2000 Volkswagen Beetle Engine Problems

I BOUGHT A BEETLE (136K M) FROM AN ACQUAINTANCE FOR $1600 CASH THERE WERE SOME ISSUES I.E. THE FAULTY TRUNK RELEASE DIDNT WORK, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAD NO POWER, (TURNS OUT THE DOOR MOTOR IS A COMMON ISSUE BEETLE HAS) SUNROOF WAS STUCK PART OPEN, AND THE KEY FOB TO THE BEETLE HAD BEEN WORN/BROKEN. (FUN FACT: WITHOUT THE KEY FOB, ACCESS TO THE TRUNK, AND NO POWER TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE STOCK ALARM IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DISABLE.) WE DROVE THE BEETLE FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHEN THE CLUTCH WENT OUT. A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST QUOTED US $400 FOR THE HYDRAULIC LINE, AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION THE ENTIRE CLUTCH WAS OUT (HE CHARGED ME $1100) THE VERY NEXT DAY THE OIL LIGHT WAS BLINKING, WE CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IT WAS FULL. WE CONTINUED ON OUR BUSINESS THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER, STALLING AND MAKING A HORRIBLE TAPPING/KNOCKING SOUND. THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. WE WERENT ABLE TO PULL CODES BECAUSE THE ODB WAS DISCONNECTED DURING THE EXPENSIVE CLUTCH REPAIR. AT THIS POINT WE HAVE INVESTED A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY INTO THIS USED VEHICLE, WE ARE HESITANT TO TO TAKE IT TO THE CRUSHER. WE BOUGHT A HAYNES REPAIR MANUAL AND AFTER SOME LUCK, COMMON SENSE, AND TROUBLE SHOOTING WE WERE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAR WITH A FAULTY CAMSHAFT TIMING CHAIN TENSION GUIDE. THE REPAIR SEEMED EASY ENOUGH SO WE ENLISTED A OUR FAMILY MECHANIC TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. AFTER ANOTHER $575 WE DISCOVERED THAT THE TENSION GUIDE WAS IN FACT THE PROBLEM. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE ALL PUT BACK TOGETHER WITH SEVERAL NEW VITAL PARTS. IT WILL NOT TURN OVER. THE MANUAL INDICATES IT MAY STILL BE OUT OF TIME OR WE MAY HAVE A BLOWN FUSE. AFTER I REPLACE THE FUSES AND REATTEMPT INSTALLING THE TIMING CHAIN, I WILL HAVE PUT 3 X AS MUCH MONEY INTO THIS CAR THAN ITS WORTH. I FEEL LIKE VOLKWAGEN IS PRODUCING LEMONS AND RIPPING OFF AMERICANS!!!

NHTSA ID

11155433

Incident

Aug 25, 2018

Mileage

136,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS DISENGAGED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FAILED TO FULLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10860094

Incident

Feb 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID

10767302

Incident

Aug 21, 2015

Mileage

115,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED WHITE SMOKE BEHIND THE VEHICLE, THEN ALL ELECTRONICS FAILED BUT CAR REMAINED RUNNING, PULLED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS QUICKLY ON FIRE FROM THE DASH FORWARD. TRIED CALLING VW COSTUMER CARE AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO FIRE. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FOUND DOZENS OF SIMILAR IF NOT EXACT INCIDENTS. THIS WAS MY DAUGHTERS CAR (17) AND CARRIED ONLY LIABILITY. ONLY REASON FOR WRITING IS TO EDUCATE SO THAT OTHERS ARE NOT FACING A LIFE THREATNING EVENT, AS VW DENIES ANY WRONG DOING.

NHTSA ID

10717821

Incident

May 16, 2015

Mileage

85,000 mi

THE FUSE BOX ATOP THE BATTERY MELTED ON 2/18/2009 CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. REPAIRS INCLUDING NEW FUSE BOX AND OTHER DAMAGED PARTS COST ME $1500.00. ON 7/15/2011 THE FUSE BOX MELTED CAUSING A/C TO STOP WORKING. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME WAS IN THE HIGH 90'S DURING A PROLONGED HEAT WAVE IN THE NORTH EAST. COST TO REPAIR $400.00. ON 5/18/2014 ONCE AGAIN THE FUSE BOX MELTED, COST TO REPAIR AND REPLACE $700. TWO DAYS LATER THE REPAIR (5/20/2014) THE CAR WENT DEAD IN TRAFFIC CAUSED BY A DRAINED BATTERY COST OF TOWING $150.00 + NEW FUSE BOX MELTED. IN CHECKING VW OWNERS FORUMS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND COMPLAINT (FUSE BOX MELTING) IN THE VW PRODUCT LINE. WHY HASN'T VW BEEN FINED AND ORDERED TO RECALL THEIR DEFECTIVE CARS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10593826

Incident

Jul 14, 2008

Mileage

40,000 mi

ENGINE TIMING BELT PREMATURELY FAILED AT 89,000 MILE. VW OWNERS MANUAL SUPPLIED WITH VEHICLE STATES THAT FOR THE 1.8L TURBOCHARGED ENGINE, THE TIMING BELT DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED UNTIL 105,000 MILES. THE FAILURE OF THE BELT CAUSED BENT VALVES. TOTAL SERVICE BILL AS A RESULT CAME TO ABOUT $4500. LOSS OF POWER WHEN THE BELT FAILED ALSO PUT MY SAFETY AT RISK AS MY CAR WAS STALLED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ID

10511678

Incident

Aug 31, 2012

Mileage

89,000 mi

I PURCHASED MY VW BEETLE IN 2005 WITH THE CARFAX - NO ACCIDENTS OR MAJOR REPAIRS. WITHIN MONTHS, THE ENGINE LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. I'VE PROBABLY SPENT MORE THAN WHAT I PAID FOR IT. I JUST SPENT OVER $1800 AT VW SPRINGFIELD IN VIRGINIA AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON AGAIN AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION CODES WERE DISCOVERED BY OTHER REPAIR SHOPS, BUT THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIR. NEITHER VW SPRINGFIELD OR VW WOODBRIDGE EVER CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION. IN FACT, WOODBRIDGE TOLD ME TO TRADE IT IN AND PURCHASE A NEW ONE FROM THEM.SOME KIND OF LIGHT OR PROBLEM OCCURS IN MY CAR EVERY TIME I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THIS DEALERSHIP AND VW WOODBRIDGE IN VIRGINIA. THEY CONTINUE TO CLAIM THAT IT IS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM EVERY TIME WITH THE SAME COMPONENTS. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE FOR DIAGNOSTICS? EVERY TIME I TAKE MY CAR TO ANY OF THE VW DEALERSHIP, I WILL HAVE TO BRING THE CAR IN MULTIPLE TIMES WITHIN MONTHS. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES, AND NO ONE IS INVESTIGATING THIS. IT APPEARS THAT VW IS BEING PROTECTED FROM SELLING US POORLY MADE VEHICLES WITH HEFTY REPAIR COSTS, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MAKE SINCE THAT IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM FOR HUNDREDS, PERHAPS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. IS IT THAT THESE REPAIRS ARE MAJOR AND BRAKE LIGHTS AREN'T. A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES FROM 99 ON SHOULD BE PROCESSED. THE FACT THAT VW WAS IN THE NEWS RECENTLY AS SELLING PEOPLE CARS THEY KNEW HAD ENGINE, AIRBAG, ABS, TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL, AND WINDOW MAJOR PROBLEMS IS ASTONISHING, BECAUSE NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I'M DISGUSTED WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THIS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ECONOMIC SITUATION, BUT PEOPLE ARE IN JUST AS MUCH A SITUATION AS MANUFACTURING COMPANIES. WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP GIVING AWAY TO VW. IT'S A MORAL SHAME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10447220

Incident

Aug 17, 2006

WE OWN A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE...IN 2008 THE WATER PUMP WENT IN IT...HAD THAT REPLACED AND 4 WEEKS LATER HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN THEN THE FOLLOWING YEAR 2009 THE WINDOW MOTORS IN BOTH WINDOWS WENT..HAD TO HAVE THOSE REPLACED... THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE FALLING OUT HAVE TO CONSTANTLY PUSH THEM BACK IN....NOW 2011 THE WATER PUMP WENT IN IT AGAIN..NOW THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY ACTING AS A PAPER WEIGHT..HAD I KNOW THAT THERE WERE SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT ONE..I HOPE THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS HAPPY RAKING PEOPLE OVER THE COALS BY SELLING THEM NOTHING BUT JUNK AND GOD FORBID IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER THEY WANT EVERYTHING UP TO AND INCLUDING YOUR FIRST BORN CHILD... *TR

NHTSA ID

10442820

Incident

Nov 14, 2008

ODBI CAME ON WAS TESTED INDICATING CYLINDER MISFIRE TOOK IT FOR REPAIR WAS INFORMED TWO WIRES WERE BROKEN AND SPARK PLUG WAS SEVERELY FOULED NOW THERE'S A COMPRESSION PROBLEM WHICH REQUIRES THE ENGINE TO BE TORN APART. COST OF REPAIRS EXCEEDS AMOUNT VEHICLE'S VALUE AND PURCHASE PRICE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR FIVE MONTHS WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT HAD A LITTLE OVER 51000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER RAN GREAT AND THE VEHICLE BODY IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10439329

Incident

Dec 9, 2011

Mileage

63,000 mi

2.0 AEG MOTOR USES EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND EXHIBITS PISTON SLAP ON COLD START. ENGINE USES A QUART OF OIL EVERY 500 MILES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PISTON RINGS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED UPSIDE DOWN AT THE FACTORY, WHICH IS THE REASONING BEHIND THE POOR OIL CONTROL. VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE FAMILY FOR TWO OUT OF THE LAST THREE OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10355431

Incident

Jun 1, 2010

Mileage

96,000 mi

MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 VW BEETLE ON THE WESTBANK EXPRESSWAY IN NEW ORLEANS, HE HEARD A LOUD POP, AND THE CAR STARTED TO FILL WITH "WHITE SMOKE", HE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. WITHIN MINUTES, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THIS CAME WITHOUT WARNING, WE DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO YESTERDAY, 7-17-10. *TR

NHTSA ID

10343848

Incident

Jul 17, 2010

VW CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARRANTY EXTENSION. WAS 8 YEARS/80K MILES. EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS/120K MILES. I HAVE A 2000 VW NEW BEETLE GLS, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN 1999. MY MODEL IS CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR IS NOT PASSING SMOG - GROSS POLLUTER STATUS. ONLY HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT. THE ISSUE: BECAUSE THE CAT CONVERTER IS NOT FORMALLY LISTED AS A "RECALL" BY VW AMERICA, THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC (EVEN THOUGH I'M PROVIDING THE DETAILED PAPERWORK FROM MY SMOG STATION), AND WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THEY WANT ME TO REPAIR ANY AND ALL ISSUES THAT ARISE AT A COST TO ME, BEFORE THEY WILL REPLACE MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COVERS NUMEROUS ISSUES THE CAR MAY BE HAVING, INCLUDING SOME THAT MAY NOT BE RELATED TO THE CAR NOT PASSING SMOG. AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. DEALERSHIP TURNS IT OFF - COMES RIGHT BACK ON WITHIN DAYS. I WANT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED FIRST, THEN SEE IF IT PASSES SMOG, THEN I WILL REPAIR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. I DON'T WANT TO PUT MONEY INTO PROBLEMS POSSIBLY UNRELATED TO SMOG, IF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WON'T FIX THE ISSUE. BUT PER THE VW DEALERSHIP, I CANNOT PROCEED WITHOUT SPENDING MONEY ON SUPPOSED OTHER PROBLEMS, BECAUSE THE CAT CONVERTER WAS NOT TECHNICALLY LABELED A RECALL. I WROTE THE EPA - THE EMAIL I RECEIVED BACK FROM THEM SAID THEY CONSIDER IT A RECALL, BUT BECAUSE VW AMERICA DID NOT SEND OUT A FORMAL RECALL NOTICE ON THE CAT CONVERTER, AND INSTEAD JUST PROVIDED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THERE'S NOT MUCH THAT CAN BE DONE. DEALERSHIPS CAN REQUIRE A DIAGNOSTICS RUN AND ASK YOU TO PAY TO FIX OTHER PROBLEMS PRIOR TO FIXING THE CAT CONVERTER. VW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY, SO CLEARLY THEY ARE AWARE THERE IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD JUST CALL IT A FORMAL RECALL (SINCE THE EPA DOES), FIX THE PROBLEM THEY KNOW EXISTS. CURRENTLY, I'VE BROUGHT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. SAME ISSUE. DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER CHOICE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10255022

Incident

Dec 19, 2008

Mileage

73,452 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH PRODUCED "ERROR CODE 5". A MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND RESET THE COMPUTER; HOWEVER, THE INDICATOR CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 126,000. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/26/09. *JB

NHTSA ID

10254928

Incident

Nov 7, 2008

Mileage

126,000 mi

ON APRIL 4, 2008, OUR 2000VW GLS BEETLE CAUGHT FIRE AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE INTERSTATE. CAR HAD BEEN HESITATING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, SO WE HAD IT SERVICED AT OUR LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP ON MARCH 28. DIAGNOSTICS DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WE WENT AHEAD AS ASKED FOR FUEL FILTER AND THE COOLANT SENSOR TO BE REPLACED. FOR THE NEXT WEEK, THE CAR CONTINUED TO HESITATE, ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR MORE THAT 20 MINUTES. WE MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO THIS APPOINTMENT SHE NOTICED THE HESITATION AGAIN, AND ABOUT 10 MILES LATER, NOTICED SMOKE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. SHE PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SMOKE STARTED POURING INSIDE THE CAR. ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CLICKED ON, THEN OFF. WITHIN 2 MINUTES, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND WAS NOT PHYSICALLY HARMED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10225186

Incident

Apr 4, 2008

Mileage

72,500 mi

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2000 VW NEW BEETLE ON OCTOBER 10, 2007. MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER DROVE THE CAR TO WORK. WHEN SHE GOT READY TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SHE CALLED A MECHANIC AND THEY CHECKED THE VEHICLE. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES ON IT. I WENT A RESEARCHED AND FOUND OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT LOW MILEAGE BEETLES OF THIS YEAR HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT SUCH AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR IS REQUIRED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE IN ORDER TO OWN THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE IT OPERATE PROPERLY. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER SO I REALIZE THAT THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED FOR ME. THERE SHOULD BE SOME FORM OF DISCLAIMER PLACED ON THIS YEAR OF BEETLE SO THAT PERSPECTIVE OWNERS WILL KNOW THAT THEY HAVE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR COMING UP (TIMING BELT) IF IT HASN'T BEEN CORRECTED ALREADY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10207758

Incident

Oct 31, 2007

Mileage

89,985 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE BATTERY AND THE ECP WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE TIMING BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR FREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 38,000 MILES AND 49,000 MILES. THE TIMING BELT WAS REMOVED TO REPLACE THE PUMP. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

NHTSA ID

10191719

Incident

May 20, 2007

Mileage

74,000 mi

THE SERVICE REP AT UNIVERSITY VW REPORTED MY CAR NEEDED A NEW TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP - COST $1,500 (THE WORD WARRANTY WAS NEVER MENTIONED, SO I NEVER CONSIDERED THIS REPAIR MIGHT BE COVERED.) ANOTHER MECHANICS QUOTE FOR THE SAME JOB WAS $448. DURING REPAIR HE FOUND THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER WAS DEFECTIVE, SO MY TOTAL COST WAS $615 - STILL LESS THAN HALF OF THE QUOTE BY UNIVERSITY VW. (I ALSO HAD TO PAY UNIVERSITY $96 FOR THEIR RIP-OFF QUOTE.) I CONTACTED VW, WHO TOLD ME TO TAKE THE PART TO THE DEALER FOR CONFIRMATION OF DEFECT. DEFECT WAS CONFIRMED BY THEIR LEAD MECHANIC. (NOTE THAT HE CONFIRMED DEFECT AND NOT WORN OUT PART. I STILL HAVE ALL PARTS.) SERVICE MANAGER STATED HE WOULD FILE A CLAIM WITH VW FOR ME. HE CALLED ON 2/19 AND REPORTED MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. THE REQUEST WAS NOT MADE TO VW, BUT DECIDED BY HIS REGIONAL MANAGER. I CALLED VW ABOUT A CLAIM. ON 2/20 VW CLAIMS CALLED STATING MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. SHE STATED THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. SHE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY - IF I HAD NOT TAKEN IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC. I TOLD HER I WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, IF I HAD KNOWN IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY! (THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I LEARNED THE PROBLEM WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY!) I TOLD HER I WANTED TO APPEAL THIS DECISION, SO WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT? SHE STATED, "I AM EMPOWERED BY THE CEO OF VOLKSWAGEN, SO THERE ISN'T ANYONE HIGHER. YOUR CLAIM WILL NOT BE PAID." AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, THIS ENTIRE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A SERVICE CONSULTANT NOT TELLING ME THIS REPAIR WOULD BE (OR EVEN, MIGHT BE) COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AS A NON-MECHANICAL CUSTOMER, I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO EXPECT THAT SERVICE. IF I HAD BEEN TOLD THAT, I DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE LEFT MY CAR AT UNIVERSITY VW FOR THE REPAIRS, BUT I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE - EITHER PAY $1,500 OR $500. *NM

NHTSA ID

10183217

Incident

Jan 31, 2007

Mileage

98,700 mi

CAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AAA HAS SEEN THIS CAR MORE THAN I HAVE OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. CURRENTLY AT 51,000 MILES THE TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE. VW SAYS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED VEHICLE WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHOEVER HEARD OF A TIMING BELT BREAKING AT 51,000 MILES!!! *NM

NHTSA ID

10183198

Incident

Feb 8, 2007

Mileage

51,000 mi

2000 TURBO ENGINE BEETLE WITH 68,700 MILES WAS 'CHUGGING' LIKE A DIESEL IMMEDIATELY AFTER NON-RELATED WARRANTY REPAIR AT THE DEALER. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER WHO QUOTED $1500 TO REPLACE TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP. PAID $95 FOR THEIR DIAGNOSIS AND TOOK THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC WHO DID THE SAME REPAIR FOR $450! HOWEVER, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE "TIMING BELT TENSIONER" WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE BELT TO WEAR OUT. THIS WAS AN ADDITIONAL $150 COST FOR THAT PART. I HAVE ALL THE PARTS FROM THE REPAIR. *JB

NHTSA ID

10181437

Incident

Feb 1, 2007

Mileage

68,700 mi

AIRBAG SHORT TO GROUND COOLANT SYSTEM SHORT TO GROUND. *JB

NHTSA ID

10174943

Incident

Jul 22, 2006

THE A/C QUITE WORKING WHILE DRIVING, ONCE IT WAS PARKED IT TURNED COOL FOR A MINUTE OR TWO THEN WENT HOT AGAIN. WE TOOK IT FOR A/C CHECK, ALL WAS FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MILES THEN IT WENT HOT AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, JUST BEFORE WE GOT THERE THE TEMP GAUGE CAME ON. THE DEALER FOUND THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OVERHEATING. THE PROBLEM IS THE LIGHT DIDN'T COME UNTIL THE DAMAGE WAS ALREADY DONE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10161294

Incident

Jun 30, 2005

I HAVE A 2000 BEETLE. BOUGHT IT USED WITH A EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM STARTED FEW MONTHS AFTER THE BUYING IT. THE CONSUMPTION OF OIL IS OUTRAGEOUS. I HAVE TO CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 800 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER PERFORMED A CONSUMPTION OIL TEST, AND ACCORDING WITH THEIR TEST THE CONSUMPTION OF OIL WAS WITHIN THE STANDARDS OF A REGULAR CONSUMPTION. HAVING TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL EVERY 800 MILES IS STRESSFUL. FEW WEEK AGO I HAD TO CHANGE THE SPARK PLUG BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T START. *JB

NHTSA ID

10138198

Incident

May 6, 2004

I HAVE A 2000 VW BEETLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF BUYING THE CAR I STARTED HAVING ENGINE/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT IN........SEVERAL TIMES, SAME PROBLEM. AS I AM DRIVING THE CAR IT JUST DIES. I CAN BE GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY OR 1 MPH PULLING TO OR AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN. WITH NO WARNING THE CAR CUTS OFF. IT ALWAYS STARTS BACK UP, BUT IT WILL CONTINUALLY DIE. I LOSE ALL POWER TO THE CAR INCLUDING STEERING. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN AND HAS BEEN FOR TWO YEARS AND APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES IN THE VW SHOP. THE CAR DEFINITELY HAS A PROBLEM THAT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIX. I HAVE OR MY WARRANTY COMPANY HAS REPEATEDLY PAID FOR THE SAME AND THEN SOME REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. SOME PARTS (THE SAME PART) WERE REPLACED WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. MOSTLY THE SHOP DETERMINES IT IS THE O2 SENSORS THROUGHOUT THE CAR (APPARENTLY YOU HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT O2 SENSORS) OR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TURBO (WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED ONCE OR TWICE NOW). THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. SOME MORE THAN ONCE. THE CAR STILL DIES. IT GIVES NO WARNING IT JUST SHUTS OFF. LOSING POWER AT 70 MPH ON A CROWDED INTERSTATE CAN SHAKE ONE UP. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THE MANUFACTURER, AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN. NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE OR WANT TO HELP ME. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP!*JB

NHTSA ID

10135746

Incident

Apr 10, 2003

Mileage

45,208 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN MAKING A LOUD, HORRENDOUS NOISE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND LOOKED AT THE MUFFLER, IT APPEARED INTACT. I DROVE SLOWLY TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PIPE OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THAT LEADS TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD DETACHED. THEY TOLD ME THE PIPE WAS STAINLESS STEEL AND THEY WERE NOT EVEN SURE HOW IT HAD EVER ATTACHED. THEY CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TO ASK WHAT COULD BE DONE. THE PEOPLE AT VOLKSWAGEN WANTED TO KNOW WHAT YEAR THE CAR WAS AND THE MILEAGE, 61,000 MILES. AFTER A HESITATION THEY TOLD THE MAN AT THE SERVICE STATION THAT IT WOULD COST $800 - $900 FOR A NEW SYSTEM. THE MAN AT THE SERVICE STATION DID AN EMERGENCY WELD, ALTHOUGH HE DIDN'T THINK THAT IT WOULD HOLD. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE SAW NO DAMAGE UNDER THE CAR THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PIPE TO DETACH. HE ALSO SAID HE WAS SUSPICIOUS OF THE MANNER IN WHICH THE VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE HAD QUESTIONED HIM ABOUT THE YEAR AND MILEAGE AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN MYSELF. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON THAT MODEL HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO 80,000 MILES OR 8 YEARS. I EXPLAINED THAT I WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS THE CONVERTER BUT IT WAS THE PIPE LEADING TO IT, I WAS ASSURED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY COVERED. I TOOK MY CAR TO PITCAIRN VOLKSWAGEN IN LANGHORNE, PA. THE PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN DIRECTLY AND SHOWED THEM PICTURES OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY CAR. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I HAD CAUSED THE DAMAGE. WHEN I ARGUED THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE, I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE I HAD THE EMERGENCY WELD DONE. THEY AGREED TO REINFORCE THE WELD BUT THAT WAS ALL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10134396

Incident

Aug 18, 2005

Mileage

61,000 mi

THE CAR OVERHEATED AND THE TEMPERATURE LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE AUTOMOBILE TO A SERVICE STATION. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE BLADES TO THE FAN LYING ON THE ENGINE. HE HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP WITH PARTS ORDERED FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THE MECHANIC WAS ASTONISHED AT THE PLASTIC PARTS USED BY VOLKSWAGEN. THERE WAS ONLY 60,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10134394

Incident

Jul 22, 2005

Mileage

60,000 mi