1998 Volkswagen Beetle Problems

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL, CAR STALLED, RESTARTED CAR THEN SAW SMOKE AND FIRE UNDER PASSENGER SIDE DASH. CAR BURNT COMPLETELY, TOTALED. HAVE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES. ..UPDATED 11/12/14 *BF

OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON A/C. WHEN A/C WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY, SHE PULLED OFF ROADWAY AND STOPPED. SMOKE AND BURNING ODOR CAME OUT OF VENTS, WITH FIRE EVENTUALLY SHOWING FROM CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL. INTERIOR OF VEHICLE WAS FULLY INVOLVED IN FIRE WHEN FD ARRIVED. ENGINE COMPARTMENT NOT INVOLVED. RADIO OPERATING PROPERLY PRIOR TO INCIDENT. NO PRIOR ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. *TR

OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON A/C. WHEN A/C WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY, SHE PULLED OFF ROADWAY AND STOPPED. SMOKE AND BURNING ODOR CAME OUT OF VENTS, WITH FIRE EVENTUALLY SHOWING FROM CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL. INTERIOR OF VEHICLE WAS FULLY INVOLVED IN FIRE WHEN FD ARRIVED. ENGINE COMPARTMENT NOT INVOLVED. RADIO OPERATING PROPERLY PRIOR TO INCIDENT. NO PRIOR ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. *TR

DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW STUCK IN DOWN POSITION. PRESSING THE WINDOW UP TOGGLE RESULTS IN GRINDING NOISE AND BURNT/ELECTRICAL SMELL. *TR

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL, CAR STALLED, RESTARTED CAR THEN SAW SMOKE AND FIRE UNDER PASSENGER SIDE DASH. CAR BURNT COMPLETELY, TOTALED. HAVE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES. ..UPDATED 11/12/14 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TWO SMALL BOLTS THAT HOLD DOWN THE FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BECAME LOOSE AND OVER TIME THEY EVENTUALLY BROKE COMPLETELY FREE ALLOWING THE SEAT TO ROLL AND TIP BACKWARD AND SIDEWAYS. THIS WAS A COMPLETE SHOCK WHEN IT OCCURED, I HAD NOTICED THE SEAT BECOMING LOOSE BUT THEN TO HAVE IT BREAK FREE WAS A SCARE. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT A CRASH AND INJURY AS A RESULT. IT APPEARS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO IT IS SURPRISING THAT THAT CARS ARE NOT RECALLED TO HAVE THREAD LOCKER OR DIFFERENT BOLTS INSTALLED. *TR

MY DRIVER SEAT WAS DISLOCATED N PUSHED TO THE BACK WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING IN THE TOWN N THE SPEED WAS SLOW N I MANAGED TO PARK MY CAR AFTER MUCH DIFFICULTY COS I COULD NOT REACH THE PEDAL OF BRAKE N HAD TO PULL MYSELF FORWARD TO DO IT. GOD BLESSED ME THAT NOTHING HAPPENED EXCEPT RUSHING OF ADRENALINE. LATER I FOUND OUT THAT THE DISLOCATION OF SEAT WAS CAUSED BY THE LOOSING SCREWS WHICH SECURED THE SEAT. THE SCREWS ARE IN PERFECT CONDITION. THEY CERTAINLY CANNOT COME LOOSE COS THERE IS NOT WEAR N TEAR. IT MUCH BE MANUFACTURED DEFECT. I REPORT TO VW DEALER BUT THEY WANT DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. WHAT A JOKE. I DO NOT SEND MY CAR FOR REPAIR COS I WANT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER. I ONLY TAPED MY SCREWS TO FIX THEM. STILL THEY WILL COME LOOSE AFTER A WHILE.

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS FAIL PREMATURELY CAUSING LOSS OF VISION AT NIGHT. NEW BULBS ONLY LAST ABOUT 3 MONTHS BEFORE THEY BURN OUT. WE ASKED THE VW DEALERSHIP IF THERE IS A REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY ANSWERED "NO". I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

SINCE I PURCHASED MY BEETLE IN 2001, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING MONEY DRAIN. IN 6 YRS. I HAVE REPLACED THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TWICE, HAD THE BRAKES WORKED ON A NUMBER OF TIMES, BEEN UNABLE TO OPEN THE GAS "DOOR" ON THE CAR W/ THE GAS CAP LATCH, HAD TO REPLACE THE HOOD OPENING LATCH, HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL FAILURES, PROBLEMS W/ FRONT & REAR LIGHT WIRING, HAD DOOR LOCKS/ALARM FAIL & SUBSEQUENTLY HAD MY LAPTOP STOLEN FROM THE CAR, THE RADIO HAS NOT WORKED FOR 1+ YEAR, & IT'S COVER PANEL IS LOOSE & FALLING BACK INTO THE DASH, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR SWITCHES HAVE FAILED, THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FELL OFF (!) OF ITS TOP HINGE WHEN THE HINGE BROKE WHILE OPENING THE DOOR NORMALLY AT A GAS STATION, THE AIR COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED MANY TIMES, THE A/C IS CURRENTLY NOT WORKING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK FELL OUT OF THE HANDLE(!!!!), THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, & THE LIST GOES ON. CURRENTLY I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL WKS B/C THOUGH ONLY A WEEK OR TWO OUT OF THE SHOP, AGAIN IT IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I AM AT MY WITS END WITH THIS CAR & HAVING RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, AM NOT IN THE GREATEST POSITION TO HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR. MOREOVER, I AM SO DISPLEASED W/ THE CAR THAT I WOULD LITERALLY FEEL GUILTY ABOUT TRADING IT IN TO BE SOLD TO SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING PERSON. VW SHOULD BE SO ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, & SHOULD BE REIMBURSING OWNERS OF THE 1998 BEETLE IN FULL FOR ALL OF THE STRIFE & TROUBLE THAT THEY HAVE CAUSED. IN FACT, AFTER WRITING THIS & REALIZING HOW MANY PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS HAD, I MAY TRY TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION - THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! FINALLY, OUR LOCAL VW DEALER IS TERRIBLE, KEEPING MY CAR FOR WKS. LONGER THAN EXPECTED, ONE TIME LEAVING A CANDY BAR STUCK TO MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT!!!, AND ACTING LIKE THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE POOR QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS & LABOR. *TR

The driver was driving the speed limit (55 mph) and tried to slow down as they approached a red light. The brakes failed to work, and the driver rear-ended the vehicle waiting at the stoplight. The airbags did not deploy.

DON'T WORK

LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ACCUMULATES IN REAR PASSENGER FOOTWELL AFTER A HEAVY RAIN. I DO NOT HAVE A MOONROOF SO THERE ARE NO CLOGGED DRAINS THERE. ALL DRAINS HAVE BEEN CLEAR IN THE DOORS AND UNDER BATTERY AND POLLEN FILTER. I HAVE CONCLUDED THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AS HUNDREDS OF OTHER POSTS ONLINE WITH VW'S SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER VW'S WARRANTY. *TR

SINCE I PURCHASED MY BEETLE IN 2001, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING MONEY DRAIN. IN 6 YRS. I HAVE REPLACED THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TWICE, HAD THE BRAKES WORKED ON A NUMBER OF TIMES, BEEN UNABLE TO OPEN THE GAS "DOOR" ON THE CAR W/ THE GAS CAP LATCH, HAD TO REPLACE THE HOOD OPENING LATCH, HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL FAILURES, PROBLEMS W/ FRONT & REAR LIGHT WIRING, HAD DOOR LOCKS/ALARM FAIL & SUBSEQUENTLY HAD MY LAPTOP STOLEN FROM THE CAR, THE RADIO HAS NOT WORKED FOR 1+ YEAR, & IT'S COVER PANEL IS LOOSE & FALLING BACK INTO THE DASH, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR SWITCHES HAVE FAILED, THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FELL OFF (!) OF ITS TOP HINGE WHEN THE HINGE BROKE WHILE OPENING THE DOOR NORMALLY AT A GAS STATION, THE AIR COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED MANY TIMES, THE A/C IS CURRENTLY NOT WORKING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK FELL OUT OF THE HANDLE(!!!!), THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, & THE LIST GOES ON. CURRENTLY I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL WKS B/C THOUGH ONLY A WEEK OR TWO OUT OF THE SHOP, AGAIN IT IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I AM AT MY WITS END WITH THIS CAR & HAVING RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, AM NOT IN THE GREATEST POSITION TO HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR. MOREOVER, I AM SO DISPLEASED W/ THE CAR THAT I WOULD LITERALLY FEEL GUILTY ABOUT TRADING IT IN TO BE SOLD TO SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING PERSON. VW SHOULD BE SO ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, & SHOULD BE REIMBURSING OWNERS OF THE 1998 BEETLE IN FULL FOR ALL OF THE STRIFE & TROUBLE THAT THEY HAVE CAUSED. IN FACT, AFTER WRITING THIS & REALIZING HOW MANY PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS HAD, I MAY TRY TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION - THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! FINALLY, OUR LOCAL VW DEALER IS TERRIBLE, KEEPING MY CAR FOR WKS. LONGER THAN EXPECTED, ONE TIME LEAVING A CANDY BAR STUCK TO MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT!!!, AND ACTING LIKE THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE POOR QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS & LABOR. *TR

The driver was driving the speed limit (55 mph) and tried to slow down as they approached a red light. The brakes failed to work, and the driver rear-ended the vehicle waiting at the stoplight. The airbags did not deploy.

AIRBAG LAMP TURNED ON WITHOUT ANY PHYSICAL INCIDENT. *TR

MY 98 VW NEW BEETLE HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT. AROUND 66,000 MILES IT BEGAN TO SHIFT REAL HARD. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR OR HIGHER I HAVE TO ACCELERATE ENOUGH TO GET THE ENGINE UP TO 4,000+ RPM'S, EASE OFF THE GAS A LITTLE AND THEN IT WILL FINALLY LURCH INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER STOPPING IN INTERSECTIONS DUE TO THE HIGH TRAFFIC VOLUME IN MY AREA. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT AND HAPPENS WHENEVER THE CAR IS RUNNING. I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO BE SERVICED BECAUSE OF THE EXTREMELY HIGH COST OF REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS WORTH LESS THAN THE NECESSARY REPAIR. *TR

SINCE I PURCHASED MY BEETLE IN 2001, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING MONEY DRAIN. IN 6 YRS. I HAVE REPLACED THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TWICE, HAD THE BRAKES WORKED ON A NUMBER OF TIMES, BEEN UNABLE TO OPEN THE GAS "DOOR" ON THE CAR W/ THE GAS CAP LATCH, HAD TO REPLACE THE HOOD OPENING LATCH, HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL FAILURES, PROBLEMS W/ FRONT & REAR LIGHT WIRING, HAD DOOR LOCKS/ALARM FAIL & SUBSEQUENTLY HAD MY LAPTOP STOLEN FROM THE CAR, THE RADIO HAS NOT WORKED FOR 1+ YEAR, & IT'S COVER PANEL IS LOOSE & FALLING BACK INTO THE DASH, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR SWITCHES HAVE FAILED, THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FELL OFF (!) OF ITS TOP HINGE WHEN THE HINGE BROKE WHILE OPENING THE DOOR NORMALLY AT A GAS STATION, THE AIR COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED MANY TIMES, THE A/C IS CURRENTLY NOT WORKING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK FELL OUT OF THE HANDLE(!!!!), THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, & THE LIST GOES ON. CURRENTLY I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL WKS B/C THOUGH ONLY A WEEK OR TWO OUT OF THE SHOP, AGAIN IT IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I AM AT MY WITS END WITH THIS CAR & HAVING RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, AM NOT IN THE GREATEST POSITION TO HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR. MOREOVER, I AM SO DISPLEASED W/ THE CAR THAT I WOULD LITERALLY FEEL GUILTY ABOUT TRADING IT IN TO BE SOLD TO SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING PERSON. VW SHOULD BE SO ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, & SHOULD BE REIMBURSING OWNERS OF THE 1998 BEETLE IN FULL FOR ALL OF THE STRIFE & TROUBLE THAT THEY HAVE CAUSED. IN FACT, AFTER WRITING THIS & REALIZING HOW MANY PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS HAD, I MAY TRY TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION - THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! FINALLY, OUR LOCAL VW DEALER IS TERRIBLE, KEEPING MY CAR FOR WKS. LONGER THAN EXPECTED, ONE TIME LEAVING A CANDY BAR STUCK TO MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT!!!, AND ACTING LIKE THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE POOR QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS & LABOR. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 12-28-06 VEHICLE WHICH WAS PARKED CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND MADE A REPORT. THE FIREMAN SAID THAT THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY MELTED, AND COULD HAVE BEEN THE POSSIBLE REASON FOR THE FIRE. THAT 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE SHE HEARD WHISTLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND SAW DARK GRAY SMOKE COMING OUT. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE CAR WAS IN IDLE AT THE TIME SHE HEARD THE NOISE AND SAW THE SMOKE. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALL 98V100000 WHICH THE CONTACT FELT COULD BE THE POSSIBLE REASON FOR THE FIRE. *AK

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A SERIES OF PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A VOLKSWAGEN ENTHUSIAST. SO WHEN I SAW THE NEW BEETLES I WAS NATURALLY EXCITED AND COULDN'T WAIT TO OWN ONE. WHAT I EXPECTED WAS VOLKSWAGENS USUAL EXCELLENT QUALITY AND VALUE FOR MONEY. WHAT I GOT WAS A VEHICLE THAT NOT ONLY IS AN INCONVENIENCE TO DRIVE, BUT IS ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD AT LEAST 8 MAJOR DEFECTS. I CALL THEM DEFECTS BECAUSE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THEIR NEW BEETLES. KEEP IN MIND THE VEHICLE IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED, AND IS ONLY AT 97,000 MILES. 1. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND VEHICLE STALLS OR CUTS OUT ON A REGULAR BASIS. 2. THE LOW BEAMS ON MY HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS BURN OUT. I CHANGE THE LIGHTS AND THEY JUST BURN OUT AGAIN. I ALWAYS HAVE TO DRIVE INSTEAD WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. 3. MY DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS HAVE FALLEN INTO MY DOORS. MEANING THAT THEY WONT ROLL UP, A LOUD, NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHEN YOU TRY. I WAS TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN THAT THEY WERE "AWARE" OF THE PROBLEM. THEY EVEN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THEY USED PLASTIC CLIPS TO HOLD THE WINDOWS AND THEY ARE NOW REPLACING WITH METAL CLIPS. FINE AND GOOD, BUT WHILE MY WINDOWS WERE DOWN MY SEATS BECAME SEVERELY STAINED. (THEY STAIN EASY) WHO'S GOING PAY FOR THAT??? 4. THE WINDOW SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE WINDOWS GOING UP AND DOWN BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. 5. THE RADIO TRIES TO LOAD A TAPE WHEN THERE ISN'T ONE. HOOD LATCH BROKE, HAS TO BE OPENED WITH SCREWDRIVER NOW. THANKS VWOA!! 6. HEATER MOTOR TURNS UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN 7. ENGINE HOLDS HIGH RPMS IN HIGHWAY, RAPID IOL CONSUMPTION. 8 REVERSE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. QUESTIONS VWOA? CALL ME, WE'LL CHAT 269-986-0996 . *AK

SINCE I PURCHASED MY BEETLE IN 2001, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING MONEY DRAIN. IN 6 YRS. I HAVE REPLACED THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TWICE, HAD THE BRAKES WORKED ON A NUMBER OF TIMES, BEEN UNABLE TO OPEN THE GAS "DOOR" ON THE CAR W/ THE GAS CAP LATCH, HAD TO REPLACE THE HOOD OPENING LATCH, HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL FAILURES, PROBLEMS W/ FRONT & REAR LIGHT WIRING, HAD DOOR LOCKS/ALARM FAIL & SUBSEQUENTLY HAD MY LAPTOP STOLEN FROM THE CAR, THE RADIO HAS NOT WORKED FOR 1+ YEAR, & IT'S COVER PANEL IS LOOSE & FALLING BACK INTO THE DASH, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR SWITCHES HAVE FAILED, THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FELL OFF (!) OF ITS TOP HINGE WHEN THE HINGE BROKE WHILE OPENING THE DOOR NORMALLY AT A GAS STATION, THE AIR COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED MANY TIMES, THE A/C IS CURRENTLY NOT WORKING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK FELL OUT OF THE HANDLE(!!!!), THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, & THE LIST GOES ON. CURRENTLY I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL WKS B/C THOUGH ONLY A WEEK OR TWO OUT OF THE SHOP, AGAIN IT IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I AM AT MY WITS END WITH THIS CAR & HAVING RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, AM NOT IN THE GREATEST POSITION TO HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR. MOREOVER, I AM SO DISPLEASED W/ THE CAR THAT I WOULD LITERALLY FEEL GUILTY ABOUT TRADING IT IN TO BE SOLD TO SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING PERSON. VW SHOULD BE SO ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, & SHOULD BE REIMBURSING OWNERS OF THE 1998 BEETLE IN FULL FOR ALL OF THE STRIFE & TROUBLE THAT THEY HAVE CAUSED. IN FACT, AFTER WRITING THIS & REALIZING HOW MANY PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS HAD, I MAY TRY TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION - THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! FINALLY, OUR LOCAL VW DEALER IS TERRIBLE, KEEPING MY CAR FOR WKS. LONGER THAN EXPECTED, ONE TIME LEAVING A CANDY BAR STUCK TO MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT!!!, AND ACTING LIKE THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE POOR QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS & LABOR. *TR

THE TURBO CHARGER ON THE TDI VOLKSWAGONS ARE FAILING AT A VERY HIGH RATE. THE COST FOR REPAIR AVERAGES ABOUT $1600. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE FORCED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND REPAIR THIS PREMATURE FAILURE. *JB

BAD WIRING, ALARM GOES OFF IN THE MIDDLE OG THE NIGHT, REAR HATCH LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, WIRING IS BAD IN COLD WEATHER, FRONT HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURINING OUT, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, AT ABOUT 2000 MILES ENGINE WILL BE BONE DRY, EXCESSIVE ROAD NOSIE, RADIO NO LONGER WORKS, IN GENERAL THE CAR IS IN BAD SHAPE AFTER TWO YEARS OF USE AND IT SEESM TO BE ALL FACTORY RELATED TYPE OF PROBLEMS.

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM THE START. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTERWARDS, IF YOU HIT A BUMP THE HUBCAPS WOULD COME FLYING OFF. THIS WOULD HAPPEN GOING AT THE SPEED OF 25MPH. I'VE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THEY SAID THAT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE NEW MODELS. THEY REPLACED THE HUBCAPS, BUT THE PROBLEM WOULD CONTINUOUSLY HAPPEN. FINALLY I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN FOR SERVICE AND DEMANDED THAT THIS PROBLEM BE FIXED. SO FAR THEY ARE ALL CHANGED AND IT HASN'T OCCURED AGAIN. BETWEEN THESE PROBLEMS A TOTAL OF 5 HUBCAPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE OTHER PROBLEMS, ARE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD KNOCK AND MAKE LOUD NOISES. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND THAT THE CAR WAS CLASSIFIED AS SAFE. IT STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN, AND THEY LOOKED AND SAID IT WAS A "DEFECT" IN THAT YEARS MODEL. SO THEY REPLACED IT, "BECAUSE MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER GUARANTEE". THIS PROBLEM HAS STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN, I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE JUST RECENTLY AND THEY SAID IT'S BECAUSE OF THE DAMP WEATHER WE'VE BEEN HAVING. JUST YESTERDAY I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR TURNING OFF ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE SERVICE CENTER WAS NOT HELPFUL. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME A LOANER AND WOULD NOT EVEN GIVE ME A RIDE HOME OR WORK BECAUSE I WORKED IN THE BRONX. MY CAR IS STILL NOT READY, AND THE COMMENT WAS WHEN I CALLED IF MY CAR WOULD BE READY TODAY WAS, "WELL YOU COULD TAKE IT BACK THE WAY YOU BROUGHT IT IN." GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. I'VE HAVE BEEN VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE CAR AND THE SERVICE CENTER. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS NOTHING THAT I HAD CAUSED, IT IS AGAIN ANOTHER "DEFECT" AND IT WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE ONLY BECAUSE I'M STILL UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL 8/27/00. HE SAID I WAS LUCKY IT HAPPEND NOW THAN LATER. BUT, EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO ME, IF IT IS WHAT THEY CALL A "DEFECT" AREN'T THEY SUPPOSED TO FIX IT ANYWAY?

IN EARLY MAY I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH OUR 1998 VW BEETLE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PART. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE, AND I PUSHED DOWN THE BRAKE PETAL. THEN I CHANGED GEARS TO REVERSE AND GENTLY STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY AT AN ACCELERATED SPEED AND HIT A TRAILER AT MY PLACE OF WORK CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH THE BEETLE AND TRAILER. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICING AT VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN (1401 SONOMA BLVD, VALLEJO CA) THE PREVIOUS FRIDAY, SO IT WAS SURPRISING THAT THE CAR WOULD MALFUNCTION SO DANGEROUSLY AFTER HAVING JUST BEEN SERVICED. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT BACK TO VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHTS SWITCH AND THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I LEFT THE CAR THERE OVERNIGHT AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION WAS INDEED THE FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE PART IN QUESTION WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL AND HAD APPARENTLY BEEN REPLACED IN MY CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2003. VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN DISAVOWED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCIDENT AND ATTRIBUTED THE MALFUNCTION TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF THE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH. HOWEVER, IF THIS PART IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKDOWN DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TARE THEN IT SHOULD BE INSPECTED WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED. VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH AND HAD THE AUDACITY TO CHARGE ME FOR DOING SO. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS SITUATION AND FEEL LIKE BOTH VALLEJO VOLKSWAGEN AND VOLKSWAGEN ARE LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT AND ARE LIABLE FOR PLACING ME IN SUCH A DANGEROUS AND UNCONTROLLED SITUATION. INDEED, I AM EXTREMELY RELIEVED THAT THE CAR HIT THE TRAILER, AND GOD FORBID NOT ANOTHER HUMAN BEING WHICH COULD HAVE EASILY OCCURRED HAD I BEEN IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT. ADDENDUM: I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT AS OF MAY 30TH 2006 THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF THE RECALLED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AND THE REPLACEMENT PART DISTORTS THE VIEW ALONG THE BOTTOM PASSENGER SIDE AND THE OUTER DRIVER SIDE. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE WORK WAS PERFORMED HAS BEEN ALERTED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS MANUFACTURED BY SEKURIT MODEL #43R-004527. UPDATED 05/10/06. *JB

WHEN CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE BEYOND THE SET SPEED. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT GO PAST 60 MPH. THE A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED WHICH CAUSED A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE A/C ON. THE MIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR HOSE , AIR PUMP AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. *NM

PLASTIC PART ON ORIG. HARNESS MELTED ON BOTH FRONT HEADLAMPS. THE PART WAS CHANGED TO ELIMINATE THE PLASTIC BUT NO RECALL WAS INITIATED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE THE REDESIGN OF THE PART. DT

VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION OPERATION AND SHIFTING, REPLACEMENT OF THE SPEED SENSOR,THROTTLE CABLE AND TCM WIRING RECTIFIED PROBLEMS. *MJS

FAILURE 1-POWER STEERING PUMP BROKE DOWN, NO POWER STEERING FLUID IN RESERVOIR. FAILURE 2-WHILE DRIVING OFF OF A HIGHWAY EXIT VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AND COASTED TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BOLTS CAME OFF THE AXEL. ALSO, THE DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND FIXED. THE LEFT DRIVESHAFT FLANGE WAS ALSO REPLACED.

VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION OPERATION AND SHIFTING, REPLACEMENT OF THE SPEED SENSOR,THROTTLE CABLE AND TCM WIRING RECTIFIED PROBLEMS. *MJS

Separation between belts near the sidewall Cooper cs5 grand touring 205/65 r16. I have had 4 tires that this has happened to. Replaced both front tires twice. This seems to be a recurring problem with these tires.