2001 Volkswagen Beetle electrical problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 71,854, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 74,036.

NHTSA complaint #11671792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A HUGE AMOUNT OF 2.0L ENGINES (1998-2006) SEEM TO STALL WHEN DRIVING OR STATIONARY AFTER 20 MIN FROM COLD START IN HIGH TEMPS (+75F) . LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER ASSIST BRAKES. IT HAPPENED TO ME 2X WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. SCARY. DEALERS AND MECHANICS CAN'T LOCATE ISSUES BECAUSE ITS INTERMITTENT. CARS OPERATE NORMAL AGAIN AFTER 10-20 MINS. SEE HTTP://NEWBEETLE.ORG/FORUMS/2-0-LITER-GAS/139065-HOT-WEATHER-STOP-GO-CAR-STALLS-DANGEROUS-2.HTML#POST1508562 FOR A LIST OF DIFFERENT SITES ALL LISTING SIMILAR ISSUES. APPARENTLY, AND ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, THE ISSUE STOPPED ON MODEL YR 2007 AND HIGHER.

NHTSA complaint #11091934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON 3 DIFFERENT MY OCCASIONS CAR OVERHEATED NOW IT WON'T START.

NHTSA complaint #11000801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ALL THE GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO AND FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE TEMPERATURE AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED, BUT THE OIL WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA complaint #10764279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE LIGHT ON MY DASH CAME ON FOR THE DRIVERS AIRBAG AND HAD IT CHECKED BY THE DEALER MARCH, 2010 FOR MY 2001 VW BEETLE 1.9 DIESEL. I WAS TOLD THE CHIP IN THE SEAT BELT HAD GONE BAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. APPROX. $175.00 THE SERVICE DEPT. CALLED VW AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME IF MY DEFECTIVE CHIP IN THE SEATBELT WILL DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. 50% CHANCE IT MIGHT. I HAVE NOTICED ALL THE $ I HAVE PUT INTO THIS CAR VW GENERALLY IS NOT ON THE RECALL LISTS FOR ANYTHING. ALSO, THE HEADLIGHT BULBS GENERALLY BURN OUT EVERY YEAR AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. VW DOESN'T TELL HOW TO CHANGE THE BULBS IN THE MANUAL. HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER TO SHOW HOW TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB WHICH I FEEL IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VW BECAUSE THEY DO NOT BACK UP THEIR PRODUCT. ALSO I KNOW THIS MY BE OLD INFORMATION BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE I COULD REPORT THIS UNTIL I SAW SOMETHING IN THE PAPER. I DON'T KNOW MANY OTHER VW'S OUT THERE ARE WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BUT I HAVE TALKED TO VW COMPLAINT DEPT. AND ALL THEY TOLD ME IS THAT THEY GO OFF OF DEALERS RECORDS. I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE IT BECAUSE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD EITHER DOES N'T CHANGE FOR FIXING OR VW FIXES SOME OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE NEXT MODELS COMING OUT OF WHICH I AM STUCK WITH THE PROBLEM. NO HELP FROM VW.

NHTSA complaint #10622277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CONTINUE OVER HEATING BLOWING HEAD TWICE ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON BRAKE LIGHTS ON LEFT SIDE DON'T WORK ALARM WONT LOCK LEFT SIDE DOESN'T WORK AND BACK SEAT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE FOR KIDS. FRONT IS VARY UNSTABLE IT FEEL LIKE IT GOING TO FALL OFF TO LOW TO THE GROUND , ETC......IT GOES ON AND ON.

NHTSA complaint #10549694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE HAZARD LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR DO NOT WORK. I'VE TAKEN IT IN TO AN AUTO SHOP AND THEY CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. HOPING MAYBE THERE IS A RECALL THAT I HAVE MISSED.

NHTSA complaint #10463442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10435729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE GLS . WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND HEARD A CLICKING SOUND BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START WHEN IT WAS JUMP STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,500. UPDATED 08/24/11*LJ UPDATED 3/05/2012

NHTSA complaint #10410496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2001 VW BEETLE. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, FREE OF CHARGE REPAIRS. I HAVE LOW MILEAGE SO I THOUGHT THAT BY THE TIME THESE ITEMS WERE REPAIRED IT WOULD BE FINE WHEN THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND IN PARTICULAR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS GOING OFF. THE SAFETY ISSUE COMES IN WITH ITS CURRENT PROBLEM. I HAD A FUEL INJECTION FLUSH WHICH INCLUDED THE CARBON DEPOSITS REMOVAL KNOWN AS INDUCTION, AIR FILTER REPLACED, ENGINE FUEL FILTER REPLACED, AND A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH PLUS 4 NEW SPARK PLUGS. PRIOR TO THIS SERVICE, MY CAR WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING WITH MAJOR SHAKING. I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET IT GOING WHILE STARTING. NOW AFTER THE SERVICE IT RUNS MUCH BETTER BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT NOW STALLS WHEN I COME TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STOP FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE OTHER MALFUNCTIONS THAT HAVE HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS ARE AN EXPENSE BUT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I COULD SOMEHOW MANAGE. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND THE GENERATOR COMES ON WHEN I STOP, IT IS WORSE WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGES FAST AND THEN I HAVE TO STOP EVEN MORE SUDDENLY. IMAGINE IF I AM ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT STOPS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE, A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THE CLEANING SERVICE. NOW, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THAT VEHICLE. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AT MESSAGE BOARDS FROM OTHER VW BEETLE OWNERS AND HAD READ SIMILAR STORIES OF SUCH DISSATISFACTION, INCREDIBLE FINANCIAL EXPENSE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF CARS. I HAVE EVEN READ THAT THESE CARS CAN BECOME INFLAMED , NECESSITATING THE FIRE DEPT. TO PUT IT OUT. THIS IS A LEMON AND SO MANY OTHER VW OWNERS HAVE WRITTEN SIMILAR ACCOUNT MESSAGE BOARDS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED IVOQ 07/07/11. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10410335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR IS STALLING, SPUTTERING, BUT NOT DYING COMPLETELY. COIL PACKS HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO BE THE ISSUE. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE COIL PACKS, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. THE COIL PACKS ON THIS CAR NEED TO BE REPLACED, FREE OF CHARGE, FREE LABOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES. PLEASE SEND DETAILS ON HOW TO ACCOMPLISH THIS FOR MY 2001 VW NEW BEETLE GLX 1.8T.

NHTSA complaint #10410277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE HEADLAMPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. ACCORDING TO A VW DEALERSHIP WHO SERVICED THE VEHICLE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE WIREING HARNESS PROBLEM, BUT ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY SERVICE RECALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10394504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2001 VW BEETLE: 189944 MILES. SUDDEN PERMANENT FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES. WILL INVESTIGATE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COST.

NHTSA complaint #10370822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR IDLING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY HESITATE AND WOULD ATTEMPT TO STALL. THE DIGITAL CLOCK WOULD INDEPENDENTLY RESET TO MIDNIGHT AND THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE NEEDLE WOULD DROP TO ZERO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE HAD NOT MOVED BACK UP SO THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE TANK. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000.

NHTSA complaint #10351447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUDDEN FAILURE OF ALL "POINTER GAUGES" IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $550 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, BUT SO FAR HAVE NOT FOLLOWED THROUGH.

NHTSA complaint #10351261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

EPC LIGHT ON,CAR LOOSING POWER. I HAVE CHANGE EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT COULD BE CHANGE TO FIX IT AND NOTHING. NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT, NOBODY WANTS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.VW CORPORATION DON'T HAVE RECALLS FOR IT, AND NO DEALER OR MECHANIC KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT.

NHTSA complaint #10342447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUDDEN PERMANENT FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES.

NHTSA complaint #10329233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10307345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I PURCHASED A 2001 VW BEETLE NEW AND I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES DUE TO SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON-GOING PROBLEM EVEN AFTER VW MADE A RECALL AND SUPPOSEDLY "FIX" THE SEAT BELT PROBLEM. THIS VERY FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CAR HAD LESS 1500 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10300077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10206330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10201672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

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.

NHTSA complaint #10196382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10181555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10181555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10170901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10164318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.