36 of the
3,621 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Beetle
are about the doors, latches and locks —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that upon attempting to open the trunk, the trunk failed to open. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The contact was informed that the emergency trunk release might be the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11638246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal exhaust odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor was abnormally strong. The contact stated that exhaust fumes were entering the vehicle through the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear latch for the hatchback was not locking securely and was also allowing exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Manufacturer Emissions Recall Circular Code: WA000 Reprograming of Engine Control Module and Replacement of Oxygen Sensor (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11631272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED 2008 VW BEETLE FROM MCKINNEY DODGE, GOT IT HOME AND HAPPEN THE NEXT DAY NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BRAKE WAS BROKEN OFF AND HAD A JAGGED EDGE, TOOK BACK TO DODGE, THEY JUST REMOVED OLD PART DID NOT BOTHER TO FIX BRAKE, I CARRIED IT BACK SEVERAL DAYS LATER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO WELD IT, NOT THINKING THAT WAS RIGHT I CARRIED IT TO VW DEALER, WAS TOLD NOT TO LET THEM WELD IT, AND ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO INSTALL A NEW DOOR, SHOULDN'T THIS BE UNDER SOME WARRANY AND THE CAR HAS A 8900 MILE WARRANTY STILL LEFT ON IT
NHTSA complaint #10413479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD INVOLUNTARILY OPEN AND CLOSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER LOCK HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10395907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REAR SUSPENSION MAKES SQUEAKING NOISE. TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ON AFTER 2 HOURS OF DRIVING. HEAD LIGHTS TOO WEAK BULB FOR FRONT OR REAR OR REVERSE ALWAYS NEEDS REPLACEMENT INSIDE HAND REST TOO WEAK DESIGN ALWAYS BREAK. VW SERVICE STATION TOO EXPENSIVE AND WANTS MONEY ONLY. 2)FIX IT YOURSELF. KEEP DOING IT TILL I CANNOT SELL IT. 3) FIX IT YOUR SELF. YES WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE MANUAL SO I CAN DO IT PROFESSIONAL MYSELF. 4)IN LITTLE ROCK THE NORTH POINT SERVICE STATION IS THE WORST VW STATION.THEY ONLY WANT MONEY EVEN TO FIX OR IN INSPECT OR FIND OUT WHAT IS AT FAULT. BUYING VW MEANS DO THE REPAIRING YOURSELF. PARTS TOO EXPENSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10382513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2003 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE :DRIVERS SIDE WINDOWS REGULATOR AND MOTOR AND BROKEN HINGE. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAYS IT NEED COIL PACK AND TEMPERATURE SENSOR. SEAT BELT LIGHT SAYS IT NEED SEAT BELT SENSOR. ALSO DOOR LATCH REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10366693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SENSOR LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. NOT CONSISTENT AND GO DAYS BETWEEN REPEAT ISSUE. ABS/BRAKE/ESP: COMES ON AND WHEN CAR IS RESTART WILL NOT DUPLICATE. DEALER REPLACED MODULE AND IT CAME ON AGAIN. SEAT BELT ALARM: WILL ALARM EVEN WHEN SEAT BELT IS FASTENED. AIRBAG SENSOR: CAME ON THEN, WHEN CAR WAS RESTART IT WOULD NOT DUPLICATE. HAPPENED 3 TIME IN A WEEK. HEADLIGHTS REPLACED: BOTH REPLACED TWICE IN ONE YEAR. LOCKS: WILL LOCK/UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING WHEN THEY ALREADY HAD BEEN LOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #10366488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN SHE CHANGED GEARS. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS DONE AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR MOTORS FAILED; THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED AND WERE REPAIRED AT A REPAIR SHOP. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE REAR WINDSHIELD WAS BEGINNING TO DETACH FROM THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,347 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,800.
NHTSA complaint #10365120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 2.8 TURBO AUTOMATIC ENGINE, DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM OR DOOR LATCH. THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH THE DOOR STICKING WHEN YOU OPEN R CLOSE. THEN OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT SHUT THE FIRST TIME AND WILL BOUNCE BACK. AFTER THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENS, IF YOU ARE DRIVING THE DOOR CAN SWING OPEN ON ITS OWN. THE DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED, OR WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. VERY QUICKLY THE PROBLEM ESCALATES. IT WILL NOT SHUT AT ALL. IT BOUNCES BACK OVER AND OVER. IF YOU LEAVE IT ALONE FOR A FEW HOURS AND TRY AGAIN IT WILL EVENTUALLY SHUT. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BROKE FIRST, GOT FIXED, COST ABOUT $500.00. A MONTH LATER THE PASSENGER DOOR DID THE SAME THING. LESS THEN A YEAR LATER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BROKE AGAIN. 3 OF THE SAME PART BROKE IN A SPAN OF APPROXIMATELY 10 MONTHS. CALLED THE COMPANY (VOLKSWAGEN) THEY INSIST THAT THIS IS NOT RECALLED OR A REPORTED PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10360817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VW DEALER ADVISES THAT AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATES AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED AND CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION IN THE SEATBELT LATCH ASSEMBLY COSTING $386 TO REPAIR. VW DEALER SAYS THIS HAPPENS A LOT. VW DEALER SAID THAT AIRBAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. VW DEALER SAID THAT WIRING INSIDE THE LATCH "JUST BREAKS" EVENTUALLY. FAILURE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE AN AUTOMATIC RECALL AND MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR DEFECTS AT THEIR COSTS AND NOT COST TO THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10360173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2004 VW BUG WITH 51,000 MILES . THE CAR STARTED JERKING SO HARD ITS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS TO ME AND OTHERS ! VW SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW 7000 DOLLAR TRANSMISSION! THEY WONT ADMIT THE PROBLEM IS OF EPIC PROPORTIONS WITH THIS MODEL . IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET. MY CAR HAS ALSO HAD THE WINDOW MOTOR GO OUT AND MANY PARTS JUST FALL OFF SUCH AS SEATBELT LATCH COVER. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY!PLEASE HELP ME GET VW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10351710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
I HAVE A 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. I HAVE REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT, WHICH WAS DRAINS THE BATTERY, SERPENTINE BELT, REMOTELESS KEY WHICH IS STILL BROKEN- BASICALLY 6 DAYS AFTER BUYING THIS CAR- I SPENT $1200 ON REPAIRS- NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTING FUNNY, AND BASICALLY- MY VW DEALERSHIP HAS A FIELD DAY WITH ME. TO TOP IT OFF- MY BATTERY DIED A MONTH AGO- AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN I TRIED TO JUMP IT. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS CAR WILL BLOW UP ON ME AT ANY TIME. PLEASE HELP ME!
NHTSA complaint #10235807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DOOR HANDLE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE BODY OF THE 2003 VW BEETLE WHICH MY DAUGHTER, KIMBERLY FREISNER HAS OWNED SINCE IT WAS NEW HAS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE SCREWS WHICH HOLD THESE MECHANISMS IN PLACE AND THE DOOR CLOSED KEEP LOOSENING SEVERAL TURNS. I HAVE TIGHTENED THESE UNITS BEFORE ONLY TO HAVE THEM LOOSEN UP OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. IF THE CAR WAS HIT I THINK THE DOORS WOULD OPEN DURING THE CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10222240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DEFECTIVE DOOR LATCH ,,,SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN YOU OPEN DOOR. I HAVE TWO 2002 VW BEETLES AND THEY BOTH HAVE NON WORKING WARNING LIGHTS DUE TO DEFECTIVE LATCHES, ALSO AIRBAGS DON,T WORK DUE TO FAULT. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON, BUT VW DOESN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ALSO WHEN YOU CALL THE DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPARTMENT THESE LATCHES ARE IN STOCK DUE TO HIGH RATE OF FAILURE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE DOOR LATCH, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO THE AIR BAGS NEED TO BE RECALLED. THE VW DEALER WANTS 450.00 TO REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH, AND THE AIRBAGS START AT ABOUT 800.00 SO MOST PEOPLE WILL BE DRIVING AROUND WITHOUT THIS SAFETY EQUIPMENT. PLEASE MAKE THEM STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT . THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10216047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DEFECTIVE DOOR LATCH ,,,SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN YOU OPEN DOOR. I HAVE TWO 2002 VW BEETLES AND THEY BOTH HAVE NON WORKING WARNING LIGHTS DUE TO DEFECTIVE LATCHES, FAULT. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON, BUT VW DOESN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ALSO WHEN YOU CALL THE DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPARTMENT THESE LATCHES ARE IN STOCK DUE TO HIGH RATE OF FAILURE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE DOOR LATCH, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VW DEALER WANTS 450.00 TO REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH, SO MOST PEOPLE WILL BE DRIVING AROUND WITHOUT THIS SAFETY EQUIPMENT. PLEASE MAKE THEM STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT . THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10216048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1998 VW NEW BEETLE: BOTH DOOR LOCKS FAILED. AT FIRST ONLY DRIVER DOOR WITH FOB. PROGRESSED TO NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCK EITHER DOOR WITH FOB OR KEY. VW DEALER IN ALEXANDRIA, VA SAID PROBLEM COULD HAVE DETERIORATED FURTHER TO THE ALARM SYSTEM AND BE UNABLE TO START THE CAR. REPAIR COST $850.
NHTSA complaint #10211995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SINCE I PURCHASED MY BEETLE IN 2001, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING MONEY DRAIN. IN 6 YRS. I HAVE REPLACED THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TWICE, HAD THE BRAKES WORKED ON A NUMBER OF TIMES, BEEN UNABLE TO OPEN THE GAS "DOOR" ON THE CAR W/ THE GAS CAP LATCH, HAD TO REPLACE THE HOOD OPENING LATCH, HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL FAILURES, PROBLEMS W/ FRONT & REAR LIGHT WIRING, HAD DOOR LOCKS/ALARM FAIL & SUBSEQUENTLY HAD MY LAPTOP STOLEN FROM THE CAR, THE RADIO HAS NOT WORKED FOR 1+ YEAR, & IT'S COVER PANEL IS LOOSE & FALLING BACK INTO THE DASH, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR SWITCHES HAVE FAILED, THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FELL OFF (!) OF ITS TOP HINGE WHEN THE HINGE BROKE WHILE OPENING THE DOOR NORMALLY AT A GAS STATION, THE AIR COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED MANY TIMES, THE A/C IS CURRENTLY NOT WORKING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK FELL OUT OF THE HANDLE(!!!!), THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, & THE LIST GOES ON. CURRENTLY I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL WKS B/C THOUGH ONLY A WEEK OR TWO OUT OF THE SHOP, AGAIN IT IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I AM AT MY WITS END WITH THIS CAR & HAVING RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, AM NOT IN THE GREATEST POSITION TO HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR. MOREOVER, I AM SO DISPLEASED W/ THE CAR THAT I WOULD LITERALLY FEEL GUILTY ABOUT TRADING IT IN TO BE SOLD TO SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING PERSON. VW SHOULD BE SO ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, & SHOULD BE REIMBURSING OWNERS OF THE 1998 BEETLE IN FULL FOR ALL OF THE STRIFE & TROUBLE THAT THEY HAVE CAUSED. IN FACT, AFTER WRITING THIS & REALIZING HOW MANY PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS HAD, I MAY TRY TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION - THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! FINALLY, OUR LOCAL VW DEALER IS TERRIBLE, KEEPING MY CAR FOR WKS. LONGER THAN EXPECTED, ONE TIME LEAVING A CANDY BAR STUCK TO MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT!!!, AND ACTING LIKE THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE POOR QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS & LABOR.
NHTSA complaint #10200746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.