78 of the
3,621 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Beetle
are about the seat belts —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
I took my vehicle into the mechanic due to my airbag light being on. Mechanic stated that it is a problem between my seat belt buckle and airbags. He stated that my airbags will not deploy in the event of an accident due to the seat belt buckle malfunctioning. When he callez Dublin Volkswagen to get the part to fix this issue, they stated that Volkswagen does not make the part anymore. This is a major safety concern because myself and anyone else needs this part to drive safely.
NHTSA complaint #11587748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2 RECALLS ARE ON MY BUG FIRST ONE SAYS THE AIR BAG INFLATOR MAY EXPLODE.CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. I CALLED VW THEY SAID IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. AND THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR IT. I CALLED THEM AND I TOLD THEM I CAN'T SELL MY CAR LIKE THAT, AND THEY WON'T BUY IT BACK,OR PROVIDE A RENTAL UNTIL THEY COME UP WITH A FIX. IS THIS CAR SAFE TO DRIVE WITH MY GRAND KIDS OR NOT AND WHAT DO I DO..I HAVE LET THE CAR SIT UNTIL I HERE FROM SOMEONE
NHTSA complaint #11400350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER START. CONSTANTLY ON EVEN WHEN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS ARE ENGAGED. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! RECALL NOW. I SEE THE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER A DECADE!
NHTSA complaint #11344219 — 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 DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT AIR BAG SENSOR WENT BAD. THE VW DEALERSHIP SAID THE PARTS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE I HAVE SEEN, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT VW HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS BY NOW! THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THIS COULD LEAD TO DEATH! AGAIN THERE NEEDS TO BE ACTION TAKEN AND A RECALL ISSUED BEFORE ANYONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED! MY SEATBELT AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER THINKING THAT MAYBE THE BELT WASN'T FASTENED ALL THE WAY. THE LIGHT WOULDN'T GO OUT SO I DROVE IT TO A GARAGE WHERE IT SAT UNTIL TODAY STILL NOT FIXED DUE TO PART BEING DISCONTINUED! AGAIN SAFETY HAZARD AS THE AIR BAGS ARE NON FUNCTIONAL!
NHTSA complaint #11194117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PASSENGERS SIDE HEADLIGHT SHORTING OUT FOR 7TH BULB REPLACEMENT AND NEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. STRANGE, ALL WITHIN 6 MONTHS. MY 21 YR OLD NURSING STUDENT OF ECU UNIVERSITY HAS HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WHILE ON HER 4 HOUR TRIP HOME 7 TIMES NOW. THE WIRING CONTINUES TO FRY ITSELF IN THE MAIN FUSE BOX , NOW AFFECTING THEABS BRAKING SYSTEM. I PAID $9K IN CASH AND HAVE ELECTRICAL RECEIPTS, SEAT BELT, CONVERTIBLE TOP, BLOWER DOOR, FRONT END REPLACEMENT, RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, TRUNK LATCH, HYDRO LICKS ON CONVERTIBLE, TIMING BELT, 4 BATTERIES, AIR BAGS! I COULD CONTINUE WITH A LONGER LIST. I ADDED UP TO $17,000.00 I HAVE IN THIS PIECE OF CRAP THAT CONTINUES TO BREAK MONTHLY . I WOULD BE ECSTATIC TO PROVIDE ALL RECEIPTS. ISN'T PROBLEMS OF THIS GREAT NATURE UNREASONABLE FOR A CAR WITH 70,000 MILES ALSO CONSIDERED A LEMON? ALL INCIDENTS HAVE LEFT MY DAUGHTER STRANDED ON INTERSTATE 85 WHERE SHE HAS FEARED HER LIFE FIGHT OFF THE HOMELESS PSYCHOTIC PEOPLE. IT HAS LEFT ME UNABLE TO BUY HER A NEW CAR WITH NO SAVINGS DUE TO FIXING SOMETHING NEW EACH MONTH. AND 27 DEGREES OUTSIDE WITH NO ABILITY TO START IT. THE SEAT LEVERS BACK AND FORTH HAVE HAD TO BE BOLTED IN ONE POSITION TO PREVENT SEAT BELT ELECTRICAL TOO SHORT ELECTRICAL CORD SO THE FAULTY AIRBAGS MAY BY CHANCE DEPLOY IF SHE EVER GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. LATEST IS. SHE NEEDS ANOTHER WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT FROM JUST BEING DONE 2 YEARS AGO!! SOMETHING MAJOR DEFECTS WITH THIS CAR. I FEAR FOR HER LIFE! LAST TRIP HOME A CAR DID NOT SEE HER PULLED OVER ON INTERSTATE AND SIDE SWIPED HER BUMPER. WATER PUMP AGAIN.SEE PHOTO OF IT LEAKING MORE WHEN WE HAD IT TOWED HOME IN GARAGE. ALSO REAR BUMPER OF INCIDEN
NHTSA complaint #11170075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL MAIN FUSE BOX UNDER HOOD BURNT AND MELTED INTO BATTERY. SEE PICS OF BURNT FUSE BOX, AND INDENTION OF MELTED BATTERY. CAR CUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, CAUSING MY 19 YEAR OLD COLLEGE DAUGHTER TO ALMOST WRECK IN ROUTE TO SCHOOL LAST WEEK AT 8PM EST. HER MAJOR IS NURSING. I WANT TO MAKE SURE SHE'S ALIVE TO SEE HER GRADUATE. OUTSIDE AIR TEMP WAS 65 DEGREES. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, NOT TO MENTION THE COST THAT WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH PAYING FOR VOLKSWAGONS POOR DESIGN ELECTRICAL MISENGINEERING FLAW, A NEW ALTERNATOR, ALL ELECTRICAL WIRING, A NEW BATTERY, AND POSSIBLY NEW CONVERTIBLE TOP MOTOR. HER VW IS/WAS IN MINT CONDITION WITH FEWER THAN 80K MILES. VW ESTIMATES COSTS TO FIX OVER $5K TO 6K. KBB VALUE IS MUCH LESS. MY DAUGHTERS LIFE IS PRICELESS. ALSO, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE SEATBELTS UNDERNEATH THE SEAT ARE TOO SHORT!! IF YOU SLIDE THE SEATS BACK, IT BREAKS ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS WHICH TRIGGERS SEATBELTS LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH DISENGAGES AIRBAGS TO WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE 2 FRONT SEATS ALSO MUST SLIDE FORWARD IN ORDER FOR BACK SEAT PASSENGERS TO ENTER VEHICLE. IS THIS HOW VW SAVES MONEY, BY SHORTENING ELECTRICAL WIRE TO CONNECT SEATBELTS? PERHAPS IT'S ON PURPOSE TO AVOID MILLIONS OF ELECTRICAL LAWSUITS?
NHTSA complaint #11131113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE NOT READING THAT SEAT BELT IS BUCKLED CAUSING YELLOW SEAT BELT /AIR BAG LIGHT TO REMAIN ON AND MAKING AIR BAGS INOPERABLE I'M GUESSING. DEARLER RECOMMENDS NEW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #11096926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED 2013 VW BEETLE AS CERTIFIED PRE OWNED,IN 2016, AT 30,000 MILE APPROXIMATELY STEERING GEARS HAD TO BE REPLACED,2 MONTHS LATER THE WINDOW MOTORS AND SWITCHES NEEDED REPLACED AND THAT WAS THE 3RD SET. 2 WEEKS LATER,THE DRIVER WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REINFORCED AND SWITCHES NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR 2 SOLID MONTHS BC THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON THE INTERIOR CAUSING DOOR PANEL TO PEEL, THEN THE AMBIENT LIGHTING BROKE. VW EXEC CUST SERVICE HAD BEEN INVOLVED FOR 6 MTHS AT THIS POINT, IT TOOK UNTIL 3/9/18 TO GET THE DOOR PANEL FIXED, MEANWHILE EVERYTIME I PICKED UP THE CAR SOMETHING DIFFERENT WENT WRONG, INTERMITTENT SEATBELTS MALFUNCTION, SPEED SENSORS, SEAT HEATER PO PROTRUDING THROUGH SEAT POSING ELECTRICAL SHOCK ONCE IT COMPLETELY PENETRATED. PASSENGER SEATBELTS, AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYED AND 11MTHS OF INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHT FLICKERING, ROUGH IDLE, AC REPAIRED 2X. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX DROPPING WINDOWS, INTERMITTENT SEATBELTS ISSUE OR SEAT HEATER ISSUE BC THEY CLAIM THAT THE SEAT GOT WET AT SOME POINT AND THEREFORE THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY WONT COVER IT. HOWEVER ON 06072017, WHEN WINDOW SWITCHES AND MOTORS BC POSSESSED GOING UP AND DOWN AND INTERFERING WITH LOCKING CONTROLS DURING A MONSOON, AND THE CAR CLEARLY WAS CAUGHT IN A STORM LASTING 10 HRS THEY WILL NOT FIX AND CLAIM THAT ALL THE SAFETY CONTROLS FOR THAT SEAT ARE DAMAGED BC OF GETTING WET AT SOME POINT,AND SO I CANNOT PUT MY DISABLED CHILD IN IT BC OF THAT AND IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP 13 TIMES IN 18MTHS, ALL FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE REAR TRAIL ARMS RECALL CORP HAS AS BEING COMPLETED, HOWEVER THAT RECALL WAS ONLY IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN A REAR SIDE ACCIDENT WHICH IT WAS SOLD WITH A CLEAN CARFAX.
NHTSA complaint #11092576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOR YEARS, VOLKSWAGEN HAS HAD A DESIGN FLAW IN THEIR SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESS. MY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON AS IS THE "AIR BAG" LIGHT SO I TOOK IT TO A VW MECHANIC. HE SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW AND AUDI. HE CLEARED THE FAULT USING A DIAGNOSTICS TOOL. SOON THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. AND THEY STAY ON...! WILL MY AIR BAG WORK WITH THIS PROBLEM? WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET AN ENGINE PROBLEM SUCH AS OIL PUMP OR TIMING BELT? MY VEHICLE COULD SHUT DOWN WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. AND AGAIN, WILL MY AIR BAG WORK? WE HAVE LOOKED ONLINE...THIS SEAT BELT WIRING DESIGN FLAW HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. YET, VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. THE MECHANIC WE USED SAYS THE SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESS IS TOO SHORT...THEREFORE, WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED FORWARD IT BREAKS WIRING IN THE HARNESS. THE DEALER WANTS $600 TO FIX THIS. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY! I AM ON SSDI.
NHTSA complaint #11061460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" STAYS ON. WE USED A DECODER AND IT GAVE A FAULT TO THE SEAT BELT. WE TRIED TO CLEAR THE CODE BUT COULD NOT GET RID OF THE CODE. I DID ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW BEETLES. THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" IS A VITAL PART OF POSSIBLE PROBLEMS. SINCE WE CANNOT CLEAR THE CODE THAT THAT LIGHT ON IN OUR DASH, WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF ANOTHER ISSUE OCCURS. WHAT IF GET A BAD OIL PUMP OR TIMING BELT PROBLEM? WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT ISSUE IS TIED INTO THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT". VERY DANGEROUS! WE ARE ON SSI AND CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE OUR CAR TO A DEALER. THEY WANT $600 TO FIX THE SEAT BELT ISSUE. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY! THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A BIG ISSUE WITH VW BEETLES AS WE HAVE SEEN ONLINE. MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS!!! THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT ISSUE! I HAVE SEEN THAT THEIR SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESSES ARE ABOUT TWO INCHES TOO SHORT...THUS CAUSING THE WIRES TO BREAK AND CAUSE THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CONDITION THAT WE HAVE. PLEASE HAVE VW DO THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
NHTSA complaint #11060786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. CAR SHOP SAID THE SEAT BELT SWITCH ASSEMBLY FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IF THERE WAS A CRASH, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE DRIVER WOULD BE THROWN INTO THE AIR BAG.
NHTSA complaint #10910238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVER AND PASSANGER SEAT BELT CATCHES AND LATER RELEASES RESULTING IN A LOOSE SEATBELT. ON THE LOWER PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT WHERE IT ATTATCHES TO THE VEHICLE ITSELF IS ALLOWED TO SLIDE BACK AND FORTH ACCORDING TO THE SEATS ADJUSTMENTS. HOWEVER, ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE OF THE SLIDING BAR RESPONSIBLE TO HOLD THE BELT HAS A 90 DEGREE NOTCH WHERE THE BAR ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. WHEN THE USER USES RESTRAINS THEMSELF MORE OFTEN THEN NOT THE BELT CATCHES IN THIS NOTCH AREA. NOT ALLOWING THE BELT TO PROPERLY SLIDE FORWARD INTO THE USERS CURRENTS POSITION. THUS DURING SOME POINT OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE BELT FREES ITSELFS FROM THE BACK 90 DEGREE PORTIONS OF THE BAR SLIDING FORWARD. THIS RESULTS IN A LOSE BELT.
NHTSA complaint #10873550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND MY FRONT BUMPER HIT A PARKED CAR, AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND RENDERED ME UNCONSCIENCE IT CAUSED $12,000 TO MY TEETH AND POSSIBLE HEAD INJURY AND 18 MONTHS AT A SPECIALIST DENTAL, HAD TO HAVE A BONE GRAPH AND STINT IN MY MOUTH, LIVER AND ABDOMINAL CONTUSION HAD TO PAY AN ATTORNEY $9,000 TO AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT ME IN COURT, I LOST MY JOB AND AM NOW ON SSD
NHTSA complaint #10721836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT REMAINED RETRACTED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 7/9/15
NHTSA complaint #10714030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DIAGNOSED AT SERVICE BY DEALER (CAMPBELL/NELSON VW) INDICATED THAT A SENSOR OR SWITCH LOCATED IN THE DRIVER-SIDE SEATBELT LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND EVEN WHEN THE SEATBELT WAS LATCHED, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A $400 REPAIR AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10706353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DIAGNOSED AT SERVICE BY DEALER (CAMPBELL/NELSON VW) INDICATED THAT A SENSOR OR SWITCH LOCATED IN THE DRIVER-SIDE SEATBELT LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND EVEN WHEN THE SEATBELT WAS LATCHED, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A $400 REPAIR AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10706354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FIRST I MUST ASK MYSELF WHY AM I WASTING MY TIME AGAIN? YOU CAN WRITE TO NHTSA ALL YOU WANT AND EXPLAIN YOUR COMPLAINT / DEFECT BUT THAT'S AS FAR AS IT GOES, THEY NEVER RESPOND AND NOTHING GETS REPAIRED FOR FREE UNLESS NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND PEOPLE GET HURT OR WORSE YET DIE!
NHTSA complaint #10662116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CABLE HAS COMPLETELY SEVERED ON DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RECEPTOR. THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT BUT JUST DUE TO USE AS INTENDED. ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED ON EXAMINATION ON 7 NOVEMBER 2014. INFORMED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WHO DECLINED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM DESPITE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. INFORMAL COMMUNICATION WITH DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS THAT THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED BECAUSE A PLASTIC SLEEVE AROUND THE TWO CABLES AT THE LATCHING MECHANISM HAD SLIPPED DOWN THE CABLE ALLOWING THE CABLE TO BEND BACK AND FORTH, EVENTUALLY CAUSING STRESS FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10653969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.