86 of the
3,621 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Beetle
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2000.
86
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
9
Crashes
1
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
ABS module is defective. This results in numerous warning lights, including abs, traction control, airbags, tire pressure warning, check engine light, epc light, and speed control usability. I have no working abs, seat belt, or traction control, which is a safety issue. There was a previous safety recall for VW with defective abs control modules, 45F2. The problem has been confirmed through an authorized VW repair shop. The part will be made available.
NHTSA complaint #11746396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The accelerator pedal snapped/broke while driving the vehicle. Yes, it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was not able to control the speed of the vehicle while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, not yet. I am trying to get it scheduled for VW service. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. The gas pedal (accelerator) snapped while I was driving my 2012 VW Beetle today. I was not able to control the speed of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11715470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On October 21st I had a recall performed at Evansville D- Patrick for a 37M2 shift lever micro switch. Today Nov 5th I was leaving work, pulling out of the drive onto highway and once I got on the road the car lost motion and just rolled. Barely made it across the highway. I got across the street into another lot. Turned car off and back on. You can hear the throttle but tires would not move. It would not go into any gear. It wouldn’t even go into park. It would roll no matter what the gear shifter was in. The work they did was in the gear shifter. So whatever work they performed was not done right. The sensor was bad they installed possibly or they didn’t connect the linkage or cables of some sort back I’m thinking. To have that recall done then have an issue with it that has to do with going into park is very odd. Especially to have an issue like that after having the appointment so close. I plan to have it towed to dealership but they are already trying to say it’s not something they did. Everything I’ve looked at with the recall correlates with the gear shifter which is what I had issues with today. The car can not move and I barely made it across the road before a semi came. They should definitely be held accountable for covering the cost of repairs or fixing the recall correctly.
NHTSA complaint #11697790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hi, one time the car wheel turned extra and the gas went extra fast. I also had several devices on my car through blue tooth that were not mine and mirror link kept checking and AUX. This is conjunction with 3 years of hacking (that I think is technically-assisted abuse) with smart home hub, surveillance, spyware on phone and hacked emails. Tried filling out IC3.gov form to no avail. Took car twice to Volkswagan dealer in Springfield, Pa and paid $100 twice to clear the dashboard but it kept happening with ROAV-FR3 and something FM-FORMAN (cant recall names) and Keyless car detective. Then I paid to remove the car radio. Then I found a Navaro device on passenger side under seat but dealer refused to remove it and when I called Volkswagen from there they said only the dealer knows where the vehicle embedded sim is. They do not know how to check software and say 'it is uncharted territory.' I do not feel safe. There are no laws regarding car hacking and smart home abuse and I am now writing a book for women about it so they are not gas lighted and can get help. This can be a deadly mistake and there needs to be an easy inexpensive place for someone to have their car checked for malware, sim or SD card. Please help. There was a police report but I do not have it. It was on 10/20/24 with colonial Chris McWilliams State police Middletown, PA 19063. He said Navaro device was factory installed but Volkswagan said it was not. Mechanic said it was a satellite radio device
NHTSA complaint #11621980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Speedometer stops working. My 16 year old daughter can’t tell how fast she is going when the speedometer stops working. And the screen freezes. Cruise control does not work.
NHTSA complaint #11545249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving down the road an the car started accelerating all by it's self so I pulled over but every time I let off the break it acted like I had the gas to the floor. The O2 sensor wire's shorted and burnt up the ECM making the CPU light to come on.
NHTSA complaint #11516155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING MY 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE IS DANGEROUS. THE TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION IN THE 2004 VW BEETLE IS KNOWN BY VOLKSWAGEN TO BE DEFECTIVE. AT ANY POINT THE VALVE BODY CAN FAIL, WHICH CAUSES DELAYED SHIFTING, AND HARD JERKING BETWEEN GEARS. MY 2004 BEETLE FAILS TO SHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO COAST FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, SOMETIMES REQUIRING PULLING OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC. WHEN DOWNSHIFTING IT JERKS EXTREMELY HARD. YOU GET IN, START THE ENGINE, AND RECEIVE NO WARNINGS THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NO CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT PROVIDES ANY INDICATION THAT THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. YOU DRIVE DOWN SOME CITY STREETS AND HOP ONTO THE FREEWAY TO GO TO YOUR FAVORITE GROCERY STORE. AFTER GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY THE CAR IS FULLY WARMED UP, AND AS IT DOWNSHIFTS FROM 4TH TO 3RD GEAR IT LURCHES. IT FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE IS TRYING TO JUMP OUT OF THE CAR! NO ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEN YOU STOP AT THE END OF THE OFF-RAMP, AND WAIT FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT TO TURN. AFTER TURNING THE CAR SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THEN IT FAILS TO SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. THE GEAR DOESN'T ENGAGE, AND THE CAR COASTS DOWN THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY POWER. DRIVERS PASSING BY ARE STARING. THE SUV BEHIND YOU IS RIGHT ON YOUR BUTT; THEY BEGIN HONKING. THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO. FINALLY, AFTER 20 SECONDS OF COASTING THE CAR ENTERS 3RD GEAR WITH A GIANT LURCH. IT FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO EXPLODE! YOU PULL INTO THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, HEART RACING, KNOWING THAT THE CAR YOU'RE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD KILL A HALF A DOZEN PEOPLE. AND YOU KNOW TO GET HOME IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM IS REPORTED BY HUNDREDS OF OWNERS. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO RECALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES AND PAY DAMAGES FOR THOSE WHOSE TRANSMISSIONS WERE DESTROYED BY THIS DEFECTIVE VALVE BODY AND TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #11415125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVER SIDE TAKEDA AIR BAG REPLACED UNDER 20V785000 RECALL NOTICE BY CLASSIC VOLKSWAGEN, GASTONIA, NC. VEHICLE RETURNED FROM REPAIR WITH BROKEN STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING. HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, STEER WHEEL CONTROLS FOR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM ARE ALL INOPERATIVE REGARDLESS OF STEERING WHEEL POSITION OR IF VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #11408591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VW RECALL: 69BC, DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG, NHTSA: 20V785 4/16/21: TODAY I CALLED LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP, (SOUTHPOINT VOLKSWAGEN, 13940 AIRLINE HWY., BATON ROUGE, LA 70817, 855-498-0983) TO SCHEDULE REPAIR OF THIS RECALL. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE ONLY SCHEDULING (1) RECALL REPAIR PER DAY AND THE SOONEST TIME I COULD SCHEDULE IS 6/01/21 (@45 DAYS). THIS SEEMS VERY UNREASONABLE GIVEN THE POTENTIAL DANGER/THREAT THAT THIS RECALL PRESENTS. BECAUSE THE RECALL INVOLVES THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG, THE ONLY (2) OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE OWNER IS TO: 1). CONTINUE TO USE THE CAR, KNOWING THE POTENTIAL DANGER OF "SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH" IT PRESENTS TO SELF (& THEREFORE PASSENGERS AS WELL) OR 2) IN ORDER TO ENSURE MY PERSONAL SAFETY, I CAN "CHOOSE" NOT TO USE THE VEHICLE (AND DO WHAT? RENT A CAR?!) SECOND CONCERN: THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER (ANALOG) SPONTANEOUSLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN @3MONTHS AGO (1/03/21) FOR NO APPARENT REASON (CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT; NO POT-HOLE, ROAD HAZARD, UNUSUAL WEATHER, ETC. AT THE TIME THAT THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING OR DURING RECENT USE; & VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. SINCE THE CAR CANNOT PASS LOUISIANA'S ANNUAL "SAFETY STICKER" INSPECTION WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETER, I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY VW CARS.
NHTSA complaint #11408380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR IS HAVING ISSUES AS EXACTLY THE RECALLS HAS STATED (I HAVEN'T KNOWN BY NOW ABOUT THE RECALLS) 1. SELECTOR SHIFT AND SHIFTER CABLES WERE BROKEN 2. BREAK SWITCH DID NOT FUNCTION, LEADING TO MALFUNCTION OF EPC (ELECTRONIC PROCESSING CONTROL) THAT LATER CAUSED CRUISE CONTROL, TAILLIGHT AND AC COMPRESSOR NOT WORKING 3. WINDSHIELD WIPER PUMP WAS NOT WORKING 4. HEADLIGHT BEAM WAS LOW
NHTSA complaint #11171283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2014 VW 'CLOCK SPRING' FAILURE AFFECTING THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG, HORN, AND CRUISE CONTROL. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION OF THE VOLKSWAGON OF AMERICA (VWA) RECALL OF THE 2014 VW BEETLE CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF THE DRIVER AIR BAG, HORN, AND CRUISE CONTROL. THE CURRENT RECALL INVOLVES THE 'CLOCK SPRING' WHICH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN VW MODELS INCLUDING: 2010-14 CC; 2010-13 EOS; 2011-2014 GOLF; 2011-14 GTI; 2012-14 JETTA SPORTWAGEN; 2011-14 JETTA SEDAN; 2010 PASSAT AND PASSAT WAGON; 2012-14 PASSAT SEDAN, AND 2011-14 TIGUAN. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE 2014 VW BEETLE, THE ONLY MODEL NOT INCLUDED IN THE VW MODELS RECALL. MY 2014 BETTLE TURBO EXPERIENCE FAILURE OF THE CLOCK SPRING AROUND 80,000 MILES. THERE WAS NO LIGHT ON THE DASH INDICATING A FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG, HORN, OR CRUISE CONTROL. AN ATTEMPT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN WERE BOTH FOUND INOPERATIVE CAUSED IMMEDIATE CONCERN. A CHECK OF THE FUSES INDICATED AN ACCESSORY (12V ACCESSORY CHARGING/CIGARETTE LIGHTER) NEEDED REPLACED. THE REPLACED FUSE DID NOT REMEDY THE OTHER SAFETY ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A VW DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND FOUND TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING AND ADVISED THAT REPLACEMENT FOR THE PART WOULD BE $450+. DUE TO THE AGE/MILEAGE THE PART WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS ITEM. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE AND CONSTITUTES A NHTSA SAFETY RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN CLOCK SPRING RECALL INVESTIGATED BY FEDS HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2017/VOLKSWAGEN-CLOCK-SPRING-RECALL-INVESTIGATED.SHTML I WOULD APPRECIATE ADVICE FROM NHTSA IF THIS MODEL WILL BE COVERED, OR NOT, AND HOW TO PROCEED.
NHTSA complaint #11171167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE SLOWLY APPROACHING A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING CENTER MY 2009 VW BEETLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPING OVER THE CURB AND SIDEWALK, AND CRASHING INTO THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. IT THEN REBOUNDED ABOUT 6-8 FEET. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T.
NHTSA complaint #10846319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A 2005 TURBOCHARGED BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, SPONTANEOUSLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WHILE PARKING, IT JUMPED THE CURB AND TRAVELED AT MAXIMUM ACCELERATION 30 FEET UP A GRASSY SLOPE THEN THROUGH AN ALABAMA POST OFFICE WINDOW, VIOLENTLY ENTERING THE LOBBY. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THIS INCIDENT WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TELEVISED DURING THE NEWS BROADCASTS ON ALL 3 LOCAL NETWORKS. WE HAVE IN OUR POSSESSION CLEAR PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE THAT THE BRAKE WAS BEING PRESSED HARD THROUGHOUT THIS EVENT AND THIS FACT WAS LATER CONFIRMED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER WHO INVESTIGATED THE CASE. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, ON 3 OCCASIONS WE HAD BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION OF A PERSISTENT, INTERMITTENT, THROTTLE PROBLEM WHICH THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE BUT FAILED, EVEN WITH SUPPORT FROM THE ENGINEERS AT VW OF AMERICA, TO CORRECT. ON ONE OCCASION THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK AND ON ANOTHER, NEARLY 3 WEEKS. WHEN THE CAR WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION WE HAD BEEN ASSURED THAT THERE WAS IN-DEPTH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THEM AND THE TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT AT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS DOWN DURING THE INCIDENT RESULTING IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BECOMING FILLED WITH LARGE SHARDS OF SHATTERED WINDOW GLASS. THE POLICE OFFICER INVESTIGATING THE SCENE CHARACTERIZED THE GLASS, STILL SUSPENDED IN THE FRAME ABOVE, AS "CHILLING". ATTACHED BELOW IS AN ARTICLE CONCERNING AN $ 8 MILLION DOLLAR VERDICT AWARDED LAST WEEK IN ANOTHER CASE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN A VW WITH A TURBO CHARGED ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10779622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON THE 2ND MY SON WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY WITH ME AS A PASSENGER AT 70 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE RPM'S SHOT UP AND THE CAR STALLED OUT. FORTUNATELY HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND SAFELY GET US OFF THE HIGHWAY. WE THEN APPROACHED A LIGHT IN WHICH WE HAD TO STOP AT AND THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO GO. I FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE CAR WAS IN A SAFETY MODE AND IS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR. I HAVE HAD THREE MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR. NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT AT THIS POINT IF IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION OR IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. EITHER WAY A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE ISSUES AT UNDER 100,000 MILES. I HAVE ALSO LOOKED ON LINE AND SEEN TO SHOCK HOW MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR ARE HAVE ISSUES WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. WHY HAVE THE TRANSMISSIONS NOT BEEN RECALLED? WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN THE CAR JUST STALLED OUT AT 70 MPH. ON TOP OF THE CAR IS FALLING APART! IN THE 9 MONTHS I HAVE OWED THE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT, WATERPUMP, TIMING BELT, AND THERMOSTAT AS WELL. NOT TOO FORGET TO MENTION THAT THE INTERIOR IS SLOWLY FALLING APART AS WELL. SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION!!!
NHTSA complaint #10705180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2007 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE SHIFTS HARD (VIOLENTLY) FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEAR IN STANDARD MODE AND SPORT MODE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WHILE THE VEHICLE IS WARM. CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD SINCE THERE WEREN'T ANY CODES PRESENT, THAT I DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. LAST WEEK THE CAR STALLED WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I MANAGED TO STEER OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID A COLLISION. VW OF AMERICA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RESOLVE THEIR MANUFACTURING ISSUES. THIS ISSUE POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO OCCUPANT SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #10653381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BOUGHT THIS VW BEETLE USED. HAD TERRIBLE SMELL, LIKE BURNT CRAYONS. CLEANED IT INTENSELY, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. THOROUGH DETAIL JOB. STILL SMELLS, CAUSING HEADACHE. AIR BAG LIGHT AND BUZZER STAYED ON EVEN AFTER LATCHING SEAT BELT. CRUISE CONTROL WORKS ERRATICALLY, LUNGING FORWARD SUDDENLY, THEN CHUGS, THEN LUNGES FORWARD QUICKLY AGAIN. SPEED WORKS CONSISTENTLY WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT ENGAGED. VERY UNSAFE WITH CRUISE CONTROL IN USE. LIGHTING ISSUES. INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK, UNABLE TO SEE INTERIOR GAUGES IN THE DARK. TURN SIGNALS BLINKING ERRATICALLY, AND NOT IN SYNC. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS AT AN AUTHORIZED VW DEALER, PAID $1,300.00. STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY. TOOK IT BACK IN 4 DAYS LATER BECAUSE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW ALMOST FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING, AND INTERIOR LIGHTING ISSUES STILL DID NOT WORK. WAS CHARGED ANOTHER $600.00. VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO DRIVE POSITION EASILY, AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL UNLESS THE STEERING WHEEL IS JERKED ON. DEALER SAID SENSORS WERE THE PROBLEM, AND THAT I WILL NEED TO BRING IT BACK AGAIN TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL FIXED AT A COST OF $250.00. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW. THERE SHOULD BE SOME RECALLS ON THE SMELL ISSUE, AND THE AIR BAG/SEAT BELT ISSUE. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE, BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10641558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.