2001 Volkswagen Beetle brake problems

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT AND OTHER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER CHECKED WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V031000 (SERVICE BRAKES); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10711922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

PULLED OVER FOR RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT BEING OUT.. HAD REPLACED THE BULB THE MONTH BEFORE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. REPLACED THE BULB AGAIN AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS STILL DO NOT COME ON...

NHTSA complaint #10535932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE, REMAIN OFF. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. PREVIOUS RECALL 06V183000: BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH DEFECT MAKE/MODELS: MODEL/BUILD YEARS:VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA 1999-2002VOLKSWAGEN/NEW BEETLE 1998-2002MANUFACTURER: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC.NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V183000 MFG'S REPORT DATE: MAY 24, 2006COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH. VW IS NOT INTERESTED TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM SAYING THAT HAVE COMPLETED THE RECALL AND THIS IS MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS EVEN THOUGH BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM IS BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10521130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I BOUGHT MY 2001 VW BEETLE AND I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS THE DAY I BROUGHT IT HOME. WITHIN 45 MIN MY EPC LIGHT CAME ON, MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR STALLED. I LOST POWER STEERING, BREAKS, AND CAR WOULD NOT IDLE. CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE THROTTLE BODY HAD WENT OUT. THEY REPLACED IT WITH NO CHARGE, BECAUSE I THREATENED TO RETURN THE CAR UNDER THE LEMON LAW, EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. STARTING IN NOV. OF 2010 I HAD A LOT OF MISS FIRE. TOOK IT TO THE VW DEALER THEY SAID THAT THE COILS WERE RECALLED AND THEY REPLACED THEM FOR FREE. SINCE THEN MY COILS AND SPARK PLUGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING. ABOUT TWO WEEKS (JULY 2011) I WENT OUT AND STARTED MY CAR, ONCE AGAIN MY EPC LIGHT, MY ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ONCE AGAIN I LOST MY POWER STEERING, BRAKES, CAR WOULDN?T IDLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. CHANGED IT CAR RAN FINE FOR ONE DAY. THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT?S THE COILS AND SPARKS PLUGS. HAD THEM CHANGED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO (JUNE 2001) WHEN I HAD THE TIMING BELT CHANGED. TOOK IT BACK AGAIN NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT?S THE THROTTLE BODY AGAIN. LAST TIME I CHECKED A THROTTLE BODY SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 2 YEAR. I WAS LOOKING FOR A USED THROTTLE BODY AND WAS AT A PARTS STORE THE GUY SAID THAT THERE HAS BEEN A HUGE ISSUE WITH THE WIRING HARNESS AND IT COST ABOUT $2000 HOPING THIS IS NOT MY PROBLEM?. WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS I HAVE SUNK 3500 IN TO THIS CRAP CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10416360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

NHTSA complaint #10176612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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

NHTSA complaint #10171929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

I HAVE A 2001 NEW BEETLE. I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN JULY 2000. MY COMPLAIT IS THAT I HAD MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON AND DIABLED MY STOPPING ABILITY OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED REPLACING THE ELECTRONIC CONTOL UNIT OF MY ABS SYSTEM. THIS COST ME 1300.00 TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL CAR UNDER THE SAME MANUFATURER DATES OF SEPT 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 2001. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS #02V031000. MY VEHICLES VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SEQUENCE OF RECALLED VEHICLES. I AM APPAULED THAT MY CAR HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MANUFATURE DATE IS NOT COVERED ON THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED AND DEMAND AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT IS OK FOR ME TO RISK MY FAMILY'S LIVES WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY IDENTIFIED AS A MAJOR PROBLEM. NOT TO MENTION A BIG EXPENSE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10127207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

I HAVE A 2001 NEW BEETLE. I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN JULY 2000. MY COMPLAIT IS THAT I HAD MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON AND DIABLED MY STOPPING ABILITY OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED REPLACING THE ELECTRONIC CONTOL UNIT OF MY ABS SYSTEM. THIS COST ME 1300.00 TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL CAR UNDER THE SAME MANUFATURER DATES OF SEPT 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 2001. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS #02V031000. MY VEHICLES VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SEQUENCE OF RECALLED VEHICLES. I AM APPAULED THAT MY CAR HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MANUFATURE DATE IS NOT COVERED ON THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED AND DEMAND AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT IS OK FOR ME TO RISK MY FAMILY'S LIVES WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY IDENTIFIED AS A MAJOR PROBLEM. NOT TO MENTION A BIG EXPENSE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10127207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

MY ABS DASH INDICATOR CAME ON STEADY, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE INTERIOR CHIME STARTED SOUNDING CONTINUOUSLY. I PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. A PUFF OF SMOKE/STEAM CAME UP FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEELWELL AND THERE WAS A HORRIBLE HISS AND WHINE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE SAME SIDE AND A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ABS MODULE (WHICH THEY CHANGED FOR $950!!!) AND THAT ONLY FIXED THE ABS LIGHT. NO CLUE ON THE FLASHING BRAKE IDIOT LIGHT AND NOW THEY SAY THE AC DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. NO REFRIGERANT, SO OBVIOUSLY A LEAK. IT SEEMS WAY TOO COINCIDENTAL. I HEARD ABOUT AN ABS MODULE RECALL BACK IN '03 WHICH COULD SHORT CIRCUIT AND CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GEOGRAPHY AND I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR (BOUGHT USED) FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. SEE ATTACHED LINK: HTTP://FORUMS.NEWBEETLE.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=50457

NHTSA complaint #10126361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

MY ABS DASH INDICATOR CAME ON STEADY, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE INTERIOR CHIME STARTED SOUNDING CONTINUOUSLY. I PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. A PUFF OF SMOKE/STEAM CAME UP FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEELWELL AND THERE WAS A HORRIBLE HISS AND WHINE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE SAME SIDE AND A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ABS MODULE (WHICH THEY CHANGED FOR $950!!!) AND THAT ONLY FIXED THE ABS LIGHT. NO CLUE ON THE FLASHING BRAKE IDIOT LIGHT AND NOW THEY SAY THE AC DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. NO REFRIGERANT, SO OBVIOUSLY A LEAK. IT SEEMS WAY TOO COINCIDENTAL. I HEARD ABOUT AN ABS MODULE RECALL BACK IN '03 WHICH COULD SHORT CIRCUIT AND CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GEOGRAPHY AND I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR (BOUGHT USED) FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. SEE ATTACHED LINK: HTTP://FORUMS.NEWBEETLE.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=50457

NHTSA complaint #10126361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT

MY ABS DASH INDICATOR CAME ON STEADY, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE INTERIOR CHIME STARTED SOUNDING CONTINUOUSLY. I PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. A PUFF OF SMOKE/STEAM CAME UP FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEELWELL AND THERE WAS A HORRIBLE HISS AND WHINE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE SAME SIDE AND A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ABS MODULE (WHICH THEY CHANGED FOR $950!!!) AND THAT ONLY FIXED THE ABS LIGHT. NO CLUE ON THE FLASHING BRAKE IDIOT LIGHT AND NOW THEY SAY THE AC DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. NO REFRIGERANT, SO OBVIOUSLY A LEAK. IT SEEMS WAY TOO COINCIDENTAL. I HEARD ABOUT AN ABS MODULE RECALL BACK IN '03 WHICH COULD SHORT CIRCUIT AND CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GEOGRAPHY AND I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR (BOUGHT USED) FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. SEE ATTACHED LINK: HTTP://FORUMS.NEWBEETLE.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=50457

NHTSA complaint #10126361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

2001 VW BEETLE, REAR BRAKE CALIPERS LOCKED CLOSED CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. VW MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. ALL SERVICE AND INSPECTIONS DONE BY VW DEALER AS REQUIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10112360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

MY 2001 GLX BEETLE NEEDS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE REPLACE WHICH THE DEALER TELLS ME WILL COST $900. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 39,000 MILES. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE 2001 GLX BEETLE FOR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE BUT IT APPARENTLY ONLY AFFECTS VEHICLES WHERE THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF THE VIN ARE 475001 OR HIGHER. MY VEHICLE'S VIN IS IN THE 457XXX RANGE. I CAN'T BELIEVE MY PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL YET BECAUSE MY VIN IS TO LOW, THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE VOLKSWAGEN EXTEND THE RECALL TO COVER VEHICLES IN MY VIN RANGE. THERE IS RISK OF FIRE IF THE UNIT IS NOT REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE SO NOW I MUST INCUR A LARGE EXPENSE TO REPLACE A PART I BELIEVE WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10108493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BRAKES.*MR THE CONSUMERS HAD PLACED THERE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 11 DAYS BEFORE RETURNING. THE CONSUMER FELLED IT WAS SERIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, EITHER AND ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR OR IN EVENT BREAKING THE LEASE. PLEASE HELP IN RESOLVING MATTERS.

NHTSA complaint #10044512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD.THEN, CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #10075863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ROTORS. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS SHOWED NO SIGN OF WEAR AND THE REAR BRAKE PADS WORE TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BRAKE ROTOR WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10075791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ROTORS. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS SHOWED NO SIGN OF WEAR AND THE REAR BRAKE PADS WORE TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BRAKE ROTOR WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10075791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10059276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

AT 30,000 MILES MY BEETLE NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES AFTER DAMAGE OCCURED TO THE ROTOR. AFTER OBSERVING THEM I DECIDED TO CHANGE THE FRONT BRAKES AS WELL, THE FRONT BRAKES HAD PLENTY OF PAD LEFT. IS IT NOT NORMAL THAT THE FRONT WEAR MORE PREMATURELY THAN THE REAR???

NHTSA complaint #10056242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

AT 30,000 MILES MY BEETLE NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES AFTER DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE ROTOR. AFTER OBSERVING THEM I DECIDED TO CHANGE THE FRONT BRAKES AS WELL, THE FRONT BRAKES HAD PLENTY OF PAD LEFT. IS IT NOT NORMAL THAT THE FRONT WEAR MORE PREMATURELY THAN THE REAR???

NHTSA complaint #10056241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON 2001 BEETLE. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED WITH THE FACT THAT THE SERVICE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 17 DAYS TO FIX THE BRAKE PROBLEM. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10047763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY LOCKED UP WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10011207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE PEDAL WAS HARD AND WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS *TT

NHTSA complaint #8021926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN SLOWLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED ON A HILL. ALSO THE BRAKES CAUSE A JOLTING STOP.

NHTSA complaint #567681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 10MPH ON A SIDE STREET AT A TRAFFIC STOP, AND WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN, HE APPLIED GAS AND STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKED UP. HE COULDN'T TURN STEERING LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. ALSO, TRANSMISSION LEAKS COOLANT, AND WHEELS LOCKED UP.

NHTSA complaint #876090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.