2003 Volkswagen Beetle body problems

STRUCTURE:BODY

INNER DOOR HANDLES TO CLOSE THE DOORS, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT, HAVE BROKEN OFF, SNAPING. AS I DID RESEARCH TO FIND REPLACEMENT; I CONTACTED OVER 20 DIFFERENT JUNK YARDS IN MY AREA AND I AM BEING TOLD THE SAME; "ALL PANELS HAVE THE HANDLE BROKEN". THE ONLY WAY I CAN REPAIR IT IS BY BUYING THE WHOLE PANEL FROM THE DEALER AT AN OUTRAGE PRICE OR BUYING IT FROM A USED SELLER WHICH IS STILL AT LEAST $600.00 FOR THE PAIR PANELS. I NEED THESE HANDLES TO CLOSE THE DOORS SECURELY .

NHTSA complaint #11091363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THIS VEHICLE PERMEATES AN ODOR OF CRAYON WAX IN HEAT OR COLD. MORE SO IN HEAT AND WHEN THE HEAT OR A/C IS BEING USED. THE ODOR STICKS TO YOU HAIR AND CLOTHING AND IS EXTREMELY NAUSEATING. IN RESEARCH IT IS A WAX THAT COATS THE UNDERLAY OF THE CARPET. IF YOU GOOGLE "CRAYON SMELL IN VW OR HOW TO REMOVE CRAYON SMELL IN VW" YOU WILL FIND SEVERAL FORUMS. I BELIEVE IT IS A HEALTH HAZARD. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THE VEHICLE PRIMARILY & REFUSES TO USE THE A/C OR HEAT DUE TO THE SMELL MAKING HER SICK &STICKING TO HER HAIR AND CLOTHES. I DROVE IT FOR A WEEKEND AND HAD A NAUSEATING MIGRAINE ALL WEEKEND LONG. WHO KNOWS WHAT LONG TERM AFFECT THIS CAN HAVE ON ONES HEALTH. I CALLED VW, THEY SAID ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS ISNT DUE TO LACK OF CARE OR MAINTENANCE, THIS IS A POOR QUALITY MATERIAL USED TO MANUFACTURE THE VEHICLE THAT IS CAUSING THE ODOR THAT IS MAKING PEOPLE SICK.

NHTSA complaint #10522279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE GLX CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW SEPARATED FROM THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10479581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN THE REAR CONVERTIBLE WINDOW BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 18,452.

NHTSA complaint #10469496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2003 NEW VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER SIDE REAR QUARTER WINDOW. WINDOW FAILS TO FULLY RAISE AND WILL AUTOMATICALLY OPEN WHEN IT REACHES 2/3 RAISED POSITION. FAULTY WINDOW REGULATOR. A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10390190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2003 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, REAR WINDOW SEPARATION FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP. FAILURE OF ADHESIVE. NO REPAIR CAN BE MADE BY THE DEALER, ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TOP! EXPENSIVE REPAIR!

NHTSA complaint #10390191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

WHILE THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS BEING LOWERED BY THE 20 YEAR OLD FEMALE DRIVER IT MADE A HORRENDOUS GRINDING NOISE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL AS SHE TRIED TO STOP QUICKLY. SHE FEARED SOMETHING IN THE REAR WHEEL WAS BREAKING. A SHORT TIME LATER THE PASENGER SIDE WINDOW GROUND TO A STATE OF DISREPAIR. NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW NEEDS TO BE LOWERED VERY CAREFULLY TO AVOID ENGAGING THE AUTOMATIC FEATURE AS THIS CAUSES THE WINDOW TO MAKE A TERRIBLE NOISE. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO STOP THE WINDOW JUST BEFORE IT REACHES THE FULLY OPEN POSITION. THE REAR WINDOWS HAVE TO BE MANUALLY POSITIONED JUST RIGHT TO ALLOW THE CONVERTIBLE TOP TO BE LOWERED PROPERLY. ALSO, WHEN SMALL CHILDREN ARE IN THE BACK SEAT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO FALL DOWN ALL THE WAY SUBJECTING THEM TO EJECTION OR THE ABILITY TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON THEIR OWN. WHEN IT IS RAINING OR SNOWING THE ELEMENTS FLY IN THROUGHT THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THEY WON'T STAY UP. THIS IS ALSO VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. REPAIR ESTIMATES FOR THE REAR WINDOWS START AT $1500.00 WHICH THIS PARTICULAR OWNER/DRIVER CANNOT BEGIN TO AFFORD!. VW REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10350160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT THIRD GEAR, TRIPTRONTIC AUTOMATIC, LEAK IN TRUNK, TOP WILL NOT GO UP.

NHTSA complaint #10331531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS SEPARATING FROM THE ROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROOF WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ROOF WOULD NOT PROPERLY CLOSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN SERVICED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 06/06/11 *BF UPDATED 12/29/2011 *LN

NHTSA complaint #10329780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PLASTIC WINDOW IS SEPARATING FROM THE CLOTH TOP OF MY CONVERTIBLE VW. ALSO, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING BULBS AND THE SENSOR LIGHT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG STAYS ON. AFTER FIXING THE LIGHT ONE TIME, THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS SAID IT WAS THE SEATBELT CONNECTOR PROBLEM. THEY JUST WANT MONEY, MONEY , MONEY AND I AM STUCK WITH A VOLKSWAGEN THAT IS NOT FUNCTIONAL FOR DAILY USE.

NHTSA complaint #10325796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

REAR WINDOW IS DETACHING FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP CREATING OPEN SPACE INTO CAR, RAIN ENTRY AND POOR VISIBILITY THRU REAR VIEW MIRROR WHEN WATER IS COMING IN. FABRIC SHRINKING BACK FROM GLASS. CANNOT BE RE GLUED. WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED THE ENTIRE TOP MUST BE REPLACED. RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS WITH A COMPANY THAT REPLACES CONVERTIBLE TOPS EVIDENTLY HIS IS COMMON ON THE 2003 MODEL. THE REAR CONVERTIBLE TOP WINDOW STARTED FALLING OUT LATE 2008. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. TOO MANY SAFETY CONCERNS DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER.

NHTSA complaint #10276858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE BACK WINDOW OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS COMING APART FROM THE CLOTH TOP. I HAVE READ ONLINE SEVERAL POSTS OF MANY CONSUMERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THIS MAY BE RELATED TO A DEFECT IN THE GLUE OR SEALING THEY USE TO HOLD THE WINDOW IN PLACE.MY CONCERN IS THE BACK WINDOW MAY FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING OR EVEN FALL INTO THE BACKSEAT ONTO SOMEONE CAUSING SEVER INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10276879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ASAP TO MAKE VOLKSWAGEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 2003 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE DOORS AND WINDOW PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2003 WITH LESS THAT 10 MILES ON IT SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH MOST OF THE PROBLEM BEING WITH THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR HINGES BROKE OFF AND ALL OF MY WINDOWS REGULATORS/MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE. TODAY TOPS THE CAKE WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP!! NOW WITH THE REGULATORS JUST BEING REPLACED IN 2006 THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!!! AFTER READING EVERYONE ELSE'S COMPLAINTS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ONGOING PROBLEM THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN AND HOLD VOLKSWAGEN RESPONSIBLE!! I DID NOT PAY THE AMOUNT I DID FOR A NEW VEHICLE TO HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. I HAVE OWNED OTHER TYPES OF CARS AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. IF THERE IS AN ATTORNEY READING THIS I WOULD BE HAPPY TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS THAT FEEL THE SAME!!!

NHTSA complaint #10273720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE DOOR HINGES ON MY DRIVERS' SIDE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN CONVERTIBLE BEETLE HAS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME. VOLKS OF AMERICA AND VW OCONNOR IN AUGUSTA MAINE ARE VERY UNHELPFUL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOUR YEARS AND TURNS OUT BEFORE I OWNED THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR ON SAT 6/6/09 AND MY DOOR HINGE SNAPPED AND THE DOOR IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. NOW MY ALARM SYSTEM WILL NOT GO ON. SOMEONE NEED TO FIX MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10273516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR WINDOW WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE.

NHTSA complaint #10270199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2003 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE RIGHT SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10264152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS FALLEN DOWN AND THE DEALER WANTS AROUND $1,000 TO REPAIR IT. OUR THERMOSTAT WENT OUT LAST WEEK AND COST US $315 FOR JUST THAT, AND THEN THE NEXT DAY OUR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE BROKE. THE CAR HAS AROUND 70,000 MILES ON IT AND THINGS KEEP GOING WRONG EVERY WEEK! I LOVED THIS CAR BUT THE WAY IT IS GOING I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VW PRODUCT (EVEN THOUGH I OWNED 2 IN THE PAST).

NHTSA complaint #10202772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLASS ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS BEGUN TO SEPARATE FROM THE CANVAS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO PAY 75% OF THE REPLACEMENT COST. AS OF JUNE 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10193649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

AFTER ANY RAIN ON MY NON-MOVING 2003 VW NEW BEETLE WATER COLLECTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT FLOOR PAN CAUSING THE CAR TO STINK AND MOLD TO GROW. I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO CLEAR THE SUNROOF DRAIN WITH VERY LIMITED SUCCESS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTENTLY RETURNS.

NHTSA complaint #10180755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.