2002 Volkswagen Beetle Complaint Log

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I was driving down the road an the car started accelerating all by it's self so I pulled over but every time I let off the break it acted like I had the gas to the floor. The O2 sensor wire's shorted and burnt up the ECM making the CPU light to come on.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY DAUGHTER AND GIRLFRIEND WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR CAUGHT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OUT OF NOWHERE. I PULLED OVER AND CLOUDY SMOKE WAS ARISING LUCKILY THE STATE TROOPER HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT IT OUT BEFORE THE CAR CAUGHT ON HEAVY FLAMES.

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (ABOUT 25 MPH) WHEN A FRONT END COLLISION OCCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ACTIVATING ONLY. THE DRIVER SIDE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.

ABS TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING, TOLD BY DEALER AND MECHANIC THAT THE CONTROL MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. THE ABS KICKS IN EVEN WHEN NOT BRAKING AND NO LIGHT ON. CAR ABRUPTLY SWERVES AS BRAKES ENGAGE ONE WHEEL ONLY. THE DEALER SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VIN NUMBER BUT THE PART IS THE SAME NUMBER AS THE ONE FOR OTHER LISTED RECALLS. I CALLED VW AMERICA AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THE COST TO REPLACE AND REPROGRAM THE NEW MODULE IS $2,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN THE MORNING THEN PARKED AT MY HOME. WHEN I WENT TO USE IT AGAIN IT WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. THE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT SO THAT I CAN PULL THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, WATER SUDDENLY LEAKED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE DRIVER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

WE PURCHASE OUR 2002 VW BEATLE FROM A PRIVATE 6 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE REPLACED THE FUSE BOX ABOVE THE BATTERY ON 3 PREVIOUS OCCASIONS AS THE BOX SHORTS OUT AND MELTS CAUSING THE CAR TO TURN OFF AND NOT RESTART. THE FIRST TWO TIMES WE HAD REPAIR FACILITIES FIX THE PROBLEM TO THE TUNE OF $500 PLUS EACH TIME. THE 3RD TIME THIS HAPPENED I ORDERED THE PART ON LINE AND DID THE REPAIR MYSELF. WELL IT JUST BURNED OUT AGAIN THIS WEEK WHICH NOW MAKES 4 TIMES IN A 6 YEAR HISTORY THIS HAS OCCURRED. I TALKED WITH VW CONCERNING THIS AND THEY SAID THE CABLE WAS TOO SMALL WHEN VW FIRST MANUFACTURED THE CAR. SO THE 3RD TIME IT WENT OUT I REPLACED THE SO CALLED FAULTY CABLE AS WELL. WELL I GUESS THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM AS I SAID IT NOW BURNED UP AGAIN AND THAT WAS REPLACING THE CABLE AND GOING TO A LARGER GAGE SIZE WIRE THAT VW SUGGESTED. NOT WHAT SHOULD I JUST EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE SEEN THIS SAME COMPLAINT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IS VW GOING TO STAND UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I KNOW HAVE SPENT OVER $1500 FIXING THE SAME THING NOW FOR THE 4TH TIME. VERY DISAPPOINTING VW.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. ...UPDATED 08/15/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ABS MAIN CONTROL UNIT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (VOLKSWAGEN OF OAKLAND, 2740 BROADWAY, OAKLAND, CA 94610) WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ACTIVE RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,605. *TT

WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR GO SLOW THEN FAST

THE INTERIOR SMELLS STRONGLY OF CRAYONS AND WILL NOT GO AWAY WITH SHAMPOOING, CLEANING AND/OR OTHER METHODS OF ODOR REMOVAL. THE ODOR IS VERY STRONG AND RUBS OFF ON CLOTHING AND SKIN WHILST SEATED.

I WAS STRUCK BY A DRIVER ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 30 MPH WHO WAS SWITCHING LANES AND HIT MY DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND DRIVER SIDE FENDER ON MY CAR. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY CONTACTED AND HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED FOR THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SEVERAL TIMES. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWINS AND THIS IS MY ONLY CAR SO I COULD NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE IN EVERY TWO TO FOUR WEEKS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT HAS LASTED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALL THE RECORDS SHOWING ALL THE TIMES I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO GET THE AIRBAG LIGHT FIXED AND EVERY TIME THE VW COMPANY FIXED IT A FEW DAYS TO A WEEK LATER IT WOULD COME BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE AUGUST OF 2006.

BOUGHT THIS VW BEETLE USED. HAD TERRIBLE SMELL, LIKE BURNT CRAYONS. CLEANED IT INTENSELY, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. THOROUGH DETAIL JOB. STILL SMELLS, CAUSING HEADACHE. AIR BAG LIGHT AND BUZZER STAYED ON EVEN AFTER LATCHING SEAT BELT. CRUISE CONTROL WORKS ERRATICALLY, LUNGING FORWARD SUDDENLY, THEN CHUGS, THEN LUNGES FORWARD QUICKLY AGAIN. SPEED WORKS CONSISTENTLY WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT ENGAGED. VERY UNSAFE WITH CRUISE CONTROL IN USE. LIGHTING ISSUES. INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK, UNABLE TO SEE INTERIOR GAUGES IN THE DARK. TURN SIGNALS BLINKING ERRATICALLY, AND NOT IN SYNC. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS AT AN AUTHORIZED VW DEALER, PAID $1,300.00. STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY. TOOK IT BACK IN 4 DAYS LATER BECAUSE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW ALMOST FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING, AND INTERIOR LIGHTING ISSUES STILL DID NOT WORK. WAS CHARGED ANOTHER $600.00. VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO DRIVE POSITION EASILY, AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL UNLESS THE STEERING WHEEL IS JERKED ON. DEALER SAID SENSORS WERE THE PROBLEM, AND THAT I WILL NEED TO BRING IT BACK AGAIN TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL FIXED AT A COST OF $250.00. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW. THERE SHOULD BE SOME RECALLS ON THE SMELL ISSUE, AND THE AIR BAG/SEAT BELT ISSUE. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE, BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *TR

ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2014 AT 12:19 PM, I REAR ENDED A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 30 MPH. MY PASSENGER WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND ON IMPACT MY PASSENGER WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE SEAT AND SMASHED HER HEAD OFF THE WINDSHIELD AND THEN ONTO THE DASHBOARD. ALSO SHE HIT HER LEGS OFF THE GLOVE BOX HARD ENOUGH THAT SHE COULD NOT WALK AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE WINDSHIELD IS SMASHED AND THE GLOVE BOX DOOR IS BROKEN. I ON THE OTHER HAND HAD MY SEAT BELT ON, BUT MY SIDE OF THE CAR HAD SUSTAINED THE MOST DAMAGE, BUT NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

ON JUNE 13TH I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND I WENT TO TURN OFF THE AC AND IT MADE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE, AFTER THE NOISE THE AC WOULDN'T TURN OFF SO I ENDED UP DRIVING 3 HOURS WITH THE AC FULL BLAST. A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE AC, AND LEFT IT LIKE THIS FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. AT THIS POINT THE MIDDLE KNOB WAS STUCK AND THE AC WOULD RANDOMLY WORK AND NO LONGER WOULD TURN AT ALL. ON JUNE 30TH AS I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT OF MY APARTMENT AND WENT TO TURNED ON THE AC, IT MADE A WEIRD NOISE BUT I CONTINUED DRIVING ANYWAYS. THE AC STOPPED WORKING SO I TURNED THE KNOB AGAIN AND I STARTED GETTING A BURNING SMELL, I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM BEHIND THE KNOB SO I DROVE BACK TO MY APARTMENT BECAUSE I DECIDED IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. IN A MATTER OF A MINUTE THE SMOKE GOT WORSE AND STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE ENTIRE AREA UNDER MY RADIO. I PARKED MY CAR ONCE I GOT BACK HOME AND STOOD OUTSIDE AS I ALLOWED MY CAR TO AIR OUT, NOT LONG AFTER THIS I SAW FLAMES COMING OUT FROM THE MIDDLE KNOB AND GROWING BIGGER. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO PUT IT OUT WITH A CUP OF WATER AND WAS FORCED TO CALL 911 TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY OUT. THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST EXPERIENCES THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME AND IT WAS TERRIFYING, IF I DIDN'T HAVE A CUP OF WATER AT THE TIME THE FIRE COULD HAVE EASILY BURNED UP THE REST OF MY CAR IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. *TR

I WAS SITTING IN STANDSTILL TRAFFIC, BY MYSELF, WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AT FULL FREEWAY SPEED, FORCED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, RESULTING IN A DOMINO EFFECT AND A 6 CAR PILE UP. I SUSTAINED BOTH FRONT END AND BACK END DAMAGE, TOTALING MY CAR, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED (AGAIN, I WAS ALONE) THE DRIVERS SIDE ONE DID NOT, FORCING ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD. I AM CURRENTLY UNDER A DOCTORS CARE. *TR

THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE BECOMES DEFECTIVE AND SETS AN AIRBAG CODE MAKING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURN ON AND POSSIBLY NOT WORK. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BUCKLE ON THIS VEHICLE IN 187,000 MILES. I HAVE CHECKED A NUMBER OF VW CLUB FORUMS AND HAVE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THESE VEHICLES. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO. *JS

THE VW NEW BEETLE I JUST GOT HAS A STRONG INTERIOR SMELL OF CRAYONS. IS THIS HARMFUL TO OUR HEALTH? *TR

THIS IS MY DAUGHTERS CAR AND WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF IT WITH HER GOING TO SCHOOL AND WORK. IT HAS BEEN JERKING VERY HARD ENOUGH TO THROW YOU WHOLE BODY FORWARD I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THE COMPLAINTS I'VE SEEN WITH THIS CAR I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT IT KNOWING ALL THESE PROBLEMS. PARENTS CONCERNED PLEASE HELP TO GET FIXED. VW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND FIX THESE DANGEROUS ISSUES I PRAY EVERYDAY SHE IS OK DRIVING, CAN'T AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER CAR LET ALONE FIX IT!!! ALSO HAVE HAD OTHER ISSUES TOO BUT THIS ONE IS THE MOST CONCERNING!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SENSORS WOULD HAVE TO BE DISENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

WATER LEAKING FROM MOONROOF. HEADLINER DAMP AND LOOSE. *TR

VEHICLE STALLED APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. IT WOULD NOT RESTART, AND NONE OF THE ELECTRONICS FUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. UPON REPAIR, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY FUSE BLOCK HAD MELTED, AND THE IN-LINE FUSES WERE ALL DAMAGED. THE BATTERY FUSE BLOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

THE BLUE TEMP GAUGE COMES ON FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME...THEN WHEN I SLOW DOWN THE JUMPS/JERK REALLY HARD...I NOTICE IT ONLY DOES WHEN I SLOW DOWN....TO AVOID IT I TRY TO LET THE CAR SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN BUT IT STILL DOES IT....OTHERS THAT IVE DISCUSSED THE ISSUE WITH ADVISED ME THAT IT MAY BE THE TRANSMISSION...AND UPON RESEARCHING THE VW BEETLE I FOUND OUT THAT IM NOT THE ONLY PERSON EXPERIENCING THIS IS ISSUE AND THAT IT IS INDEED THE TRANSMISSION

THERE IS AN UNUSUALLY STRONG, AND OBNOXIOUS, ODOR (SMELLING OF BURNT CRAYONS) COMING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE SMELL IS SO OVER-POWERING I HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS, AND LEAVE THEM OPEN, THE ENTIRE TIME I AM DRIVING THE CAR, OTHERWISE I BECOME DIZZY AND NAUSEOUS. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET, AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BLOGGED THEY HAVE A CAR MADE BY VOLKSWAGEN WITH THE SAME ODOR PROBLEM -- A FEW OF THESE WEBSITES ARE; ----(1) HTTP://WWW.FIXMYSTINKYCAR.COM/?P=706 ----(2) HTTP://FORUMS.AUTOMOTIVE.COM/70/6371584/VOLKSWAGEN/CHEMICAL-ODOR/INDEX.HTML ----(3) HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA/2001/PAGE-57/ ----(4) HTTP://WWW.WEBANSWERS.COM/AUTOMOBILES/WHAT-IS-CAUSING-MY-CAR-SMELL-5B4BD0. *TR

I OWN A 2002 VW BEETLE,THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON,AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE AROUND $600.00 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED.I WAS DOING SOME RESEARCH ON LINE ABOUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON,AND FOUND OUT THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO OWNED THE SAME MODEL YEAR ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.I THINK THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE LOTS OF OTHER CONSUMERS ARE HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG LIKE ME. *TR

02M TRANSMISSION 6 SPEED; SHIFT FORK IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR FAIL, A SMALL RIVET IS USED TO SECURE THIS FORK (BRASS FORK AND STEEL SHAFT) TOGETHER. MY 1ST AND 2ND GEAR WERE HARD TO GET INTO AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE OVER TIME; UNTIL THE SHIFT FORK FAILED AND 1ST, 2ND GEAR ARE NONEXISTENT; ALL OTHER GEARS WORK FINE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM ON WEBSITES SUCH AS VWVORTEX. THIS PARTICULAR CAR; 2002 NEW BEETLE TURBO S; ONLY HAS ABOUT 70K WHICH IS LOW FOR A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE SUCH AS THIS. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE. DEALER STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE (SEAT) SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG (THE ONE BUILT INTO THE SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR) WAS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $680 TO FIX. LESS THAN A YEAR AGO I SPENT $500 ON THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT LATCH REPLACEMENT TO CURE THE AIRBAG LIGHT. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR CAUSED HIM TO HAVE A HEADACHE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 MILES.

WE PURCHASED A USED 2002 VW BEETLE FOR OUR DAUGHTER. IT SMELLS LIKE BURNT CRAYONS AND GIVES HER A SERIOUS HEADACHE. ONLINE THERE A NUMEROUS PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT COMES FROM SOMETHING SPRAYED ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE, THAT SMELLS MORE WHEN THE CAR IS HEATED UP. YOU MUST BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO. WHAT SHOULD WE DO. THE ODOR WAS COVERED UP DURING THE TEST DRIVE, BUT HAS NOW BECOME UNBEARABLE. WHAT AVENUES SHOULD WE PURSUE. LEMON LAW, RECALL, ...WHAT SHOULD WE DO...OR MORE APTLY WHAT AREN'T YOU DOING? I WANT A SOLUTION. *TR

SEAT BELT/AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO LOCAL, QUALIFIED MECHANIC. THEY SAID ONLY VW DEALER COULD FIX AND RESET. DEALER SAID IT WAS LOWER SEAT BELT HARNESS ($380), BUT COULD BE MORE (ABOVE $800) AND THE SERVICE WRITER ENCOURAGED US TO DO THE MORE EXPENSIVE WORK. TOLD THEM TO DO THE HARNESS AND SEE IF LIGHT WOULD GO OUT, WHICH IT DID. LIGHT CAME BACK ON AROUND 12/10/2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 79,000 MILES. JUST PRIOR TO THIS, WE PURCHASED ANOTHER VW BEETLE, A 2003 CONVERTIBLE WITH 69,500 MILES WITH THE SEAT BELT/AIRBAG LIGHT ON. SELLER SAID HE COULD NOT GET IT FIXED BY HIS MECHANIC AND HAD TO HAVE VW DEALER REPAIR IT FOR AROUND "$380", MAYBE MORE. SINCE HE MADE OTHER REPAIRS, WE LET IT GO. NOW WE HAVE TWO TO FIX AT THE MERCY OF THE VW DEALER. MY CONCERNS ARE SEVERAL: 1. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR US AND FOR NUMEROUS OTHERS (VW BEETLE FORUM) 2. THE REPAIRS CAN ONLY BE COMPLETED BY A HIGH COST VW DEALER AND THE COMPUTER RESET BY THEM ONLY 3. THE MATERIALS APPEAR TO BE DEFICIENT/DEFECTIVE AND THE ENGINEERING OF THE HARNESS/WIRING SYSTEM SUBSTANDARD 4. REPAIRS NEED TO BE MADE IN THE 60-85,000 MILE RANGE - A CONTRIVED MAINTENANCE/REPAIR ITEM THAT BRINGS WINDFALL REVENUE/PROFIT TO VW DEALERS IN THE $400-1,000 RANGE PER OCCURRENCE WHEN MANY OF THE CARS ARE WORTH ONLY $4,000-7,000. 5. SINCE IT IS A BASIC SAFETY ITEM AND WE DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WORKS OR NOT, WE ARE FORCED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT MAKES US APPEAR AS IF WE ARE NEGLIGENT WHEN IN FACT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT EXIST AND BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER LIKE EMISSION SYSTEMS TO WELL PAST 100-150,000 MILES. IN SUMMARY, VW HAS COLLUDED WITH ITS DEALERS TO CREATE THIS SITUATION AND ALLOW THIS "REPAIR" TO EMERGE AS A WAY TO GENERATE REVENUES AND PROFITS ON CARS THAT WOULD NORMALLY NOT HAVE A REASON TO BE BROUGHT IN TO A VW DEALER. IT IS NON-COMPETITIVE, FRAUDULENT AND UNNECESSARY.

MY FIANCEE AND I PURCHASED THIS BEETLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2010 AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A NUMBER OF TIME (5-7) AND WE HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS IN TRYING TO FIX IT. YET NO LUCK. IT IS A DANGER TO MY FIANCEE AND NEW BORN BABY. ON DAY IT WILL RUN FINE BUT THEN AFTER DRIVING FOR TEN MINUTES THE EPC LIGHT COME ON AND THE BRAKES BARELY WORK IF AT ALL, AND IT WONT SPEED UP EVEN IF SHE HAS HER FOOT TO THE FLOOR. SO NOW WE HAVE A $6000 DOLLAR CAR THAT NOT EVEN THE VW DEALERSHIP CAN FIX. IT SITS ON OUR ROAD. I HAVE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOME ONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN WORSE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MONSTROSITY THAT VW REFUSES TO ADMIT. *TR

SERIOUS ELECTRICAL LONG TERM QUALITY ISSUES, STARTING WITH UNDER HOOD WIRING FOR GLOW PLUGS MELTED AWAY, AIR BAG/SEAT BELT WIRING BROKE/FAILED, SEAT HEATER FAILED, PASSENGER DOOR SWITCH FAILED, TURN SIGNAL BULB HOLDER FAILED, REPEATED HEAD LAMP AND TAIL LIGHT FAILURES, ALTERNATOR PULLEY CLUTCH FAILED(EXPLODED) FACTORY ALARM PROBLEMS - JUST SETS OFF, AIR BACK LIGHT ON DASH ON, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TR

2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING REPLACEMENT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS THE SAME SWITCH THAT WA REPLACED UNDER RECALL.

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH SENSOR FAILURE CAUSES AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT ON THE DASH TO COME ON. DEALER STATES THAT WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED. SEEMS LIKE AN UNNECESSARY SENSOR...WHEN THE CAR IS IN USE WOULDN'T THAT MEAN THAT SOMEONE IS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT? $500 TO FIX. *KB

VW DEALER ADVISES THAT AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATES AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED AND CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION IN THE SEATBELT LATCH ASSEMBLY COSTING $386 TO REPAIR. VW DEALER SAYS THIS HAPPENS A LOT. VW DEALER SAID THAT AIRBAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. VW DEALER SAID THAT WIRING INSIDE THE LATCH "JUST BREAKS" EVENTUALLY. FAILURE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE AN AUTOMATIC RECALL AND MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR DEFECTS AT THEIR COSTS AND NOT COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 NEW BEETLE TO WORK. THE BRAKES FROZE UP, I COULD NOT STOP RAN A STOP SIGN I PUT CAR IN PARK STILL COULD NOT STOP. HAPPENED TWICE MORE B/4 I GOT TO WORK. I LOOKED UP RECALL FOR VOLKSWAGEN 2002. THERE WAS ONE "SERVICE BRAKES ,HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK RECALL. I CALLED VOLKS AND WAS ASKED IF I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER? I TOLD THEM NO. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE ABOUT MY PROBLEM I GOT NO RESULTS. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALLS FOR VIN NUMBER I GAVE HER. I CAME BACK TO WORK AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS, SAID EVERY VEHICLE HAS IT'S OWN ID NUMBER WHICH I UNDERSTOOD BUT I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE. *TR

CHEMICAL ODOR INSIDE CAR. RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2002 VW BEETLE. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SMELLS LIKE BURNT CRAYONS. IT IS SO STRONG IT BURNS MY EYES AND THE SMELL GETS IN YOUR HAIR AND IN YOUR CLOTHING. THIS CANNOT BE HEALTHY TO BE BREATHING. I LIVE IN MS AND THE HEAT SEEMS TO MAKE THE SMELL STRONGER. I'VE READ MANY THREADS WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE ON LINE COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT VW DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT HELP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 75MPH, THE TRANSMISSION INDEPENDENTLY DOWNSHIFTED YET THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY DECELERATED FROM 75 TO 15 MPH WITHIN SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION REAR DIFFERENTIAL GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

FAILED AIRBAG WIRING - DEALER SAYS ITS RELATED TO A SEAT SENSOR - LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AT 62,000 MILES HAS 108,000 CURRENTLY. *TR

2002 VW BEETLE TURBO 1.8 WHILE DRIVING THE RED LIGHT SENSOR WOULD COME ON STATING MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. NOTHING WAS LEAKING, SENSORS WERE REPLACED A FEW MONTHS PRIOR DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE ALONG WITH A RING AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE RED LIGHT FLASHES THEN ABOUT 2 MILES LATER THE OIL LIGHT GOES ON AND IF THE CAR IS NOT PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY THEN YOU RISK ENGINE DAMAGE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS MADE UP OF PLASTIC PARTS PRETTY MUCH WHICH CRACK AND MELT VERY EASY WHEN HEAT GETS TO THEM. SO NOW AFTER SPENDING MONEY ON WATER PUMPS, ASSEMBLIES, HOSES, SENSORS WHICH TOTAL OVER 3K IT IS NOW AN ISSUE ONCE AGAIN AND THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE. ALSO MY IGNITER COILS WERE REPLACED 8 TIMES (2X EACH ONE) PRIOR TO A RECALL AND THEY DO NOT REIMBURSE YOU ALL THE MONIES SPENT. NOW THERE IS A RECALL IN MY SUNROOF WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX SINCE THE WATER DAMAGE IS ALREADY AFFECTING THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. SO WITH ALL OF MY RECEIPTS NOT INCLUDING RENTAL CARS FOR REPAIRS ONLY I HAVE INVESTED OVER 6K IN A CAR WORTH LESS AND I DOUBT NO ONE WILL PAY TO TAKE IT OFF MY HANDS WHICH WILL LEAVE A SINGLE MOTHER CAR LESS. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. ALTERNATOR, WIRING HARNESS, FUSE BLOCK AND BATTERY ALL WENT BAD. MELTED PARTS (WIRE AND FUSE BLOCK), WHICH INDICATES HIGH CURRENT DRAW AND POTENTIAL FOR FIRE, CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. VW SAYS ISOLATED ISSUE, WEB SEARCH SAYS A DIFFERENT STORY. CALL VW CUSTOMER CARE, LOGGED A CASE, DEAD END. I'M SURE IT'S THEIR ISSUE HOWEVER THEY WON'T ADMIT AND INSTEAD WE GET A $1500 BILL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE AIR BAG SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 10/18/2017*CN

I HAVE A 2002 VW NEW BEETLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT HAS FAILED WITH 220,000 MILES ON IT. IT BEGAN TO SLIP AND NOT DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY AT 170,000 MILES. IT IS A DIESEL AND I EXPECT THE ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO PERFORM FOR ANOTHER 3 TO 400 THOUSAND MILES. HAS VW BEEN HONEST WITH THE CONSUMER ABOUT ITS TRACK HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THE NEW BEETLE? PLEASE ADD MY NEW BEETLE TO THE LIST OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS. *TR

OUR 2002 VW TRANSMISSION WENT OUT @ 75,000 MILES WITH NO NOTICE. JUST ONE DAY IT WOULD NOT BACK UP. THEN IT WAS ALMOST LIKE IT JUMPED INTO REVERSE AND THEN WHEN WE PUT IT IN DRIVE YOU COULD JUST TELL IT WAS NOT RIGHT. WE LIMPED IT AROUND FROM PLACE TO PLACE GETTING OPINIONS ON WHAT WAS WRONG AND GETTING ESTIMATES ON REPAIR. HAD ONE GARAGE TAKE THE COVER OFF SIDE OF TRANSMISSION SEEING METAL SHAVINGS WAS WHEN WE GOT IT REPLACED. THAT REPLACEMENT LASTED A TOTAL OF 3 DAYS, IT WAS USED WITH ONLY 23000 MILES ON IT AND ONLY LASTED 3 DAYS. IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD AND WOULD NO GO INTO ANY GEAR. REPLACED THAT ONE WITH ANOTHER ( BOTH WERE FDF TRANSMISSIONS) AND NOW THE SPEEDOMETER IS OFF X 8-13 MPH, THE RPM ARE RUNNING HIGH AROUND 2800 TO 3000 @ 55 -60 MPH. FUEL MILEAGE IS DOWN CUT IN HALF. HAVE TAKEN IT TO A VW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO CODES ANYWHERE AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG OR WHY THESE PROBLEMS WERE HAPPENING. THIS TELLS ME THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM SOMEWHERE WITH VW TRANSMISSIONS AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO INQUIRE INTO THIS. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF VW TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR

OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS SHIFTING IN BETWEEN GEARS. THE PROBLEM BEGAN ON A ROAD TRIP TO HOUSTON, TX AND WAS STUCK ON A BACK HIGHWAY IN LOW GEAR IN THE MIDDLE ON NOWHERE. AFTER BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT WORKED FOR SOME TIME BUT THE ISSUE PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS. I LIVE IN NACOGDOCHES, TX WHERE THERE ARE MANY HILLS THROUGHOUT TOWN, THIS PAST FRIDAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND I COULD NOT GET OVER THE HILLS. ANOTHER CAR CAME OVER THE HILL AND ALMOST HIT ME AS THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55 MPH IN THAT AREA AND MY CAR WAS NOT EVEN MOVING AS I HIT OVER 6000 RPM AND I COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD TO CLIMB THE HILL. NOW THE VEHICLE WILL NOT EVEN MOVE FORWARD ONCE IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY DRIVEWAY, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE RESTARTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE POWER WINDOWS, TURN SIGNALS, HEADLIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONER AND DEFROSTER WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE BRAKE AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY COOLANT LIGHT STARTED BEEPING AND FLASHING RED. I ENDED UP STRANDED. I GOT IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAYS IT IS A WATER PUMP. SO I AM REPLACING THE WATER PUMP. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

VW DEALER ADVISES THAT AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATES AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED AND CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION IN THE SEATBELT ASSEMBLY COSTING OVER $500 TO REPAIR. D.O.T. REQUIRES MANUFACTURERS TO INSERT AIRBAGS AS SAFETY MEASURES, BUT FAILS TO ENFORCE AUTO MANUFACTURERS MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS DEFECT. FAILURE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE AN AUTOMATIC RECALL AND MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR DEFECTS AT THEIR COSTS AND NOT COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TR