*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Engine and engine cooling
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
Nov 2, 2004Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
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
Aug 4, 2004Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
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
Mar 5, 2004Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS BEEN A MAJOR FAILURE POINT. IT HAS BEEN "FIXED" SEVERAL TIMES NOW AND IS STILL FAILING.*AK
Sep 29, 2004 · 500 milesPower train › Automatic transmission
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…
Sep 8, 2004 · 143 milesVisibility › Power window devices and controls
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
Apr 20, 2004 · 2,175 milesVisibility
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
Feb 1, 2004 · 9,000 milesVehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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
Aug 8, 2004
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
