1999 Volkswagen Beetle Electrical Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE CONSOLE WAS MELTING. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500.

NHTSA ID

11006370

Incident

Jul 12, 2017

Mileage

73,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED NEAR THE LEFT PART OF THE DASHBOARD CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE NATURE OF THE SMOKE, THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND EXITED THE VEHICLE WHILE IN THE LANE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE OFFICER WAS PRESENT TO DIRECT TRAFFIC AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 06V183000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING).THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MONTHS AGO AND WAS TO PROVIDE FURTHER TESTING TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT KEPT CALLING, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID

10888928

Incident

May 19, 2016

Mileage

125,000 mi

HAD TO HAVE FUSE PANEL ON BATTERY REPLACED FOR 2ND TIME IN 2-3 YRS AND ALSO A FUSE BOX UNDER DASH. COST WAS VERY EXPENSIVE. CAR WOULD NOT START ALL OF A SUDDEN AFTER SHOPPING AT A STORE. HAD TO PUSH START THE CAR TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. STILL DON'T KNOW WHY IT WENT BAD/APPEARED MELTED. IN FIRST EPISODE THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO AS THERE WERE BATTERY DRAIN PROBLEMS. THIS AN INDIRECT SAFETY ISSUE AS MY DAUGHTER DRIVES CAR AND SHE COULD HAVE BE STRANDED AT ANY PLACE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10561100

Incident

Jan 15, 2014

Mileage

60,000 mi

THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. SHORTLY AFTER THIS THE DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE ALSO STOPPED WORKING RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO AN IDLE (APPROX. 1100 RPM). THIS CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. YOU HAVE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO GET THE THROTTLE TO WORK AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE MANUFACTURER (VW) CAN OFFER NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS ISSUE, AT SOME POINT IN TIME, COULD AFFECT ALL OF THE 1999 -2009 NEW BEETLES ALONG WITH THE AUDI TT. AGAIN VW AND THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER MANUFACTURER MAGNETI MORELLI CAN OFFER NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10559753

Incident

Oct 28, 2013

Mileage

138,097 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING THEN NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT HOME WHERE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY ENGOLF INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,500.

NHTSA ID

10478455

Incident

Sep 19, 2012

Mileage

166,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK AND EXIT THE VEHICLE, WHEN THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS ABLE TO BE EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA ID

10458592

Incident

May 14, 2012

Mileage

107,000 mi

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM ON THE 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE: DURING THE LAST (4) WEEKS, DAUGHTERS BEETLE STOPPED RUNNING ON (2) MAJOR HIGHWAYS, AND ONE-TIME A SIDE STREET NEAR MY HOME. THE 1ST AUTO SHOP STATED THAT I HAD A BAD ALTERNATOR & A BAD BATTERY. THAN, 1 WEEK LATER, THE NEW ALTERNATOR BLEW AND THE SAME MECHANIC HAD THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR RE-BUILT STATING IT WAS THE HARNESS! THAN, IT STOPPED RUNNING ON MY ROAD NEAR MY HOME. A 2ND AUTO SHOP TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TOE VW DEALER AND THAT IS WHERE IT IS NOW! I HAVE PAID $640 SO-FAR & HAVE USED MY AAA FOR TOWING 3X'S! *TR

NHTSA ID

10384078

Incident

Feb 18, 2011

Mileage

104,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE TO ASSIST. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10339347

Incident

Jun 10, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE DRIVER COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. SHE THEN NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND, WITHIN MINUTES, FLAMES ENGULFED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD; HOWEVER, THIS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DEFINITIVELY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 136,000.

NHTSA ID

10251632

Incident

Dec 8, 2008

Mileage

136,000 mi

PURCHASED 1999 VW BEETLE 20 MONTHS AGO. CAR HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES. SINCE OWNING THE CAR HAVE ALREADY OVER $3,500 IN REPAIRS. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT MY LOCAL DARCAR VW REPAIR SHOP. I BELIEVE SOME OF THESE REPAIRS WERE RECALLS AND HAVE ALL RECEIPT. IS THERE SOMEONE I CAN SENT MY REPAIR RECEIPTS TO TO SEE IF I CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALL SERVICES? I CAN FORWARD RECEIPTS. ALSO SEVEN DAYS AGO THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND IT APPEARS IT HAD BEEN RECALLED PER TWO VW OWNER WHO HAD SAME PROBLEMS BUT I CAN'T FIND THE RECALL INFORMATION ON IT. CAN YOU SUGGEST HOW I CAN VIEW ALL RECALLS FOR 1999 VW BEETLE GLS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10222876

Incident

Feb 25, 2008

Mileage

46,000 mi

1999 WW BEETLE WITH MANY PROBLEMS INCLUDING SHIFTING, BRAKE SWITCH (RECALL N4)**CC THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK, WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH. THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER ALREADY HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE. THE CONSUMER DIDN'T TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER BECAUSE THEY WOULD ONLY HAD PAID FOR THE SWITCH AND NOT THE LABOR BECAUSE AT THE TIME, THE RECALL WAS NOT IN EFFECT. THE SERPENTINE BELT AND STARTER WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10181591

Incident

May 1, 2006

THE CAR MADE A FUNNY WHISTLE NOISE THEN SHUT OFF. THE PERSON BEHIND US SAID BLUE SMOKE CAME OUT THE BACK. TOOK TO DEALER HAD ENGINE, WATER PUMP, TURBO AND BELTS REPLACED. NOW DEALER CAN NOT GET CAR TO RUN PROPERLY. THE DIESEL STARTS FINE AND RUNS GREAT AFTER 15 MINUTES CAR STARTS RUNNING SLUGGISH AND HAS NO POWER. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR 4 MONTHS STILL WAITING AND STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE BEETLE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10168087

Incident

Jun 6, 2006

PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW IN 1999. WAS PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THROUGH 2001 SUCH AS FAULTY RADIO ( 2 OCCURRENCES) ,FAULTY DOOR LOCK SWITCH AND 1 OCCURRENCE OF NON FUNCTIONING LIGHTS( INSIDE AND OUT) , HORN, DOOR CHIME . COMPLAINED OF SMOKE STREAMING FROM STEERING COLUMN IN 2004. SMOKE WAS CONSISTENT WITH MELTED PLASTIC ODOR. DEALER WAS ABLE TO LOCATE ORIGIN OF ODOR IN FEB 2006. IGNITION COIL + WIRING OVERHEATED AND MELTED. RELAY ALSO OVERHEATED. PARTS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER. DEFECTIVE IGNITION COIL RETAINED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10150359

Incident

Nov 15, 2004

FUSE PANEL LOCATED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY MELTED IN THE AREA OF THE FUSE FOR THE RADIATOR COOLING FANS. THIS FURTHER DAMAGED THE FUSES FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS CAUSED POWER TO THE ABS SYSTEM TO BE LOST. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THIS PROBLEM AS SHORTED COOLING FANS. HOWEVER, THE WIRING TO THE MOTORS AND THE FAN CONTROL UNIT WERE NOT AFFECTED. THERE WAS ALSO THE DISTINCT SMELL OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND MELTED PLASTIC UNDER THE HOOD. THE FUSE PANEL HAS WHITE DEPOSITS UNDER ITS COVER ABOVE THE AREA THAT MELTED. I ASKED THE DEALER TO GIVE ME THE PARTS AFTER THE SERVICE. THE FAN MOTORS APPEAR TO OPERATE CORRECTLY WHEN CONNECTED TO A 12V POWER SUPPLY. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN THAT SUBJECTS THE FUSE TERMINALS TO CORROSIVE FUMES FROM THE BATTERY. THE INSERT MOLDED TERMINALS THEN BECOME CORRODED WITH HIGH ENOUGH RESISTANCE TO HEAT UP AND CAUSE THE FUSE PANEL TO MELT AND OR CATCH FIRE. I'M GLAD THAT THE PANEL WAS CONSTRUCTED OF A FLAME RETARDANT PLASTIC OR IT WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY BURNED MUCH MORE THAN IT DID. I AM ONLY TOO HAPPY TO FURNISH PICTURES IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEE THE DAMAGE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10132970

Incident

Jul 10, 2005

Mileage

74,105 mi

I OWN A 1999 NEW BEETLE WITH THE 2.0 ENGINE WITH 37,000 ORIGINAL MILES. THE CAR QUIT RUNNING APPROX. 2 1/2 YRS AGO,APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT FROM A CERTIFIED VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, USED. A FEW DAYS AFTER DELIVERY THERE WAS A ROTTEN EGG SMELL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, ENGINE SLUGGISH. AFTER ONE MONTH THE BATTERY WENT DEAD COMPLETELY. REPLACED THE BATTERY, CAR WOULD NOT RUN. BATTERY DEAD AGAIN AFTER FOUR DAYS. I FOUND INFO ON THE INTERNET THAT SECURITY SYSTEM MUST BE SET OR THE BATTERY WILL LAST ONLY FOUR DAYS. INSPECTED PLUGS, FOUND HEAVY CARBON BUILDUP. INSPECTED PRE O2 SENSOR, FOUND SAME. DECIDED TO OVERHAUL ENG. FOUND HEAVY CARBON ON TOPS OF PISTONS AND VALVES. MACHINE SHOP HAD TO REPLACE PISTONS, RINGS, ALL BEARINGS, OIL PUMP, PLANE THE CYLINDER HEAD, PLANE THE HEAD MATING SURFACE, REPLACE SEALS, TURN THE FLYWHEEL. I HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, CLUTCH, THROWOUT BEARING, O2 SENSOR, PLUG WIRES, AND THE DIPSTICK HOLDER. AFTER CONSIDERABLE MONEY SPENT, ENGINE WOULD START BUT NOT RUN. I FOUND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT IF ELECTRICAL POWER IS LOST, VEHICLE MUST BE TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND BE REPROGRAMMED. IT WILL NOT RUN UNTIL THAT IS DONE. THE REASON GIVEN WAS THAT VOLKSWAGEN DID NOT WANT ANY OWNERS TO FIX THEIR OWN CAR. THIS COULD BE A SIGNIFIGANT SAFETY ISSUE IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION! THERE ARE REPORTS ON SEVERAL INTERNET FORUMS OF THE ORIGINAL BATTERIES BLOWING UP AND EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RUN UNTIL IT WAS REPROGRAMMED. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A FULL INVESTIGATION ON THIS MODEL TO SEE IF IT SHOULD BE SOLD IN THE US. THERE ARE TOO MANY REPORTED DEFECTS ON THIS MODEL TO LIST HERE, SOME THAT APPLY TO THIS CAR, THAT ARE MUCH MORE DANGEROUS THAN I DESCRIBED HERE. I HOPE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT WILL STRAIGHTEN THIS COMPANY OUT AND THAT OWNERS WILL SOMEHOW BE COMPENSATED.

NHTSA ID

10127307

Incident

Jul 1, 2005

Mileage

32,400 mi

DT:CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH UNLOCKING VEHICLE. WHEN SHE TURNED THE KEY THE WINDOWS ROLL DOWN ON THEIR OWN. IT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN RIGHT AT THAT TIME, BUT SOME TIME AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND OFF THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. SOMETIMES THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE WILL WORK AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT WORK. CONSUMER KNEW OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WAS REPAIRING THE PROBLEM . DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. REPAIRS WERE DONE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. DEALER REPLACED THE CYLINDER LOCK SWITCH.CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE SHE OWNED THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10126506

Incident

Jun 24, 2005

COOLING PROBLEMS LED TO OVERALL DIAGNOSIS OF COOLING SYSTEM. 30 AMP FUSE LOCATED IN FUSE PANEL ON TOP OF BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE BURNED AND MELTED. THE PLASTIC FUSE PANEL WAS DESTROYED AND THE FUSE ITSELF MELTED INTO THE FUSE HOLDER. THE CONTACTS IN THE PANEL FOR THE REMAINING FUSES APPEAR TO BE VERY SMALL (APPROX 18-GAUGE WIRE SIZE) AND POSSIBLY THIS EXTREMELY SMALL CONTACT AREA CONTRIBUTED TO THE OVERHEATING, MELTING AND BURNING OBSERVED. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS DETAILED IN THIS THREAD ONLINE: HTTP://FORUMS.NEWBEETLE.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=E9AEE49B8C9FDDF9B634388731C5D59A&THREADID=26315&PERPAGE=15&HIGHLIGHT=30A%20FUSE&PAGENUMBER=1 THE FUSE BOX AND FUSE (ORIGINAL OEM GREEN FUSE) APPEARED THE SAME AS THE PICTURES PRESENTED IN THE ABOVE-LINKED THREAD. *JS

NHTSA ID

10125037

Incident

Jun 9, 2005

Mileage

89,000 mi

JUNE 2, 2003 THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS SENT TO VOA DEAR VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA I HAVE A 1999 BEETLE THAT CAUGHT FIRE ON MAY 4TH 2003; AS OF TODAY MAY 12, 2003 THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD BY [XXX] FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT. HE SAID, CORPORATE VOLKSWAGEN WILL DO NOTHING WITH THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS TOO OLD AND HAS TOO MANY MILES. THEY WILL NOT BE SENDING ANY KIND OF PAPERWORK TO ME, AND I WILL NOT GET ANY MORE CALLS FROM VOLKSWAGEN ON THIS ISSUE, THIS IS AN INSURANCE ISSUE? I AM NOT PLEASED WITH THIS ANSWER AND THIS IS WHY: 05/04/03 SUNDAY SMOKE THEN FLAMES CAME POURING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD OF OUR 1999 VW BEATLE PURCHASED OCT 1998. I WAS GIVEN A CASE # OF [XXX] TO REFER TO. [XXX] SAID THE A/C SWITCH WIRE CAUSED THE FIRE. HE WAS WAITING FOR A CALL FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA?S CUSTOMER RELATION'S PERSON. 05/12/03 MONDAY 1:38 PM I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AGAIN BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM [XXX]. [XXX] GOT ON PHONE AND SAID THAT A FIRE REPORT WAS SENT TO THEIR PRODUCT LIAISON PERSON. [XXX] SAID, CORPORATE VOLKSWAGEN WILL DO NOTHING WITH THE CAR BECAUSE IT'S TOO OLD AND HAS TO MANY MILES. THEY WILL NOT BE "SENDING PAPERWORK" TO ME AND ? I WILL NOT GET ANY MORE CALLS FROM VOLKSWAGEN ON THIS ISSUE, THIS IS AN INSURANCE ISSUE. I HAVE A RECORD OF ALL PAST SERVICE RECEIPTS (DATING BACK TO THE PURCHASE DATE) AND HAVE DOCUMENTED PROOF OF RECENT PROBLEMS AND REPAIRS TO THE A/C AND ELECTRICAL WIRING ON THIS CAR IN THE PAST. MY DAUGHTER, A CURRENT RESIDENT OF ARIZONA, CURRENTLY IS EMPLOYED AS A FULL-TIME NANNY. SHE HAS IN HER CARE A TWO MONTH OLD AND WILL BE EXPECTED TO DRIVE HIM ABOUT. HER PAST JOB WAS CARING FOR A TWO YEAR OLD AND HAD THIS FIRE? ERUPTED WHILE HE WAS IN HER CARE, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A TRUE TRAGEDY. PLEASE SEND VERIFICATION OF YOUR DECISION IN WRITING TO ME BY MAY 30, 2003. PLEASE SEND ALL INQUIRIES BACK TO ME AT [XXX] SINCERELY [XXX] JELINEK BUILDERS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10070354

Incident

Apr 15, 2000

Mileage

23,000 mi

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL AND RADIO.*MR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE RADIO OPERATED ON IT'S OWN AND THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN ON THEIR OWN. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO USE THE POWER CONTROLS TO. HE WROTE A LETTER TO THE VW DEALERSHIP AND HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN AND AUCTIONED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE SURE VOLKSWAGEN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *CB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ODOMETER ROLLED UP APPROXIMATELY 9000 MILES, THE DEALER RAN A COMPUTER CHECK BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10051747

#1 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY REPLACED A SENSOR AND IT DID NO GOOD, IT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEY COULD NOT FIX IT, I TOOK IT BACK FOUR TIMES AND THEY STILL DID NOT GET IT FIXED PROPERLY. # AFTER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH A NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS OK, BUT I TOOK IT BACK AFTER MY STEP DAD TOLD ME TO AND THEY LOOK AT IT AND TOLD ME IT WAS MY SWAY BAR AND TOLD ME THEY HAD TO ORDER A NEW PART BUT IT WAS OK I TOLD THEM I HAVE TWO KIDS AND I WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT WAS OK TO DRIVE . THIS IT THE FIFTH TIME IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR AND WANT SOME ONE TO CHECK IT OVER AND CLEAR IT TO DRIVE SO I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING IN TO A ACCIDENT WITH A UNSAFE CAR WOULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME TO TAKE CARE OF THIS SO I HAVE A SAFE CAR TO TAKE MY CHILDREN IN AND DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT GOING OFF THE ROAD . *JB

NHTSA ID

10019078

Incident

Mar 17, 2003

ON 01/28/2003 WHILE CRUISING AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH MY DIESEL ENGINE SIMPLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE WARNING WHATSOEVER. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A VERY BUSY ROAD WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO JIM ELLIS VW ON PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341 (PHONE: 770-458-6811). THEY WERE ABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM AND DIAGNOSED A FAILED POWER SUPPLY RELAY WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED. THUS FAR THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REPEATED ITSELF. THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION!!!!

NHTSA ID

10005297

Incident

Jan 28, 2003

Mileage

67,695 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

EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN IT ON. AFTER THE THIRD TIME, CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. *JG

NHTSA ID

567115

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 18 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INOPERATIVE SPEEDOMETER BUT IT ENDED UP BEING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS WOULDN'T WORK BECAUSE OF AN ERROR WITH THE ELECTRONICS. *SCC

NHTSA ID

567334

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