RoadVitals

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Dec 8, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Dec 4, 2003
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle, most frequently naming the visibility, body & structure and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 12 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility635.3%
  • Body & structure211.8%
  • Interior & seats211.8%
  • Airbags211.8%
  • Driver assistance15.9%
  • Exterior lighting15.9%
  • Seat belts15.9%
  • Transmission15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
03V508000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Dec 4, 2003
15,115 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TIRE INFORMATION LABEL IS INCORRECT IDENTIFYING THE VEHICLE AS A FIVE-PASSENGER VEHICLE, INSTEAD OF A FOUR-PASSENGER VEHICLE.
The risk: EXCEEDING THE CORRECT SEATING CAPACITY IN A VEHICLE PUTS OCCUPANTS AT RISK FOR INJURY IN A CRASH, AND CAN RESULT IN VEHICLE OVERLOADING, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND PUT YOU AT RISK FOR A CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A NEW LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCManufacturer number VB/ZHView on NHTSA.gov
03V356000

AIR BAGS

Sep 29, 2003
333 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PASSENGER DETECTION FUNCTION OF THE PASSIVE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) MAY BECOME DISABLED.
The risk: SHOULD THE PODS CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WILL NOT WORK AS DESIGNED AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PODS. OWNER NOTIFICATION ORIGINALLY BEGAN OCTOBER 3, 2003. VW HAS DETERMINED THAT ADDITIONAL VEHICLES NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE RECALL FOR THE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCManufacturer number WUView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 12
Engine
Filed Dec 8, 2004

WHEN CHANGING THE OIL, A FRAME SUPPORT PAN FOUND ONLY ON CONVERTIBLE CATCHES THE MOTOR OIL. THIS SUPPORT PEN IS CONCAVED AND TRAPS A LARGE MOUNT OF OIL. IF NOT WIPED OUT WITH RAGS IT STAYS THERE CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD FROM A SPARK. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10099817
Incident
Nov 2, 2004
Airbags
Filed Nov 17, 2004

WHENEVER THE PASSENGER/DRIVER SEATS ARE MOVED WITHIN 10 SECONDS OF STARTING THE CAR AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON IN THE CONSOLE AND DOES NOT TURN OFF UNTIL DONE SO MANUALLY BY A MECHANIC. THE "POD" DEVICE IS THEN DISABLED. IF LIGHT IS ON, THEN AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURIES OR DEATH MAY OCCUR. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ONE IN AUGUST AND ONE IN OCTOBER THE LIGHT WAS RESET BY A MECHANIC AND TOOK 3 DAYS EACH TIME. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO HAVE THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP'S MECHANICS HAVE NOT DONE SO, ASSUMING THAT IS WHY THE LIGHT KEEPS APPEARING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10100108
Incident
Aug 4, 2004
AirbagsBody & structureInterior & seats
Filed Nov 9, 2004

WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET, AND RESET IT SIX TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE SEAT LATCH WAS BROKEN AND THE REAR CONSOLE WAS FALLING APART. *SC

NHTSA ID
10095162
Incident
Mar 5, 2004
Visibility
Filed Oct 4, 2004

THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS BEEN A MAJOR FAILURE POINT. IT HAS BEEN "FIXED" SEVERAL TIMES NOW AND IS STILL FAILING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10093552
Incident
Sep 29, 2004
Mileage
500 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 29, 2004

2004 VW BEETLE BUY 8-19-04. RANSMISSION FAILURE 4 SINCE 9-8, LETTER 9-18 SENT CERTIFIED *VW TECH HOTLINE GAVE NO CASE # SERVICE MGR GAVE CUSTOMER TWO 800#S & CUSTOMER SPOKE W/3 MEN BUT NO CASE #S & SAID THEY WOULD CALL BACK IN 10-15 DAYS. A/O 9-29, NO RETURN CALL & CAR BACK IN SHOP FOR 4TH TIME SAME THING. DEALER WANTS CUSTOMER TO DRIVE AROUND, LEAVE SERVICE TICKET OPEN IN CASE HAPPENS AGAIN. CUSTOMER REQUESTED FULL REFUND UNDER LEMON LAW, BUT NO RESPONSES TO REQUEST. INCIDENTS: 1. 9-8 TRIED DIFFERENT GEARS AND MOVED INTO FIRST GEAR ONLY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD NOT LIGHT UP. SALESMAN ADVISED TO DRIVE TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH TOOK OVER 45 MINUTES AT A TOP SPEED OF 10 MPH. WORK ORDER #87669 INDICATES POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL CONTACT AND READS: HOOK-UP VAS 5051 CODES PO1626 DATA-BUS POWER-TRAIN MISSING MESSAGE FROM TCM, CODES 01315 AND 01315 INST CLUSTER AND DATA BUS GEARBOX CONTROL UNIT NO COMMUNICATION. PERFORMED ALL TEST WITH VAS 5051 AND PER TECH HOTLINE, NO FAULTS FOUND ADVISE TO CLEAR CODES AND TEST DRIVE. IF NO FURTHER PROBLEM OR CODES, RETURN VEHICLE TO CUSTOMER. VW TECH HELP CONTACT NO CASE #. FURTHER OVERNITE ROAD TEST-ALL OK ON TEST. DISCREPANCY-MILEAGE WO #87669 READS 143 MILES IN, BUT MILEAGE CHANGED TO 561 IN AND 602 OUT WHEN CAR PICKED UP. 2. 9-16 SEPTEMBER 16 SAME HAPPENED AROUND LUNCH, DROVE TO DEALER SALESMAN SAID IT WAS FINE 3. 9-16 EVE OUT OF GEAR-TOWED, SERVICE ORDERED CLUSTER TO INSTALL 4. 9-27 VEHICLE WOULDN'T ENGAGE. STILL AT SHOP. THEY SAY THEY REPLACED MORE STUFF, CUSTOMER DOESN'T TRUST AFRAID OF SAFETY-SELF, FAMILY, OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *AK

NHTSA ID
10093320
Incident
Sep 8, 2004
Mileage
143 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 21, 2004

DRIVER DOOR POWER WINDOW:NEW BEETLE CONV. WHEN CLOSING,WILL ROLL BACK DOWN BY ITSELF AND CLUNKS WHEN HITS BOTTOM. HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME WINDOW IS OPENED THEN CLOSED. REPORTED AND TAKEN TO DEALER APRIL 20 2004, THEY FOUND WINDOW GLASS ALMOST FALLING OFF CLIP. REINSTALLED. RELEASED BACK TO ME. BEFORE I LEFT THE SERVICE AREA, WINDOW FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN. DEALER THEN REPLACED MOTOR 2 TIMES. STILL SAME PROBLEM. DEALER CONTACTED VW. AND WAS TOLD SOFTWARE UPDATE NEEDED AND SHORTER CABLES. AS OF TODAY AUGUST 21,2004 WINDOW STILL HAS PROBLEM AND STILL WAITING ON SOFTWARE UP. I HAVE REPORTED THE CASE TO VW. NO RESOLUTION AS OF YET. *JB

NHTSA ID
10088319
Incident
Apr 20, 2004
Mileage
2,175 mi
Body & structureInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Aug 13, 2004

WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR WINDOW CATCHES ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. AS A RESULT, DRIVER HAS TO CLOSE THE DOOR THREE TO SIX TIMES BEFORE IT IS COMPLETELY CLOSED. *AK THIS PROBLEM CAUSED WEAR TO THE SOFT TOP. THE ARMREST WOULD NOT SECURE AND THE WINDOW WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ROLL DOWN BY ITSELF. *SC

NHTSA ID
10087499
Incident
Feb 1, 2004
Mileage
9,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 10, 2004

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO DEALER. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10087629
Incident
Aug 8, 2004

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

0417

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG MONITORING LIGHT ON, PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS), DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 02511 014 STORED. *TT

VK

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THE AMPLIFIER MAY NOT COMPLETELY SWITCH OFF WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. SERVICE ACTION CIRCULAR TO CHECK/REPLACE AMPLIFIER ON VEHICLES WITH MONSOON SOUND SYSTEM. *TT

0403

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) FAULT. *MJ

0404

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HARD STARTING (EXTENDED CRANKING REQUIRED) OR NO START WHEN WET, RUNS ROUGH ON INITIAL START, MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY LIGHT GRAY SMOKE. *MJ

0412

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) ON, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) STORED IN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) MEMORY. *MJ

0409

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

EVALUATING FUEL MIXTURE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES- HOW TO PERFORM EFFECTIVE DIAGNOSIS RELATED TO FUEL SYSTEM ADAPTATION - SYSTEM TOO RICH/TOO LEAN. VOLKSWAGEN. *MJ

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen New Beetle by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2010000—
2009000—
2008000—
2007000—
2006100—
2004Viewing122036.5
2003200035.2
2002151036.8
2001393049.4
2000402051.5
1999341037.7
1998301043.8

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.