33 of the
469 complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle are about the
engine — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
67,000 miles.
D
33
Complaints
1
Crashes
6
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Engine
1339.4%
Engine AND Engine Cooling
824.2%
Engine
721.2%
Cooling System
39.1%
Catalytic Convertor
13.0%
Diesel
13.0%
Engine & Cooling across every Volkswagen Beetle year
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING RUBBER AND THE VEHICLE'S RADIO STOPPED WORKING. AS THE CONTACT PROCEEDED DRIVING, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS BEGAN FLASHING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE FUSE BOX REPLACED, YET THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #11230138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesTucson, AZ
ENGINE
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS OFF IN TRAFFIC IN TOWN AND ON THE HIGHWAY. 2 TIMES NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ONE TIME LIGHT CAME ON. MECHANIC IS NOT SURE WHY. I HAVE READ SEVERAL SIMILAR OCCURANCES ONLINE BY OTHER OWNERS. SOUNDS LIKE A RISK FOR FATALITY TO ME. MY DAUGHTER JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM ANOTHER PARTY.
NHTSA complaint #11220226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8 milesLA Mesa, CAFire
ENGINE
I BOUGHT MY VW BEETLE 2004 USED 3 MONTHS AGO. (EPC LIGHT ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON) SINCE THEN IVE HAD TO FIX THE TIMING BELT, COOLING, AND HOSES BECAUSE OF BACKFIRE. I GOT NOTIFIED THAT THERE IS A RECALL IN MY CAR, YET WENT TYPING THE VIN # IT SAYS IT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN FOUND FOR MY CAR. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION TO SHOW THE REPAIRS AND COSTS. I'M WONDERING WHO DO I CONTACT TO DETERMINATE IF MY CAR DOES HAVE A REAL OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #11161757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesLouisville, KYFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING AND AN UNKNOWN HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE WATER PUMP KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SWITCHED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, IT FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA complaint #10853967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesLancaster, TX
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
NHTSA complaint #10758806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,291 milesMiddletown, NY
ENGINE
EXITING GARDEN STATE PARKWAY SB ENGINE CUT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXIT RAMP. HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF AND THEN TOWED. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY USED CAR WARRANTY HOWEVER THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2.0L TURBO MOTORS. I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS OR TECHNICAL BULLETINS FOR THIS PART. I AM AWARE THAT THE PART THAT IS FAULTY ON THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER WAS ONLY CORRECTED IN 2012. I PERSONALLY KNOW SOMEONE WHOSE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THIS PART . THE FAULTY PART BEING REPLACED IS A SPRING. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT IN WARRANTY HOWEVER THE PROBLEM IS KNOWN BY VW AND I SHOULD BE EITHER PARTIALLY OR ENTIRELY COVERED FOR THIS REPAIR. IF YOU WANT TO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH, THIS PROBLEM IS VERY EASY TO FIND ON THE INTERNET.
NHTSA complaint #10628305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesOswego, NY
ENGINE
ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. LOSS OF POWER STEERING. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LAST TIME WAS 7/8/2014, THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE PAST. VOLKSWAGEN HAS BEEN CONTACTED THEY SAY NOT RECALLS ARE LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #10609599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesOmaha, NEFire
ENGINE
THE BATTERY TO ALTERNATOR WIRE ON THESE CARS OVERHEATS AND CATCHES FIRE. I OWN A CAR DEALERSHIP AND JUST HAD IT HAPPEN TO ME. I WAS LUCKY AND STOPPED ANYTHING HORRIBLE FROM HAPPENING BUT MOST PEOPLE WOULD NOT KNOW ENOUGH TO STOP IT OR THAT IT WAS HAPPENING. THESE CARS ARE A HUGE FIRE HAZARD AND YOU NEED TO ISSUE A RECALL. CHECK THE PICTURES OF BURNED CARS ON GOOGLE. YOU WONT FIND ONE COMPLAINT BUT MANY AND PLENTY OF BURNED CARS. SO I ASK THAT YOU DO YOUR BEST TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THE CAR I OWN HAS A HISTORY OF THE ALTERNATOR BEING SERVICED. OBVIOUSLY A RECALL ISSUE THAT MAYBE VW SHOULD FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX INSTEAD A BAND AID AND OUT THE DOOR. CHECK CAR FAX ON THIS CAR. IF SOMEONE LET THERE CAR WARM THEY COULD BURN DOWN THERE HOUSE. I AM GOING TO REROUTE THIS WIRE AND REPLACE IT WITH A BETTER GRADE OF WIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10593905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesCarrollton, TXFire
ENGINE
THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE. THE CAR TURNED OFF. THE CAR WAS STEERED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES.
NHTSA complaint #10565298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesSpokane, WA
ENGINE
EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED OUR USED 2004 BEETLE CONVERITBLE, THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1-3 GEARS THE CAR JUMPS AND HALTS. IT IS HORRIBLE. WE HAD THE TRIP TRON SWITCH REPLACED AND STILL NO HELP. I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS FROM 2003 TO 2008. A NEW TRANSMISSION IS OVER $6000. APPARENTLY, IT HAS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10537725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesTulare, CA
ENGINE
MY CAR WAS FINE AND IT STARTED RUNNING A LIL FUNKY SO I TOOK IT TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND TURNS OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON MY AIR BAGS ! TRANSMISSION AND BODY VALVE ? IT ABSOLUTELY DOESN'T WANT TO GO IN REVERSE ANYMORE AND I BARLEY BOUGHT THE CAR IN JULY OF 2012 AND THIS INCIDENT HAPPENS JUST 5 MONTHS LATER. VERY DISAPPOINTED PLEASE HELP I AM A WORKING NURSING STUDENT THAT STILL MAKES PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR. I KNOW MY RIGHTS AND I FEEL YOU CAN HELP ME OUT PLEASE AND THANK YOU. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##
NHTSA complaint #10498207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesPlainfield, MAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR WOULDN'T EXCEL WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY 1 MILE FROM TOWN SUDDENLY TRAFFIC SLOWED FROM SNOW STORM IN TOWN,THE VEHICLE SMELL WAS FUNNY BLACK SMOKED SLOWLY LEAKED INSIDE THE CAR WINDOWS UP HEARD A MISFIRE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON BLINKED THEN I HEARD LOUD BLAST LIKE I THOUGHT IT WAS A PLOW TRUCKS MUFFLER LOUDNESS REALIZED IR WAS MY VEHICLE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY LESS 1/3 MILE AT BANK. SHUT OFF MOTOR M NOW SEEING SMOKE SLOWLY ENTERED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 2 FRONT SEATSAND CONSOLE. FEELING HOT UNDER BELLY OF FLOORS. ORANGE GLOW THROUGH ELECTRICAL OUTLET IN BACK OF CONSOLE APPEARED TO BE HOTWITH PLASTIC CASING IN AND UNDER FLOORS HOT SIZZLING CRACKLING UNDER CENTER CASING/I TRY TO CALL 911 MISUSED THE CELL WOULDN'T OPERATE EFFECTIVELY FLAGGED DOWN A MAN N WOMAN AT THE CORNER LIGHT OF BANK THEY DECLINED TO HELP SO I WENT TO CAR PUT SNOW ON COMPARTMENT AND WET IT DOWN AND AIRED OUT SMOKE WITH PASSENGER DOOR OPEN .I WENT IN BANK FOR ASSISTANCE .THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR SAFETY ISSUES BY MANUFACTURER IN THE PAST .WERE SAID TO BE CORRECTED BY REPAIRMAN ALSO SAID SEATBELT HARNESS WAS A ISSUE HEATED SEATS WERE A ISSUE AND AIRBAGS TRANNY ALSO RECALLED FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND OR TRANSMISSION AND AIR BAGS ON SOME 2004 VW VEHICLE BEETLES RECALLS SO FAR OCCURRED TO THIS VW WERE AIRBAG SENSORS/ ALSO THE SEATBELT HARNESS CASES WERE BREAKING REPEATEDLY ONCE PURCHASED DUE TO PUTTING THE SEATS UP AND BACK TO GET IN THE VEHICLE. NOW THIS MYSTERIOUS FIRE AND HEADLAMP ISSUE..
NHTSA complaint #10490430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,500 milesMilledgeville, GA
ENGINE
NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE THAT HAS A KNOW ISSUE. THE TIPTRONIC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS DURING GEAR CHANGING. VW REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF THE 4 YEAR WARRANTY BUT THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAT 50000 MILES. THERE IS A KNOW ISSUE FOR THIS BUT I WILL HAVE TO PAY $6500 FOR THE REPAIRS>??? NOT FAIR FOR NEW BUYERS WHO ARE KEPT IN THE DARK ABOUT A KNOW ISSUE..
NHTSA complaint #10483339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesMilton, DE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR WAS SHIFTING VERY HARD, TIRES WOULD SQUEAL AS SHIFTING BETWEEN 1-2 AND 2-3RD GEARS. TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IT WILL BE BETWEEN 2-5000.00 DOLLARS WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WINDOW REGULATORS, THERMOMETER.
NHTSA complaint #10478940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesNixa, MO
ENGINE
ERRATIC SHIFTING UP AND DOWN BETWEEN 1ST AND 3RD GEARS. CAR LURCHES TO THE POINT THAT A NATURAL REACTION IS TO RELIEVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE WHICH COULD CAUSE A REAR END COLLISION IN SOME CASES. PROBLEMATIC PART IS INTERNAL VALVE BODY WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VW'S OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. WE HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED THEN CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE TO SEE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT AND WERE TOLD THAT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS ISSUED FOR 7 YEARS OR 2010. SINCE MY CAR HAD LOW MILEAGE THE INTICATION OCCURRED OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AND I WAS TOLD BY VW THAT IT IS NOW MY PROBLEM TO TAKE CARE OF IT TO THE TUNE OF $2300 PARTS AND LABOR. INCIDENTALLY, I ALSO DID NOT RECEIVE THE WARRANTY AS I WAS TOLD IT WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER ANYWAY. CONSIDERING THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY VW TO BE PROBLEMATIC UP TO 70,000 MILES I FEEL THAT VW SHOULD OFFER UP COMPENSATION IN THAT IT IS THEIR FAULTY PART. ANY HELP IN RECOUPING COSTS INCURRED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10478300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesAlfreda, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
NHTSA complaint #10457470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesSaint Joseph, MOFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SECONDS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD TO INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE BLEW SHORTLY AFTER THE HOOD WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP, RADIATOR AND VEHICLE REGULATOR SENSOR WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING BUT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE DRIVEN. EIGHT MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKET SEALS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,000. UPDATED 5/16/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS OIL IN THE ANTI-FREEZE AND THE SEAL ON THE OVERFLOW TANK WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 05/23/12
NHTSA complaint #10455790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,100 milesHawthorne, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
VEHICLE IS SEVEN YEARS OLD WITH 59,100 MILES AND ALREADY NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION DUE TO INCORRECT GEAR RATIO FAULT 17114, AND PO330. ALSO, NEEDS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER, HAS AIR LEAK FROM BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM PIPE. VW CORPORATION ADVISED CONVERTER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED $1,000 TOWARD A NEW OR USED VW. THE TRANSMISSION IS APPROXIMATELY $4,000. I DECLINED THEIR OFFER. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THREE WINDOW REGULATORS. ...UPDATED 01/30/12
NHTSA complaint #10445389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,700 milesGolden Valley, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
REPLACE ALL IGNITION COILS.
NHTSA complaint #10443324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesCanon, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE ENGAGED IN ORDER TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO WAS TOLD THAT THE CONTROL VALVES CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WOULD INCREASE IN SPEED AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED DOWN TO 5TH GEAR. UPDATED 12/02/11
NHTSA complaint #10432540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesRiverside, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2004 BEETLE RAN FINE FOR THE FIRST SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER A PURCHASED IT FROM THE DEALER, NOW THE CAR STOPS RUNNING AT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, DURING MY TRAVEL TO WORK. I HAVE READ SEVERAL POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET STATING THE SAME ISSUES FROM THOUSANDS OF VW OWNERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MY CAR DIAGNOSIS STATING I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANS, BUT THERES NO INDICATION TRANS FAILURE. ONE WEEK THERE CAR RUNS GREAT THEN, NEXT IT STOPS DURING TRAVEL AND HAS JERKY FEELS DURING MOVEMENT. I'M SURE THERE HUNDRED OF THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUES AND THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE MANY TOO MANY TO LIST.
NHTSA complaint #10429268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VW BEETLE IN MAY OF 2010, FOR MY BIRTHDAY FROM HOLLYWOOD AUTO BROKERS IN LOS ANGELES, CA. THE CAR RAN SMOOTH FOR ABOUT A COURSE OF FIVE TO SIX MONTHS, I HAD TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP EARLY ON BECAUSE MY HEAD LIGHTS WERE OUT WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR, A JERKING AND EXTREMELY WEIRD DECELERATION OF THE CAR WOULD BEGIN, BUT IT WOULD "POP BACK TO NORMAL" AFTER A WHILE, MAYBE THREE TO TEN SECONDS. THIS HAD GONE ON AND HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE FIVE MONTHS AFTER I BROUGHT IT. I FINALLY MADE IT BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND HE RODE WITH ME ON A TEST DRIVE AROUND THE CORNER AND OF COURSE IT DIDN'T REPEAT THE PREVIOUS SHOW OF DEFECTS. HE ASSURED ME THE CAR IS JUST BEING BROKEN IN. A YEAR GOES BY AND I DECIDED I WANT TO TRADE IN MY CAR FOR ANOTHER CAR, SO I HEAD TO NISSAN. I TEST DRIVE A CAR AND LOVE IT AND THEN GO IN FOR THE PAPER WORK. THE GUY RUNS MY VIN TO SEE MY CAR VALUE AND COME BACKS AND TELL ME MY CAR TITLE IS SALVAGED. TO MY DISBELIEF AND DISGUST, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY FINANCIAL COMPANY, AL FINANCIAL OF GLENDALE, CA THAT I AM LEASING THE CAR FROM. THEY GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND AND ASSURE ME THAT THE TITLE IS CLEAN AND NOT A SALVAGE. I CONTINUE ON MY INVESTIGATION AND COME TO A CARFAX WEBSITE TO GET THE REAL FACTS ON MY DEFECTED VEHICLE. THE INFORMATION REVEALS THAT NOT ONLY IS THE TITLE SALVAGE BUT IT HAD BODILY DAMAGE AND HAD BEEN TOTALED OUT FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY FROM IT'S PREVIOUS OWNER. THE CAR HAD BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM MEXICO AND REGISTERED IN THE STATES AGAIN AS A NEW CAR I BELIEVE. I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS SITUATION ASAP AND GET SOME CLOSURE ON A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT IS MESSING WITH MY INCOME AS I AM A TRAVEL NURSE FOR HOSPICE PATIENTS. RECENTLY THE WATER PUMP HAS GONE OUT AND I'M NOT SURE YET IF I NEED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS. I HOPE I CAN HEAR AN RESPONSE IN A GOOD ENOUGH AMOUNT OF TIME SO I CAN WORK OUT AN REIMBURSEMENT OF SOME KIND WITH PAYMENT ON EITHER BEHALF.
NHTSA complaint #10420904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesBaltimore, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE COMPUTER RANDOMLY DETECTS FAULT IN TURBO SYSTEM AND REDUCES ENGINE POWER TO UNSAFE LEVEL. THEN ANY TRAFFIC MANEUVER THAT REQUIRES ACCELERATION, I.E. MERGING ONTO A FREEWAY, ETC., BECOMES EXTREMELY UNSAFE. VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD THE CAR FOR THREE WEEKS AND WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT.
NHTSA complaint #10419352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVES A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 47,000 ACTUAL MILES. RECENTLY SHE HAS BEEN HAVING SOME VERY SCARY EXPERIENCES WITH THE VEHICLE AND WE ARE HIGHLY CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES 55 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY, IT STARTS TO AUTOMATICALLY SLOW DOWN WHILE HER FOOT IS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN AS SHE CONTINUES TO KEEP HER FOOT ON THE GAS, IT ALL THE SUDDEN VIOLENTLY JERKS INTO GEAR AND STARTS TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. SHE WAS ON FLAT TERANINE AND WAS NOT GOING UP A HILL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. SHE SAID THE EXPERIENCE TODAY LEFT HER TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE!! ALSO, SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, AND THE BREAKS AND STEERING WHEEL BOTH LOCKED. SHE COULDN'T STEER OR STOP THE CAR WITHOUT USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I ASKED HER IF SHE IS SURE THE CARE WAS NOT IN NEUTRAL AND SHE SAID IT WAS ABSOLUTELY 100% IN THE REVERSE POSITION. ALSO SHE STATED THE BRAKES ARE MAKING A HISSING SOUND LIKE WHEN YOU LET AIR OUT OF TIRES, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME AND HER BRAKES SEEM FINE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT ANY RECALLS THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD AND ALSO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO DO TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE FOR HER TO BE DRIVING AT THE MOMENT AND SHE HAS STATED THAT WHEN THE ISSUE HAPPENS, IT FEELS LIKE HER AND THE CAR JERK FORWARD WITH A VERY VIOLENT EXCESSIVE FORCE. I WOULD LIKE CORRESPONDENCE STARTED IN CASE IN CASE ANYTHING HAPPENS TO MY DAUGHTER WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE IS APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10402767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,456 milesNewport News, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BROKEN ENGINE MOUNT BOLT WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT; BROKE AFTER ACCELERATING ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT. ENGINE MOUNT WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10386180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesHenderson, NV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE GLS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ABNORMALLY JERKING WHILE SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN ONE MONTH. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BOX. SHORTLY AFTER, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED WHICH WERE ALSO REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
NHTSA complaint #10343502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesPlesanton, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING FORWARD AND HESITATING TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VALVE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE VALVE WAS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
NHTSA complaint #10339572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesWylie, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE PURCHASED IN 2008. I'M PUTTING IN THIS COMPLAINT ALONG WITH THOUSAND OF OTHER VW BEETLE OWNERS. THE PROBLEM IS THE 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION. IT JERKS REAL HARD WHEN DOWN SHIFTING AND THEN AGAIN WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. NOW IT'S TO THE POINT WHERE IT WON'T PULL AT ALL. I HAVE TRIED TO CALL VW OF AMERICA TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM BUT NO WILL RETURN MY CALLS SO I WENT ON EDMUNDS.COM AND REALIZED THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AND VW. I ALSO CALLED VW CREDIT WHO I STILL OWE FOR THIS CAR THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, AND TO CALL VW OF AMERICA. MY QUESTION IS WHAT AM I TO DO WITH A VEHICLE THAT I CAN'T DRIVE AND I OWE $9,000 ON. THAT HAS A TRANSMISSION THAT THEY ARE TELLING ME I GOING TO COST $6,000 TO REPLACE. PLEASE! IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN HELP MY SITUATION ? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10331467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesPlainfield, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE '04 (APPROX. 80K MILES) - SLIPPING AND BANGING TRANSMISSION. SLAMS AND BANGS HARD WITH EACH DOWNSHIFT (AUTOMATIC) AFTER ABOUT 15 MILES OR DRIVING. SLIPS OR WILL NOT MOVE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLAMMING AND BANGING BEGINS. CANNOT DRIVE CAR IN TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OR BEING REAR ENDED OR BROADSIDED, THEREFORE, CANNOT SAFELY OR DEPENDABLY DRIVE THE CAR. EXPECTED THOUSANDS TO REPAIR IF A MECHANIC WHO UNDERSTANDS THE PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND. MANY OF THE KNOW ISSUES WITH CAR HAVE ALSO OCCURRED; BROKEN PLASTIC WATER PUMP, REAR WINDOW SEAL BROKEN, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN, PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LIGHT MALFUNCTION, HEADLIGHTS UNEVEN BRIGHTNESS, SHORT IN DASH, HEATED SEAT TOO HOT TO USE (FEAR OF FIRE) AND INCREDIBLE DOOR RATTLES.
NHTSA complaint #10292479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,300 milesKansas City, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I PURCHASED A USED 2004 VOLKSWAGON CONVERTIBLE NEW BEETLE TURBO IN APRIL 2005 . I NOTICED THE OIL LIGHT KEPT COMING ON , SO I SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILDUP, AND STATED THAT UNLESS I HAD RECEIPTS ON RECENT OIL CHANGE, THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. I WAS FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I WAS PAYING ON A FAIRLY NEW VOLKSWAGEN, AND COUD NOT EVEN DRIVE IT. THEY HAD QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $5,000 TO REPAIR IT .
NHTSA complaint #10193666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.