2002 Volkswagen Beetle Complaint Log

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, I STOPPED AT A REDLIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, MY CAR ACTED LIKE IT DID NOT HAVE A LOT OF POWER AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEARS WITHOUT OVER REVVING. WHENEVER I SLOWED BACK DOWN, THE CAR ABRUPTLY AND SEVERELY DOWNSHIFTS. THE SHIFT IS HARD ENOUGH THAT IT SLINGS ME FORWARD. I FEAR THAT I WILL SOON BE REARENDED BECAUSE OF THIS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR. THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND I CAN'T GET IT FIXED UNTIL A MECHANIC WITNESSES IT HAPPENING. *TR

2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A LONG HESITATION THEN A VIOLENT JERK GOING INTO GEARS. I HAD STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AT THE END OF MY ROAD, I THEN PROCEEDED TO CROSS 4 LANES OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DECIDED TO DO A LONG HESITATION. A MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT WAS ALMOST THE RESULT. I HAVE SINCE PARKED THE CAR AND DO NOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX IT AND VOLKSWAGEN TOLD ME THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE $5700.00. THIS HESITATION AND JERKING HAPPENS EVERYTIME TIME NOW WHEN DRIVEN. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. THANK YOU! *TR

2002 TURBO VW BEETLE. SEEMS TO BE JERKING WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. LAST WEEK IT JERKED ME FORWARD QUITE HARD. SCARY!! CAR HAS 70,000 MILES. I SEE THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE SPENT 1200.00 IN THE LAST YEAR ON VARIOUS REPAIRS. AS I SAW WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS, A/C STOPS WORKING AND THEN THIS. WONDERING IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS JERKING AFFECT. JERKING NOW HAS GOTTEN HARDER AND IS EVERYTIME IT SHIFTS INTO GEAR. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC! WHEN RECENTLY TAKEN INTO A VW SHOP THEY DID A COMPUTER SCAN ON IT AND NOTHING COMES UP. VARIOUS HOSES, WATER PUMP, THERMO READER HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *TR

2002 VW BEETLE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE DIAGNOSIS IS THAT A WIRE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH IS BROKEN THEREFORE RELAYING THAT THE SEAT BELT IS NOT LATCHED (FALSE POSITIVE). WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG FUNCTION IS DISABLED. THE REPAIR IS NOT OF A WIRE, BUT OF THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT AT $250+. AT ANY TIME THIS IS A LOT BUT WHEN OUT OF A JOB MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE. AS MY COLLEGE-AGE DAUGHTER IS THE ONE IN THE SEAT, I AM LEFT WITHOUT MUCH CHOICE, BUT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS GONE ON, ALL WITH DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS. WHY IS THIS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE? THE TOPIC IS FREQUENT ON THE WEB. *TR

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. MY SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT CAR INTO GREENBRIER VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP LOCATED IN CHESAPEAKE, VA IN FEB 2009. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE LATCH (BUCKLE) ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAD DEALERSHIP REPLACE. ONE MONTH LATER SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT PASSENGER SEATBELT LATCH (BUCKLE) WAS DEFECTIVE. I CALLED DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE WITH MY SERVICE REP BRENT FROM GREENBRIER VOLKSWAGEN AND HE STATED "THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH BEETLES" I ASKED HIM IF IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON A IMPORTATION SAFETY DEVICE OF A SEATBELT WAS IS THERE NO RECALL ON VEHICLE TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE SEATBELT LATCHES. HE WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ME AN ANSWER. I NOW HAVE CONCERNS WITH NOT ONLY MY VEHICLE SAFETY, BUT ALL WHO DRIVE BEETLES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IF WILL THERE BE A MANDATORY RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL ODOR THAT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO RECEIVE HEADACHES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ODOR WAS CAUSED BY A STAIN ON THE FLOOR MATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR WAS NOT COMING FROM THE FLOOR MATS BUT THE ENTIRE CARPET KIT. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE CARPET KIT BUT THE ODOR PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIR BAG DEFAULT, LIGHT INDICATOR ON SHOWS THAT THERE IS AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. VW DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG FOR $800. CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD, 65,000KM, NO ACCIDENTS. THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN OUR 2002 VW NEW BEETLE. SHE WAS HIT IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR. HER HEAD WAS THROWN AGAINST THE DRIVER'S WINDOW AND HER HIP WAS HURT FROM THE DOOR INTRUDING INTO THE CABIN. HER NECK WAS HURT ALSO. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO VA BEACH GEN. HOSPITAL AND GIVEN X-RAYS, A CT SCAN AND A PHYSICAL EXAM. HER TRANSPORT WAS VIA AMBULANCE AND SHE WAS EXTRICATED THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR ON A BACKBOARD WITH A NECK BRACE. WE BELIEVE HER INJURIES ARE AT LEAST IN PART DUE TO HER SIDE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING. WE HAVE CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA AND PROVIDED THEM INFORMATION AND PHOTOS OF THE AUTOMOBILE. VW HAS INFORMED US THAT VW'S STAND IS THAT IT ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE DAMAGE DID NOT FALL WITHIN THEIR SPECS PER THE DIAGRAM IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. OUR POSITION IS IT ABSOLUTELY DOES FALL WITHIN THEIR GUIDELINES AS WITNESSED BY THE PHOTOS. WE ALSO OFFERED THEM A 30 DAY PERIOD THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD HOLD THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION AND THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN EXAMINING THE CAR AND AS FAR AS VW AMERICA WAS CONCERNED THE MATTER WAS CLOSED. WE BELIEVE VW SHOULD BE HELP LIABLE FOR MY WIFE'S MEDICAL BILLS AT A MINIMUM AND THAT THEY SHOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR DEFECTS IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE AUTOMOBILE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND WILL NOT BE REPAIRED. *TR

I HAVE HAD MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED TWICE, AND THE LAST TIME WAS AT A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING DURING A TWO-DAY 18 HOUR ROAD TRIP IN VARYING HEAVINESS OF RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A DOWNPOUR ON A HIGHWAY. THEY FROZE MID WIPE CAUSING A TEMPORARY LACK OF VISIBILITY AND POTENTIALLY A FATAL CRASH. AFTER TURNING THEM OFF FOR A MINUTE THEY STARTED WORKING AGAIN. HAD THIS PROBABLY SEVERAL HOURS LATER AND AGAIN THE NEXT MORNING AFTER THEY HAD BEEN OFF FOR OVER 12 HOURS. THIS EXACT PROBLEM (STOPPED WINDSHIELD WIPERS) DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN. HOWEVER ON JANUARY 17TH, 2009, AFTER USING WIPERS CONTINUOUSLY DURING A CALM RAIN STORM FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. WHEN THE WIPERS WERE PLACED IN THE OFF POSITION THEY CONTINUE TO WIPE BACK AND FORTH RATHER QUICKLY. THE OTHER SPEED SETTINGS WORK FINE. THEN, AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVING THE KEY AND STARTING THE CAR UP AGAIN, THE WIPERS WOULD NOT CONTINUE WHILE IN THE OFF POSITION, BUT AFTER TURNING THEM ON ONCE THEY WILL NOT GO OFF. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED AND A VOLKSWAGEN SPECIALIST IN AUSTIN, TX (WHERE I ENDED UP AFTER MY TRIP) HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE ISSUE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 BEETLE. IT HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. TWO MONTHS AGO THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. NOW, THE TURN SIGNALS WON'T WORK. TO ADD TO THIS ONCE IN AWHILE THE SUN ROOF WILL OPEN ON IT'S OWN!!! THE DEALER SAID IT WILL COST ABOUT $650 TO FIX. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE COMPLETE LIGHTING SYSTEM WENT OUT, THE SECURITY DOOR LOCK SYSTEM STOPPED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING, BOTH WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED GOING UP AND DOWN. A COUPLE OF TIMES THE ENGINE WON'T START AND THREE TIMES IT WILL JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAR HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN. LUCKILY NO ONE HAS BEEN HURT YET. SOME OF THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED AND SOME NOT. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. NO OPERATOR REASON FOR THIS; I.E., NO VEHICLE IMPACTS, NO WORK DONE ON CAR OTHER THAN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED ONE WEEK PRIOR. RESEARCH INDICATES AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE IF THIS LIGHT IS ON. RESEARCH ALSO INDICATES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS EXPENSIVE FIX AND IS NOT ALWAYS RELIABLE. CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED WITH OBD II READER; NEEDS EXPENSIVE ($250+) DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE AND CABLE TO USE WITH LAPTOP COMPUTER FOR RELIABLE DIAGNOSIS. VW DEALERS TYPICALLY CHARGE IN EXCESS OF $100 TO READ DIAGNOSTIC CODES AND THEN PRICE OF REPAIRS IS UNAFFORDABLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE--OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS ARE AT LEAST AS IMPORTANT AS EMISSIONS SYSTEMS AND SHOULD BE RELIABLE FOR MORE THAN 70,000 MILES. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID IT IS CAUSED BY A BAD WIRING HARNESS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SEATBELT LATCH. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK IF THE LIGHT IS ON. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT! THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, YET VW HAS YET TO RECALL THIS PART. ARE THEY WAITING UNTIL SOMEONE DIES? *TR

DRIVERS DOOR LOCK FAILS TO LATCH WHEN CLOSED. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

IN AUGUST 2008 I WENT TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED AT A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN KALAMAZOO, MI. THEY SAID THAT THE ALUMINUM OIL PAN PLUG HAD BEEN OVERTIGHTENED AND THE PAN WAS RUINED. I WAS TOLD THAT POTENTIALLY THE PLUG COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT AT ANY POINT IN TIME, LEAVING ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION, EITHER STRANDED SOMEWHERE BUT MOST LIKELY CAUSING A CRASH. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ALUMINUM PANS WEAR OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THIS CAR HAD ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. SOMETHING LIKE AN OIL PAN SHOULDN'T JUST "WEAR OUT" AFTER THAT SHORT A TIME. THEY ALSO TOLD ME I WAS BETTER OFF REPLACING THE ALUMINUM PAN WITH THE STEEL BECAUSE THE ALUMINUM WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO PUNCTURES FROM ALMOST ANYTHING. THE NEW VOLKSWAGENS ARE BEING MANUFACTURED WITH STEEL PANS AND VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE WILLING TO REPLACE THE OLD ALUMINUM FREE OF CHARGE. THE NEW PAN COST ME $293.69. *TR

THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECT IN THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO EASILY GET CLOGGED, WHICH CAUSES WATER LEAKS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THIS CAN CAUSE MOLD AND OTHER DAMAGE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 VW BEETLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE SINCE CHANGED IT OUT. NOW THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HAVE NOTICED SURFING THE WEB THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN SO FREQUENTLY AND IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM? IF NOT THERE SHOULD BE. *TR

THE IGNITION COILS ON MY 2.0L AZG ENGINE CRUMBLED DURING A TUNE UP,WHICH RESULTED IN A $647.00 REPAIR BILL. NEW VW IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUG WIRES AND OEM SPARK PLUGS WERE INSTALLED. TODAY, 4/26/2013, IGNITION COIL CRUMBLES AGAIN DURING TUNE UP. VW CLAIMS THEIR WARRANTY ON PARTS IS 12 MONTHS. VW RECALLED A TON OF IGNITION COILS FOR 1.8L ENGINES IN THE 2001-2003 TIME PERIOD CLAIMING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FAILURE RATES. I WOULD SAY THAT ONE IGNITION COIL EVERY 4 YEARS IS A HIGH FAILURE RATE AS WELL, CONSIDERING OF THE THREE CARS I HAVE CURRENTLY OWN (ONE FOR 15 YEARS), I HAVE NEVER HAD A COIL FAIL EXCEPT FOR TWICE FOR THIS BEETLE. A SEARCH OF VW OWNER WEBSITES AND YOU TUBE VIDEO SITES SHOW A PLETHORA OF FAILED IGNITION COILS AND HOW-TO'S FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE COIL. IF THIS ISN'T A PREVALENT PROBLEM, WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE CLAIMING IT HAPPENS? IT SEEMS THAT VW IS LIMITING THEIR LOSSES BY IGNORING THESE FAILURES. *TR

FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IN MY DAUGHTER'S 2002 NEW BEETLE LIT UP. AFTER A COSTLY ($315) DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS RESISTANCE IN THE SEAT BUCKLE. WHEN I SCHEDULED THE DIAGNOSIS, THE SERVICE DESK PERSON PREDICTED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THAT INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT. SHE ALSO SAID THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT IS ON. WHICH IN ITS SELF IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN . *TR

2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DIESEL TURBO SEALS AND/OR BEARING FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN OIL FILLING THE INNER COOLER AND AIR TUBES--THIS RESULTED IN OIL BEING TAKEN INTO THE INTAKE AND FILLING THE CYLINDERS--THIS LED TO HYDRO LOCK OF THE ENGINE AND CYLINDER DAMAGE--HAD THE VEHICLE NOT JUST BEEN STARTED WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED, THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN RUNAWAY ENGINE RPM'S AND NO WAY TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO THE ENGINE BLOWING UP AND/OR FIRE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR BEGAN TO SOUND LIKE I WAS DRAGGING METAL ACROSS THE ROAD. I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR TO THE RIGHT TO PULL OVER AND PARK, AND THE CAR LOCKED. THREE AIRBAGS THEN DEPLOYED. THE STEERING LOCKED AND CAUSED THE CAR TO SIDESWIPE ANOTHER. THE OFFICER THAT RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT, ADVISED ME TO REPORT IT ON TO THIS SITE. HE CLAIMED THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE AND SAID IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE WHEEL. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT COMPLETELY BROKE CAUSING THE SUSPENSION FRAME TO BREAK. THE POLICE OFFICER REPORTED THIS AS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WITH 44,000 MILES. *TR

I OWN TWO OF THE VW NEW BEETLES. ONE IS 2002 AND THE OTHER IS 2003. BOTH OF THEM HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE TAILLIGHT/STOPLIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CONTACT DESIGN IN THE BULB SOCKET. IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE ASSEMBLY OUT AND BEND THE CONTACT TO PUT MORE SPRING IN THEM WHICH PUTS MORE PRESSURE AGAINST THE BULB. THIS MAY FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A TIME ( 1 TO 60 DAYS) THEN THE PROBLEM REVERTS. ALL PARTS ARE OEM EQUIPMENT. I HAVE CONTACTED VW ABOUT THIS AND THERE IS NOT A RECALL. I WOULD THINK THAT TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LIGHTS WOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY FAMILIES SAFETY AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A MANDATORY RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 1 1/2 YEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT AND SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT A NEWER MODEL MIGHT HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 09/11/09 *BF UPDATED 09/14/09.*JB

AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENT. 3RD TIME FOR SERVICE TO AIR BAG SYSTEM. 1ST EVENT WAS IN WARRANTY - REPLACE CLOCK SPRING, 2ND AND 3RD EVENTS WERE NOT COVERED - OVER 50K MILES AND EXTENDED WARRANTY CLAIMS THEY DO NOT COVER SAFETY RELATED SYSTEMS INCLUDING AIR BAG SYSTEMS. 2ND ISSUE, WAS TOO SHORT IN LENGTH OF WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO CLOCK SPRING. 3RD ISSUE WAS DUE TO SEAT BELT SWITCH, NOW LIGHT IS AGAIN ON. HAVE NOT TAKEN CAR BACK TO DEALER YET. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THEY SHOULD HAVE IN A HEAD ON CAR ACCIDENT. SOMEONE HIT MY CAR IN THE RIGHT REAR END AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IT CAREENED HEAD FIRST INTO A TREE. BEFORE THE CAR WAS HIT IT WAS GOING ABOUT 30 - 35 MPH BUT AFTER IT WAS HIT IT WENT FASTER, I CAN'T SAY HOW MUCH (I ESTIMATED ABOVE). I WAS THE DRIVER AND ONLY OCCUPANT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THEY SHOULD HAVE. I GOT WHIPLASH (REAL WHIPLASH) AND INJURED MY HIP AS IT BROKE THE ARM REST. THE VIN NUMBER I PROVIDED IS FOR THIS CAR THAT WAS TOTALED - IT'S NO LONGER ON THE STREET. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID IT IS CAUSED BY A BAD WIRING HARNESS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK IF THE LIGHT IS ON. VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR (ALMOST $400) BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AT ABOUT 52,000 MILES. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT! *TR

DEFECTIVE DOOR LATCH ,,,SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN YOU OPEN DOOR. I HAVE TWO 2002 VW BEETLES AND THEY BOTH HAVE NON WORKING WARNING LIGHTS DUE TO DEFECTIVE LATCHES, ALSO AIRBAGS DON,T WORK DUE TO FAULT. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON, BUT VW DOESN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ALSO WHEN YOU CALL THE DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPARTMENT THESE LATCHES ARE IN STOCK DUE TO HIGH RATE OF FAILURE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE DOOR LATCH, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO THE AIR BAGS NEED TO BE RECALLED. THE VW DEALER WANTS 450.00 TO REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH, AND THE AIRBAGS START AT ABOUT 800.00 SO MOST PEOPLE WILL BE DRIVING AROUND WITHOUT THIS SAFETY EQUIPMENT. PLEASE MAKE THEM STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT . THANK YOU *TR

DEFECTIVE DOOR LATCH ,,,SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN YOU OPEN DOOR. I HAVE TWO 2002 VW BEETLES AND THEY BOTH HAVE NON WORKING WARNING LIGHTS DUE TO DEFECTIVE LATCHES, FAULT. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON, BUT VW DOESN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ALSO WHEN YOU CALL THE DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPARTMENT THESE LATCHES ARE IN STOCK DUE TO HIGH RATE OF FAILURE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE DOOR LATCH, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VW DEALER WANTS 450.00 TO REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH, SO MOST PEOPLE WILL BE DRIVING AROUND WITHOUT THIS SAFETY EQUIPMENT. PLEASE MAKE THEM STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT . THANK YOU *TR

CLUTCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN MY 2002 VW NEW BEETLE. I COMMUTE 200 MILES A DAY.. ALL FREEWAY.. AND AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR USED AND USING IT FOR 5 MONTHS, THE CLUTCH NEEDS REPLACING ALREADY. I HAVE ALMOST ALWAYS OWNED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AUTOMOBILES AND HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH PROBLEM. I DO NOT DRIVE A LOT USING THE CLUTCH SEEING AS MOST OF MY DRIVING IS ON THE HIGHWAY. I AM GLAD I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM EARLY AND WAS ONLY DRIVING TO THE STORE INSTEAD OF ON THE FREEWAY. *CN

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 VW NEW BEETLE AS IN PE 04073: TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT. THE FLASHER DOES NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY: IT STARTS, THEN STOPS AFTER ONE OR TWO BLINKS. THE TIMING OF THE BLINKS ARE ALSO ERRATIC. MY MODEL NEEDS TO BE COVERED BY THIS RECALL. *TR

FAILURE OF THE FRONT CRASH SENSOR TO TRIGGERED AN AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED AND THE SEAT BELT LATCH SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE AIR BAG WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 02/14/08. *LJ THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB AND RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED.

AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH FELL OFF CAR UNDER NORMAL USE. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE HAD THE DUST COVER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MOTOR COMPARTMENT NOT HAVE CAUGHT IT AND THE CLUTCH WAS THROWN INTO TRAFFIC.. *TR

IN THE FALL OF 2007 THE ENGINE OVERHEATING LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHILE DRIVING 40MPH+. CAR REMAINED AT A DECENT TEMPERATURE UNTIL THAT SPEED. CHECKED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE BEFORE GOING TO THE DEALER. DEALER SAID THE WATER PUMP WAS BAD AND IT COST $800 TO REPLACE THE PUMP AND A COUPLE OF CHEAP BELTS THEY HAD TO REMOVE IN THE PROCESS. AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS 5 YEARS OLD AND HAD AROUND 30,000 MILES ON IT. VERY UPSET THAT THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AFTER 30,000 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SCAN DTC FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S BUCKLE RESISTANCE WAS SET TOO HIGH. THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND WAS REPAIRED WAS ON APRIL 6, 2005. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, I HAD ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS ALL THE WAY FROM CHANGING MY WHOLE ENGINE, AND CHANGING ALL KINDS OF SENSORS AND NOW I HAVE THIS BIG CONCERN WITH THIS STRANGE SMELL PROBLEM WHICH I CAN'T GET RID OFF, I HAD SPRAY AND BOUGHT ALL KINDS OF DEODORANTS AND STILL CAN'T GET RID OFF. I'M HAVING LIGHT HEADACHES AND ALLERGY PROBLEMS, BUT ONCE I GET OUT OF THE CAR I'M OK NOW IM TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY WINDOWS DOWN BCUZ THIS SMELL IS HORRIBLE AND I GET A HEADACHE. *TR

WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL ROLL BACKWARDS THEN JERK FORWARD.

I HAVE A 2002 VW BEETLE. I HAD AN AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON 3 YEARS AGO. I HAD IT FIXED ONCE. ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM MAY CONTINUE. I DID NOT HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN. I AM NOW READING THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? *TR

FAILURE TO START, WONT READ KEY IN IGNITION DEALER UNABLE TO FIX PROBLEM AS OF YET. SIMILAR PROBLEMS OCCURRED LAST YEAR, PRIOR TO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN PROBLEM WAS MENTIONED, THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.... BASICALLY BRUSHED ME OFF. VERY FRUSTRATING SINCE I GREATLY DEPEND ON MY CAR FOR WORK. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE! *JB

CURRENTLY HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE(NOW UNDER 20000) 2002 VW NEW BEETLE PURCHASED NEW. AFTER TIME WARRANTY EXPIRED BOTH POWER WINDOW(PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES) REGULATORS FAILED (AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND MILEAGES) SPONTANEOUSLY NOT DUE TO ANY EXTERNAL EVENT.. BOTH REGULATORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT CONSIDERABLE COST. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL BECAUSE AUTO WINDOW REGULATORS USUALLY ARE VERY DURABLE WHEN NOT DAMAGED BY EXTERNAL CRASH OR THE LIKE. I REPORTED THIS TO VOLKSWAGEN BUT GOT NO SATISFACTION. ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TO THEIR DISMAY AND WITHOUT SATISFACTION FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE PARTS! *TR

02 NB WITH 7700 MILES, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOLD SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK WITH THIS FAULT. TOOK TO ROYAL VOLKWAGEN, WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH AIR BAG COMPUTER, SO, SORRY. NO OFFER TO INVESTIGATE NOR FIX PROBLEM. SPOKE WITH VOLKWAGEN CARE LINE, WHAT A JOKE, SORRY, NOT UNDER WARRANTY. COME ON VOLKSWAGEN, LETS DO A RECALL, OR DO YOU REALLY NOT CARE ABOUT OUR LIVES??? GERMAN ENGINEERING MY MONEY. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS. NOT SURE WHAT IT MEANS.*AK

I'M IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING MY SECOND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH (THE FEMALE END THAT THE BELT ATTACHES TO) ON MY 2002 VW NEW BEETLE. THIS FAILURE TRIGGERS THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FIRST SEAT BELT LATCH WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2007; NOW, THREE YEARS LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AND THE ERROR CODE INDICATES THE SAME ISSUE, SO I'M FORCED TO REPLACE THE SAME PART AGAIN. FROM MY READING VW NEW BEETLE FORUMS, THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. AT THE VERY LEAST YOU'D THINK VW WOULD RE-DESIGN THE PART TO ELIMINATE THE ISSUE SO IT ONLY HAS TO BE REPLACED ONE TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HOWEVER, IT ALWAYS RECURS A FEW DAYS LATER. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED INDICATING THE BRAKE SAFETY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT PRESENTED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH YET. THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WAS 130 MILES FROM THE LOCALITY. THE CONTACT ASKED THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART TO PERFORM THE REPAIR AT AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED MECHANIC OR OTHER TRUSTED DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED THE PROPOSAL. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE IN CASES WERE NO DEALERSHIP WERE PRESENT IN THE AREA.

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DIAGNOSED AS BAD PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR. HAD TO BE REPLACED AT EXPENSE TO ME. *TR

2002 VW BEETLE 2.0 GLS W/ APPROX. 77,000 MILES. LOW FUEL LIGHTS STAYS ON / WILL NOT GO OFF. THE FUEL GAUGE IS WORKING PROPERLY, THE LIGHT JUST WON'T GO OFF. WE CHECKED SEVERAL WEB SITES AND CONTACTED A COUPLE OF VW DEALERSHIPS. WE FOUND OUT IT IS LIKELY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND IT'S A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. VW WOULDN'T WARRANTY THE WORK. *NM

AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF--FORUM SAYS MAY AIR BAGS MAY NOT WORK WITH LIGHT ON. IT SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH VW BUGS FOR YEARS. SHOULD BE A RECALL. *NM

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE IS ON. THE CAR HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $400.00 TO REPAIR. IT COST $150.00 TO FIND OUT THAT IT IS THE AIRBAG PIGTAIL-1J0971584J AND SPIRAL REEL-1J0959653C. *NM

PASSENGER DOOR HAD BEEN DIFFICULT TO GET CLOSED SINCE ABOUT 9/15/06, BUT ON THIS DATE, ALTHOUGH DOOR HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY CLOSED AND LOCKED FOR 20 MILES, IT SWUNG OPEN AS I WAS EXITING A US HIGHWAY AND TURNING ONTO A STATE HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE SHOP AND HAD THE DOOR REPAIRED - ALTHOUGH NOW I CAN'T OPEN IT USING THE OUTSIDE HANDLE, THE DOOR HAS NO PROBLEMS LATCHING. PREVIOUS TO THIS ISSUE WITH THE DOOR, MY TRUNK RELEASE BUTTONS ON BOTH MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND MY REMOTE WOULDN'T RELEASE MY TRUNK - I WAS ONLY ABLE TO OPEN IT MANUALLY USING THE KEY IN THE LOCK. I REPLACED THE REMOTE BATTERY, BUT THAT HAD NO EFFECT. AFTER MY CAR DOOR WAS REPAIRED, MY TRUNK RELEASES STARTED WORKING AGAIN. HOWEVER, ON OCCASION THE TRUNK HAS HAD THE SAME RELUCTANCE TO LATCH THAT THE PASSENGER DOOR DID. IN THE LAST MONTH, MY WINDOWS HAVE DECIDED TO GO NO FARTHER THAN AN INCH FROM TOP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ONLY HALFWAY UP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND I CAN NEITHER UNLOCK NOR LOCK MY CAR USING THE INTERIOR BUTTONS - I CAN ONLY USE MY REMOTE. *JB

WINDOW CABLE BROKEN. HAD PASS. SIDE REPLACED 2 MONTHS AGO, NOW DRIVERS SIDE BROKEN. WINDOW FELL INTO DOOR. *NM