2003 Volkswagen Beetle Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO ILLUMINATE APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. THE DEALER REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSORS ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS ALSO REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE LIGHT WOULD CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THAT REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

I HAVE A 2003 CONVERTIBLE VW AND MY BACK WINDOW HAS COME UNGLUED TO THE CANVAS. MY VW HAS LESS THAN 45K MILES.VW SHOULD BE MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS BAD QUALITY IN MANUFACTURING THIS MAKE. I'VE INQUIRED AND IT WILL COST $1300 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TOP. THIS IS RIDICULES - ANYONE KNOW OF A CLASS ACTION?? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN RESET THE AIR BAG SENSORS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE DISCOUNTED PRICE OF $250. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V178000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) DOES NOT BEGIN UNTIL JULY 31, 2008, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,000.

REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WENT DOWN,BUT WOULDN'T COME BACK UP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/15/08. *JB

ON APRIL 25, 2008 WE TOOK OUR 2003 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE TO OUR VW DEALER FOR SERVICE AND A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD OR CLUNKING AT TIMES. THEY SAID THE NOISE WAS THE EXHAUST AND ADJUSTED IT AND SIGNED OFF. THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE HARD SHIFTING CONTINUED OCCASIONALLY FOR SOME TIME. THEN IT STARTED TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN AND BE MORE SEVERE. ON OCTOBER 23, 2009, WE RETURNED TO OUR DEALER FOR SERVICE AND TOLD THEM AGAIN ABOUT OUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE HARD SHIFTING AS WE HAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE PAST. AT THIS TIME THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ($90.00) ON THE TRANSMISSION. THEY HAD TO ORDER A PART AND WE RETURNED ON NOVEMBER 5, 2009 TO HAVE THE CABLE INSTALLED. ($1406.36) THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND WE RETURNED NOVEMBER, 10, 2009 FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC AND ANOTHER CABLE INSTALL.($179.78) STILL NOT FIXED THE CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE WHEN YOU TRY TO DRIVE IT. WE LEFT THE CAR WITH OUR DEALER FOR THEM TO TRY TO FIND A USED TRANSMISSION. NO LUCK. ON DECEMBER 2, 2009 WE DECIDED TO CONTACT A TRANSMISSION SHOP A FRIEND TOLD US ABOUT. I CALLED A TRANSMISSION SHOP TO PICK UP THE CAR AT OUR DEALER AND TAKE IT TO THEIR SHOP TO LOOK INTO REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION. ALL TO NO AVAIL THEY COULD NOT GET PARTS FOR THAT TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT STEP WAS TO LOOK FOR A USED ONE AGAIN. STILL UNABLE TO LOCATE A USED TRANSMISSION WE DECIDED TO HAVE A VW REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. ($5469.60) THIS WAS DONE AND THE CAR WAS PICKED UP ON JANUARY 7, 2010. NOW ON DECEMBER 14, 2010 WE RECEIVE A LETTER THAT DESCRIBES OUR ORIGINAL COMPLAINT ABOUT THE HARD SHIFTING. THE LETTER WAS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION. I THEN SENT A CLAIM TO VW TO ASK FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THAT CLAIM WAS NOT ACCEPTED.

THIS THE SECOND WATER PUMP REPLACED DUE TO IMPELLER FAILURE. *TR

I HAVE A VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 2003 LESS THAN 49,000.00 MILES AND SUDDENLY BOTH BACK WINDOWS STOP WORKING PROPERLY. EVERYTIME I TURN THE ENGINE THE WINDOWS GO DOWN AND DO NOT WANT TO CLOSE WITH THE ELECTRIC BOTTOM, IT IS RAINING AND MY CAR IS GETTING DAMAGE, I DON'T HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER, I HAVE BEEN TOLD, I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS . NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY COMPLAINS IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE, THIS IS A DEFECT, SHOULD THE COMPANY BE RESPONSIBLE? THANK YOU, *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. AT 27,680 MILES, THE DEALER IDENTIFIED THE FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR. THEY REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CRASH SENSOR AND TWO WINDOWS. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT 27,680 MILES AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V178000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,297. UPDATED 07/08/08. *BF UPDATED 07/03/08. *JB

DOOR HANDLE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE BODY OF THE 2003 VW BEETLE WHICH MY DAUGHTER, KIMBERLY FREISNER HAS OWNED SINCE IT WAS NEW HAS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE SCREWS WHICH HOLD THESE MECHANISMS IN PLACE AND THE DOOR CLOSED KEEP LOOSENING SEVERAL TURNS. I HAVE TIGHTENED THESE UNITS BEFORE ONLY TO HAVE THEM LOOSEN UP OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. IF THE CAR WAS HIT I THINK THE DOORS WOULD OPEN DURING THE CRASH. *TR

MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, WITH UNDER 50,000 MILES ON IT WILL SHIFT DANGEROUSLY HARD. WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR, IT SHIFTS WITH A SLAM AND LURCHES FORWARD. THERE IS A PAUSE BEFORE IT SHIFTS WHICH MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, INSTEAD OF MOVING FORWARD WHEN IT SHOULD THERE IS THAT PAUSE WHILE IT LURCHES DOWN AND SLAMS INTO GEAR. IT DOES THIS ON A REGULAR BASIS. *LN

2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE BEGAN TO SPARK WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE PULLED OVER AND THEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. *KB THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-91-0903

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FRONTAL AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT A FORMAL COMPLAINT WAS NOT MADE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT IS IN POSSESSION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,439. CRASH SENSOR.PCO

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE AND AVOID A SEMI-TRUCK THAT WAS IN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED BETWEEN 30-40 MPH BUT DID LOSE CONSCIENCE SO AM NOT SURE IF REMEMBER EXACTLY HOW FAST I WAS GOING. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING MY FACE TO SLAM DIRECTLY INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHICH CONTAINED NO PASSENGERS NOR ITEMS DID DEPLOY. I SUFFERED FACIAL FRACTURES AND A BROKEN NOSE. MY FRACTURES HAVE HEALED BUT MY NOSE NEEDS TO BE RECONSTRUCTED. MY CAR WAS SERVICED AT A COLLISION CENTER AND THEN SENT TO THE AUTOBARN IN COUNTRYSIDE, IL WHERE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED IN AUGUST OF 2006. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME ON DEC 27 BUT NO EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN FOR THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO NOT WORKING PROPERLY SO I RETURNED THE CAR FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CAR WAS FINALLY RETURNED TO ME 2 WEEKS LATER WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION BUT STILL NO EXPLANATION FOR THE AIRBAG. UPON LEAVING THE AUTOBARN ON JANUARY 17 WITH MY CAR, THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON AND STAYED ON WHILE I DROVE ABOUT 10 MILES. I RETURNED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THE LIGHT DID NOT GO ON FOR THEM AND OFFERED AGAIN NO EXPLANATION. *TR

THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE 2003 AND 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT DOES NOT ALLOW THE WINDOW TO GO DOWN ENOUGH OR SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. THIS CAUSES THE WINDOW TO RUB AGAINST THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. I NOW HAVE A SMALL TEAR IN MY TOP, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LARGER TEAR OR POSSIBLE BREAKDOWN OF MY CONVERTIBLE TOP, RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE IN MY MINNESOTA CLIMATE. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH THESE CARS AND VW REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS THE REGULATOR CAN COST UP TO $700 PER SIDE TO FIX. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS FOR SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING TO VIRTUALLY EVERY 03, 04 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. *TR

THREE YEARS AGO WHEN THE CAR HAD ONLY 55,000 MILES ON IT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THERE WAS NEVER ANY DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS AND I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR. VW SAID IT WAS A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG, BUT REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND IT. THEY WANT $750 TO FIX IT. IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE EACH WINDOW MOTOR. THEY COST $400 TO REPLACE. THE DRIVER SIDE MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THAT MEANS THE FIRST REPLACEMENT LASTED LESS THAN FOUR YEARS. THE CAR HAS ONLY 77,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. *TR

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND THE DEALER SAID THE SENSOR WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED REPAIR. THEY SAID THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT ACTIVATE WITH THE SWITCH INOPERABLE. I PAID BIG$$$ ($391)TO HAVE THIS REPAIR PERFORMED. *TR CRASH SENSOR.PCO

THE ALTERNATOR CABLE IS BURN ALSO THE FUSE BOX ON TOP OF BATTERY IS BURN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY SEE THIS HAPPEN ON DIFFERENT VOLKSWAGEN IN THE HOUSTON AREA AND THE FUSE BOX NEEDS SOME KIND OF THERMAL PROTECTION BECAUSE THE BATTERY GETS TO HOT. IF I PLACE SOME KIND OF THERMAL PROTECTION I WILL BE HELD LIABLE. THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER ARE WILLING TO HELP, THEY JUST TOLD ME A HAD 12 MONTH WARRANTY AND IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN AFTER 12 MONTHS IT WILL BE MY EXPENSE. I HAD A 40,000 MILE SERVICE ON 10-3-07 WHICH INCLUDE INSPECTING BATTERY WHICH COST OVER $400.00. *TR

DRIVERS SEAT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR, AND SEAT BOUNCES AS I DRIVE. WAS REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP IN DEC 2007, BROKE AGAIN IN JUNE 2008. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. SUGGESTS REPLACING THE SEAT FRAME FOR $700. NORMAL USE OF A DRIVERS SEAT SHOULD NOT CAUSE THIS TYPE OF AN ISSUE. *TR

HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WHILE STARTING THE CAR. DEALER FOUND A BURNED WIRING HARNESS TO BE THE CAUSE. COST TO REPAIR $ 159.31. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM IF BOTH HEAD LIGHTS WOULD HAVE GONE OUT WHILE TRAVELING ON A DARK HWY AT HIGH SPEED. BURNED WIRING HARNESS IS IN MY POSSESSION. SECOND PROBLEM WAS WITH A BRAKE LIGHT THAT WENT OUT DATE 10/30/07. CAUSE AS PER DEALER WAS A FAULTY LIGHT SOCKET. COST TO REPAIR $ 73.61. *TR

WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED, SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AT EVER INCREASING SPEEDS UNTIL DISENGAGED. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, WITHOUT WARNING AND SEEMINGLY WITHOUT A COMMON DENOMINATOR (SUCH AS 30 MIN AFTER ENGAGED OR AT A PARTICULAR SPEED). IT DOES HAPPEN WITH MORE REGULARITY EXCEEDING SPEEDS OF 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED AT 45-50 MPH AS WELL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO SUBSEQUENTLY DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 47,000 MILES ON IT AND THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. THIS AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN USED OR DEPLOYED. IT IS NOT DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $700 FOR A NEW AIRBAG. I BELIEVE THE DEALER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT IF THEY EQUIPPED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE WELDING HAS FAILED ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH AND, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT WOULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WERE NOT OBLIGATED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR POWER WINDOW REGULATORS. I AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE ONE OF THE REPLACEMENTS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 83000 MILES ON IT. THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS WINDOW ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE - OVER $500. I'VE ALREADY INVESTED WELL OVER $1500 REPLACING THE REGULATORS ALREADY. VOLKSWAGEN IS MAKING DEFECTIVE PARTS AND WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I FILED A COMPLAINT EARLIER ON THIS VEHICLE FOR A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED. I'VE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT. THE AIRBAG WAS NEVER DEPLOYED OR DAMAGED IN ANY WAY. IF THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE IT IS BECAUSE VW PUTS DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS IN THEIR VEHICLES. *TR

AIR BAG SAFETY SENSOR FOR AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY WENT OUT. AND WAS NOT COVER $591.00. TO REPLACE SENSOR SWITCH. *TR DUP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE CRASH SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE CRASH SENSOR AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,268 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,278. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE COST. UPDATED *JB SRS.PCO

IN 2006 MY RIGHT REAR WINDOW STOPPED WORKING, LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE ISSUE WAS FIXED AT NO CHARGE. LAST WEEK THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW BEGAN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WILL LIKELY COST ME AT LEAST $900. I HAVE LOOKED AT ONLINE MESSAGE BOARDS AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, AND FEEL THAT VW SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS, NOT CAR OWNERS. *JB

2003 NEW BEETLE WINDOWS CONTINUE TO FAIL REAR WINDOW FAILED VW WANTS $900 TO REPAIR STUCK IN DOWN POSITION FRONT WINDOW FAILED WANTS $700 FOR REPAIR I HAD THEM FIXED DURING WARRANTY AT LEAST 10 TIMES, I DON'T THINK THEY EVER GET FIXED THEY JUST KEEP BRAKING AND NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY? *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW FELL DOWN, AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. THE DEALERSHIP PRICED REPAIR AT OVER $600 DOLLARS. WAS TOLD OF EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR UP TO 2002 MODELS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM, BUT NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2003 MODELS. *JB

REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS FALLEN DOWN AND THE DEALER WANTS AROUND $1,000 TO REPAIR IT. OUR THERMOSTAT WENT OUT LAST WEEK AND COST US $315 FOR JUST THAT, AND THEN THE NEXT DAY OUR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE BROKE. THE CAR HAS AROUND 70,000 MILES ON IT AND THINGS KEEP GOING WRONG EVERY WEEK! I LOVED THIS CAR BUT THE WAY IT IS GOING I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VW PRODUCT (EVEN THOUGH I OWNED 2 IN THE PAST). *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I PURCHASED MY USED 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 1.8T IN JUNE '07. WE HAVE TAKEN IT DO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY HAVE QUOTED OUTRAGEOUS PRICES FOR REPLACING THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS, UPWARDS OF $700. LAST YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS, WHICH WE HAD REPLACED. BUT THE LIGHT STILL REMAINS ON, AND NOW THEY SAY IT IS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT SWITCH, AND QUOTED $300 FOR REPAIRS. A QUICK WEB SEARCH SHOWS THIS SEATBELT SWITCH ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD, AND IS USUALLY CAUSED BY BROKEN WIRES UNDER THE SEAT. APPARENTLY THESE WIRES ARE TOO SHORT AND/OR EXPOSED, AND CAN EASILY BE BROKEN BY MOVING THE SEAT TOO FAR FORWARD OR BY ITEMS PUSHED UNDER THE SEAT. I THINK THIS IS YET ANOTHER POORLY DESIGNED SYSTEM THAT CREATES A REAL HAZARD FOR PEOPLE UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO PAY FOR THE DEALER TO POKE AROUND UNTIL THEY FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEMS. *TR

I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. IT HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY THAT WERE NEVER PARTICULARLY CORRECTED. WOULD GO OUT AND CAR WOULD NOT START - COMPLETELY DEAD. BATTERIES WERE REPLACED, ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, SOMETHING WITH THE STEREO SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, ETC. THIS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF TWO YEARS, FROM APPROXIMATELY 2005 TO 2007. I COULD PROVIDE SPECIFICS IF NECESSARY SINCE I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS. IT SOMETIMES HAPPENED WITHIN A WEEK OF GETTING THE CAR BACK FROM THE PREVIOUS "REPAIR." NEEDLESS TO SAY IT HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING, AND WE WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VW. THE REASON I AM JUST NOW WRITING IS BECAUSE MY LOCAL NEWSPAPER HAD A SMALL PARAGRAPH MENTIONING THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING A POSSIBLE CRASH SENSOR MALFUNCTION IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OF THE SENSORS AT MY OWN EXPENSE SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT FIRST CAME ON IN JUNE 2007 AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT CRASH SENSOR WAS REPLACED. JUST A SHORT TIME LATER, SEPTEMBER 2007, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE CRASH SENSOR THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THESE REPAIRS COST ME ROUGHLY $1000 OUT OF POCKET. I THINK THE NHTSA WOULD LIKE TO BE AWARE OF THIS AS PART OF THE INVESTIGATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PS: WHILE LISTING "FAILURES" BELOW I WILL STICK WITH JUST THE TWO AIRBAG FAILURES AND ONLY PROVIDE INFO ON OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IF REQUESTED TO DO SO. *TR CRASH SENSOR.PCO

DRIVERSIDE REAR ELECTRIC WINDOW CEASED FUNCTIONING ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THIS HINDERS LOWERING THE TOP AND I HAVE LEARNED THAT IN SOME CASES THE WINDOW FALLS OPEN AND CANNOT BE CLOSED. WHILE THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED YET, I WORRY THAT IT MIGHT. THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS BEEN ON NATIONAL BACKORDER FOR MONTHS. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND OTHER OWNERS ARE FACING THE SAME DIFFICULTY GETTING IT RESOLVED. I SUSPECT THIS TO BE A SERIOUSLY DEFECTIVE DESIGN TO BE HAPPENING SO FREQUENTLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH WINDOWS THAT ROLL DOWN SLIGHTLY WHEN THE DOOR IS AJAR AND ROLL BACK UP WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. HOWEVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THIS FEATURE FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED, BUT A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. OFTENTIMES, THE CONTACT WOULD HEAR WIND NOISE WHILE DRIVING OR WATER WOULD ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000.

FRONTAL AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR IS BAD BARLEY OUT OF WARRANTY . I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ALOT ON THE INTERNET AND BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY VOLKSWAGEN'S IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

AFTER ANY RAIN ON MY NON-MOVING 2003 VW NEW BEETLE WATER COLLECTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT FLOOR PAN CAUSING THE CAR TO STINK AND MOLD TO GROW. I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO CLEAR THE SUNROOF DRAIN WITH VERY LIMITED SUCCESS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTENTLY RETURNS. *JB

2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 59,500K MILES. IN LOWER GEARS THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD, SHIFTS VIOLENTLY AND TRANSMISSION SLIPS. CAR CANNOT GET ENOUGH POWER IN LOWER GEARS TO MOVE AT A SAFE RATE OF SPEED. WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR VISA VERSA CAR VIOLENTLY JERKS. THERE HAVE BEEN LOUD BANGING NOISES WHEN CAR IS SHIFTING IN LOWER GEARS. MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING CAN CANNOT MOVE FAST ENOUGH BECAUSE OF VIOLENT SHIFTING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES. TRANSMISSION ISSUES HAPPEN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS USED. NOT USING CAR MUCH BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS AND CONCERNED OF SAFETY ISSUES. PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YRS AND IS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. TAKING CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE ESTIMATE ON REPAIR. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON AFTER THE VEHICLE REACHED 51,000 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER CONTROLLER FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY THE OWNER AT A COST OF $1000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 27, 2006, WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ,THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG / CURTAIN DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, BRUISING A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE WEATHER AT THE TIME THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WAS NICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WANTED TO PURSUE VOLKSWAGEN TO GET AIR BAG REPAIRED AND WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *AK

I NOTICED A GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CAR EACH TIME I DROVE IT. THE MECHANICS CHECKED AND FOUND A SEAL FOR THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING LEAKS. THEY REMOVED AND REPLACED HOUSING AND SEAL. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLASS ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS BEGUN TO SEPARATE FROM THE CANVAS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO PAY 75% OF THE REPLACEMENT COST. AS OF JUNE 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT-END COLLISION. THE HYDRAULIC ROD HOLDING THE HOOD UP DETACHED AND ENTERED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD GLASS. THE CONTACT INCURRED WRIST AND ANKLE INJURIES IN THE COLLISION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT.

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT CAR INTO REVERSE BRAKE SWITCH DOES NOT RESPOND. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW GOES BACK DOWN BY ITSELF. ALSO CAR SHIFTS REAL HARD IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. SOUNDS LIKE TRANSMISSION WILL BREAK. *AK

OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY FAIL DEALER AS REPLACED THE EPC SWITCH TWICE IN THE LAST 2-MONTHS COMMENT TODAY WAS "OH, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THAT SWITCH. *NM

REAR TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION. EACH TIME DEALER THE FIXES PROBLEM IT PROMPTLY RETURNS. *JB

I TEST DROVE SEVERAL VW NEW BETTLES PRIOR TO PURCHASING ONE. IN MANY OF THEM THE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATOR REMAINED ON. IS THIS A PROBLEM THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF? HAVE THERE BEEN RECALL ON THIS? *JB

2003 VOLKSWAGEN JERK WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND ACCELERATING. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE COVERED FOR 60,000 MILES. *JB

HAD JUST ENTERED FREEWAY, GOING PROBABLY 55 MPH, WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THOUGHT THE TIRE HAD BLOWN, BUT THE RIM ACTUALLY HAD A HOLE IN IT, WITH THE IMPACT DIRECTION GOING AWAY FROM THE TIRE, LIKE IT IMPLODED. HAD TO MANEUVER CAR TO SIDE OF FREEWAY AND STOP. PUT SPARE TIRE ON CAR AND TOOK BLOWN-OUT RIM AND TIRE TO DEALER. TIRE WAS FINE, THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE RIM BECAUSE WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY ON THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A DEFECTIVE RIM THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MUCH MORE HARMFUL ACCIDENT. TOOK CAR TO TIRE SHOP AND THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE; ORDERED NEW RIM AND ENDED UP PUTTING SAME TIRE ON NEW RIM. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START IN VERY COLD WEATHER. SHE NOTIFIED A REPAIR SHOP THAT CAME OUT AND GOT THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST SHOP WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ENOUGH OIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE COMPUTER BOARD WAS CHANGED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000.

AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE WARNING LIGHT FOR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP COMES ON AND DOES NOT GO OUT ALSO DRIVER SEAT IS STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON 11/15/2005 AT THAT TIME IT WAS ONLY THE AIR BAG CAUSE; 00591. DRIVERS SEAT BELT SWITCH FAULTY IT WAS REPLACED ON 12/12/2007 THE SAME PROBLEM AND MORE BUT,THIS TIME I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND I HAVE FOUND A ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND NHTSA IS AWARE OF IT.THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY I HAVE HAD REPAIR DRIVER SEAT SLIDER. IT HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING, NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VW. *TR

LIKE MANY OTHERS WE HAD HIGH HOPES AND DREAMS FOR OUR NEW 2003 BEETLE, WE THOUGHT WRONG. LIKE MANY OTHERS I AM FINDING MORE AND MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE VEHICLES AND THIS CAR JUST FOLLOWS THE TREND. AS FOR THE CLASSIC VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP, THEY HAVE BLESSED US WITH ONE OF THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCES THAT WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE IS NOW SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING A NEW WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE TURN SIGNALS AND HEADLIGHTS (SINCE THE ELECTRICAL JOBS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM THE FIRST 3 TIMES). WE ARE VERY CALM AND UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE AND GONE IN EVERY TIME WITH A SEMI-POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND ASKED THEM TO JUST FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER BITING MY LIP THE 4TH TIME I WENT TO THE SERVICE MANAGER (PIERRE ANDRE) AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE TO HIM. PIERRE'S IMMEDIATE REACTION WAS TO PAWN THE ISSUE TO A SERVICE ADVISOR (BRIAN ALEXANDER WHO GIVES EXCELLENT PRESENTATIONS ON PARTIALLY BURNED OUT BULBS). AFTER BECOMING A THORN TO PIERRE HE MADE AN UN-GRATEFUL ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, I HAD TO FORCE HIM TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE ISSUE. TO KEEP A LONG STORY SHORT I HAVE HEARD EVERY EXCUSE FROM THIS DEAL SHIP INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: PARTIALLY BURNED OUT BULBS, CORRODED SOCKETS, LOOSE WIRING HARNESSES, DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESSES, SUN DAMAGE, USER DAMAGE, ROAD DAMAGE. WE ALSO MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP HEAD MANAGER/PRESIDENT KEN EMERSON WHO NEVER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT US BY ANY MEANS. IN SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO ESCALATE THE ISSUE TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY I WAS GIVEN THE VW CORPORATE 1-800-BLOWUP NUMBER, WHICH PROVIDED US SEVERAL USELESS OPTIONS. AT THIS POINT WE ARE BITING THE BULLET AND PLANNING AN ATTEMPT OF THE FLORIDA LEMON LAW; IF WE DO NOT SUCCEED WE WILL SELL IT TO SOME PERSON WHO WANTS A PROJECT VEHICLE. *JB