166 of the
3,621 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Beetle
are about the body and structure —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH at night, there was an abnormal loud tapping and vibrating sound coming from the rear window glass. The contact was able to pull over safely and inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that while washing and drying the vehicle, the contact and her husband noticed that the passenger's side of the spoiler had detached and could be lifted halfway across the trunk. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V036000 (Structure). The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 69,393.
NHTSA complaint #11677567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roof has cracked from sunroof to the pillar in multiple locations it is avaliable for inspection. It’s a common issues with beetles with sun roofs My concern is if it cracks enough a large piece may come off and potentially strike another vehicle especially at freeway speeds Dealer has denied the repair
NHTSA complaint #11660098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The airbags deployed on their own on 7-4-2023 in my daughter’s 2013 VW Beetle. My daughter and her friend were both injured (physically/mentally) as a result of both front airbags (steering wheel and dashboard airbags) deploying on their own causing over $10,000 USD damage to the beetle and injury to my daughter and her friend who was a passenger in the front seat. Volkswagen never sent out a recall notice to us even though we have owned the car since 9-13-2019 and the airbag recall notice was determined on 12-16-2020 by NHTSA and announced on that date. I only became aware of this recall through investigation, after the accident happened and during repairing of the car. The vehicle was not inspected by the manufacturer, or police, or insurance even though Progressive Insurance paid out over $20,000 in damages to the parked cars that were struck after the airbags deployed causing the vw beetle to crash into two parked cars in a residential neighborhood. There was a sparse accident report that was filed by Colorado State police. There were not any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the Tatanka airbag failure and recall.
NHTSA complaint #11659292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The 2015 Volkswagen Beetle was in a minor accident that was rear-ended by another vehicle. No one was injured. The other party claimed responsibility and the vehicle was repaired and the other party paid for the repairs. The problem is with Volkswagen not having the OEM safety equipment available to complete the repairs. The specific part is a spoiler attached to the rear trunk lid that increases the visibility of the brake light built into the rear trunk lid. In traffic this vehicle has only two brake lights within the rear fenders lower to the ground. The spoiler attached above the brake light that is attached at the top of the rear trunk lid, sits above the tail lights and the brake light can be seen by the driver in the vehicle behind the VW. VW claims that this part is on backorder. It is not available within the United States. I believe Volkswagen is refusing to manufacture this critical safety part for repairs of their vehicle. I have been told by several dealers that this part is not available and is on back order. I have tried to locate this part from VW dealers in Texas and out of state also. They all tell me the same thing. Its on back order. I understand this vehicle model is out of production but is being reintroduced again in 2025. Volkswagen should be responsible for providing original parts, especially critical safety parts. Hopefully the NTSA can bring this problem to Volkswagens attention and they will make the responsible safety decision and provide a critical safety component of this vehicle to the customers of their company. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11650977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PLASTIC PART ON THE TOP AROUND THE MOON ROOF HAS COMPLETELY CRACKED ON ALL 4 CORNERS, NOT JUST HAIRLINE CRACKS, BUT COMPLETELY CRACKED APART EDGE TO EDGE, ENOUGH TO FIT A CREDIT CARD IN. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, RARELY DRIVEN EXCEPT ON NICE DAYS, I DON'T EVEN DRIVE IT ON RAINY DAYS & RARELY AT ALL IN THE WINTER. (NOW I WOULD BE AFRAID TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN BECAUSE IT MIGHT START LEAKING) I NOTICED IT HAD A HAIRLINE CRACK LAST YR ON 2 CORNERS BUT PREVIOUSLY WHEN WASHING IT I REALIZED ALL 4 SIDES ARE NOW COMPLETELY CRACKED APART. I BOUGHT IT 6 YRS AGO & IT HAD 21,000 MILES ON IT & I HAVE ONLY PUT 19,000 MILES ON IT IN 6 YEARS. IT IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION EXCEPT NOW IT HAS 4 BIG CRACKS ON ALL 4 CORNERS OF MOON ROOF.
NHTSA complaint #11405215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DOOR LATCH FUNCTION FAILS AND THE CAR DOOR FREELY OPENS TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIANS. THE CABLE OR MODULE HAS FAILED AND A RIGHT TURN SWUNG THE DOOR OPEN AS I HELD THE WINDOW UNKNOWINGLY.
NHTSA complaint #11337067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE ROLL THE WINDOW UP OR DOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF HUNTINGTON LOCATED AT (838 E JERICHO TPKE, HUNTINGTON, NY 11746). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,600.
NHTSA complaint #11317598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. EVENTUALLY THE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH FAILED AND THE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE DOOR LATCH TO SECURE THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER DON JACOBS (66900 PETERS CREEK RD ROANOKE VA.) WHO INDICATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11309791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DID NOT CLOSE TIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERITAGE IMPORTS (410-363-8300, LOCATED AT 9808 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #11279786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HOOD DOESN'T FIT. ENGINE PUT TOGETHER TAPE. AIR CONDITION SYSTEM TAPED TOGETHER. AND AND CONSOLE LIGHTS ON. WON'T HOLD CHARGE. TOP MADE OF PLASTER BOARD. MINIATURE BATTERY WAS INSTALLED. NEEDED JUMP IF STOPPED REAR BREAKS NEEDED WHOLE REPLACED. NEEDS RADIATOR. INTERIOR HANDLES FELL OFF. KEY IS NOT MADE FOR THIS CAR. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME TO JUNK IT
NHTSA complaint #11233531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (ABOUT 25 MPH) WHEN A FRONT END COLLISION OCCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ACTIVATING ONLY. THE DRIVER SIDE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #11091672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
SUNROOF'S PLASTIC FRAME COVER DEVELOPED CRACK WIDE ENOUGH FOR CALLING CARD TO FIT INSIDE AN ALLOW WATER IN TO LEAK INOT HEADLINER ETC., PLUS SEVERAL HAIRLINE CRACKS HAVE FORMED. THE CLEARCOAT HAS WORN OFF THE SAME SURFACE AFTER 5.5 YEARS ON THIS SAME NON-METAL FRAME THAT SURROUNDS THE SUNROOF ABOUT A FINGER'S WIDTH WIDE AROUND MOST OF THE FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #11090115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WALKED A FEW YARDS AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MINOR INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #11042541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BACK GLASS WINDOW ON THE SOFT TOP CONVERTIBLE IS COMING LOOSE. IF I DRIVE THE GLASS WINDOW WILL DROP AND SHATTER. IF PARKED OUTSIDE, AND IT RAINS, THE ENTIRE BACK SEAT AND TRUNK WILL GET WET.
NHTSA complaint #11022344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALL 4 WIDOW REGULATORS AND/OR CABLES HAVE FAILED, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. WITHOUT FIXING, THE WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP AND DOWN. THE COST WILL EXCEED $1000.
NHTSA complaint #10939197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING. WINDOW WAS STUCK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. CAR WAS IN MOTION, HIT THE FRONT WINDOW BUTTON, BACK WINDOW ROLLED DOWN, WOULDN'T ROLL BACK UP.
NHTSA complaint #10934745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, WATER SUDDENLY LEAKED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE DRIVER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
NHTSA complaint #10894695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.