FaultScore

2004 Volkswagen Beetle window and wiper problems

67 of the 469 complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 54,903 miles.

B

67

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Power Window Devices AND Controls 43 64.2%
Visibility 18 26.9%
Visibility/Wiper 3 4.5%
Glass, Side/Rear 1 1.5%
Rear Window Wiper/Washer 1 1.5%
Motor 1 1.5%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Volkswagen Beetle year

1998 39 12.0%
1999 27 8.3%
2000 22 6.7%
2002 13 4.0%
2003 59 18.1%
2004 67 20.6%
2005 63 19.3%
2006 11 3.4%
2012 25 7.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 122,000 miles Houston, TX

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1. AIR BAG: THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATING. 2. SUNROOF DRAIN SYSTEM CLOGGED: THERE IS LEAKAGE THROUGH THE SUNROOF OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALL RAIN WATER IS COMING IN FROM THE PASSENGER DOOR. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS OF THUNDER STORMS THE CAR HAS WATER ALL OVER THE INSIDE AND THE CEILING AND SMELLS BAD. (AS SOON AS I FOUND OUT THE SUNROOF LEAKAGE PROBLEM OF THIS CAR, I FOUND THAT HE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT HAS APPROVED A $69 MILLION SETTLEMENT STEMMING FROM A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT THAT STARTED IN 2007 OVER LEAKING SUNROOFS. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2014/VOLKSWAGEN-SETTLES-LAWSUIT-LEAKING-SUNROOFS.SHTML)

NHTSA complaint #10876204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Arkadelphia, AR

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THE WINDOWS ON THE DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT ROLL UP. THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A VOLKSWAGEN PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE WINDOW SIDE AS OF THIS DATE. IF THERE IS A RECALL, PLEASE ADVISE. I NEED THIS FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE WINDOW REGULATOR.

NHTSA complaint #10679519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bettendorf, IA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED. TODAY 12/09/14 NOT THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR NEEDS REPLACED. I THINK THIS IS FAULTY. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL VW REPAIR DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10663487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Loris, SC

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

REAR WINDOW WENT UP AND THEN DOWN BY ITSELF...THEN A CRACKING NOISE ENSUED AND NOW WINDOW IS STUCK OPEN. HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF BEETLE CONVERTIBLES HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS DUE PRIMARILY TO POOR ENGINEERING. VW MAKES $500-600 FOR EVERY REPAIR. (SEE: HTTP://NEWBEETLE.ORG/FORUMS/NEW-BEETLE-CONVERTIBLE/38354-BACK-WINDOW-REGULATOR-MOTORS-VW-RECALL.HTML).

NHTSA complaint #10523500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles Milton, DE

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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.

Richmond, VA

VISIBILITY

THE BACK WINDSHIELD HAS POPPED AWAY FROM THE CONVERTIBLE TOP.

NHTSA complaint #10478432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Charlottesville, VA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

BOTH REAR WINDOW CONTROL MECHANISMS HAVE GONE BAD. I HAVE DONE A SEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE.

NHTSA complaint #10470410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,600 miles Lees Summit, MO

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

1) INFERIOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PUMP VALVE ASSEMBLY CAUSED VERY HARD DOWN AND UP SHIFTING THAT COULD STARTLE THE DRIVER. IT WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. 2) LEFT SIDE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AT TIME OF PURCHASE (FEB. 2012). RIGHT SIDE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR HAS FAILED JULY 2012 AND MUST BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10466244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Florence, CO

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS WERE INOPERABLE AND REMAINED OPEN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10463451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles LOS Altos, CA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THIS THE 3RD WINDOW REGULATOR TO FAIL. ONE DOOR AND NOW BOTH REAR REGULATORS.

NHTSA complaint #10462890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 114,000 miles Londonderry, NH

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

I HAVE HAD THE REGULATOR REPLACED IN MY REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND MY FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS. IT SEEMS THAT THERE MIGHT BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE REGULATORS/WINDOWS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10460170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,500 miles Holliston, MA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

MY REAR PASSENGER WINDOW IS STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. AFTER READING MANY FORUMS I CAN CONCLUDE THAT IT IS THE REGULATOR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THESE CARS. I AM MOST LIKELY GOING TO HAVE TO PAY UPWARDS OF $1000.00 TO GET THIS FIXED. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS. IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT ON VOLKSWAGENS PART. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES THIS TAKE TO GET A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10451653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,100 miles Hawthorne, CA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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.

Rockville, IN

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

ALL THE WINDOWS APPEAR TO HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS, THE BACK RIGHT MAKES A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND WON'T BUDGE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW MAKES A WEIRD NOISE BUT MOVES, AND THE OVERALL PLACEMENT OF THE WINDOWS IS ODD AND LEAKS AIR.

NHTSA complaint #10438865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

I HAVE 2004 VW CONVERTIBLE BEETLE, MY TWO BACK WINDOWS DO NOT WORK AND NOW MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT WORK. WHEN WILL THIS EXISTING PROBLEM BE RECALLED FOR MYSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE WINDOWS NEED TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10438644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,753 miles Spring, TX

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED, VW PAID FOR REGULATOR BUT CHARGED $389.00 LABOR TO FIX (WINDOW UP AND DOWN LESS THEN 20 TIMES UP TO THIS POINT. LEFT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED JUNE 2011, LABOR CHARGE $403.05 VW PAID FOR REGULATOR. LEFT DRIVER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AUG 2011. VW WILL NOT COVER REGULATOR, OR LABOR OF $375.00 TO REPAIR. VW KNEW THESE PARTS WOULD FAIL AND HAD ISSUED A TECH BULLETIN TO THIS EFFECT WITH NO NOTICE TO OWNER! FAILED PARTS ARE KNOWN BY VW AS FAILURE PARTS, COST TO CUSTOMER FOR KNOWN BAD PARTS IS EXTREME.

NHTSA complaint #10435262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Visalia, CA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

WINDOW REGULATOR FAULTY ON ALL WINDOWS.

NHTSA complaint #10430589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,569 miles Hopewell, VA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED. THE CLIPS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUOUSLY RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,569.

NHTSA complaint #10430672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles Battle Lake, MN

VISIBILITY

THIS IS FOR A CONVERTIBLE BEETLE: THE REAR WINDOW ROLLED DOWN WHILE OPENING THE TOP, MADE A GRINDING SOUND, AND NOW WILL NOT GO UP EITHER WITH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP CLOSE BUTTON, NOR WITH THE INDIVIDUAL WINDOW BUTTON - THE WINDOW MOTOR WORKS, BUT THE REGULATOR MECHANISM MAKES A GRINDING SOUND AND THE WINDOW STAYS IN OPEN POSITION (ON-LINE ENTRY SYSTEM WON'T ACCEPT CORRECT PHONE # SO I LIST IT HERE: CORRECT DAYTIME PHONE IS [XXX]) . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10425051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,903 miles MO, MO

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE - DRIVER SIDE WINDOW ROLLED DOWN AND WILL NOT ROLL BACK UP. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BROKEN REAR WINDOW REGULATOR- APPARENTLY UNDER RECALL BY VOLKSWAGEN BUT CAN'T GET CONFIRMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10414845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Wyandotte, MI

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

2004 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. REAR WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. REAR WINDOWS REGULATOR/MOTORS BROKE. DESIGN DEFECT. REVISED PART. DEALER WANTS OVER $700.00 PER SIDE TO FIX. PARTS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10412444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Moreno Valley, CA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

BOTH BACK WINDOW REGULATORS WENT OUT JUST THREE DAYS APART AND THE VW DEALERS WANTS $1,000.00 TO REPAIR. VW OF AMERICA EXTENDED THE FRONT WINDOW REGULATORS WARRANTY BUT REFUSE TO FIX MY BACK WINDOWS. I CAN NOT ROLL UP MY WINDOWS AT ALL. THEY ARE STUCK DOWN INSIDE THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10408989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles NEW Bern, NC

VISIBILITY

WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. THIS IS THE 3RD OF 4 WINDOW REGULATORS TO FAIL. REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FAILED TO ASCEND LEAVING CABIN OPEN TO WEATHER. POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENT INCREASED AS DRIVER WAS FORCED TO DIVIDE ATTENTION BETWEEN FAILED WINDOW AND DRIVING TASKS AT NEAR HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10403295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,500 miles Commerce Township, MI

VISIBILITY

RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND WINDOW BECAME INOPERABLE. VW ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT NOT A RECALL. REPAIR IS $1200 FOR ONE WINDOW REGULATOR.

NHTSA complaint #10400448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,999 miles Henderson, TN

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

I HAVE A 2004 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT DROP DOWN IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE CANVAS TOP. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A REGULATOR ISSUE. NOW MY BACK PASSENGER WINDOW IS FROZEN IN HALF DOWN POSITION. IT CAN NOT BE PULLED UP OR PUSHED DOWN. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE WINDOW ON THESE MODELS. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE GLASS IN THE CANVAS TOP TO BECOME DETACHED. MY INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER THIS AS DURING THEIR INVESTIGATION THEY FOUND THAT IT IS SO COMMON WITH THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE THAT THEY CAN DEEM IT "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR." THIS IS NOT RIGHT! MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS! I AM NOT ABLE TO REPLACE ANY PARTS AT THIS TIME BECAUSE OF INCOME. THE CONSUMER IS MADE TO PAY THE BILL FOR VW'S FAULTY MANUFACTORING.

NHTSA complaint #10394122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Plainfield, IN

VISIBILITY

WELL IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. FIRST THING, THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND THEN RIGHT AFTER THAT THERE WAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS. THE TOP WILL NOT COME DOWN BY IT SELF. THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON ( AIR BAG, BRAKES, CHECK ENGINE, EMISSIONS). SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE HOLES IN THE MUFFLER. LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW FELL DOWN AND THEY WON'T 800 TO FIX, THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10380171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,435 miles Destin, FL

VISIBILITY

DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED IN THE DOWN POSITION ON MY 2004 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE REGULATOR HAS FAILED ON MANY NEW BEETLES. THE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BEEN COVERED FOR 2003 - 2005 NEW BEETLE SEDANS BUT NOT CONVERTIBLES. I WANT TO DOCUMENT THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS ON THE CONVERTIBLES AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10373162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,600 miles Marietta, GA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

WINDOW REGULATOR ON OUR 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE FAILED ON THE SECOND REAR WINDOW ON DECEMBER 18, 2010. THE FIRST OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2010. ACCORDING TO OUR REPAIRMAN, THIS WINDOW REGULATOR IS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND HAPPENS ON MANY BEETLES, EVEN NEW 2010 VERSIONS. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL OR WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR ITS DESIGN PROBLEM. OUR COST TO REPAIR WILL BE $850 TO $1,000.

NHTSA complaint #10371802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles State College, PA

VISIBILITY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WAS BROKEN ON THE REAR WINDOWS TWICE. THE CONTACT ORIGINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE PARTS IN JULY OF 2010. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65000.

NHTSA complaint #10363990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Springfield, OH

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW FAILED 9-22-10. I PUT THE WINDOWS DOWN. I TRIED TO PUT THE WINDOWS BACK UP AS IT WAS STARTING TO RAIN. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW WILL ONLY GO HALF WAY UP AND THEN STOPS AND GOES BACK DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10357104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2004 Volkswagen Beetle problems

← Full 2004 Volkswagen Beetle report