2003 Volkswagen Beetle Visibility Problems

REAR WINDOWS FALLING. REGULATOR BROKEN WHILE MOVING. CITY.

NHTSA ID

11141909

Incident

Oct 8, 2018

Mileage

67,000 mi

ON THE SOFT TOP CONVERTIBLE THE WINDOWS DROP WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED AND RAISED WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. WINDOW STILL ROLLS UP AND DOWN HOWEVER THE WINDOW DOESN'T RESPOND TO THE DOOR OPENING OR CLOSING ANYMORE. THIS IS A COMMON AND POPULAR PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! EXPENSIVE DEFECT FOR UNSUSPECTING OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10499499

Incident

Feb 19, 2013

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS FAILED. WHEN I ROLL THE WINDOW UP IT STARTS GOING SLOWLY WHEN IT'S ALMOST ALL THE WAY UP AND THEN IT MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE AND THEN ONCE IT REACHES THE TOP IT ROLLS BACK DOWN BY ITSELF WITHOUT ME TOUCHING ANYTHING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IF THERE IS INCLEMENT WEATHER, I CANNOT GET MY WINDOW TO STAY ROLLED UP. MY CAR IS NOT SAFE LEFT WITH THE WINDOW ROLLED ALL THE WAY DOWN. THIS IS NOT JUST AN ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING. THERE A FORUMS FILLED WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS ALL WITH 2003 VW BEETLES. IT IS A CHEAPLY MADE PART THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED PROFESSIONALLY. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT EVERYONE HAS TO PAY $300+ FOR REPAIR THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN THIS OFTEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10492898

Incident

Oct 8, 2012

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR POWER WINDOW REGULATORS. I AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE ONE OF THE REPLACEMENTS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 83000 MILES ON IT. THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS WINDOW ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE - OVER $500. I'VE ALREADY INVESTED WELL OVER $1500 REPLACING THE REGULATORS ALREADY. VOLKSWAGEN IS MAKING DEFECTIVE PARTS AND WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I FILED A COMPLAINT EARLIER ON THIS VEHICLE FOR A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED. I'VE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT. THE AIRBAG WAS NEVER DEPLOYED OR DAMAGED IN ANY WAY. IF THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE IT IS BECAUSE VW PUTS DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS IN THEIR VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10474406

Incident

Sep 21, 2007

Mileage

36,000 mi

FROM DAY ONE THIS CAR HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHICH WERE DENIED BY THE DEALER ON 5 VISITS, AFTER I SOLD THE CAR I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM VW, NOW THAT I AM LOOKING AT BLOGS THEY HAVE APPARENTLY RECALLED THIS RECALL TO SUIT THEM. OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE WINDOW TROUBLES, CONVERTIBLE ROOF TROUBLES, ELECTRONIC TROUBLES, SEATBELT TROUBLES, AIRBAG TROUBLES. I CAN'T BELIEVE ANYONE WILL ALLOW THIS CAR TO STILL BE SOLD OR ON THE ROAD. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD ON WHEELS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10440523

Incident

Mar 19, 2003

Mileage

1 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. WHEN DECELERATING TO APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK BEFORE SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND AFTER INSPECTION THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE AT A COST OF $6,000. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ID

10425183

Incident

Aug 13, 2011

Mileage

123,000 mi

REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW- REGULATOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10424589

Incident

Sep 9, 2011

BOTH REAR WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. ONE IS ALL THE WAY DOWN THER OTHER 3/4 THE WAY DOWN. COULD BE UP TO $2000 TO REPAIR BOTH WINDOWS. *KB

NHTSA ID

10419599

Incident

Aug 12, 2011

Mileage

56,560 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. SHE ALSO NOTICED DEBRIS ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHICH WAS A GREASY SUBSTANCE THAT CAUSED HER EYES TO BURN AND COULD HAVE OBSTRUCTED HER VIEW. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING AN APPOINTMENT WITH A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,700. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,100. UPDATED 10/18/11*LJ THE DEALER INDICATED THE DEBRIS WAS A RESULT OF THE A/C UNIT PROTECTION WITH A FOAM SUBSTANCE WHICH WAS PEELING OFF THE A/C UNIT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE MAIN VALVE FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED

NHTSA ID

10419568

Incident

Jan 15, 2011

Mileage

67,100 mi

I HAVE A 2003 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE AND BOTH REAR WINDOW REGULATORS CONTINUALLY BREAK. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN GOING ON WITH YOUR AGENCY TO GET THIS ITEM COVERED AS A RECALL BY VOLKSWAGEN. THE ITEM OR COMPLAINT NUMBER THAT WAS GIVEN ME IS 10282664. THESE WINDOW REGULATORS ARE OF A DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY VW. I DON'T FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD PROSPER BY SELLING THE REGULATOR KITS THAT ARE NECESSARY DUE TO THEIR FAULTY DESIGN. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME THAT I AM REPLACING THESE ITEMS IN A 7 YEAR OLD CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10408681

Incident

Jun 20, 2011

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOONROOF WAS SEPERATING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID

10404302

Incident

May 20, 2011

I TOOK THE TOP DOWN THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME THE REAR RIGHT SIDE WINDOW WENT DOWN BUT WOULD NOT GO UP TRIED TO GET IT FIXED AT THE DEALER THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE MORE THEN $600.00 WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE THEY TOOK IT APART AND IT STARTED WORKING FINE THEN LESS THEN A WEEK LATER IT WAS STUCK DOWN AGAIN AND TWO DAYS LATER WENT UP WITH SOME WORK NOW I DON'T EVEN WANT TO PUT IT DOWN AT ALL! *TR

NHTSA ID

10396753

Incident

Mar 28, 2011

2003 NEW VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER SIDE REAR QUARTER WINDOW. WINDOW FAILS TO FULLY RAISE AND WILL AUTOMATICALLY OPEN WHEN IT REACHES 2/3 RAISED POSITION. FAULTY WINDOW REGULATOR. A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10390190

Incident

Mar 5, 2011

Mileage

47,000 mi

SIX MONTHS AGO THE LEFT REAR WINDOW IN MY VW CONVERTIBLE BEETLE BROKE, IT WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN. I DO NOT USE THE REAR WINDOWS VERY OFTEN SO I WAS QUITE SURPRISED WHEN THE WINDOW BROKE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER TO GET REPAIRED. IT COST ME NINE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY EIGHT DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET. CLOSE TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO HAVE JUST THE WINDOW REPAIRED. I THOUGHT THIS WAS RIDICULOUS FOR JUST ONE SMALL WINDOW. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS VERY VERY UPSET BUT I HAD NO ALTERNATIVE I HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. NOW SIX MONTHS LATER THE LEFT REAR WINDOW HAS BROKEN. ONCE AGAIN I DO NOT USE THE REAR WINDOWS VERY OFTEN ESPECIALLY SINCE THE THOUSAND DOLLAR CHARGE THERE IS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO CHANCE THAT HAPPENING. HERE IT IS WINTER TIME SO THERE IS NO REASON TO BE USING THOSE WINDOWS. ANYWAY LAST WEEK I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I HEARD A TERRIBLE POPPING SOUND, ONE WHICH I HAVE HEARD BEFORE AND I THOUGHT OH NO NOT AGAIN. WELL ONCE I GOT TO WORK AND CHECKED SURE AS HECK THE LEFT WINDOW WAS BROKEN. IT IS DOWN ABOUT EIGHT INCHES AND ONE GO UP OR DOWN. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT IT WILL COST ME ANOTHER THOUSAND DOLLARS JUST TO FIX A WINDOW. I DO NOT HAVE A THOUSAND DOLLARS LAYING AROUND TO GET IT REPAIRED. MY PARENTS ALSO OWN A VW BEETLE AND THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL WINDOW PROBLEMS. WE HAVE BOTH DECIDED WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW BECAUSE WE JUST CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR COSTS FOR ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE GONE WRONG WITH THESE CARS. I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW MUCH IT COSTS FOR REPAIRS. I KEEP CHECKING ON THE RECALL LIST PRAYING THAT I MAY GET SOME HELP BUT AS OF YET THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY ASSISTANCE. CAN VW EXPLAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THESE WINDOWS??? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10376889

Incident

Jan 8, 2011

Mileage

83,423 mi

2003 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WINDOW REGULATORS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10373311

Incident

Dec 23, 2010

2003 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE :DRIVERS SIDE WINDOWS REGULATOR AND MOTOR AND BROKEN HINGE. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAYS IT NEED COIL PACK AND TEMPERATURE SENSOR. SEAT BELT LIGHT SAYS IT NEED SEAT BELT SENSOR. ALSO DOOR LATCH REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10366693

Incident

Nov 11, 2010

Mileage

45,020 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN SHE CHANGED GEARS. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS DONE AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR MOTORS FAILED; THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED AND WERE REPAIRED AT A REPAIR SHOP. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE REAR WINDSHIELD WAS BEGINNING TO DETACH FROM THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,347 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,800.

NHTSA ID

10365120

Incident

Jul 1, 2009

Mileage

75,347 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE GLS (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WAS BROKEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REGULATORS ON THE DIFFERENT WINDOWS HAD BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD HAVE TO BE PERFORMED AT HER EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,990.

NHTSA ID

10358438

Incident

Jan 13, 2004

Mileage

32,990 mi

I HAVE A 2003 CONVERTIBLE VW AND MY BACK WINDOW HAS COME UNGLUED TO THE CANVAS. MY VW HAS LESS THAN 45K MILES.VW SHOULD BE MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS BAD QUALITY IN MANUFACTURING THIS MAKE. I'VE INQUIRED AND IT WILL COST $1300 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TOP. THIS IS RIDICULES - ANYONE KNOW OF A CLASS ACTION?? *TR

NHTSA ID

10355510

Incident

Jun 10, 2008

Mileage

40,000 mi

2003 VW BEETLE REAR WINDOW ISSUES. 3 TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED WHERE THE REAR WINDOW WONT ROLL UP. 3 TIMES VW DEALERSHIP CHARGED US CLOSE TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX BECAUSE OF THERE DESIGN FLAW. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ITS TIME TO INVESTIGATE...PLEASE! I HAVE PUT THE LATEST DATE THIS OCCURRED, BUT AS I SAY THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10350186

Incident

Aug 17, 2010

Mileage

5,000 mi

WHILE THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS BEING LOWERED BY THE 20 YEAR OLD FEMALE DRIVER IT MADE A HORRENDOUS GRINDING NOISE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL AS SHE TRIED TO STOP QUICKLY. SHE FEARED SOMETHING IN THE REAR WHEEL WAS BREAKING. A SHORT TIME LATER THE PASENGER SIDE WINDOW GROUND TO A STATE OF DISREPAIR. NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW NEEDS TO BE LOWERED VERY CAREFULLY TO AVOID ENGAGING THE AUTOMATIC FEATURE AS THIS CAUSES THE WINDOW TO MAKE A TERRIBLE NOISE. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO STOP THE WINDOW JUST BEFORE IT REACHES THE FULLY OPEN POSITION. THE REAR WINDOWS HAVE TO BE MANUALLY POSITIONED JUST RIGHT TO ALLOW THE CONVERTIBLE TOP TO BE LOWERED PROPERLY. ALSO, WHEN SMALL CHILDREN ARE IN THE BACK SEAT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO FALL DOWN ALL THE WAY SUBJECTING THEM TO EJECTION OR THE ABILITY TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON THEIR OWN. WHEN IT IS RAINING OR SNOWING THE ELEMENTS FLY IN THROUGHT THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THEY WON'T STAY UP. THIS IS ALSO VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. REPAIR ESTIMATES FOR THE REAR WINDOWS START AT $1500.00 WHICH THIS PARTICULAR OWNER/DRIVER CANNOT BEGIN TO AFFORD!. VW REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10350160

Incident

May 1, 2010

Mileage

35,000 mi

I HAVE A 2003 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE AND BOTH REAR WINDOW REGULATORS CONTINUALLY BREAK. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN GOING ON WITH YOUR AGENCY TO GET THIS ITEM COVERED AS A RECALL BY VOLKSWAGEN. THE ITEM OR COMPLAINT NUMBER THAT WAS GIVEN ME IS 10282664. THESE WINDOW REGULATORS ARE OF A DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY VW. I DON'T FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD PROSPER BY SELLING THE REGULATOR KITS THAT ARE NECESSARY DUE TO THEIR FAULTY DESIGN. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME THAT I AM REPLACING THESE ITEMS IN A 7 YEAR OLD CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10349123

Incident

Jul 31, 2010

Mileage

99,500 mi

2003 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. REAR WINDOWS REGULATOR/MOTORS BROKE. VW ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR FRONT WINDOWS (7 YEARS) REAR WINDOWS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WANTS $700.00 PER SIDE TO FIX. WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL DOWN ON COMMAND. OFTEN FALL ON THEIR OWN AFTER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10348197

Incident

Jul 16, 2010

Mileage

78,500 mi

REAR WINDOW WILL NOT COME UP. OTHER REAR WINDOW IS LOCKED IN UP POSITION AS IT BROKE 8 MO. AGO. THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE NEW BEATLE ALL YEARS. TIME FOR A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ID

10347977

Incident

Jul 15, 2010

Mileage

52,000 mi

I OWN A 2003 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, PURCHASED NEW. ONLY 42,000 MILES ON IT. THE FRONT MOTOR AND MODULE WENT OUR FEW DAYS AGO AND HAD REPLACED. NOW THE REAR REGULATOR IS BAD O THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HAVE READ OF A WHOLE LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, WHY NO RECALL, OTHER MODEL YEARS HAVE BEEN, ALSO THE COIL PACK IS BAD AND HAS BEEN RECALL ON OTHER YEARS. WHY DON'T INCLUDE THE 2003 MODEL? THANKS *TR

NHTSA ID

10335782

Incident

Jun 1, 2010

Mileage

42,300 mi