2006 Volkswagen Beetle Problems

WHEN IN MOTION, THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE GEARS AT APPROPRIATE ENGINE SPEEDS. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE REVS WAY TOO HIGH AND SLAMS INTO THE NEXT GEAR, PRODUCING DANGEROUS JOLTS. OTHER TIMES THE GEAR FAILS TO ENGAGE AT ALL, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER. MY VEHICLE WAS STRANDED IN CITY TRAFFIC DUE TO THIS TEMPORARY FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY QUALIFIED TECHNICIANS AND CERTAIN CONTROL PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO DISPLAY THIS DEFECTIVE BEHAVIOR SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM. I AND OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE'S DRIVETRAIN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MONTHS EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY FAILURE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 12/13/2017 *LN *TR

FUSE BOX MELTED TWICE. THE LAST TIME TOTALLY SHUT THE CAR DOWN. VW DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. WILL SELL YOU NEW BOX BUT WILL NOT WARENTEE THE NEW BOX WILL NOT FAIL AGAIN AS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY IT HAPPENS. AS I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE AC STOPPED WORKING AND THE CAR SLOWED AND LOST SOME POWER. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND PULL INTO A REPAIR SHOP THAT JUST HAPPENED TO BE RIGHT THERE. THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX HAD MELTED.

IT IS ACCELERATING ON IT OWN WHEN STOPPED OR IN GEAR OR NOT. REALLY SCARY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHILE SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE VALVE BODY WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

2006 NEW BEETLE TDI TRANSMISSION (DSG) FAILURE. CAN SUDDENLY SLOW AND OPERATED AT HIGH REV'S. LUCKY I DID NOT GET REAR ENDED. *TR

FUSE BOX ON TOP OF BATTERY MELTDOWN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY

THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WE TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. IT LOOKS LIKE THE CAUSE WAS THE WIRING GOING INTO THE FUSE BOX ON TOP OF THE BATTERY OVERHEATED AND MELTED. THE ALTERNATOR HARNESS AND FUSE BOX NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE SO DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE REGULATOR BAND REPAIR KIT WAS REPLACED. MOST RECENTLY, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS \BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,904.

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY PARTIALLY MOVE WHEN TURNED ON OR STOP PART WAY THROUGH THE CYCLE. *TR

I took my vehicle into the mechanic due to my airbag light being on. Mechanic stated that it is a problem between my seat belt buckle and airbags. He stated that my airbags will not deploy in the event of an accident due to the seat belt buckle malfunctioning. When he callez Dublin Volkswagen to get the part to fix this issue, they stated that Volkswagen does not make the part anymore. This is a major safety concern because myself and anyone else needs this part to drive safely.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO A YARD. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A WATER METER AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE COVERT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED THIRD DEGREE BURNS FROM THE VOLKSWAGEN EMBLEM ON THE AIR BAG, AND CUTS AND BRUISES TO THE FACE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 190802695. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 260,000. *LN CONSUMER STATED FOUND CAR WAS SOLD TO TENNESSEE AUTO SALVAGE (KNOXVILLE,TN) SOLD 9/14/19. PHONE NUMBER 865-281-5420.*JB *LN PICTURES THAT VW (LARRY WEST) RECEIVED FROM COPART KNOXVILLE, TN. *JB*DT *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GOING 60MPH, THE LIGHTS TURN OFF. I HAD TO STOP AND HIT THE HEADLIGHTS TO GET THE LIGHTS TO COME ON. THEN THEY WOULD SHUT OFF AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND BROKE. IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY BREAKS AGAIN CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO FAIL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP FRACTURED AND DETACHED WITHOUT NOTICE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP FRACTURED ON A ROADWAY. MONTHS LATER, BOTH LOW BEAMS FRACTURED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAD BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN TWICE BEFORE THE FRACTURES WITH THE PART DETACHING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

FUSE BOX MELTED TWICE. THE LAST TIME TOTALLY SHUT THE CAR DOWN. VW DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. WILL SELL YOU NEW BOX BUT WILL NOT WARENTEE THE NEW BOX WILL NOT FAIL AGAIN AS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY IT HAPPENS. AS I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE AC STOPPED WORKING AND THE CAR SLOWED AND LOST SOME POWER. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND PULL INTO A REPAIR SHOP THAT JUST HAPPENED TO BE RIGHT THERE. THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX HAD MELTED.

EPC WARNING LIGHT WANT TURN OFF. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AS WELL AS IN MOTION. SPEED DECREASES WHEN TRAVELING ON ROADWAY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAL FROM THE REAR WINDSHIELD WAS DETERIORATING AND CAUSED WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

WE PURCHASED A USED, ONE OWNER, 2006 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE (45,000 MILES) FOR OUR DAUGHTER IN COLLEGE, FOUR MONTHS AGO. SINCE THEN SHE HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS CONSTANTLY. SHE DROVE IT HOME OVER EASTER BREAK AND I HAD MY HUSBAND DETAIL THE CAR TO SEE IF HE COULD FIND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE ODOR. WHEN WE TOOK THE FLOOR MATS OUT THEY WREAKED OF TOXIC NOSE BURNING CRAYONS. I THREW THE OLD MATS OUT, SPRAYED THE CARPETS WITH A NONTOXIC CLEANER AND LEFT THE HOOD DOWN IN THE GARAGE FOR 3 DAYS. THE SMELL DIDN'T GO AWAY. THIS WEEK-END SHE DROVE HOME AND BY THE TIME SHE CAME IN THE DOOR SHE WREAKED OF CRAYONS, HAD A STOMACH AND HEAD ACHE SO BAD SHE HAD TO GO TO BED. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR HER. I BROUGHT IN ALL OF HER LUGGAGE AND IT SMELLED JUST AS BAD. WE REMOVED THE NEW MATS BECAUSE THE SMELLED AS BAD AS THE OLD ONES. I PHONED THE DEALERSHIP IN SAVANNAH AND THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SMELL. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT, YET WHEN I CALLED VW THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD TO CONTACT THE HILTON HEAD DEALERSHIP AND PAY A $115.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WHEN I PHONE THEM THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE COULD LOOK AT IT BUT HE'D NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE AND THE BEST THING WOULD BE TO BUY HER A NEW CAR. I'M SORRY, THIS IS A COLLEGE KID AND $10,000 IS PLENTY TO PAY FOR A CAR. I'M NOT LOOKING TO CAUSE PROBLEM OR GET ANY HANDOUTS BUT THIS IS OUR ONLY CHILD AND HER HEALTH IS IMPORTANT TO ME. SHE LOVES THE CAR AND DOESN'T WANT TO GET RID OF IT SO WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE CAN REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITHOUT PAYING AN ARM AND A LEG. HAVE YOU HAD ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS.? THANK YOU *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THE ISSUE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM USED CAR DEALER 5/2014. WITHIN 6 WEEKS A NOTICEABLE ODOR OF GAS BOTH IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND OUTSIDE THE CAR.WHEN STANDING WITHIN 5 FEET OF IT. REGULAR MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED BUT LICENSED REPAIR SHOPS WERE UNABLE/UNWILLING TO FIND A CAUSE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES WITHIN THE CITY OF TUCSON, AZ ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS TODAVIS-MONTHAN AFB FOR SERVICE AGAIN. THE TECHNICIAN IMMEDIATELY EVACUATED MY CAR'S DRIVER AWAY FROM IT AS HE SAW FUEL HAD SPILLED INTO THE TRUNK SPACE, TRAVELED THROUGH THE ACCESS PANEL, SPILLED INTO THE BACKSEAT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT UNDER THE BACK SEAT, SATURATED THE CARPET AND FLOOR MATS, AND HAD BEGUN REACHING BENEATH THE FRONT SEATS. THE FUEL WAS HOSED UNTIL IT COULD SAFELY BE DRIVEN OFF THE MILITARY BASE THEN TOWED TO A VW DEALERSHIP. PER THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE MANAGER, THE FUEL PUMP HAD CRACKED AND CAUSED SEVERAL GALLONS OF GAS INTO THE CAR. NEITHER VW OF AMERICA OR IT'S AUTHORIZED DEALER ARE ABLE TO GIVE ME A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAD BEEN ADDRESSED IN 2011, PRIOR TO MY OWNERSHIP, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL REFERENCE NHTSA #10V621000, AND VW WILL NOT FUND THE REPAIR OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. VW OF AMERICA REPORTS TO NHTSA THAT NO RECALL REPAIRS REMAIN TO BE DONE. ALL REPAIRS TO THE FUEL SYSTEM; GASOLINE DELIVERY HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ON 2006-2010 CERTAIN MODELS JETTA, NEW. BEETLE, BEETLE CONVERTIBLES, JETTA SPORTWAGON, AND RABBIT VEHICLES. WITHOUT VW PROVIDING ME A RECALL REPAIR RECORD AND ACCEPTING NO RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE ME SUCH, I AM SCREWED!! AS A SINGLE, HARD WORKING MOTHER, I CAN NEITHER AFFORD 1K TO FIX IT OR A MONTHLY PAYMENT ON A CAR THAT CAN'T BE DRIVEN. VW ONCE AGAIN REVEALS IT'S REPREHENSIBLE PRACTICE OF DECEIVING AMERICAN CONSUMERS.

I took my vehicle into the mechanic due to my airbag light being on. Mechanic stated that it is a problem between my seat belt buckle and airbags. He stated that my airbags will not deploy in the event of an accident due to the seat belt buckle malfunctioning. When he callez Dublin Volkswagen to get the part to fix this issue, they stated that Volkswagen does not make the part anymore. This is a major safety concern because myself and anyone else needs this part to drive safely.

MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE HAS HAD 4 FAILURES OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED DEALERSHIPS, THE PART THAT KEEPS FAILING IS A SENSOR IN THE SEATBELT. WHEN THIS SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS RENDERED USELESS. IT GOES OFF RANDOMLY, WITH NO TRAUMA OR INCIDENT TO THE VEHICLE. THE PART COSTS MORE THAN $600 TO FIX. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED IN 2008, 2010, 2013 AND NOW THE SAME PART HAS FAILED AGAIN. EACH TIME IT WENT OUT IT WAS WITHIN A YEAR OF THE PREVIOUS FAILURE, ALTHOUGH UNTIL RECENTLY I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS DISABLED - I WAITED TO TAKE IT IN BECAUSE OF THE INCONVENIENCE. THE LIGHT ALSO RANDOMLY TURNS OFF ONE OUT OF EVERY 10-15 DRIVES. THE VOLKSWAGEN REGIONAL CASE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT - DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE PART IS CLEARLY FAULTY AND HAS CONTINUOUSLY FAILED DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN OR ANY FACTORS I COULD CONTROL - THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT AND EXPECT ME TO PAY THE COST FOR THE YEARLY/BI-YEARLY FAILURE BECAUSE MY CAR HAS 102,000 MILES ON IT. THE FAILURE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MILEAGE AND THE SAME PROBLEM WAS FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN THE CAR HAD LOWER MILEAGE. (PLUS, I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000) THIS PART CLEARLY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF POSTINGS FROM OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE SUFFERING FROM THE SAME ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN IS STICKING THE CONSUMER WITH THE BILL FOR THEIR SHODDY WORKMANSHIP. WHEN I ASKED "IF I PAY TO FIX IT NOW, WILL YOU BE COVERING THE REST OF THE REPLACEMENTS IT WILL OBVIOUSLY NEED DOWN THE LINE?" THE ANSWER WAS A "NO." IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE HANDLED BY SOME BODY WITH AUTHORITY OVER THIS COMPANY. THE VEHICLE IS NOT MEETING BASIC SAFETY STANDARDS. I MAINTAIN THE PARTS OF MY VEHICLE EACH YEAR THAT I AM REQUIRED TO - VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO DO THEIR PART TO MAKE THEIR VEHICLES WORK PROPERLY. *TR

BRAKE FAILURE RESULTED IN CRASH AND TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. TRAVELING ON FLAT STRAIGHT FOUR LANE ROAD WITH RAISED MEDIAN APPROXIMATELY 45MPH. VEHICLES TO THE RIGHT AND MEDIAN TO THE LEFT. BRAKES DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER STOPPED VEHICLE.

WAS DRIVING AND REALIZED MY BRAKES DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS PUT ON.. HAD THE BRAKES AND THE MASTER CYLINDER BLED.. STILL FELT FUNNY.. TOOK IT TO A GARAGE THIS AM AND HE FOUND THAT THE BOOSTER VACUUM IS BAD. MECHANIC TRIED TO CALL TO ORDER ONE AND THEY ARE SCARCE. HE BELIEVES THE SHORTAGE MAY BE BECAUSE THEIR IS A RECALL ON THIS. ALSO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT LATCH FELL APART AND IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A USED ONE ANYWHERE BECAUSE THEY ARE IN DEMAND BY VW OWNERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. SHE NOTICED RED MARKS ALONG THE BACK OF HER LEGS AND BACK. AFTER SEEING A DOCTOR SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE RED MARKS WERE A RASH FROM A HEATING BURN CAUSED BY THE HEATED CAR SEATS. SHE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE RASH MAY NEVER GO AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER EXAMINED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF ONE FORCED THE SWITCH ON AND OFF THE HEATER WOULD OPERATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGEWAS 996. THE CONTACT HAS AN APPOINTMENT AT A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. *AK

THE SEAT HEATER GOT EXTREMELY HOT VERY QUICK WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS SO HOT, THAT IT BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND BURNED MY BOTTOM. THIS ALSO NEARLY CAUSED ME TO GET INTO A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT AS I TRIED TO NOT GET BURNED. *TR

2006 VW BEETLE WITH DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM. *TR

2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP AND ELECTRONIC STABILIZATION PROGRAM FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A RED AND BLUE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE THEN BROKE DOWN, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, THE RED AND BLUE LIGHT MEANT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILIZATION PROGRAM OR ANTI-SLIP REGULATION. WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS INFORMED THE OIL PAN AND GASKET AND SHOCKS WERE LEAKING AND WORN AS WELL AS THE BALL JOINTS. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AS THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO WOULD INSPECT AND PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GEARS ERRATICALLY. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS CAUSE ERRATIC ENGINE SPEED DURING SHIFTS RESULTING IN TIRES BREAKING TRACTION AND UNPREDICTABLE ACCELERATION. DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IS HAZARDOUS DUE TO SUDDEN OR DELAYED GEAR SHIFTS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTED PERIOD FOR THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY DUE TO KNOWN DEFECTS IN THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY PRODUCES ERRATIC DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS AND POSES A RISK TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY. *TR

IN 2006, MY WIFE LEASED A NEW VW BEETLE FROM A DEALERSHIP IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THE CAR CAME WITH A SET OF NEW GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES. MY WIFE COMMUTES 40 MILES ROUND TRIP FIVE TO SIX DAYS A WEEK TO WORK. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 60K IN MILES ON IT. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN MISTREATED- SURFACE STREETS AND FREEWAY USE ONLY. ON 4-25-09, MY WIFE DROVE TO WORK, PARKED IN A PUBLIC USE GARAGE, AND SPENT EIGHT HOURS WORKING. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE CAR, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. A TOW SERVICE WAS CALLED AND THEY PUT ON THE SPARE TIRE. IT WAS AT THAT TIME THE TOW SERVICE DRIVER SHOWED MY WIFE THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE REPLACED TIRE. IN BRIEF, ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF THE SIDEWALL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN TREAD TO THE POINT THE METAL BANDS WERE EXPOSED. WHEN MY WIFE GOT HOME, I CRAWLED UNDER HER CAR AND SAW THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS ALSO IN THE SAME DEFECTIVE CONDITION. I TOOK PICTURES OF BOTH TIRES AND DOWNLOADED THEM ONTO MY COMPUTER. THE COST TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES WILL BE OVER $500.00 BASED ON A SEAR\'S ESTIMATE. I CHECKED THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS AND SAFETY BULLETINS ON GOODYEAR TIRES. I FOUND THERE WAS NO FORMAL RECALL OF THIS TIRE, BUT GOODYEAR WAS DOING A \"SILENT RECALL\" REPLACING TIRES FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. I FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES, THE EAGLE RS-A, SEPARATING AT THE SIDEWALL ON THE INTERNET. TODD MAYER *TR