Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
I was driving down the road an the car started accelerating all by it's self so I pulled over but every time I let off the break it acted like I had the gas to the floor. The O2 sensor wire's shorted and burnt up the ECM making the CPU light to come on.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ABS MAIN CONTROL UNIT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (VOLKSWAGEN OF OAKLAND, 2740 BROADWAY, OAKLAND, CA 94610) WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ACTIVE RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,605. *TT
ABS TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING, TOLD BY DEALER AND MECHANIC THAT THE CONTROL MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. THE ABS KICKS IN EVEN WHEN NOT BRAKING AND NO LIGHT ON. CAR ABRUPTLY SWERVES AS BRAKES ENGAGE ONE WHEEL ONLY. THE DEALER SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VIN NUMBER BUT THE PART IS THE SAME NUMBER AS THE ONE FOR OTHER LISTED RECALLS. I CALLED VW AMERICA AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THE COST TO REPLACE AND REPROGRAM THE NEW MODULE IS $2,000
THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN THE MORNING THEN PARKED AT MY HOME. WHEN I WENT TO USE IT AGAIN IT WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. THE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT SO THAT I CAN PULL THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK.
MY FIANCEE AND I PURCHASED THIS BEETLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2010 AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A NUMBER OF TIME (5-7) AND WE HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS IN TRYING TO FIX IT. YET NO LUCK. IT IS A DANGER TO MY FIANCEE AND NEW BORN BABY. ON DAY IT WILL RUN FINE BUT THEN AFTER DRIVING FOR TEN MINUTES THE EPC LIGHT COME ON AND THE BRAKES BARELY WORK IF AT ALL, AND IT WONT SPEED UP EVEN IF SHE HAS HER FOOT TO THE FLOOR. SO NOW WE HAVE A $6000 DOLLAR CAR THAT NOT EVEN THE VW DEALERSHIP CAN FIX. IT SITS ON OUR ROAD. I HAVE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOME ONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN WORSE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MONSTROSITY THAT VW REFUSES TO ADMIT. *TR
2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING REPLACEMENT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS THE SAME SWITCH THAT WA REPLACED UNDER RECALL.
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 NEW BEETLE TO WORK. THE BRAKES FROZE UP, I COULD NOT STOP RAN A STOP SIGN I PUT CAR IN PARK STILL COULD NOT STOP. HAPPENED TWICE MORE B/4 I GOT TO WORK. I LOOKED UP RECALL FOR VOLKSWAGEN 2002. THERE WAS ONE "SERVICE BRAKES ,HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK RECALL. I CALLED VOLKS AND WAS ASKED IF I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER? I TOLD THEM NO. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE ABOUT MY PROBLEM I GOT NO RESULTS. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALLS FOR VIN NUMBER I GAVE HER. I CAME BACK TO WORK AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS, SAID EVERY VEHICLE HAS IT'S OWN ID NUMBER WHICH I UNDERSTOOD BUT I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE. *TR
REAR COLLISION ACCIDENT IN 2004, NOW SEATBELT LATCH MECHANISM NOT WORKING, STRUTS AND WHEEL BEARINGS DAMAGED AND NEED REPLACEMENT ALONG WITH SUBFRAME AND EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED AND THE SEAT BELT LATCH SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE AIR BAG WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 02/14/08. *LJ THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB AND RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED INDICATING THE BRAKE SAFETY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT PRESENTED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH YET. THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WAS 130 MILES FROM THE LOCALITY. THE CONTACT ASKED THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART TO PERFORM THE REPAIR AT AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED MECHANIC OR OTHER TRUSTED DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED THE PROPOSAL. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE IN CASES WERE NO DEALERSHIP WERE PRESENT IN THE AREA.
I HAVE A 2002 VW BEETLE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. I KNOW THEY HAVE RECALLED OTHER BEETLES FOR THIS BUT WHEN I CALLED VW THEY SAID IT WAS NOT RECALLED ON MY VEHICLE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK DURING FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 06V183000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
TRANSMISSION REPLACED THREE TIMES, STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY, LUNGES INTO FORWARD AND REVERSE, AND WILL DROP INTO AND OUT OF HIGH AND LOW GEAR WHEN DRIVING. SUNROOF LEAKED BECAUSE THE DRAINAGE TUBING WAS NOT CONNECTED AT FACTORY CAUSING WATER DAMAGE TO LEATHER SEATS AND NOW MOLD IS GROWING INSIDE OF VEHICLE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO BE INSIDE AND HAVE HAD ONE SINUS INFECTION ALREADY. *JB
08/05 PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM LEXUS OF GLENDALE 09/05 EXPERIENCE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. PEDDLE WOULD NOT SPRING BACK INTO PLACE CAUSING CAR TO BE STUCK IN THE ROAD. I HAD TO PHYSICALLY PICK UP THE PEDDLE SO THE CAR WOULD MOVE AGAIN. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND LEFT IT UNRESOLVED. 10/05 BRAKE PROBLEM OCCURRED MANY MORE TIMES. TWICE WHEN I TAP THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN IT WOULD HAVE A LOUD SUCTION VACUUM SOUND AND GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND GET STUCK LEAVING THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME WITH NO WARNING TO STOP. TOOK TO DEALER...THEY SAID THEY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, BUT ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO FIX UNLESS THEY CAN DUPLICATE. WE ASKED THEY HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST IF WE WANTED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. THEY SAID THEY CANNOT GIVE US A PRICE BECAUSE IT'S UNDER WARRANTY...?!? PROBLEM UNRESOLVED!!! 10/05 PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME ON THE FREEWAY. DEALER SAID BRING IT BACK AND WE'LL LOOK AT IT YET AGAIN! WE ASKED FOR OUR MONEY BACK AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD BUY IT BACK AT A FRACTION OF WHAT WE PAID. LEFT UNRESOLVED...LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE WAY TO GET OUR MONEY BACK. *NM
VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES DID NOT OPERATE WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
I PURCHASED MY VW ON 11/21/03 THE NEXT DAY THE I WAS DRIVING CAR AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS NOT PICKING UP SPEED THEN THE BRAKES WAS REALLY HARD AND IT WAS MAKING A ROARING SOUND. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK CAR INTO VW SVC DEPT AND WAS ADV OH SINCE YOU HAVE A DIESEL CAR IT WILL DO THAT I WAS NOT TKN THAT FOR AN ANSWER I EXPL TO SVC TECH THAT THERS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY CAR, BUT THEY WOULD NOT LOOK AT IT.ON 11/23/03 I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND I MY CAR WAS STALLING AND WOULD NOT GO PASS 45 AND THEN I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING AND THEN SMOKE THE BRAKES HAD LOCKED UP AND I PULLED OVER AND HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM TOLD ME THAT IT WAS OK AND DIDNT REPLACE ANYTHING. AND ADVISED ME THAT I WAS OK SO I TOOK CAR HOME AND 3 DAYS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN, I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOOK CAR OVERNIGHT AND THEY FOUND THAT THE HYDL BOOSTER WAS BAD,THEY REPLACED THAT AND THEN I EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE BRAKES BECAUSE THEY JUST DIDNT FEEL RIGHT TO ME. I WAS ADV THAT OH THE BRAKES ARE GOOD AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER I DIDNT TRUST TO TK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP I TOOK CAR TO ACTOR GATOR WHICH WAS GREAT! TO CHECK MY BRAKES AND THEY FOUND PROBLEM AND SHOWED ME HOW BACK BRAKES SHOULD LOOK LIKE AND HOW MINES WAS (THERE WAS HARDLY ANY LEFT ) AND THEY REPLACED BRAKES FOR ME. IM UPSET THAT EVEN THOUGH I PURCHASED A USED CERITIFED VW FROM A VW DEALERSHIP I FELT COMFORTABLE AND I DIDNT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY COULD SELL A CAR WITH NO BRAKES WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE.AND THEN A CUSTOMER HAVING TO PAY FOR BRAKES NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER I GOT IT.
THE EPC LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH. I WAS TOLD THIS IS DUE TO A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT WILL GO OUT. THIS CAUSES CRUISE CONTROL TO GO OUT, BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT WORK, AND DIFFICULTY GETTING YOUR GEARSHIFT OUT OF PARK OR NEUTRAL.*AK
FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH ASSEMBLY- WON'T COME OUT OF PARK. MY CAR ONLY HAD 9,000 MILES ON IT.
CONSUMER STATES HIS VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH, PROBLEMS IS DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE STEERING WHEEL IS UNCONTROLABLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURES HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ABS SYSTEM SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, THE ABS SYSTEM MODULE WAS REPLACED, THIS WAS THE 2ND TIME IT HAD HAPPENED. NLM
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