205 of the
3,621 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Beetle
are about the lighting —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
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.
This car was extremely modified by a company caledl Hestermann Motorwwerks. The specific problem is the installation of LED Tail/Brake lights. The lights are not compatable with the cars electrical system and as a result they have a problem that is called Hyper Flashing. That means the turn signal, when engaged, flashes erratically and wehn the brake pedal is applied the light flalso ashes erratically causing the following vehicle to be confused and resulting in an unsafe condition. I feel that the installer needs to be notified of the wrong doing as many cars have been modified by this business. HESTERMANN MOTORWERKS Jessie Lee Ct, Green Cove Springs, Fl 32043
NHTSA complaint #11605754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Headlamps do not stay illuminated regardless of speed. This issue occurs each time the car is used. This is a hazard when driving in low light conditions as others cannot see the vehicle and lack of lighting impairs ones ability to see the road. This issue has not been investigated by a service center. There are no warning indicators that the lights are not functioning. The issue was present when the used vehicle was purchased in 2020.
NHTSA complaint #11499731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON 05/19/ 2022 NO PRIOR ISSUES ALL SERVICE REQUIRMENTS COMPLETED FROM PRIOR CORPORATE OWNED COMPANY. SINCE MY PURCHASE BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE SPORADICALLY FALLEN OUT OF THEIR BRACKETS WHILE I'M DRIVING LEADING TO LOSS OF VISIBILTY DURING THE DAYTIME AND NIGHTIME. FIRST INCIDENT OCCURING ON 05/20/2022 AND THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURING 07/05/2022. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND CONCERN. NO SAFETY WARNINGS OR LIGHTS CAME ON ONCE THESE INCIDENTS TOOK PLACE.THIS HAS LEAD TO THE HEADLIGHTS BEING DAMAGED AND DENTS PLACED ON THE EXTERIOR OVER MY BEETLE WHEN THERE WAS NO PRIOR DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #11472612 — 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.
JUST PURCHASE A USED 2009 VW CONVERTIBLE BEETLE FOR OUR 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. THIS IS HER DREAM CAR AND SO EXCITED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON OUR WAY HOME FROM THE CAR LOT. THE ENTIRE HOUSING UNIT JUST GONE. WE PURCHASED THE CAR AS IS, SO WE ORDERED 2 NEW HEADLIGHTS HOUSING UNITS AND HAD THEM INSTALLED YESTERDAY. TODAY, THE FIRST TIME DRIVING SINCE GETTING BACK FROM SHOP, THE PASSENGER HEAD LIGHT HOUSING FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE ONLY 3 MILES FROM LEAVING OUR HOUSE CRASHING ALL OVER THE ROAD BEHIND US WHERE OTHER VEHICLES HAD TO SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY. WE DID NOT EVEN HIT A BUMP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM FOR ANYONE AND ESPECIALLY A NEW TEEN DRIVER. IT IS NOT SAFE! OUR MECHANIC TOLD US IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. RESEARCHING SEVERAL THREADS HAVE CONCURRED HIS STATEMENT OF LIGHTS FALLING OUT OR CONNECTIONS FREQUENTLY COMING LOOSE SO THE LIGHTS GO OUT AT THE SLIGHTEST BUMP WHILE DRIVING. VW BEETLE LIGHTS ARE GARBAGE. SO VERY DISAPPOINTING VW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHT ISSUES FOR THE MORE SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL AS THE CONTINUOUS EXPENSE OWNERS INCUR HAVING TO REPLACE ENTIRE UNITS, OR BULBS, OR CONNECTIONS AND THE LABOR COSTS THAT GO ALONG WITH IT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, WE'VE HAD THE CAR A WEEK AND HAVE ALREADY SPENT $500 REPLACING LIGHTS AND THE LABOR AND THEN THE DANG THING FALLS OUT AGAIN. I CERTAINLY DON'T FEEL MY DAUGHTER IS SAFE IF THE HEADLIGHTS FALL OUT EVERY TIME SHE DRIVES IT.
NHTSA complaint #11325486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUSE THAT CONTROLS READING OR MAP LIGHT IN CABIN AND EXTERNAL LIGHTING OUTSIDE FOR NIGHT DRIVING CONTINUALLY FAILS (3). SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE REAR LIGHTS AT NIGHT ONLY COME ON WHEN BRAKES APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #11316854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FREQUENTLY OUT. THEY BECOME DISCONNECTED EASILY AND THEN DON'T WORK. I HAVE GONE IN MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET THEM FIXED AND I AM ALWAYS TOLD IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL. MY HEADLIGHT EVEN FELL OUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING ONCE! THE BULBS SEEM TO DIES QUICKLY AS A RESULT AND I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO FIX THEM.
NHTSA complaint #11307957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT HEADLIGHT BEAM HAS A DISTINCTIVE BLIND SPOT ON THE LEFT SIDE AND A DOUBLE NOTCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS AS THEY SAY IT'S BY DESIGN THOUGH I HAVE SEEN ANOTHER BEETLE, SAME MODEL YEAR WITH THE SAME HIDS, HAVE A COMPLETELY NORMAL HEADLIGHT BEAM. WITH THE BEAM LIKE IT IS, IT MAKES DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY ON BLACK ASPHALT ROADS. I'VE ESCALATED THIS TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND THEY INSIST THIS IS BY DESIGN AND IS DUE TO THE SHUTTER THAT COMES DOWN WHEN USING THE NORMAL HEADLIGHT BEAM. OUR OTHER VEHICLE IS A GMC ACADIA WITH THE SAME SYSTEM AND IT DOES NOT DO THIS. ON THE BEETLE THE IF I SWITCH IT TO HIGH BEAMS THE BLIND SPOT AND NOTCH GO AWAY. ALSO VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS THAT THE LEFT HEADLIGHT IS AIMED LOWER ON PURPOSE AS TO NOT BLIND ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CAR SITS SO LOW I DON'T SEE HOW THAT'S NEEDED, ESPECIALLY WHEN OUR ACADIA WHICH SITS UP HIGHER DOESN'T DO THIS. I DID TAKE A LOOK AT A COUPLE OF OTHER 2019 BEETLES AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THE HEADLIGHT BEAMS WERE ALL DIFFERENT; STILL A BLIND SPOT AND NOTCHES BUT IN DIFFERENT SPOTS. THE BLIND SPOT AND NOTCHES ARE SEEN BOTH STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. I HAVE PICTURES AND VIDEO OF BOTH. I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AT NIGHT AS IT HINDERS THE DRIVERS VIEW ON THE LEFT SIDE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS IGNORED MY CONCERNS AND REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS. I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY AND MY WIFE AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS. VOLKSWAGEN'S 'REMEDY' IS TO TRADE IT IN. WE LOVE THE CAR, JUST NOT THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. I HAVE ATTACHED TWO PHOTOS; ONE LOW BEAM AND ONE HIGH BEAM SO THAT YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE.
NHTSA complaint #11277664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN DRIVING HER 2008 VW BEETLE AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH DURING A LIGHT RAINFALL, MY DAUGHTER HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD (NOT A HUGE SIGNIFICANT BUMP, JUST A BUMP) THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HEADLAMP/BUCKET AND ALL CAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY. THEY ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLY BECAME UNPLUGGED AND THE ENTIRE UNIT CAME OUT OF THE CYLINDRICAL COMPARTMENT THAT HOUSES THE HEADLIGHT. THE ENTIRE HOUSING UNIT, INCLUDING THE BULB AND ALL RELATED PARTS CAME OUT AND WENT CRASHING ONTO THE PAVEMENT WHERE IT WAS STRUCK BY A CAR BEHIND ME AND SMASHED INTO PIECES ALL DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. IT WAS A DANGER TO BOTH MY CHILD AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER AND ANY PEDESTRIANS NEARBY. IN FL THE LAW REQUIRES YOU DRIVE WITH HEADLIGHTS ON IN THE RAIN, SO ALTHOUGH IT WAS DAYTIME, SHE WAS FORCED TO DRIVE ILLEGALLY WITHOUT HER HEADLIGHT CAUSING HER TO BE LESS VISIBLE TO OTHER DRIVERS. THE CAR IS UNUSABLE IN THE EVENING OR EARLY MORNING NOW UNTIL WE GET IT FIXED. CLEARLY, AFTER READING THE MANY COMPLAINTS, YOU TUBE VIDEOS ON HOW TO "FIX" THE LOOSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, AND MANY VW BUG DRIVERS' HORROR STORIES OF LOSING SOMETIMES JUST THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION (BAD ENOUGH ON ITS OWN), BUT ALSO IN SOME CASES, LIKE MY DAUGHTER'S, THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT AND IT'S HOUSING UNIT CAME BROKE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE JUST FROM HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. UNACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11267205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS WILL QUIT WORKING AFTER HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE HEADLIGHT (DRIVER AND PASSENGER HAVE THIS ISSUE) WILL LOOSEN FROM THE PIN MECHANISM INSIDE THE CAR. I REPLACED BULBS 3 TIMES BEFORE REALIZING THE BULBS WERE FINE AND IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE "HOOK" THAT TURNS AND HOLDS THE HEADLIGHT TIGHT WILL JAR AND COME LOOSE WHEN THE CAR HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD. DRIVING HOME LAST WEEK AND MY PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. EVERY MORNING I HAVE TO PUSH THE HEADLIGHTS BACK INTO TURN THE NUT TO SECURE THE LIGHT. BY THE TIME I GET TO WORK AT LEAST ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT AGAIN. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER 2 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #11265297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HEADLIGHT ON MY 2010 NEW BEETLE WENT OUT. IT STARTED TO DIM WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO WORK TONIGHT AND THEN WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE HE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK. HE CALLED AND WAS TELLING ME THAT THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WAS DIM AND DID NOT LOOK BRIGHT LIKE THE RIGHT SIDE. HE SENT ME A PICTURE--AND JUST THEN THE LEFT LIGHT WENT COMPLETELY OUT! THE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS JUST REPLACED AT A VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CENTER EARLIER TODAY. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 17,000 MILES! THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND CONTINUOUSLY HAVING TO HAVE THEIR HEADLIGHTS FIXED--ONLY TO HAVE THEM GO OUT AGAIN. FORTUNATELY IT WAS ONLY THE ONE SIDE THAT WENT OUT. I HAVE READ THAT PEOPLE WITH 2010 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLES ARE EXPERIENCING PREMATURE HEADLIGHT BULB BURN OUT, HEADLIGHT HARNESS FAILURES AND DAMAGED CONNECTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.
NHTSA complaint #11251898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT USED. ONE HEADLIGHT WAS WORKING. THE OTHER ONE WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER I GOT IT. WE REPLACED THE HID LIGHTS WITH BRAND NEW HALOGEN LIGHTS. WAS WORKING GREAT! THEN I WAS DRIVING TO TOWN LATE ONE NIGHT AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE LOW BEAMS, I STILL HAD THE HIGH BEAMS. THEN I GOT PULLED OVER CAUSE MY TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. SO I HAD TO DRIVE WITH MY FLASHERS ON. THEN THE CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I NEED A NEW SEAT BELT, CAUSE IT IS NOT WORKING RIGHT. THE DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN A LITTLE WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. THE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE MAKING ME MAD CAUSE NO MATTER WHAT WE HAVE DONE THEY NEVER WORK. HELP!!! I WANT IT FIXED!! I LOVE MY LITTLE CONVERTIBLE. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GET RID OF IT.
NHTSA complaint #11194478 — 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.
HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ELECTRICAL CONNECTION HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS THE REAR PIN CONNECTOR TO SLIGHTLY PULL-AWAY AND LOOSEN FROM THE HEADLAMP BUCKET RESULTING IN INTERMITTANT HEADLIGHT FAILURE, ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER OR GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES DURING THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, EACH TIME THINKING THE BULBS BURNED-OUT BUT IN ACTUALITY, IT IS THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VW DEALER SAYS THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED, BUT IT THE TOO-SHORT CHASSIS WIRING HARNESS THAT IS THE ISSUE. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION PRESENTS A CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER WHEN TRAVELING AT NIGHT AND REASONABLY MUST BE ADDRESSES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #11162868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.