2005 Volkswagen Beetle Complaint Log

DRIVING DOWN A LONG TWO-LANE ROAD, I DECIDED TO PUT ON THE CRUISE-CONTROL FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. AS MY INTERSECTION CAME UP, I HIT THE BRAKES TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF CRUISE-CONTROL AND BEGAN MY TURN, BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW, NO MATTER HOW HARD I HIT THE BRAKES. THE MALFUNCTION CAUSED ME TO TAKE THE TURN TOO FAST AND I HEADED STRAIGHT INTO A 4 FOOT DECORATIVE ROCK WALL THAT BORDERED THE ROAD. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED, AND I HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN THE HOSPITAL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW FELL DOWN. I'M TOLD THE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR SNAPPED AND THEY HAVE TO REPAIR IT. FOR $600! FROM WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 05 MODEL. IT'S A SHAME THAT VOLKSWAGEN DOESN'T STAND BEHIND THIS AND PUT OUT A RECALL. *TR

REAR POWER WINDOWS NOT BEHAVING. ON PASSENGER SIDE, IT DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL - LOTS OF SCRATCHING NOISES. ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, WHEN POWERED 'UP' THE WINDOW GOES UP HALFWAY, THEN IMMEDIATELY BACK DOWN. THE REGISTER APPEARS TO WORK BUT HAS A WILL OF ITS OWN. AT PRESENT, THE FIRST WINDOW CAN BE CLOSED MANUALLY, THE SECOND (DRIVER'S SIDE) WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL. THERE APPEARS TO BE A GREAT DEAL OF COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THE REAR WINDOWS ON SEVERAL YEARS OF THE VW NB - THAT'S WHY I'M GOING IN THE RECALL DIRECTION. THERE IS CLEARLY A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM IN THIS AREA OF THE CAR. *TR

I HAVE REPLACED THIS SAME BRAKE LIGHT OVER AND OVER. I JUST READ WHERE THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY SAID MY VEHICLE HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED IN 2007 SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, I DID NOT KNOW IF IT HAD THE RECALL REPLACEMENT. I ASKED VW OF AMERICA SINCE IT SEEMS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WOULD THEY REPLACE IT AND THEY DENIED MY REQUEST. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT DOES NOT LAST. I HAVE LESS THAN 65K MILE ON THE. *TR

WHEN GEARING DOWN OR STARTING UP AT REDLIGHT, CAR DOWNSHIFTS AND GEARS-UP WITH A JERK; TOOK TO VW DEALER; SAYS IT IS VALVE BODY DEFECT WHICH COULD UTIMATELY CAUSE TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD; WAS TOLD AT DEALERSHIP VW KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND EXTENDED A WARRANTY ON VALVE COVER ONLY WHICH WENT OUT LAST YR ON MY VEHICLE. I NEVER GOT A NOTICE. VW ADMITS THE PROBLEM WAS THERE WHEN MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO. I BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MANY VW OWNERS. ALSO HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW REGULATORS MALFUCTIONING - AFFECTING LOCKING OF DOORS AND WINDOW CLOSINGS- EVEN WHEN THESE COSTLY REGULATORS ARE REPLACED, THE PROBLEMS RETURN... MY CAR VALUE IS NOW -0- THANKS TO VW MANUFACTURING ISSUES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE TRUNK HAD MOLD AND MILDEW DUE TO WATER SEEPING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE TOP HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. *TR UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE CONVERTIBLE TOP SEPARATED FROM THE REAR WINDSHIELD, ALSO ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR CANVAS THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS LEAKING INSIDE THE TRUNK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS SEPARATING FROM THE REAR GLASS WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

CAR JOLTS INTO GEAR BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR; ALSO PROBLEMS BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR ON AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. BROUGHT CAR INTO LOCAL VW DEALER IMMEDIATELY, TO HAVE REPAIRED. DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS NEEDING A NEW VALVE BODY FOR TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN SO WIDESPREAD THAT VW ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 7 YEARS 100,000 MI. PROBLEM...REPAIR IS $1,800. VW WILL NOT COVER THIS AND HONOR THE WARRANTY FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH ONLY HAS 49,000 MI. ON IT. THEY SAID I AM 6 MONTH OUTSIDE OF THE TIME WARRANTY (EXPIRED 6/18/12). THEY WILL NOT AUTHORIZE AN EXCEPTION EVEN THOUGH MY CAR ONLY HAS 49,000 MI.. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS IT LUNGES FORWARD AND ALSO GETS STUCK IN GEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER RESTARTING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,534.

UPON INCREASING SPEED VEHICLE SHIFTS EXTREMELY HARD ESPECIALLY IN LOW GEARS. A DECREASE IN SPEED ALSO RESULTS IN EXTREMELY HARD DOWNSHIFTING. SOMETIMES CAR WILL NOT SHIFT. UPON SLOWING DOWN AT SAME RED LIGHT TWO DAYS IN A ROW CAR APPEARS TO DROP INTO FIRST GEAR, BUT THEN BEGINS TO TRY TO ROLL BACK UPON RELEASING THE BREAK. THIS PARTICULAR LIGHT IS ON A HILL WITH 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC. I HAD TO SWITCH THE CAR OFF, SHIFT INTO PARK, AND THEN CRANK THE CAR AGAIN FOR IT TO CATCH FIRST TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD. I CALLED VW DEALERSHIPS WITH NO RETURN CALL. FINALLY GOT A SVC MGR. COULD NOT TELL ME ANYTHING. GAVE ME AN 800 PHONE # TO CALL. I WAS TOLD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT IN NOV OF 2012 EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER THE 100,000 MILES. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT I SHOULD HAVE CALLED THAT NUMBER WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR TO "REGISTER" IT IN MY NAME WITH VW. I RECEIVED NO INFORMATION AT PURCHASE, AND WITH THIS BEING MY 8TH VEHICLE IT WAS THE FIRST I WAS TOLD I HAD TO CALL THE MAKER TO REGISTER IT WITH. I AM SCARED WHEN I HAVE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK EVERY DAY. *TR

THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR WINDOWS AND REAR WINDOW REGULATORS IN THE NEW BEETLES FROM 2003-2010. I HAVE EXPERIENCED AND READ NUMEROUS TESTIMONIALS THAT INDICATE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT VW IS MAKING MONEY REPAIRING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN SUPER BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ADHESIVE AROUND THE REAR WINDOW FAILED AS THE WINDOW BEGAN TO SEPARATE. THERE WAS ONLY A PIECE OF CLOTH THAT WAS HOLDING THE WINDOW IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND THE ENTIRE CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER NONE COULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,624.

THE TRANSMISSION LURCHES WHEN SHIFTING. IT FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS AND WILL REV UP AND . FROM WHAT I AM READING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. THE DEALERSHIPS WANT $7000 DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ALL SEEM TO BE VERY FAMILIER WITH THIS "COMMON" PROBLEM. SOUNDS LIKE THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESE CARS. GOT THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER TO USE THROUGH COLLEGE AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT COST MORE TO FIX THAN ITS WORTH. *JS

2005 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSMISSION WILL LURCH AND SLIP FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. ISSUE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A VALVE BODY ISSUE THAT VW DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE DEFECTIVE PART. THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE BASICALLY WILL NOT GO WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN THOSE GEARS. IT TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS FOR IT TO SHIFT, THE VEHICLE WILL REV UP AT THAT TIME AND THEN SLAM INTO GEAR. *TR

AFTER HAVING THE VALVE BODY FIXED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN MARCH 2011, I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THE SAME EXACT TRANSMISSION ISSUES. VW REFUSES TO COVER THIS EXPENSE SINCE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS NOW VOID, AND THE PARTS WARRANTY IS VOID AS WELL. HOWEVER, I'VE DRIVEN THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN 6K SINCE THE REPAIR. I ALSO JUST HAD THIS VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP A MONTH AGO TO FIX THE TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION WHICH JUST WENT OUT. NOW, TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT REPAIR, THE VALVE BODY JUST DECIDED TO GIVE OUT? WELL, VW IS TELLING US THE ISSUE NOW IS A VALVE BODY HARNESS..? THIS IS JUST STARTING TO SEEM RIDICULOUS ON MY DIME. *TR

THE DRIVERS REAR WINDOW WENT DOWN AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. *TR

2005 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. REAR WINDOWS REGULATOR/MOTORS BROKE. VW ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR FRONT WINDOWS (7 YEARS) REAR WINDOWS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WANTS $700.00 PER SIDE TO FIX. WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL DOWN ON COMMAND. OFTEN FALL ON THEIR OWN AFTER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. *TR

DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW DROPPED AND COULD NOT BE RAISED. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THE DRIVER FRONT WINDOW DID THE SAME THING. *TR

ACCORDING TO ALL THE INFO I HAVE GATHERED. IT SEEMS MY CAR ,ALONG WITH SO MANY OTHERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS WAY TOO OFTEN FOR IT NOT TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR THE OWNERS TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. WHEN IT IS A FAULT OF THE VW MAKERS. MY REAR PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR IS BROKEN. SOMETHING SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. VW IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BAD MECHANICAL DESIGN OF THE WINDOWS IN THESE VEHICLES. WHY SHOULD WE (AS CONSUMERS)HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR SCREW UP?[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON THE DASHBOARD, MECHANICS HAVE SAID THEY CANNOT FIX IT, MAKES ME CONCERNED THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. *TR BOTH THE PASSENGER WINDOW AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATORS ARE BOTH BROKEN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN WHEN YOU PRESS THE WINDOW BUTTON, AND THE PASSENGER DOOR/ WINDOW RATTLES WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN YOU SHUT THE DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED AS MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE FUSE PANEL ON TOP OF THE BATTERY WAS ALSO MELTED. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY REPLACED THE FUSE BOX BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

THE LIGHT BULBS ARE SHORT FUSE ABOUT EVERY YEAR. I THINK WATER GETS IN.I PURSHASE IT 0N 2011 H ON A USE

BOTH REAR WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BECOME DEFECTIVE. DO NOT WORK. *TR

LEFT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING IN JULY 2012. IN OCTOBER 2012 THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING. BOTH HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED BUT WAS BOUGHT USED. VW DEALER COVERS NOTHING BUT CHARGES AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT TO FIX. READING OTHER BLOGS THERE ARE MANY, MANY WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND VW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE REAR WINDOW REGULATORS. THE REAR WINDOWS NOT WORKING MEANS YOU CAN NOT PUT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DOWN WITHOUT RISKING FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION TO THE PREVIOUS REPAIR, THE CV BOOSTER WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

LEFT REAR WINDOW LIFTER DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. ONLY GOES UP 2/3 OF THE WAY. REFERENCE ODI COMPLAINT 10282664. *TR

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A DEALERSHIP IN DEL RAY BEACH FLORIDA ON OCTOBER 2011. THE DEALERSHIPS NAME IS AUTOBAHN/USA (1800 NORTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, DEL RAY BEACH, FLORIDA 33483). THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED "AS IS", WITH NO EXTENDED WARRANTY. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THERE WAS NO ISSUES WITH SAID VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THIS VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN BACK TO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN WHERE I RESIDE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES REFERENCE THIS VEHICLE FROM THE START. IT APPEARS WHEN SLOWING DOWN THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES FEELING LIKE IT IS JUMPING GEARS. I HAVE TALKED WITH A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IN BAY CITY, MICHIGAN, AND A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN. BOTH STATED THAT THE YEAR OF VEHICLE I PURCHASED HAD A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THEY ALSO NOTED IN ORDER FOR THE RECALL TO BE VALID, I NEEDED TO HAVE PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE JUST OVER 60,000 MILES ON MY VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION CAN BE A DANGER WHILE DRIVING. I AM ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR SAID TRANSMISSION. I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED WHEN VOLKSWAGEN IS STATING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION FOR THE YEARS 2004 AND 2005, AND THEY WOULD ONLY HONOR THE RECALL IF I PURCHASED THERE EXTENDED WARRANTY. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY MALFUNCTIONS AND CAUSES THE CARD TO SHIFT HARSHLY. THIS CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION FELL OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT LOST POWER AND HAD TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THE FAILURE PERSISTED REPEATEDLY AS THE CONTACT WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VALVE BODY COVER HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET AN ANSWER FOR WHY THE FULL TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED INSTEAD OF JUST THE VALVE BODY COVERS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,040.

REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT AND WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP. *TR

10282664. *TT

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE SHORTS OUT DO TO FAULTY WIRE ROUTING CAUSING THE SEATBELT TENSIONER HARNESS TO GET CUT OR SHORTED BY THE DRIVER SEAT. *TR

REAR WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN (CAN HEAR SOUND OF MOTORS RUNNING THOUGH). DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT 'DROP-DOWN' WHEN OPENING. *TR

MY 05 VW BEETLE AUTOMATIC BEGAN LURCHING/SLIPPING WHEN GOING FROM FULL STOP TO ABOUT 40MPH.....WHEN TRANS IS GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND TO 3RD GEARS. *TR

WINDOW HAS STOPPED WORKING FOR THE SECOND TIME. REPAIRS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE TO 1 REAR DRIVER S SIDE WINDOW. NOW IT'S THE PASSENGERS SIDE REAR WINDOW. *TR

DRIVERS-SIDE BACK WINDOW FAILED AFTER BEING LET DOWN. WILL NOT RETURN TO CLOSED POSITION. SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS TRYING AT FIRST, BUT NOW NO SOUND. SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER SIDE ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO. AN EXPENSIVE FIX THAT VW SAID WAS DUE TO A FAULTY PART THAT BECAME BRITTLE AFTER SOME TIME. I HAVE AN EOS THAT VW HAS PUT A RECALL ON THE SAME PART UPON FAILURE. NOT SURE WHY THERE'S NOT ONE FOR THE BEETLE. *TR

REAR QUARTER WINDOWS ON NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE (NBC): FAILURE TO PROPERLY RAISE/LOWER, GRINDING NOISE FROM INSIDE PANEL BEHIND SPEAKERS, DISASSEMBLY FOUND BROKEN CABLE RETAINER COMPONENT, COMPONENT MADE OF CHEAP PLASTIC, KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG NBC OWNERS, $600+ REPAIR FOR EACH SIDE, SIMPLE CORRECTION WOULD BE TO MAKE THIS COMPONENT OUT OF AIRCRAFT GRADE ALUMINUM, BOTH SIDES HAVE FAILED ON MY DAUGHTER'S CAR------------ LIGHTING: FREQUENT REPLACEMENT OF HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM BULBS (DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE), CONSISTENTLY FAILING, HAVE REPLACED FIVE BULBS IN LAST 1.5 YEARS, NO FAULT CODES THROWN, MECHANIC HYPOTHESIZED IT MAY BE DUE TO A VOLTAGE SURGE, PROBLEM NOT ASSOCIATED WITH TOUCHING THE BULB (CAUSING THEM TO FAIL DUE TO OILS ON FINGERS) AS I USE NITRILE GLOVES WHEN HANDLING AND INSTALLING THE BULBS. *TR

I'VE BEEN HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS BETWEEN 2N AND 3RD GEARS. THE CAR DRAMATICALLY JERKS TO GET INTO GEARS AND THROWS THE GEAR TO FIRST WHEN BREAKING. I TOOK IT TO VOLKSWAGEN TO GET IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID I HAD TWO OPTIONS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. 1. REPLACE THE VALVE BODY AT A COST OF $1950 (AND IT MIGHT FIX THE PROBLEM) 2. REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $6900. THERE IS A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE VALVE BODY BUT, SINCE MY CAR IS OVER 100,000 MILES THEY WILL NOT REPAIR MY CAR. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA IN HOPES TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE ON THE REPAIR SINCE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY ALREADY MADE ON EXTENSION ON THE WARRANTY AND COULD NOT ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY OTHER THAN A $500 VOUCHER TO BUY ONE OF THERE NEW CARS. REALLY??? WITH THE KIND OF PROBLEMS VOLKSWAGEN CARS ARE HAVING I WOULDN'T EVEN CONSIDER BUYING A VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN!!! ALSO THEY HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINS ON THIS MATTER AND SHOULD REPAIR ALL OF THEIR FAULTY CARS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE A CAR IN THIS CONDITION. *TR

MY 2005 VW BEETLE IS A TURBO/AUTOMATIC. IT HAS 79,500 MILES ON IT. THE CAR JERKS AND SHAKES WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP. IT HAPPENS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, FROM 60 MPH AND LESS. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED AND CHANGED, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR ANYMORE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO WHICH MIGHT ENDANGER ME OR OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. I'VE READ MANY BEETLE OWNER COMPLAINTS ON-LINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, AND IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE. I AM AWARE THAT A LETTER FROM NHTSA WAS SENT OUT TO SOME VW BEETLE OWNERS TO "EXTEND THE WARRANTY THAT COVERS THE VALVE BODY IN YOUR VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION TO 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES". I NEVER RECEIVED THAT NOTICE! TO HAVE A NEW "VALVE BODY" INSTALLED WOULD BE AN EXPENSE I CAN'T AFFORD. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN, AND I OCCASIONALLY HAVE MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME. I DON'T FEEL MY CAR IS SAFE ENOUGH TO HAVE THEM IN THE CAR NOW. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I EXPECTED IT TO LAST ME LONGER THAN 7 YEARS, ESPECIALLY SINCE VW HAS A GOOD REPUTATION. I CHECKED THE BLUE BOOK VALUE OF MY CAR, AND THE REPAIRS WOULD PROBABLY BE ABOUT HALF OF WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. I CAN'T SELL IT AND MAKE ANY MONEY ON IT; I CAN'T TRADE IT IN AND GET MUCH FOR IT; AND IF I HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR, I'D HAVE CAR PAYMENT THAT I CAN'T AFFORD. I AM NOW "STUCK" WITH A CAR THAT DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR

MY 2005 VW BEETLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 49,000 MILES. VW HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ITEM ON THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE CAN FAIL WHICH HAD FAILED ON MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER I'M BEING TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO FAILED. VW IS CLAIMING THAT THE FAILED VALVE BODY DID NOT CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT MYSELF. THIS IS A DEALER MAINTAINED, COMMUTER CAR THAT IS UNALTERED AND UNDER 50,000 MILES THAT I HAVE HAD OTHER PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS LOOK AT AND THEY DO NOT SEE HOW VW CAN CLAIM THE FAILED VALVE BODY WOULD NOT CAUSE THIS KIND OF DAMAGE AND EVENTUAL FAILURE. WE HAVE CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

REAR WINDOW REGULATORS WENT OUT. *TR

MY VW BEETLE 2005, HAS A 2 TO 3 SECOND SHIFT DELAY WHETHER IN MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC. WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC OR TAKING OFF FROM A LIGHT OR DOWNSHIFTING TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE REVS BUT THE CAR TAKES ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 3 SECONDS TO RESPOND. SOMETIMES IT WON'T SHIFT OUT OF 4TH GEAR AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER (IN TRAFFIC THAT IS GOING OVER 55) TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON. I CONSIDER THIS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN CARS ARE PILING UP BEHIND ME AND ICAN 'T GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO TURN IT OFF. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A CERTIFIED VW REPAIR SHOP OVER A 100 MILES AWAY BECAUSE I KNEW IT WOULDN'T MAKE IT. THEY INFORMED ME MY TRANSMISSION IS GONE. I NEED A NEW ONE. THEY CAN'T REBUILT IT. A NEW TRANSMISSION IS $4500. NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I GOT MY CAR IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. I HAVE $8000. INVESTED IN IT ALREADY. MY CAR IS WORTHLESS. I AM 60 YEARS OLD. I HAVE NO STEADY INCOME AT THIS TIME AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY ANOTHER $6000. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND THEY INFORMED ME THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW IS ALSO ACTING UP AND THEY WILL PAY FOR THAT, BUT REALLY, BIG DEAL. I HAVE HEARD, UNFORTUNATELY TOO LATE, THAT VW'S WITH MY KIND OF TRANSMISSION ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND I THINK VW OF AMERICA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR CAR ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY STILL HAVE LOW MILES. MY CAR IS NOW CONSIDERED A THROWAWAY CAR BUT I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO THROW AWAY. THIS HAS HURT ME DEEPLY FINANCIALLY AND ALL VW OF AMERICA WILL OFFER ME IS A LOYALTY CUSTOMER COUPON TOWARDS A NEW CAR. IF I COULD AFFORD A NEW CAR I WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT A USED ONE. *TR

THIS CAR IS HORRIBLE! AT 70,000 MILES THE CAR WOULD JERK WHILE IT WAS DRIVING. IT WAS ESPECIALLY SCARY IF IT STARTED TO JERK/KICK WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. I GOT A NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW ENGINE. THEN 20,000 MILES LATER, IT DID IT AGAIN AND NOW VOLKSWAGEN SAID IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION! AGAIN! MORE JERKING, AND IT BECAME WORSE AFTER I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIXED "UNDER WARRANTY" I WILL COMPLAIN TO THE BBB AS WELL. HORRIBLE THAT I PUT SO MUCH MONEY IN ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE CAR STILL WONT WORK. SAFETY PROBLEMS AS WELL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE WAY THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE DESIGNED, THE WIRING WITHIN THE BUCKLES FRACTURED AND DISABLED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE DESIGNED IN A WAY THAT THEY WOULD BEND INWARD, TOWARD THE PASSENGER, WHEN BUCKLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDS TO BE FIXED $400-500. OK, BUT I ALREADY REPLACED THE ONE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WINDOW. I AM READING THIS IS A PROBLEM. SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *TR

WE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT MY GRANDDAUGHTERS 2005 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VIN/[XXX] CURRENTLY IN SHOP FOR FRONT DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW RELAY PROBLEM. WAS ADVISED THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON SOME VW BEETLES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THIS WAS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED ONES. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET IT APPEARS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN , SEEMS THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WE HAVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TR

LEFT REAR WINDOW REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 3/11, WARRANTY ENDED 5/11, RIGHT REGULATOR GOES OUT 8/11. EVERY TIME THE DOORS OPEN ALL 4 WINDOW REGULATORS ACTIVATE. APROX 100 TO 200 CYCLES SEPARATE THE FAILURES. *TR

FRONT AND REAR WINDOW REGULATORS. *TR

REAR PASSENGER WINDOW STUCK DOWN IN 2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE - THERE IS APPARENTLY A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER ON THIS REAR WINDOW REGULATOR OF AT LEAST 2 MONTHS WHICH MEANS THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AFFECTING MANY VW DRIVERS AND VW SHOULD CLEARLY HAVE A RECALL - LEAVING MY CAR WITH A WINDOW OPEN IS NOT AT ALL IDEAL AND I WILL HAVE TO CAREFULLY PLAN OUT WHERE I PARK THE CAR UNTIL THE PART IS LOCATED AND INSTALLED. *TR