1999 Volkswagen Beetle Airbags Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND SWITCHING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE RETENTION WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE AND A LARGE CUT FROM THE LOWER LIP ALL THE WAY DOWN TO HER CHIN. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DOCTOR STATED THAT A PIECE OF METAL FROM THE AIR BAG CRACKED SOME OF HER FRONTAL TEETH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. ...UPDATED 06-12-15 *BF

NHTSA ID

10721463

Incident

Dec 24, 2014

Mileage

123,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE BARS ON THE FREEWAY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NOSE AND A CUT TO THE FACE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ID

10721420

Incident

Dec 24, 2014

Mileage

123,000 mi

SENDING MY DAUGHTER TO COLLEGE IN THIS CUTE LITTLE RED BUG. EVERY VW DEALERSHIP AND THEIR BROTHER, IS AWARE OF A DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEFECT IN THESE CUTE LITTLE THINGS. MY DEALER WILL REPAIR THE FAULTY WIRING AND BELT BUCKLE, AS THEY DID FOR THE SCHOOL TEACHER I BOUGHT THIS CUTE LITTLE THING FROM. WHAT SCHOOL TEACHERS WON'T DO IS REPLACE THE FAULTY AIRBAG IN THE SIDE FOR SIX YEARS BECAUSE THEY THINK, "OH I AM SAFE ENOUGH WITH A FRONT AIRBAG ONLY!" AND NOBODY WANTS TO SPEND $700 FOR A LITTLE SIDE AIRBAG. BUT I THINK VW SHOULD RECALL THE SIDE AIRBAG FOR PUTTING IN SO MANY FAULTY SIDE AIRBAGS AS A WHOLE BUNCH OF CUTE SCHOOL TEACHERS AND CUTE LITTLE FRESHMAN STUDENTS LIKE MY LITTLE PRECIOUS GIRL DRIVE AROUND THESE BUGS WITH A SMILE ON THERE FACE. AND THE CUTE LIGHT WITH A LITTLE MAN HOLDING A BEACH BALL IN HIS LAP! *TR

NHTSA ID

10524951

Incident

Jul 1, 2013

Mileage

188,206 mi

MY GRANDMOTHER HAD PURCHASED A EDDIE BAUER BROOKE STROLLER AND CAR SEAT SET ONLINE FOR MY BABY SHOWER END OF SEPTEMBER THROUGH BEGINNING OF AUGUST 2011. PURCHASE WAS AROUND $300+ WHICH I DON'T FIND CHEAP BY ANY MEANS. LONG STORY SHORT- MY 5 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHERE I'VE LEARNED HER CAR SEAT BASE WAS DEFECTED DURING THE CRASH AND HAD ACTUALLY LIFTED OUT OF THE BASE AND BACK DOWN. COULD HAVE EASILY WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. SHE SUFFERED A BROKEN RIGHT FEMUR AND A FRACTURED LEFT FEMUR LEAVING HER IN A ALMOST FULL BODY CAST FOR 4 WEEKS. I HAD HIT A FULL SIZED TRUCK HEAD ON LEADING UP TO THE EVEN THE BASE AND CAR SEAT DETACHED. THE CAR SEAT WAS THROWN AWAY SOMETIME WHILE I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL. I WAS IN A MEDICALLY INDUCED COMA FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE STATING TO ANYONE AT THE HOSPITAL. ONE OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD GOTTEN THE BABY OUT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FROM REACHING AROUND ME. I HAVE THE STROLLER AND THE BOX THE SET CAME IN BUT THEY THREW THE CAR SEAT AWAY. MY GRANDMOTHER SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOCATE PURCHASING INFO THROUGH HER PAST CREDIT CARD USE IF NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10466648

Incident

Mar 27, 2012

1999 VW BEETLE. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON RANDOMLY AND WON'T TURN OFF. VW REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $99 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE/FIX THE ISSUE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE ISSUE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I'M ESSENTIALLY DRIVING AROUND WITH NO AIRBAGS. I REFUSE TO PAY THAT MUCH MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE ISSUE ABOUT. SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10384413

Incident

Feb 22, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED , AND VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT A REPAIR SHOP. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 89,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.*AK

NHTSA ID

10189113

Incident

Apr 12, 2007

Mileage

87,000 mi

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE CRANKED THE 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A SENSOR UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SENSOR. APPROXIMATELY 13 MONTHS LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED TO ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 104000 MILES. *AK UPDATED 04/09 *TR

NHTSA ID

10184655

Incident

Jan 1, 2004

Mileage

104,000 mi

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON (HAS GONE OFF AND ON FOR OVER A YEAR); LOCAL MECHANIC UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. 11.09.2005 TOOK IT TO VW IN BRUNSWICK, MAINE. MECHANIC THINKS THERE IS A RESISTANCE ISSUE AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. HE THINKS IT IS A MALFUNCTION. THE COST IS OVER $500! I SPOKE TO TWO CO-WORKERS WITH DIFFERENT MODEL VW'S AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT A MECHANIC THINKS IS WRONG AND OTHERS HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY PAY FOR? IF IT IS A DEFECT THEN VW SHOULD BE PAYING FOR IT! MY AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED BEFORE. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITH THIS LIGHT ON. *JB

NHTSA ID

10142437

Incident

Nov 10, 2005

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND WITHOUT HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS BLINKED ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN, AND SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. BUT, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10066769

Incident

Apr 7, 2004

CURRENT PROBLEM: MANUAL TRANSMISSION STICK SHIFT MECHANISM COMPLETELY BROKE DURING SHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (DURING RUSH HOUR). IT WENT TO NEUTRAL, BUT I WAS ABLE TO FIND 3RD GEAR AND GET THE CAR OFF OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID

10069210

Incident

Dec 15, 2002

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A LEFT FRONTAL COLLISION YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NLM *CB *NLM

NHTSA ID

10025082

Incident

Jun 17, 2003

Mileage

40,000 mi

1)DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAD DIFFICULTY GOING UP SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE, HAVE TO PUSH WITH HAND TO ASSIST. 2) JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE SENSOR BEHIND BRAKE PEDAL FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM PARK, REPLACED. 3) AIR BAG CAME ON AND THEN ENGINE LIGHT SOON AFTER, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. BOTH WARNING LIGHTS OFF AND REPLACED. 4) HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING OUT, EVIDENCE OF A SHORT WHEN REPLACED. BURN MARKS, AND EXPOSED WIRING BECAUSE PLASTIC ON CONNECTORS GOT BRITTLE AND CRACKED OFF. 5) AIR BAG LIGHT ON AGAIN, TWO WEEKS LATER ENGINE LIGHT ON. TOLD TWO SENSORS ON MASS AIR FLOW AND SOME OTHERS ARE MALFUNCTIONING AND NOW BEEN REPLACED. TOLD THERE IS A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING IN STEERING COLUMN ALONG WITH BAD WIRING HARNESS, BOTH AFFECTING AIR BAGS. ALSO, TOLD AIR BAG IS NOW BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OTHER DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS HAVE SHORTED IGNITER IN AIR BAG OUT. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND CANNOT CONTINUE TO FUND REPAIRS TO THIS VEHICLE. CANNOT SELL EITHER BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND NOW REPUTATION OF BEETLE FOR PROBLEMS. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, EVEN SO MUCH AS BUMPED. METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS----------------770755. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ID

10006532

Incident

Aug 20, 2002

Mileage

58,000 mi

SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, ENGINE"CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. ALSO, CD PLAYER WAS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY AND TEMPERATURE DISPLAY (BY REAR VIEW MIRROR) DID NOT WORK. TOOK IN TO DEALER'S SVC DEPT. MANY TIMES, BUT PROBLEMS PERSITED . DEALER SVC. DEPT. CLAIMED EVERYTHING WORKING FINE. RECENTLY, THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE FAILED AND IT WOULD NOT GO UP. TOOK CAR IN TO DEALER SVC. DEPT. AND GOT REPAIRED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, CAR DIED. IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY, SO CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER SERVICE DEPT. ON 8-14-02. DEALER EXAMINED CAR AND SAID IT WAS THE TRI-LOCK SYSTEM AND DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. TRI-LOCK SYSTEM REMOVED BY DEALER BUT CAR STILL NOT WORKING. PROBLEM: POWER WINDOWS DID NOT WORK, PUSH WINDOW BUTTON AND TRUNK WOULD POP OPEN, AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON, ETC. ETC. ETC. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALESHIP FOR OVER A WEEK AND DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME IT'S FIXED, BUT WHEN I GO PICK IT UP (3 TIMES), THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS STILL ON ALL THE TIME. VERY FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED.*AK

NHTSA ID

766098

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR I NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER & ODOMETER WEREN'T WORKING (MILEAGE FROZE AT 26,139). THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING EITHER. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT. BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE 19 FAILURES WHEN IT WAS TESTED ON THEIR COMPUTER. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS PARTS REPLACED. (WILL BE COVERED UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY POSSIBLY). STILL WAITING ON PARTS. THEY SAID AFTER THEY REPLACE PARTS OF TRANSMISSION THEY WILL LET ME KNOW WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO BE DONE AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST ME. THE STANDARD WARRANTY ENDED MARCH 2001. THE VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE (26,139). THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED LAST YEAR. MANY TIMES THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND HAD TO BE JUMPED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE FIRST YEAR I HAD THE CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT WAS A SENSOR PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

759766

Incident

Mar 20, 2002

ON DEC. 9TH, 2000, OUR BEETLE WAS HIT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. "EXPERTS" AT VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMED THAT OUR FORWARD MOTION AT THE TIME OF IMPACT LESSENED THE SIDE IMPACT. I CAN UNDERSTAND THIS TO SOME DEGREE BUT BY THEIR REASONING, IF WE WERE GOING TWICE AS FAST, WOULD THE DAMAGE HAVE BEEN HALVED? OY. THE SIDE WAS SO CAVED-IN THAT I HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE CAR WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE. PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN THE CAR , INCLUDING THE REPAIR SHOP FOREMAN, CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ON CONTACTING VW, I WAS TOLD THAT BEING THAT I WAS MOVING AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, IT LESSENED THE SIDE IMPACT. I CAN UNDERSTAND THIS TO SOME EXENT, BUT DOES THIS MEAN THAT IF WE WERE DOING 100MPH INSTEAD OF 50MPH WOULD THE DAMAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN HALVED?. *AK

NHTSA ID

747352

Incident

Dec 9, 2000

CONSUMER COMPLAINT IS THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG ON HIS VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 60 MPH. A PICK-UP TRUCK HIT CONSUMER'S CAR BROADSIDE ON DRIVER'S SIDE, AN ENGINEER AT VW CLAIMS STATED THAT THE FORWARD MOTION OF VEHICLE LESSENED THE SIDE IMPACT ENOUGH THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. *SLC

NHTSA ID

883771

Incident

Dec 9, 2000

IS THERE ANY WAY TO FIND OUT IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR OUR 18 YEAR OLD TWIN DAUGHTERS WITH SAFTEY IN MIND. WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP ON THIS. PLEASE CONTACT US. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ID

738296

Incident

Dec 13, 2000

CAR HIT HIGHWAY ON RAMP GUARD RAIL ON RIGHT FRONT SIDE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO RIGHT FRONT SIDE BUMPER AND TO HOOD.

NHTSA ID

729855

Incident

Aug 29, 2000

THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON THE FIRST TIME ON OCT.6,'99, THE AIRBAG WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE RING, THEN ON OCT. 11TH, IT CAME ON AGAIN, AGAIN IT WAS REPLACED. ON OCT.18TH IT CAME ON AGAIN AND AGAIN IT WAS REPLACED. ON DECEMBER 31, 1999 THE LIGHT ONCE AGAIN CAME ON AND ON MONDAY, JANUARY 3RD 2000, I WILL TAKE IT TO THE SEVICE CENTER AGAIN. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO BE BILLED FOR THIS ONCE THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT. PLEASE HELP ME!!! DO I HAVE A LEMON OR WHAT???? *AK

NHTSA ID

716749

Incident

Oct 6, 1999

INTERMITTENTLY THE AIR BAGS SENSOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON/OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. SEEKING NHTSA HELP OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID

848543

Incident

Aug 31, 1999

CAR SIMPLY DROVE OVER AN IMPACT WRENCH THAT FELL OUT OF A TOOLBOX FROM A VEHICLE PRIOR ON THE ROAD. IT HIT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. SMALL DENT IN A COMPONENT BRACE IN UNDERCARRIAGE. NO SIDE IMPACT OR DAMAGE OCCURRED AT ALL. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPLACE.

NHTSA ID

711696

Incident

Jul 4, 1999

AIRBAG CONTROLLER KNOCKED OFF VEHICLE IN SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT; AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID

708735

Incident

May 29, 1999