92 of the
3,621 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Beetle
are about the fuel system —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and an alarm sounded. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road with assistance. The towing agent informed the contact that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a major fuel leak. The mechanic replaced an unknown part with a part purchased from a Volkswagen dealer. The contact stated that the fuel leak was corrected; however, an unknown repair needed to be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The Kia dealer the vehicle was purchased from, was notified of the failure, and informed the contact to tow the vehicle to their location for diagnostic testing and repair. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #11672219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel lines failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000. The VIN was not provided.
NHTSA complaint #11582658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Noticed an fuel smell coming from the engine bay. After a few times of looking for the source I came across the fuel rail covered in gunk. Wiped off rail and cycled the engine. Noticed the fuel rail is leaking from what looks like the fuel rail mounting bolt.
NHTSA complaint #11516204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car caught on fire 2 times it was electrical and fuel problem the fire department was present. I reported this once already and the company acted like they didnt care
NHTSA complaint #11499979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have a diesel leak which Volkswagen did not repair (after I towed it there and told them about it in writing) and is not causing a light in the dash however, when plugging in an ODBEleven, several codes are generated and one is related to a low fuel pressure sensor. I also watched the fuel line dripping. VW claims that it is unreasonable to ask them to pay what I already paid to have the car fixed (diagnostics, rental, tow). It was reasonable for me to buy it and pay for all that though apparently. With a diesel leak, it's unsafe to drive so I currently have a piece of metal outside that I'm only halfway through paying on. This indeed is a TDI 2.0L they sold me 3 years ago.
NHTSA complaint #11492768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car seems to loose power after its at less than 1/4 of a tank. I cleaned out tank and changed fuel pump but it's still happening and its highly dangerous
NHTSA complaint #11449567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2018 Beetle with 2.0 TSI. Vehicle is extremely well maintained and all work has been done by VW dealers. This is not our primary vehicle and, as a result, it only has about 8600 miles. Stopped at a store for a few minutes. Vehicle would not restart. Many fault lights appeared on the dash (e.g., battery, check engine, EPC). Pushed vehicle into another area of the parking lot where there was more room in case it needed to be towed. Waited a few minutes and tried to restart. Vehicle sputtered and seemed to be running on only 1 or 2 cylinders for a few seconds. Gave it a little gas, all lights went off, full engine power resumed. Sat there a few minutes evaluating engine performance, everything seemed fine. Decided to head to the dealership instead of going home. After about 2 miles engine stopped running. Many fault lights appeared including battery, EPC, check engine, and so many others I can’t even recall. Had almost no steering. Struggled to coast vehicle to shoulder. Weather was very hot and traffic was heavy, not a pleasant situation or place to get stranded. Waited a minute or two. Tried to restart. Vehicle coughed, sputtered, and shook like it was only running on 1 cylinder. Shut vehicle off and sat. Tried to restart 2 or 3 more times without success. On next attempt vehicle sputtered to life, lights went off, and full power resumed. Tested engine performance and it seemed fine. EPC light came on. Still heading to the dealership. Got another 1.5 miles or so. EPC and check engine light came on. Another engine failure. Super heavy traffic on a 6-lane highway. Luckily I had enough speed to coast off the road and into a dirt parking lot. Many fault lights on the dash. Waited a few minutes. Tried to restart vehicle, no luck. Vehicle was towed to closest VW dealership. Absolutely terrifying and horrific 3 hours.
NHTSA complaint #11432645 — 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.
THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT VERY FREQUENTLY ISN'T WORKING DUE TO THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE CAR'S WIRING. WE'VE TRIED MANY DIFFERENT TIMES TO IMPROVE THIS CONNECTION WITHOUT MUCH SUCCESS. ANECDOTALLY I HAD ANOTHER BEETLE WITH THIS ISSUE, AND SEE OTHERS ON THE ROAD WITH IT. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS VISIBILITY IS AFFECTED AS WELL AS MY ABILITY TO SEE AT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #11355084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR BUMPS IN ROADS, THE SUSPENSION IS SQUEAKY. IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS THE GAS CAP BECAME DEFECTIVE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT VW STATES THE GAS CAP NEEDS REPLACED. THERE IS NOW A NOISE ON THE BACK RIGHT PANEL BEHIND THE GAS CAP AFTER TURNING OFF CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11310001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN THE CAR IT DOES NOT TURN ON ON FIRST TRY I HAVE TO KEEP TURNING IGNITION KEY 3-4 TIME BEFORE IT START. THE CAR IS TURNED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11258706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A HUGE AMOUNT OF 2.0L ENGINES (1998-2006) SEEM TO STALL WHEN DRIVING OR STATIONARY AFTER 20 MIN FROM COLD START IN HIGH TEMPS (+75F) . LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER ASSIST BRAKES. IT HAPPENED TO ME 2X WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. SCARY. DEALERS AND MECHANICS CAN'T LOCATE ISSUES BECAUSE ITS INTERMITTENT. CARS OPERATE NORMAL AGAIN AFTER 10-20 MINS. SEE HTTP://NEWBEETLE.ORG/FORUMS/2-0-LITER-GAS/139065-HOT-WEATHER-STOP-GO-CAR-STALLS-DANGEROUS-2.HTML#POST1508562 FOR A LIST OF DIFFERENT SITES ALL LISTING SIMILAR ISSUES. APPARENTLY, AND ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, THE ISSUE STOPPED ON MODEL YR 2007 AND HIGHER.
NHTSA complaint #11091934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE STALLIG USUALLY WHEN TURNING, AFTER A STOP, WHEN GOING SLOW... WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX THIS ISSUE BY TAKING THE CAR TO MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T RULE OUT A SOLUTION BECAUSE IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND IT SEEMS TO BE WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN WARMED UP. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VERY SCARY BECAUSE THERE'S LOSS OF STEERING WHEEL POWER AND IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. WE HAVE CHANGED NUMEROUS THINGS AND IT KEEPS GIVING US THIS ISSUE. SOMETIMES IT IDLES ROUGH. SOMETIMES THE NEEDLE WHERE THE RPMS ARE DROPS BUT COMES BACK UP. WE HAVE EXHAUSTED OUR OPTIONS AND WE CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION
NHTSA complaint #11091999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I READ THE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PAPER (NHTSA 17V-509, VW 20AE) REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP CUT OUT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO VW A NUMBER OF TIMES OVER THE YEARS THAT MY VW ENGINE STOPS WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH. THE SERVICE WRITERS RESPONSE WAS THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED - A $1000 ITEM. OTHER MECHANICS THAT I'VE ASKED HAVE SAID THAT IF THAT WAS THE CASE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GET FUEL AND NOT WORK AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING ELSE. WHEN I READ THE SYMPTOMS REPORTED IN 20AE, THEY WERE EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY TIMES, BUT NOT CONSISTENTLY. AT 65 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS OUT, THE DECELERATION IS ALMOST IMMEDIATE TO 50 MPH. THE SYMPTOMS STARTED ABOUT 8-10 YEARS AGO. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY SINCE BECAUSE I WAS NEARLY RUN OVER BY A CEMENT TRUCK. THE ARTICLE I READ SAID THAT NO KNOWN CRASHES OR INJURIES WERE CAUSED BY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE CONSIDER EXPANDING THE INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE THE 2001 NEW BEETLE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY SERIOUS INJURIES DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE MY ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ISSUE REPORTED IN THE PRESS.
NHTSA complaint #11022212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THE ISSUE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11003388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING AND THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDED A CARBON CLEANING WHICH IS A $900 JOB. BEING THAT MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 40K MILES I WAS SHOCKED. AFTER DOING RESEARCH AND TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP I LEARNED THAT ALL 2012 BETTLES WITH THIS DIRECT FUEL INJECTION DESIGN HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT IS SYSTEMATIC ISSUE WITHIN THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL INJECTION THAT CAUSES THE COILS TO FAIL AND THE CAR TO NEED A $900 CARBON CLEANING DONE EVERY FEW YEARS. HIGH GRADE GASOLINE OR/AND FUEL INJECTION CLEANER DOES NOT HELP. I CALLED THE VW AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11002958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.