2013 Volkswagen Beetle Electrical Problems

My car will randomly die after sitting at a light or pulling onto the highway or just pulling out of my garage. The car starts up and sounds fine, when I put it in reverse to pull out of the garage, it will die while moving backwards. Sitting at a red light, the car if running fine. When I accelerate after turning green, it dies. After driving for 12 minutes or so I stop at McDonald and go through the drive thru. After getting my food, I pull onto the highway and the car dies. There was a gas station right next to the McDonalds, so I was able to coast into the gas station. When the car dies, it immediately starts up again and will drive fine after that. I've also been having issues with it jerking. I've taken it to the VW dealership numerous times. They hook it up to see if there are any error codes and there are none. They try to find something to fix, but each time the car might work for a couple of weeks, but the jerking and dying continues. With the randomness of this, the car just doesn't feel safe to drive. I have to be very cautious not to pull out in front of any vehicle that is close for the potential of it dying. I'm calling again today to see if I can get them to fix the crank sensor as I have found others to have the same issue and that seems to fix it. I've spent several thousand dollars to try to get it fixed, but since it doesn't throw any error codes and the randomness of this issue, it's hard to replicate.

NHTSA ID

11669434

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

Driving 60miles an hour the entire car shot down. No lights, no control, the car was completely off it was a very scary situation The car still not turning on

NHTSA ID

11585413

Incident

Apr 25, 2024

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE COMMUNICATION ERRORS (P0864) CAUSED VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN AT HIGH SPEED (55MPH) KILLING POWER STEERING AND ABS SYSTEM ON A CURVY COUNTRY ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11402949

Incident

Mar 12, 2021

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR STOP WORKING

NHTSA ID

11343522

Incident

Jul 7, 2020

Mileage

77,782 mi

THE TAIL LIGHT CONNECTOR ROTTED WHILE L WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET

NHTSA ID

11343520

Incident

Jul 30, 2020

Mileage

77,782 mi

AROUND 7/8/19 MY KEY STARTED GETTING STUCK IN THE ON POSITION CAR RUNNING. I TO BE AFTER READING COMPLAINTS AND SEEN THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE STEERING LOCK SO THEY FIXED THAT NO PROBLEM. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK THE KEY WAS ALREADY IN IGNITION. I WENT TO GAS STATION TOOK KEY OUT AND OPENED DOOR AND IT WAS CHIMING LIKE THE KEYS WERE STILL ON THE IGNITION I COULDN'T EVEN USE THE KEY FOB TO LOCK DOORS. I TOOK BACK TO BE ON 8/2/19 TOLD THEM I HAD NO PROBLEMS TIL THEY WORKED ON IT SO THEY DIDN'T CHARGE ME A DIAGNOSTIC FEE WHEN THEY CALLED TO SAY THAT THE TUMBLER WAS BAD AND THAT WASN'T COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I SAID IT DIDN'T DO IT BEFORE YOU MESSED WITH IT BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX WHAT THEY BROKE AND SAID THEY HAVE TO ORDER THE PART FROM MEXICO.

NHTSA ID

11253087

Incident

Jul 8, 2019

Mileage

69,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NAPLETON'S VOLKSWAGEN OF URBANA (1025 NAPLETON WAY, URBANA, IL 61802, 217-637-1222) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOY-BASED WIRING WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11240443

Incident

Jul 24, 2019

Mileage

65,000 mi

OVER TIME, THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN WHENEVER THE KEY IS INSERTED. THIS OCCURS ESPECIALLY OFTEN IN WARMER WEATHER, WHICH CAN BECOME A DANGER AS THE DRIVER SITS AND WRESTLES WITH THE KEY TRYING TO GET IT TO TURN IN THE IGNITION IN AN INCREDIBLY HOT CAR. IT MOST OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND ALREADY TURNED OFF, THOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AFTER PARKING, AND BEING UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY BACK AND TURN THE CAR OFF.

NHTSA ID

11234994

Incident

Jul 21, 2019

Mileage

63,000 mi

MY 2013 BEETLE WAS STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE KEY LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO TURN OFF THE CAR. I DROVE TO THE VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THEY HAD TO PULL A FUSE IN ORDER TO STOP THE RUNNING ENGINE AND STILL COULD NOT REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY.

NHTSA ID

11174434

Incident

Feb 4, 2019

Mileage

145,000 mi

I HAVE NOTICED MY CENTER DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT DIM/TURN OFF FOR SOME TIME THINKING THE HEADLIGHT WAS BAD. I HAD THE HEADLIGHT REPLACED IN FEBRUARY BUT STILL HAD PEOPLE TELL ME IT WAS OUT AND AT TIMES I COULD SEE THIS IN THE REFLECTION OF TRUCK TAILGATES, ETC. THE SURROUNDING DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT CAN MAKE IT HARD TO TELL. HOWEVER, IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS, EVERY TWO TO THREE MINUTES, SOMETIMES AFTER NOTICING THE INITIAL DIM OF THE DRIVER-SIDE HEAD LIGHT, ALL LIGHT TURN OFF LEAVING THE CAR IN MOTION IN THE DARK. THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH ON LOCAL ROADS AND HIGHWAY. ENGAGING THE FOG LIGHTS MAY EXTEND THE TIME BETWEEN SHUT-OFFS BY ANOTHER MINUTE OR SO. BY TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND WAITING A SECOND, THEN TURNING THEM BACK ON, ALL LIGHTS COME BACK. DOING SO TOO QUICKLY DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC FEELS IT IS CAPACITOR OR SIMILAR ELECTRIC ISSUE IN THE J519 BODY CONTROL MODULE THAT RECEIVES POWER FOR THE LIGHTS AND CONTROLS THEM FROM THERE. BEING A SAFETY ISSUE, I HAVE TO WONDER IF CREATING SUCH A WEAK-LINK TO POWER ALL NIGHTTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS NOT RECALL WORTHY. HE SUGGESTED FULL MODULE REPLACEMENT I DO HAVE VIDEO TO SHARE OF THIS OCCURRING.

NHTSA ID

11105288

Incident

Jun 19, 2018

Mileage

59,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL ON 8/13/16 WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET AND AS I ATTEMPT TO MOVE OVER THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DID THIS SEVERAL MORE TIMES BEFORE I WAS TO SEND IT BACK TO THE CAR LOT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CRANK SHAFT WAS REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE. ON 9/13/2016 (1MONTH LATER) WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON A BUSY CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, IN FRONT OF AN 18 WHEELER THIS CAR SHUT OF AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED ON ITS VERY OWN. I MOVED OVER TO A SLOWER LANE TO PREVENT ANY ACCIDENTS. I PROCEEDED TO MY DESTINATION AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME I HAD TO MANUALLY RESTART THE VEHICLE. I PARKED THE CAR AT AN AREA RESTAURANT FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS. I WENT OUT TO START THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO POWER AT ALL. I CALLED TRIPE AAA, THEY CHECKED THE BATTERY AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. FINALLY A TOW TRUCK WAS DISPATCHED AND ARRIVED ABOUT 15 MINS AFTER THE BATTERY CHECK AND ALL LIGHTS WERE OWN. IN ABOUT 10 MINS I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED WITHOUT ANY HESITATION. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE BECAUSE I ABSOLUTELY FEAR FOR MY SAFETY.

NHTSA ID

10906280

Incident

Sep 13, 2016

Mileage

5 mi

1. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVE WAY (AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, PARKED IN A LOT), CONVERTIBLE ROOF STALLS UPON OPENING. YOU HAVE TO STOP PRESSING BUTTON AND TRY AGAIN. EVENTUALLY IT STARTS AGAIN AND OPENS. VW SERVICE UNABLE TO REPLICATE. THEY GREASE THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED HOPING IT CORRECTS THE PROBLEM. 2. WHEN CAR WAS NEW, NOT WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS WERE NOTED. AFTER A YEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE SQUIRTS OUT IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE WIPER DOESN'T GET WET ENOUGH TO CLEAN WINDOW, THUS LEAVING BLURRY STREAKS THAT IMPEDES DRIVER'S SIDE VISION. PASSENGER SIDE OK. TOOK CAR IN 2 TIMES, THEY SAY THEY ADJUST SPRAY. PROBLEM STILL THERE EVEN AFTER REPLACING WIPERS WITH BRAND NEW (VOLKSWAGON BRAND) WIPERS. JUST HAD THE SPRAY FIXED AGAIN LAST WEEK. AFRAID TO SEE IF IT IS ANY BETTER. WILL WRITE ANOTHER REPORT IF PROBLEM PERSISTS. HAD CONVERTIBLE TOP GEARS GREASED AGAIN LAST WEEK. I WONDER IF HOT WEATHER IS EFFECTING THE TOP TO OPEN?

NHTSA ID

10895365

Incident

Aug 3, 2016

Mileage

9,000 mi

TRUNK LATCH INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT OPERATE. VEHICLE HAS ELECTRONIC KEYLESS LOCKS AND IGNITION.

NHTSA ID

10846228

Incident

Mar 11, 2016

Mileage

37,000 mi

THE TRUNK LATCH DOES NOT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS KEYLESS ELECTRONIC LOCKS. BROUGHT TO DEALER BUT THE LATCH WORKS FINE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TRUNK IS NOT ACCESSIBLE UNLESS SOMEONE CRAWLS NOT THE THE TRUNK VIA THE BACK SEAT. CONDITION HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE PURCHASE.

NHTSA ID

10846226

Incident

Mar 10, 2016

Mileage

37,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN ACTIVATED, THE RADIO PROMPTED THE CONTACT FOR A CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ID

10779419

Incident

Sep 23, 2015

Mileage

56,000 mi

WE WERE DRIVING HOME IN OUR 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WHEN THE ENGINE DIED CAUSING A LACK OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS IS ACTUALLY THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY WIFE IS PREGNANT AND I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS CAR BEING ABLE TO MOVE MY FAMILY AROUND SAFELY. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. THE DEALERS ARE NOT ABLE TO "DUPLICATE" THE ISSUE SO THEY SEND YOU AWAY WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. HOPEFULLY THIS DOES NOT WIND UP BEING A SITUATION SIMILAR TO GM WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LIVES BEFORE THE ISSUES ARE CORRECTED.

NHTSA ID

10730785

Incident

Jun 27, 2015

Mileage

23,000 mi

CAR WOULD STALL AND ABRUPTLY STOP WHEN OPERATING AND ALL ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS AND SAFETY FEATURES WOULD TURN OFF AND NOT WORK (E.G., ENGINE, ASSISTED BRAKES, AIR BAGS, HORN, RUNNING LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, HAZARD LIGHTS, ENTIRE DASHBOARD WOULD NOT WORK). ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR WOULD POWER UP AGAIN AND RUN. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT (IT HAPPENED AGAIN) AND NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR DEALER COULD FIND THE CAUSE. THE OWNER REFUSED TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE UNLESS THEY FOUND THE CAUSE BECAUSE THE ABRUPT STOPPING COULD BE CATASTROPHIC ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CURRENT POSITION OF THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER IS THAT IT NEVER HAPPENED. ANOTHER CASE IS REPORTED HERE WHERE THE SAME CAR ABRUPTLY STOPPED THREE TIMES AND THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10671852

Incident

Mar 14, 2014

Mileage

4,113 mi

CAR STALLS AND LOOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. 3RD INCIDENT ON CAR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURE CAN'T FIND ANY ISSUE TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10606340

Incident

Jun 26, 2014

Mileage

7,600 mi

THERE IS A DELAY BETWEEN WHEN THE HORN BUTTON IS PRESSED AND WHEN IT SOUNDS. THAT'S A HAZARD AND MAKES NO SENSE.

NHTSA ID

10538079

Incident

Jun 1, 2013

Mileage

150 mi