2001 Volkswagen Beetle Complaint Log

1. NORMAL DRIVING. 2. EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATING (EGR) COOLER CONNECTING PIPE FRACTURES. THIS CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30,000 AND 120,000 MILES. THIS FRACTURE ALLOWS EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER CABIN. AS OF NOW THE PART HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED, $178 DEALER ITEM. OLD PART WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DOWN SHIFTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK EXCESSIVELY AND WOULD ALSO HESITATE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

SAB DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BETTLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWNSHIFT ABNORMALLY BETWEEN GEARS AND HE WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY SHIFT FROM FOURTH INTO THIRD. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN ROAR LOUDLY AND LOSE ALL POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

THROTTLE BODY GOES OUT (02-03-2009) CV AXEL GOES OUT (03-31-2009 BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT (02-18-2010) CV AXEL GOES OUT AGAIN (4-31-2010) ALTERNATOR GOES OUT (06-21-2010) IGNITION COILS FAIL (09-13-2010) IGNITION COILS FAIL AGAIN(01-21-2011) BRAKE SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN (01-21-2011) AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILS (01-21-2011) AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILS AGAIN (07-26-2011) TIMING BELT REPLACED (06-15-2011) THERMOSTAT REPLACED (06-15-2011) WATER PUMP REPLACED (06-15-2011) NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE BODY/ THROTTLE BODY SENSOR/ ELECTRICAL ISSUE. DEALER IS NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEMS IS AND WANTS TO THROW MONEY AT IT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEMS IS. THIS CAR IS JUST ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER AFTER ANOTHER.

THE CHECKERED FLAG VABEACH VA DEALERSHIP ACTUALLY TOLD ME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION OF AN AIRBAG FUSE. IF THIS IS TRUE, THE AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT WORK ON 2001 NEW BEETLES. I SUGGEST YOU FOLLOW UP ON THIS DEALERSHIP FOR FAULTY INFORMATION AND CONSUMER NEGLIGENCE . ALL THEY DID WAS RESET THE CODE IN THE COMPUTER. T. FORGEY, CUSTOMER *TR

MY GIRL FRIEND HAD A LOW TIRE (KUMHO ECSTA AST 225/R17 94HXL). I WAS PUTTING AIR IN THE TIRE WHICH IS RATED FOR 50PSI MAX. I WANTED 32PSI AND OVER INFLATED TO 40PSI. AS I WAS LETTING AIR OUT THE TIRE RUPTURED IN MY FACE CAUSING LOTS OF FACIAL ABRASIONS, EYE DAMAGE (TEMPORARY I HOPE) AND HEARING LOSS (ALSO TEMPORARY I HOPE). I DO NOT OVERINFLATE TIRE AS AFTER ACCIDENT THE AAA TECH CHECKED THE OTHER TIRES AND ONE WAS AT 45 PSI. *TR

I READ THE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PAPER (NHTSA 17V-509, VW 20AE) REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP CUT OUT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO VW A NUMBER OF TIMES OVER THE YEARS THAT MY VW ENGINE STOPS WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH. THE SERVICE WRITERS RESPONSE WAS THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED - A $1000 ITEM. OTHER MECHANICS THAT I'VE ASKED HAVE SAID THAT IF THAT WAS THE CASE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GET FUEL AND NOT WORK AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING ELSE. WHEN I READ THE SYMPTOMS REPORTED IN 20AE, THEY WERE EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY TIMES, BUT NOT CONSISTENTLY. AT 65 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS OUT, THE DECELERATION IS ALMOST IMMEDIATE TO 50 MPH. THE SYMPTOMS STARTED ABOUT 8-10 YEARS AGO. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY SINCE BECAUSE I WAS NEARLY RUN OVER BY A CEMENT TRUCK. THE ARTICLE I READ SAID THAT NO KNOWN CRASHES OR INJURIES WERE CAUSED BY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE CONSIDER EXPANDING THE INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE THE 2001 NEW BEETLE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY SERIOUS INJURIES DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE MY ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ISSUE REPORTED IN THE PRESS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRAIN PLUG IN THE OIL PAN LEAKS OIL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE PLUG IS HARD STEEL AND THE PAN THAT HOLDS THE OIL IS ALUMINUM. IF THE TECHNICIAN TIGHTENS THE NUTS TOO TIGHTLY ON THE DRAIN PAN, ALL OF THE OIL WILL LEAK OUT. THE DEALER PERFORMED A TEMPORARY REPAIR, BUT IT DID NOT WORK. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE OIL PAN AND PLUG AT THE COST OF $360.78; THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,049. UPDATED 11-19-08 *BF UPDATED 11/20/08. *JB

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT - THE LIGHT WENT ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER I ADJUSTED MY SEAT. I DO NOT KNOW IF I HAVE FUNCTIONING AIR BAGS OR AN IDIOT LIGHT MALFUNCTION. I OWN 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS ISSUE HAPPENS A LOT WITH VW JETTAS AND NEW BEETLES 2000- 2004. THERE IS A FORUM NAMED FREDS TDI WHERE YOU WILL NOTE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES. APPARENTLY YOU CANNOT JUST CLEAR THE FAULTY CODE. VW SHOULD MAKE SURE THESE DEVICES ARE NOT MALFUNCTIONING. IF THE CODE WAS ERRONEOUSLY CLEARED THE DRIVER/PASSENGERS WOULD BE UNAWARE IF AIR BAG IS OPERATIONAL. *TR

DEFECTIVE PART. CATALYST FAILED ON OUR 2001 NEW BEETLE TURBO. THIS VEHICLE, FOR SOME REASON, WAS NOT OF WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS ISSUE FROM 80,000 TO 120,000. WE DID NOT GET ANY NOTICE, AND, AS A RESULT, VW REFUSES TO REPLACE OUR CATALYST AS WE HAVE 85,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED INTO FIRST GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER, STALL, AND THEN FAIL. A LOCAL TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS FAILING AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $350. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,900. UPDATED 02/05/09 *BF UPDATED 02/06/09. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. I HAVE REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT, WHICH WAS DRAINS THE BATTERY, SERPENTINE BELT, REMOTELESS KEY WHICH IS STILL BROKEN- BASICALLY 6 DAYS AFTER BUYING THIS CAR- I SPENT $1200 ON REPAIRS- NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTING FUNNY, AND BASICALLY- MY VW DEALERSHIP HAS A FIELD DAY WITH ME. TO TOP IT OFF- MY BATTERY DIED A MONTH AGO- AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN I TRIED TO JUMP IT. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS CAR WILL BLOW UP ON ME AT ANY TIME. PLEASE HELP ME! *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE ON ALL THE TIME, THERE HAS BEEN NO REASON FOR THE LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. APPARENTLY THIS AIRBAG REQUIRES REPLACEMENT AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WHILE THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS IN A CRASH. I HAVE TALKED WITH SEVERAL OWNERS OF VW BEATLES AND ALL HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE LAST THING THAT SHOULD FAIL IN A VEHICLE SHOULD BE THE AIRBAG, AND REPLACEMENT IS VERY EXPENSIVE AT $300 ONCE A YEAR. REPLACEMENT OF A RELAY SEEMS TO REPAIR THE ISSUE FOR A FEW MONTHS BUT IS NOT A PERMANENT REPAIR AS THE SYMPTOMS RETURN. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE ODBC COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL NOT DISPLAY CODES THIS CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY NON-MANUFACTURER AUTOSHOPS. VW OWNERS COULD REALLY USE SOME HELP HERE PLEASE LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING SITE HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=205721&HIGHLIGHT=AIRBAG FOR A LISTING OF SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

THE CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON VARIABLY, LOCAL MECHANIC CLAIMS AN OXYGEN SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING, AND ABLE TO CLEAR THE COMPUTER WARNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VW SERVICE STATION CLAIMS CAN'T DIAGNOSE PROBLEM IF LIGHT IS OUT, HAVE TO WAIT TIL LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS, THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISES THAT THE TIMING BELT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT 105,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIMING BELT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 500 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND IS BELOW THE REPLACEMENT MILEAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,575.

THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW, EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE VW DEALER ONLY TO GET SCREWED ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON CAR STARTS MISFIRING HAS NO POWER USES LOTS OF GAS STALLS RUNS RUFF . I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR ON THE FREEWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OF IT STALLING AND GETTING RAN INTO BY ANOTHER CAR ITS A PUBLIC ENDANGERMENT THESE CARS ARE. IN APRIL OF 2007 I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY GAVE IT A QUICK FIX COSTING 450.00 THE LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME I HAD A BAD FUEL INJECTOR THEY REPLACE IT . IT RAN FINE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS THEN IN NOV 15 2007 THE CAR STALLED AGAIN DAUGHTER LIMPED IT HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON THE CAR WAS MISSING BAD IT WAS NIGHT AND GETTING CLOSE TO ZERO OUTSIDE . WE PARKED IT THIS TIME BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THE CAR IT HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT. I REFUSE TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER VW DEALER , AND ALL VW OF AMERICA WILL SAY IS WE ARE SORRY FOR YOU TROUBLE BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT THE FIRST BUYER OF THE CAR AND ARE THE SECOND BUYER OF THIS CAR THAT WAS A LEASE RETURN YOU ARE NOT ENTITLE TO THE 10 YEARS 100.000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY THAT COME WITH THE CAR. IF YOU ARE THE FIRST BUYER OF THE CAR. THEN THESE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED . THE WEEK OF JAN 15 2008 WE TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC SHOP . I TOOK THEM 2 DAYS TO FIND THE PROBLEM THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS BAD AND THE TPS SENSOR IS BAD IN ALL IT WILL TAKE 1,400.00 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS CAR. WE PAID FOR THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR TO BE REPLACED AND THE COST TO FIND THE PROBLEMS. THEN WE TOOK THE CAR HOME AND PARKED IT . IT STILL NEEDS THE TPS SENSOR REPLACED THAT WILL COST 1,000.00 AND THE CAR WILL BE DRIVABLE . *TR

I HAVE A 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS FAILING, LURCHING, SKIDDING, & THE DEALER & MECHANICS HAVE DONE/FOUND OUT NOTHING ABOUT IT. I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH NO REPLY FROM VW. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING ABOUT THE RECALLS THEY ORDER. MY CAR IS TOTALLY UNSAFE & I HAVE PUT $5,500 IN IT TO BE TOLD I NEED MORE WORK. THEY ARE TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY & WE THAT OWN THESE CARS ARE FORCED TO DRIVE THEM UNSAFELY. MY CAR JUMPS & SKIDS FORWARD FROM A STOP. IT GOES SO SLOW BEFORE THE SKIDDING THAT CARS ALMOST REAR END ME. THE CAR CANNOT BE TRADED IN BROKEN & VW REFUSES TO ADDRESS ANY PROBLEMS WE ALL HAVE. MY MOM HAS A 2005 NEW BEETLE THAT IS BEGINNING TO LURCH AND STALL OUT ON THE FREEWAY & DURING REGULAR DRIVING. WE OWN 2 OF THESE CARS AND NEVER RECEIVE ANY RECALL INFO AND WE ARE FORCED TO PAY $5,700 EACH TO FIX THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION, $900 EACH FOR SENSORS, WHO KNOW WHAT FOR COMPUTERS THAT ALL FAIL AND CAUSE OUR VEHICLES TO BE EXTREMELY UNSAFE. MY CAR RIGHT NOW WILL NOT REVERSE, IT ONLY DRIVES FORWARD. VW NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO RECALL THERE FAULTY UNSAFE CARS FOR NOT ONLY THOSE THAT DRIVE THEM BUT FOR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS AND ANYONE ON THE ROAD. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FEAR FOR MY LIFE WHEN DRIVING A VEHICLE I HAVE MAINTAINED AND THE MAKER WILL NOT RECALL THE PROBLEMS IT KNOWS THESE VEHICLES HAVE. THEY ARE NOT SAFE AND ALL OF US THAT OWN THEM ARE STUCK PAYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX A PROBLEM VW IS AWARE OF AND WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT. IT IS SCARY AND DANGEROUS TO BE A VW NEW BEETLE OWNER. *TR

THE TOP OF THE OIL DIPSTICK ON MY 2001 VW BEETLE IS APPARENTLY VERY FRAGILE AND COULD COME OFF BY ITSELF, POSSIBLY LODGING ITSELF INTO ANOTHER PART OF THE MOTOR AND CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT DISAPPEARED DURING PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AT DOVER VOLKSWAGEN, INC. IN DOVER, DELAWARE. THEY CLAIMED THEY DID NOT BREAK IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SWITCH WAS CONNECTED TO THE SEAT BELT, WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE AIR BAG WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE REPAIR COSTS WERE OVER $500. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,540. * UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

ON 8/21/07 TOOK MY VW TO DEALER DUE TO A RECOGNIZABLE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE AND THE MIL LIGHT CAME ON. PAID $126.94 TO "REMOVE AND REPLACE OIL PAN SHIELD". EIGHTEEN DAYS LATTER, 9/8/07, I RECEIVED A "CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARRANTY EXTENSION" WARNING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DEGRADED PERFORMANCE. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE OWNER ME HEAR A READILY RECOGNIZABLE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER YOUR VEHICLE IN THE AREA OF THE CONVERTER AND/OR THE MIL MAY ILLUMINATE DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF SPECIFIC FAULT CODES CAUSED BY FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS I A REAL COINCIDENCE. THE DEALER CLAIMED I HAD A "CRACKED OIL PAN SHIELD" AND 18 DAYS LATER THE FACTORY STATES THE SAME SYMPTOMS ARE CAUSED BY A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER!!! I DON'T BELIEVE THIS. *JB

GAS GAUGE INOP SINCE 10-05-05 AT 58,683 MILES. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER $602.75 PLUS TAX PER MERCED VOLKSWAGEN. ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER INOP 08-17-07 AT 80,951 MILES. CLAIMS DENIED BY VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA70274186 AND AUTO BBB VMA0751644. *TR

PASSENGER WINDOW NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. FALLS INTO DOOR. I HEARD A CRACK AND THEN THE WINDOW NO LONGER WORKED. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE VW DEALER FOR THE RECALL ON THE WINDOW REGULATORS. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE WINDOW CLIPS ON MY CAR WERE NOT BROKEN SO THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY WINDOW REGULATOR. STATING THAT ONLY THE WINDOW CLIPS ARE UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE TWO LETTERS FROM VWOFA STATING THERE IS" A LIMITED WARRANTY COVERING THE REPAIR OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE FRONT DOOR WINDOW MECHANISMS IN YOUR CAR." AFTER CONTACTING VWOFA THEY STILL SAY THEY WILL NOT FIX MY WINDOW SINCE THE WINDOW CLIPS ARE NOT BROKEN. THE TECH AT THE VW DEALERSHIP REPORTS THAT "THE CABLES TO THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR BINDING." SO NOW I HAVE MY WINDOW HELD IN PLACE BY THREE PIECES OF TAPE THAT THE DEALERSHIP PUT THERE TO KEEP THE WINDOW FROM FALLING INTO THE DOOR AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE WINDOW REGULATOR. *TR

I HAVE TWO VOLKSWAGEN BEETLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. LAST YEAR BEFORE WE WERE AWARE OF THIS RECALL, THE CAR LEFT ME ABANDONED AT THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM PARKING LOT. I WAITED FOR HALF AN HOUR AND THEN IT WENT OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET HOME. THE PROBLEM CORRECTED ITSELF AND YESTERDAY WHEN I GOT OUT OF WORK IT DID THE SAME BUT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME AFTER. NOW THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN ALLOW ME TO PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE TO GET IT TO THE DEALER FOR THIS RECALL AND VOLKSWAGEN, EMPLOYEE BY THE NAME OF AMY AT 1-800-822-8987, SAYS I NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED AT MY EXPENSE IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE FIXED. THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE CAR TO BE TOWED TO GET FIXED. VOLKSWAGEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE IS REFUSING TO TOW IT TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

EPC LIGHT CAME ON NUMEROUS TIMES, CAUSING THE ENGINE POWER TO BE REDUCED GREATLY. THE LIGHT WAS NEVER CONSTANT IT WOULD COME ON AT RANDOM TIMES. BROUGHT TO DEALER 6/13-6/15. ENGINE FAILED ON 6/16 DUE TO A COOLANT COMPONENT FAILURE. NEW ENGINE PUT IN, I HAD TO PAY $1,360 EVEN THOUGHT STILL UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP 7/9. EPC LIGHT ON AGAIN THE NEXT WEEK, BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER, WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS BARELY RUNNING, IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WOULD STALL OUT AT ANY MINUTE. CAR WAS PICKED UP A FEW DAYS LATER. EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN ON 9/11 BEFORE BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER I HAD MY BROTHER LOOK AT IT, HE STATES ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE, THE SAME PROBLEM AS ALL THE OTHER TIMES. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER ON 9/13 AND STILL WAITING FOR REPAIRS. *TR

I HAD JUST FINISHED FUELING MY VEH AT A GAS STATION AND STARTED IT UP. I THEN DROVE ONTO THE STREET AND NOTED MY SPEEDO/ TACHOMETER/GAS GAUGE,[INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ?] WERE NOT WORKING. ONLY THE SPEEDO TRIP ODOMETER WORKS, I CAN NOT TELL HOW FAST I AM GOING OR THE ENGINE RPMS OR HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE. I HAVE CHECKED ALL THE FUSE AND CONNECTIONS I COULD AND THEY ALL CHECK GOOD.

HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH, P/N 1CO 953 235 FAILED CAUSING TURN SIGNALS TO WORK ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. REPLACEMENT OF SWITCH WITH P/N 1CO 953 235 B RESTORED PROPER OPERATION. COMMUNICATIONS/LETTER DATED JUNE 25, 2007 WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION) TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA SETTING FORTH THIS CONDITION AS AN EXPANSION OF THE CURRENT RECALL OF JETTAS AND GOLF MODELS , RECALL 04V584000) WITH SAME SYMPTONS AND CURE, WITH REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT, HAS BEEN IGNORED. FAILED SWITCH WA SRETAINED, AND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THIRD PARTIES FOR ENGINEERING ANALYSIS. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE # 5 AND # 9 FUSES. THE FUSES BLEW THE SAME DAY AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE MORE WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING MELTED WIRING. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH SOME WIRES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL # 02V031000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 92,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

TURN SIGNALS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR CEASE WORKING AFTER A FEW FLASHES. THE IMMEDIATE FAILURE MODE"VIOLATES THE FMVSS, AND SUBJECTS THE DRIVER TO CITATIONS FOR FAILING TO PROPERLY SIGNAL A TURN AND/OR DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. SAFETY HAZARD FOR SURROUNDING TRAFFIC PUTTING VEHICLE AT GREATER RISK. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST OIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,775. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PISTON RINGS WERE INSTALLED UPSIDE DOWN WHICH CAUSED THE OIL LEAK. THE CURENT MILEAGE WAS 23,800. *AK

TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH. FIRST IT WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP, AFTER 2 MORE DAY IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. THIS CASE IS SIMILAR TO RECALL #04V584000, BUT THE CAR TYPE IS VW NEW BEETLE 2001. *JB

2001 NEW BEETLE GL PROBLEM: DURING HEAVY SNOW FALLS GREATER THAN 6 INCHES, SNOW WILL ACCUMULATE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEELS (STEEL APPLICATION ONLY, NO COMMENT ON ALUMINUM WHEELS). WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE TIRES BECOME UNBALANCED WHICH CAUSES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WITH TREMENDOUS FORCE. MY LATEST EXPERIENCE WAS 2/14/06. THE VEHICLE SHAKE WAS SO BAD I COULD NOT DRIVE SAFELY OVER 40 MPH. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. ALL HE DID WAS PUT THE VEHICLE IN A HEATED GARAGE TO MELT THE ICE AND SNOW. APPARENTLY THIS WAS HAPPENING TO NUMEROUS NEW BEETLE OWNERS. THIS SITUATION WILL LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THUS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLS DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. *JB

THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD SOME TIMES WORK , OR THEY JUST STOP WORKING FOR DAYS AT A TIME AM GOING TO TAKE CAR IN TO DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND HAVE IT FIXED. NOW THEY HAVE FAILED ALL TOGETHER AND AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO GET IN TO A ACCIDENT IF I DON'T GET THEM FIXED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR. *NM

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS REPLACED. FOR $780 THEY REPLACED THE AIRBAG AND WIRING HARNESS. THIS AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN IS RESPONSIBLE! *JB

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS REPLACED. FOR $780 THEY REPLACED THE AIRBAG AND WIRING HARNESS. THIS AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN IS RESPONSIBLE! *JB

AIR BAG LIGHT ON FOR 2ND TIME SINCE AUG 2006 WHEN CAR WAS BOUGHT USED. NEWBEETLE.ORG MEMBERS ALL HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND I KEEP GETTING CHARGED TO READ CODE AND TURN OFF THE LIGHT BECAUSE IT'S AN "INTERMITTENT" CODE. I'M TIRED OF DRIVING AROUND A VEHICLE KNOWING THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. *NM

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING JUST A TERRIBLE CAR. WAX MATERIAL INTERIOR REMOVES EASILY WITH NAILS CHILDREN CAN EAT IT HAS CRAYOLA SMELL.SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OF PLASTIC OR VINYL. THIS WHOLE CAR SHOULD BE RECALL. EPC BRAKE SWITCH ALWAYS ON HAD IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. BAD ELECTRICAL. INTERIOR AC LIGHT IS ALWAYS OFF. IN AND OUT OF MECHANIC.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENTIRE ABS UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #02V031000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT HER CAR WAS COVERED FOR THIS TYPE OF REPAIR HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE CAR WAS NOT COVERED. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE RECALL LETTER. UPDATED 08/06/07 *TR

EMERGENCY LIGHT SWITCH (HAZARD SWITCH) THERE WAS A VW RECALL ISSUED TO REPLACE THIS SWITCH THAT NOT ONLY CONTROLS THE HAZARD FLASHERS BUT ALSO THE TURN SIGNALS, IN THE JETTA, GOLF, & GTI. MY BEETLE USES THE SAME SWITCH I AM WONDERING WHY IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL (VW RECALL VX). MY SWITCH HAS THE SAME INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE MARCH 2005 RECALL LETTER, I WILL BE REPLACING THE SWITCH ON MY OWN ACCORD, BUT THIS BULLETIN SHOULD INCLUDE THE VW NEW BEETLE MODEL IN MY OPINION. *NM

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY VEHICLE 2001 VW BEETLE, I HAVE HAD A CONTINUOUS BEEPING AND ILLUMINATION OF VARIOUS CRAZY LIGHTS IN MY DASHBOARD. I HAVE CONTINUALLY TAKEN MY CAR TO VW, AT THE RATE OF $350+ EACH TIME, I AM AT MY WITS END...THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES CANNOT BE FOUND OR FIXED BY A VW REP, AND ARE A DANGER TO MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS, AND SURROUNDING CARS. I HAVE CONTACTED VW AMERICA, AND HAVE BEEN TREATED LIKE I WAS BOTHERING THEM. I HAD ONE SHOP IN SPRINGFIELD, MO FIX THE CONSTANT MIND BOGGLING BEEP THAT I'VE HAD TO LISTEN TO FOR YEARS NOW...THIS REPAIR OF THE BEEP LASTED THE LONGEST OF ALL...(1YEAR)...BUT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT MADE THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATE CONTINUALLY, SO THAT I NEVER COULD TELL IF I HAD BRAKE ISSUES OR NOT. THEN WHEN MY VEHICLE NEEDED TO HAVE A SMOG TEST FOR REGISTRATION BACK IN CA...THE VW SHOP IN CA SAID THEY WOULD NOT SMOG THE VEHICLE UNLESS OF COURSE I PAID ANOTHER $350 TO FIX THE BRAKE LIGHT, AND WHILE THEY FIXED IT, THEY BROUGHT BACK THE BEEP AND THE VARIOUS OTHER DASHBOARD ILLUMINATIONS...I AM SICK OF THIS COMPANY (VW AMERICA)...I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THEIR SERVICE, AND LACK OF CONSUMER WELFARE. I REQUEST THAT YOU HAVE THEM REPLENISH OUR DRAINED SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND RETURN ALL MONIES SPENT ON THESE TYPES OF FLAWS. WE AS CONSUMERS THOUGHT WE WERE GETTING A GOOD LITTLE GAS SAVING CAR...IT'S A NIGHTMARE!!! THERE ARE 110 COMPLAINTS SO FAR...ON THIS SITE...HOW MANY DOES IT TAKE FOR US ALL TO GET OUR MONEY BACK, AND THE REPAIR MONEYS AS WELL. I'M WILLING TO TRY A CLASS ACTION SUIT AT THIS POINT...ANYONE WITH ME CAN REACH ME AT WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DIAMONDBLUE777 PLEASE LET ME KNOW...PLEASE HELP US ALL, THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE A HAZARD TO MYSELF, MY SON, MY PASSENGERS, AND THE PEOPLE DRIVING NEXT TO ME. PLEASE ORDER VOLKSWAGEN TO REFUND OUR MONEYS FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE READ OVER 500 COMPLAINTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS...THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR YOU TO ORDER IT TO STOP. *JB

THIS IS MY SECOND VW BEETLE TURBO THAT HAS AN ENGINE THAT HAS DIED BELOW THE RECOMMENDED MILEAGE FOR MAINTENANCE. BOTH VEHICLES DID THE SAME THING AND DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 75 MILES PER HOUR. I LOST POWER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO USE MY BREAKS TO PULL OVER FOR SAFETY. AFTER CONTACTING VW CUSTOMER SERVICE (800 882 8987 REF# 60353557 9-29-06) I WAS INFORMED, "THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE DAMAGE OCCURRED BELOW THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE". MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS 73K AND MY CURRENT MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE USUAL MILEAGE FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM IS 105K. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN IS MORE THAN AWARE OF THIS DEFECT. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT THEY THINK THEY SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT ABOUT 12 AM IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE ON HIGHWAY 217 IN TIGARD OREGON, JUST PASSED EXIT 4 MY STEERING STARTED PULLING ME TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, TOWARDS THE GUARD RAIL. (WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 55 MPH) I TRIED TO CORRECT BY PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. I THEN HEAR A VERY LOUD SNAPPING/BREAKING NOISE UNDER MY LEFT FOOT AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY CAR SLIDES TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, INTO THE GUARD RAIL. I THEN BOUNCED OFF OF THE GUARD RAIL AND THE CAR CONTINUED SLIDING/SPINNING UNTIL COMING TO REST IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. TIGARD POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND STATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE "SUSPENSION BROKE AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF", CAUSING THE WRECK. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END (LEFT SIDE) AND MARKS ON THE REAR BUMPER. WITNESS FOLLOWING BEHIND ME STATED THAT THEY SAW ME DRIVING IN FRONT OF THEM AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SPINNING, APPARENTLY FOR NO REASON SINCE THERE WAS NO IMPACT. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 07/10/06 A REPAIR WAS DONE ON HIS VOLKSWAGEN BUG IN WHICH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKING WHILE IN PARK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HIM TO BRING IN VEHICLE FOR A BRAKE SWITCH REPLACEMENT.

I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE IN FEB 2003. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE TURNPIKE SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST POWER AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A CERTIFIED VW GARAGE WHERE I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I HAD NO WARNING THAT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING UNTIL IT STOPPED AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 56,000 MILES ON IT. THE MECHANIC IS GOING TO GIVE ME A REBUILT ENGINE BECAUSE HE IS TRYING TO SAVE ME SOME MONEY. SO FAR MY CAR IS IN THE GARAGE FOR OVER A MONTH BECAUSE IT SEEMS IT IS NOT EASY TO GET A REPAIRABLE USED MOTOR. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. ALSO I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR ONE MONTH ALREADY WHICH OF COURSE CAUSES A HARDSHIP AND A LOT OF STRESS. I DON'T FEEL THAT A MOTOR SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES ON IT. I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A RELIABLE CAR. BOY WAS I WRONG!! *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS NOT WORKING AND EXPRESSED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. UPDATED 08/25/06. *JB

MY 2001 VW BEETLE TURBO WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. IT IS STUCK THERE. I WAS PARKED ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE WITHOUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I T WAS 95 DEGREES F. I CALLED VW AND THEY TOLD ME TO DO THE FOLLOWING. * 1. I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF * 2. PUMP THE BRAKE 5 TIMES AND HOLD IT FOR THE 5TH TIME ALL THE WAY DOWN * 3. TURN THE CAR ON COMPLETELY * 4. WAIT 5 SECONDS * 5. THEN TURN IT OFF * 6. TURN IT 1/4 TURN (NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE CAR) * 7. THEN I CAN TURN THE SHIFT IN BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE * 8. THEN TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY ON TO TURN IT COMPLETELY ON TO SHIFT IT INTO DRIVE. *JB

ALMOST TOO MANY TO LIST O2 SENSOR AT 20K MILES - TWICE TEMP SENSOR FOR COOLING FAN ($5 PART - $200 TO INSTALL) AT 30K MILES IGNITION COILS AT 50K MILES. VW HAD INITIATED A "CUSTOMER ACTION" ON ALL 1.8L ENGINES FOR DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS ON VW AND AUDI MODELS. CUSTOMER SERVICE ACTION MEANS NOTHING, COST ME $600 WITHOUT RENTAL CAR ADDED. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PRESS RELEASE WHEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY. WATER PUMP WENT SOUTH AT 61K MILES ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WENT SOUTH AT 61K MILES ALSO. WARRANTY COVERED STILL COST ME $300 FOR RENTAL CAR FOR 5 DAYS. TIMING BELT DAMAGED WHEN WATER PUMP WENT. VOA WILL TELL YOU TO "CHECK" IT AT 50K BUT IT SHOULD LAST TO 108K. PAID FULL LABOR EVEN THOUGH ENGINE WAS APART FOR PUMP WORK. VW SHOULD BE FORCED TO HONOR THE QUALITY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND FORCE A RECALL ON THE COILS, POTENTIALLY THE O2 SENSOR AND DEFINITELY THE ECM. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE INSANE. ECM ON THIS CAR IS $1300 NO LABOR. CURRENT WARRANTY ON NEW IS 60K. MINE WENT AT 61K. 2001 WARRANTY WAS 10/100 AND 8/80. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE PROBLEMS. CAR IS A LEMON, CONTACT LAWYER TOO MUCH HASSLE - THEY WIN AGAIN. *JB

2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED. *KB THE DEALER DETERMINED THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE SETTING OFF AND FREEZING THE ALARM. THE FIRE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT INTERIOR. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE ON THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CLOSEST DEALERS WERE CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE WILLING TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERS FOR A FEE. PRIOR TO THE DASH BOARD CATCHING ON FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BECAUSE OF A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE DETAILER SPRAY WAS CAUSING THE SMELL BUT THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE. *AK

LOCK ON GAS LID WAS LOOSE. I DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL I RAN THE CAR THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE AIR FROM THE DRYER POPPED THE LID OPEN AND IT WENT FLYING THROUGH THE AIR. LID IS FIBER GLASS AND IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH TO BREAK IT. I SAW ANOTHER BUG LAST WEEK WITH THE GAS LID GONE TOO! *JB