2002 Volkswagen Beetle engine problems

ENGINE

Unknown

NHTSA complaint #11617386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR GO SLOW THEN FAST

NHTSA complaint #10853113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE VW NEW BEETLE I JUST GOT HAS A STRONG INTERIOR SMELL OF CRAYONS. IS THIS HARMFUL TO OUR HEALTH?

NHTSA complaint #10532152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE IGNITION COILS ON MY 2.0L AZG ENGINE CRUMBLED DURING A TUNE UP,WHICH RESULTED IN A $647.00 REPAIR BILL. NEW VW IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUG WIRES AND OEM SPARK PLUGS WERE INSTALLED. TODAY, 4/26/2013, IGNITION COIL CRUMBLES AGAIN DURING TUNE UP. VW CLAIMS THEIR WARRANTY ON PARTS IS 12 MONTHS. VW RECALLED A TON OF IGNITION COILS FOR 1.8L ENGINES IN THE 2001-2003 TIME PERIOD CLAIMING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FAILURE RATES. I WOULD SAY THAT ONE IGNITION COIL EVERY 4 YEARS IS A HIGH FAILURE RATE AS WELL, CONSIDERING OF THE THREE CARS I HAVE CURRENTLY OWN (ONE FOR 15 YEARS), I HAVE NEVER HAD A COIL FAIL EXCEPT FOR TWICE FOR THIS BEETLE. A SEARCH OF VW OWNER WEBSITES AND YOU TUBE VIDEO SITES SHOW A PLETHORA OF FAILED IGNITION COILS AND HOW-TO'S FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE COIL. IF THIS ISN'T A PREVALENT PROBLEM, WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE CLAIMING IT HAPPENS? IT SEEMS THAT VW IS LIMITING THEIR LOSSES BY IGNORING THESE FAILURES.

NHTSA complaint #10509679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE BLUE TEMP GAUGE COMES ON FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME...THEN WHEN I SLOW DOWN THE JUMPS/JERK REALLY HARD...I NOTICE IT ONLY DOES WHEN I SLOW DOWN....TO AVOID IT I TRY TO LET THE CAR SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN BUT IT STILL DOES IT....OTHERS THAT IVE DISCUSSED THE ISSUE WITH ADVISED ME THAT IT MAY BE THE TRANSMISSION...AND UPON RESEARCHING THE VW BEETLE I FOUND OUT THAT IM NOT THE ONLY PERSON EXPERIENCING THIS IS ISSUE AND THAT IT IS INDEED THE TRANSMISSION

NHTSA complaint #10439516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THERE IS AN UNUSUALLY STRONG, AND OBNOXIOUS, ODOR (SMELLING OF BURNT CRAYONS) COMING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE SMELL IS SO OVER-POWERING I HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS, AND LEAVE THEM OPEN, THE ENTIRE TIME I AM DRIVING THE CAR, OTHERWISE I BECOME DIZZY AND NAUSEOUS. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET, AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BLOGGED THEY HAVE A CAR MADE BY VOLKSWAGEN WITH THE SAME ODOR PROBLEM -- A FEW OF THESE WEBSITES ARE; ----(1) HTTP://WWW.FIXMYSTINKYCAR.COM/?P=706 ----(2) HTTP://FORUMS.AUTOMOTIVE.COM/70/6371584/VOLKSWAGEN/CHEMICAL-ODOR/INDEX.HTML ----(3) HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA/2001/PAGE-57/ ----(4) HTTP://WWW.WEBANSWERS.COM/AUTOMOBILES/WHAT-IS-CAUSING-MY-CAR-SMELL-5B4BD0.

NHTSA complaint #10435294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2002 VW BEETLE TURBO 1.8 WHILE DRIVING THE RED LIGHT SENSOR WOULD COME ON STATING MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. NOTHING WAS LEAKING, SENSORS WERE REPLACED A FEW MONTHS PRIOR DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE ALONG WITH A RING AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE RED LIGHT FLASHES THEN ABOUT 2 MILES LATER THE OIL LIGHT GOES ON AND IF THE CAR IS NOT PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY THEN YOU RISK ENGINE DAMAGE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS MADE UP OF PLASTIC PARTS PRETTY MUCH WHICH CRACK AND MELT VERY EASY WHEN HEAT GETS TO THEM. SO NOW AFTER SPENDING MONEY ON WATER PUMPS, ASSEMBLIES, HOSES, SENSORS WHICH TOTAL OVER 3K IT IS NOW AN ISSUE ONCE AGAIN AND THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE. ALSO MY IGNITER COILS WERE REPLACED 8 TIMES (2X EACH ONE) PRIOR TO A RECALL AND THEY DO NOT REIMBURSE YOU ALL THE MONIES SPENT. NOW THERE IS A RECALL IN MY SUNROOF WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX SINCE THE WATER DAMAGE IS ALREADY AFFECTING THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. SO WITH ALL OF MY RECEIPTS NOT INCLUDING RENTAL CARS FOR REPAIRS ONLY I HAVE INVESTED OVER 6K IN A CAR WORTH LESS AND I DOUBT NO ONE WILL PAY TO TAKE IT OFF MY HANDS WHICH WILL LEAVE A SINGLE MOTHER CAR LESS.

NHTSA complaint #10345744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2002 VW BEETLE TURBO 1.8 WHILE DRIVING THE RED LIGHT SENSOR WOULD COME ON STATING MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. NOTHING WAS LEAKING, SENSORS WERE REPLACED A FEW MONTHS PRIOR DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE ALONG WITH A RING AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE RED LIGHT FLASHES THEN ABOUT 2 MILES LATER THE OIL LIGHT GOES ON AND IF THE CAR IS NOT PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY THEN YOU RISK ENGINE DAMAGE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS MADE UP OF PLASTIC PARTS PRETTY MUCH WHICH CRACK AND MELT VERY EASY WHEN HEAT GETS TO THEM. SO NOW AFTER SPENDING MONEY ON WATER PUMPS, ASSEMBLIES, HOSES, SENSORS WHICH TOTAL OVER 3K IT IS NOW AN ISSUE ONCE AGAIN AND THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE. ALSO MY IGNITER COILS WERE REPLACED 8 TIMES (2X EACH ONE) PRIOR TO A RECALL AND THEY DO NOT REIMBURSE YOU ALL THE MONIES SPENT. NOW THERE IS A RECALL IN MY SUNROOF WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX SINCE THE WATER DAMAGE IS ALREADY AFFECTING THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. SO WITH ALL OF MY RECEIPTS NOT INCLUDING RENTAL CARS FOR REPAIRS ONLY I HAVE INVESTED OVER 6K IN A CAR WORTH LESS AND I DOUBT NO ONE WILL PAY TO TAKE IT OFF MY HANDS WHICH WILL LEAVE A SINGLE MOTHER CAR LESS.

NHTSA complaint #10345744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY COOLANT LIGHT STARTED BEEPING AND FLASHING RED. I ENDED UP STRANDED. I GOT IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAYS IT IS A WATER PUMP. SO I AM REPLACING THE WATER PUMP. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10296869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2002 TURBO VW BEETLE. SEEMS TO BE JERKING WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. LAST WEEK IT JERKED ME FORWARD QUITE HARD. SCARY!! CAR HAS 70,000 MILES. I SEE THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE SPENT 1200.00 IN THE LAST YEAR ON VARIOUS REPAIRS. AS I SAW WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS, A/C STOPS WORKING AND THEN THIS. WONDERING IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS JERKING AFFECT. JERKING NOW HAS GOTTEN HARDER AND IS EVERYTIME IT SHIFTS INTO GEAR. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC! WHEN RECENTLY TAKEN INTO A VW SHOP THEY DID A COMPUTER SCAN ON IT AND NOTHING COMES UP. VARIOUS HOSES, WATER PUMP, THERMO READER HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10289014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A 2002 VW NEW BEETLE. PROBLEM..ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THEN GOES OFF. HAD MANY COSTLY REPAIRS. PROBLEM REOCCURS. MECHANIC STATED THAT I MAY NEED A NEW CATALYTIC. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT CAR MAINTAINS AN 80,000 OR 7 YEAR WARRANTY. IS THIS TRUE AND IF SO HOW DO I GET MY CAR FIXED ASAP BEFORE THIS WARRANTY EXPIRES? CAR HAS 54000 MILES AND IS NOW 7 YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10265250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

IN THE FALL OF 2007 THE ENGINE OVERHEATING LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHILE DRIVING 40MPH+. CAR REMAINED AT A DECENT TEMPERATURE UNTIL THAT SPEED. CHECKED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE BEFORE GOING TO THE DEALER. DEALER SAID THE WATER PUMP WAS BAD AND IT COST $800 TO REPLACE THE PUMP AND A COUPLE OF CHEAP BELTS THEY HAD TO REMOVE IN THE PROCESS. AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS 5 YEARS OLD AND HAD AROUND 30,000 MILES ON IT. VERY UPSET THAT THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AFTER 30,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10255494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

IN AUGUST 2008 I WENT TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED AT A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN KALAMAZOO, MI. THEY SAID THAT THE ALUMINUM OIL PAN PLUG HAD BEEN OVERTIGHTENED AND THE PAN WAS RUINED. I WAS TOLD THAT POTENTIALLY THE PLUG COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT AT ANY POINT IN TIME, LEAVING ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION, EITHER STRANDED SOMEWHERE BUT MOST LIKELY CAUSING A CRASH. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ALUMINUM PANS WEAR OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THIS CAR HAD ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. SOMETHING LIKE AN OIL PAN SHOULDN'T JUST "WEAR OUT" AFTER THAT SHORT A TIME. THEY ALSO TOLD ME I WAS BETTER OFF REPLACING THE ALUMINUM PAN WITH THE STEEL BECAUSE THE ALUMINUM WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO PUNCTURES FROM ALMOST ANYTHING. THE NEW VOLKSWAGENS ARE BEING MANUFACTURED WITH STEEL PANS AND VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE WILLING TO REPLACE THE OLD ALUMINUM FREE OF CHARGE. THE NEW PAN COST ME $293.69.

NHTSA complaint #10255498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

IN AUGUST 2008 I WENT TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED AT A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN KALAMAZOO, MI. THEY SAID THAT THE ALUMINUM OIL PAN PLUG HAD BEEN OVERTIGHTENED AND THE PAN WAS RUINED. I WAS TOLD THAT POTENTIALLY THE PLUG COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT AT ANY POINT IN TIME, LEAVING ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION, EITHER STRANDED SOMEWHERE BUT MOST LIKELY CAUSING A CRASH. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ALUMINUM PANS WEAR OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THIS CAR HAD ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. SOMETHING LIKE AN OIL PAN SHOULDN'T JUST "WEAR OUT" AFTER THAT SHORT A TIME. THEY ALSO TOLD ME I WAS BETTER OFF REPLACING THE ALUMINUM PAN WITH THE STEEL BECAUSE THE ALUMINUM WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO PUNCTURES FROM ALMOST ANYTHING. THE NEW VOLKSWAGENS ARE BEING MANUFACTURED WITH STEEL PANS AND VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE WILLING TO REPLACE THE OLD ALUMINUM FREE OF CHARGE. THE NEW PAN COST ME $293.69.

NHTSA complaint #10255498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DIESEL TURBO SEALS AND/OR BEARING FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN OIL FILLING THE INNER COOLER AND AIR TUBES--THIS RESULTED IN OIL BEING TAKEN INTO THE INTAKE AND FILLING THE CYLINDERS--THIS LED TO HYDRO LOCK OF THE ENGINE AND CYLINDER DAMAGE--HAD THE VEHICLE NOT JUST BEEN STARTED WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED, THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN RUNAWAY ENGINE RPM'S AND NO WAY TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO THE ENGINE BLOWING UP AND/OR FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10230928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VW NEW BEETLE - IN SHOP FOR 3 MONTHS OUT OF 24 MONTHS OWNED. ENGINE TROUBLE, WINDOW TROUBLE, STARTER TROUBLE AND NOW CLUTCH PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10144108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE ELECTRIC FAN FAILED.*MR THE STATED THAT AN OBJECT MUST HAVE HIT THE FAN TO CAUSE IT TO FAIL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAN WAS PROTECTED ON ALL SIDES BY STEEL AND ALUMINUM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS THE FAN WAS TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10131287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

VEHICLE TURBO HOSE CAME LOOSE ON 2002 NEW BEETLE.*MR

NHTSA complaint #10034175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE VIBRATES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10006206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER AND IT WILL BE HARD TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK STARTED. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10002017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONSUMER STATES HE GET VERY POOR GAS MILEAGE AND HIS AUTO SMOKES WHEN HE STARTS IT UP AND ALSO SMILES WHILE HE IS DRIVING IT. HE SATES ALSO HIS AUTO RUNS VERY ROUGH. CONSUMER STATES HE TOOK HIS AUTO TO A DEALER AND HE WAS TOLD THAT HE HAS A CLOGGED MANIFOLD AND A CLOGGED EGR VALVE. HE ALSO STATES THAT VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HE SAYS THEY WON'T ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. TS

NHTSA complaint #10001462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

I HAVE CLAIMED TO VOLKESWAGEN WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN ON RECALL ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE IS ADVISING ME THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP UP WITH SERVICE SINCE THEY KEEP HAVING THE SAME MODELS OF CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICE FOR OVER A WEEK AND A HALF NOW SINCE VW IS OUT OF STOCK ON THIS PARTICULAR PARTS. SERVICE CAN NOT START WORKING ON VW TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE NOT CALLING FOR RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT JUST WAIT FOR THE OWNER OF THE CARS WITH DEFECTED PARTS TO FIND OUT THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL VOLKESWAGEN IS TAKING A PROPER ACTION ON THIS DEFECTED PARTS. WISH SOME KIND OF PROPER ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY SOON. DT

NHTSA complaint #770467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

I HAVE CLAIMED TO VOLKESWAGEN WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN ON RECALL ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE IS ADVISING ME THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP UP WITH SERVICE SINCE THEY KEEP HAVING THE SAME MODELS OF CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICE FOR OVER A WEEK AND A HALF NOW SINCE VW IS OUT OF STOCK ON THIS PARTICULAR PARTS. SERVICE CAN NOT START WORKING ON VW TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE NOT CALLING FOR RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT JUST WAIT FOR THE OWNER OF THE CARS WITH DEFECTED PARTS TO FIND OUT THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL VOLKESWAGEN IS TAKING A PROPER ACTION ON THIS DEFECTED PARTS. WISH SOME KIND OF PROPER ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY SOON. DT

NHTSA complaint #770467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE HAS STALL MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

NHTSA complaint #8022657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. VEHICLE "SPUTTERS" AND THEN STALLS. MR

NHTSA complaint #8020415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.