFIC FAULT CODES CAUSED BY FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS I A REAL COINCIDENCE. THE DEALER CLAIMED I HAD A "CRACKED OIL PAN SHIELD" AND 18 DAYS LATER THE FACTORY STATES THE SAME SYMPTOMS ARE CAUSED BY A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER!!! I DON'T BELIEVE THIS. *JB