58 of the
3,621 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Beetle
are about the seats —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
I've owned this car for nearly two years. On April 3, 2025, I took my car to Niello VW. A service person told me he'd just had a VW Beetle with the same problem, just the passenger's side. Since there was nothing jamming the glide rails, there was no reason for the seat to be stuck. I took the car to a car upholstery shop because they specialize in removing car seats. The person had a hard time removing my seat, but he did. He said one of metal teeth like glides or steel buttons was broke. There are three on each side of the car seat. It was only on the right side of the driver's seat. The driver's seat is stuck and unable to be adjusted to the driver's leg length. There was nothing jammed in the lock that caused this to be stuck. I have owned 4 VW Beetles and I've never had a problem like this. It's very expensive about $1000 to repair. Mine is 2018 VW Beetle. I should not have a problem like this. I am reporting this because other VW Beetle owners have had to same problem. I did have the air bags repaired a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11652966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving with my child sitting in the passenger seat and we had the heated seats turned on the setting of 2. After a few minutes she yelled out “My butt is on fire!” She sat up off the seat to reveal a large black charred burnt hole in the leather seat!
NHTSA complaint #11514686 — 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.
THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT HEATER WAS LEFT ON POWER LEVEL 3 WITH A BAG OF CLOTHES IN THE SEAT. AN ODOR WAS DETECTED AND UPON MOVING THE BAG, AN APPROXIMATELY 6' X 10' BURN WAS DISCOVERED ON LOWER PORTION OF THE SEAT BACK.
NHTSA complaint #11151369 — 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.
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.
REGARDING/RELATED TO CLAIM 0484819107 69 COMPLAINTS: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: SEAT ... I OWN A 2003 VW JETTA 1.8T WITH FRONT HEATED SEATS. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE SEATS HEATER 2 DAYS AGO ON 12/13/2005 AFTER THE HEATER WAS ON FOR LESS THAN 2 MINUTES. BURNING A SMALL HOLE TROUGH THE SEAT TO THE BOTTOM AREA OF MY LEFT SIDE (BUTTOCK) I HAVE COME TO FIND SINCE THIS HAPPENED, MY NHTSA HAS ... HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/.../SEATS-FRONT_ASSEMBLY-SEAT_ HEATER_COOLER.SHTML 29 COMPLAINTS: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX ASSEMBLY FREQUENTLY MELTS INTO A GLOB OF PLASTIC, AND REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE OWNED TWO NEW BEETLES ( 2003 & 2004), AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM FOUR TIME BETWEEN THE TWO. MY OWN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE(S) HAS SHOWN ME THAT IF THE VEHICLE BATTERY IS ... HTTPS://WHTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/SEARCH/?CX=PARTNER-PUB-6745124734283845%3A6PV4IH4BRAD&COF=FORID%3A10&IE=ISO-8859-1&Q=VW+FIRE&SA=SEARCH&SITEURL=HTTPS%3A%2F%2FWWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM%2FVOLKSWAGEN%2FBEETLE%2F2002%2FSEAT_BELTS_AIR_BAGS%2FWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/.../ELECTRICAL_SYSTEM.SHTML WASN'T IN THE VEHICLE PERSONAL ASSISTANT/PROJECT CONSULTANT HELPING HARD WORKING PEOPLE LIKE YOU FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).?
NHTSA complaint #11055838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE INTERIOR SMELLS STRONGLY OF CRAYONS AND WILL NOT GO AWAY WITH SHAMPOOING, CLEANING AND/OR OTHER METHODS OF ODOR REMOVAL. THE ODOR IS VERY STRONG AND RUBS OFF ON CLOTHING AND SKIN WHILST SEATED.
NHTSA complaint #10864673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS AUTOMATICALLY SLID TO THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT LOOP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,205.
NHTSA complaint #10663677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT STARTED SMOKING THEN A FLAME CAME FROM THE TOP OF THE SEAT. I PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH MY BOTTLED WATER.
NHTSA complaint #10663145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE NOTICED A QUARTER SIZE BURN STARTING TO HAPPEN ON THE SEAT SECTION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MY SON HAD THE SEAT HEATER ON THIS MORNING WHEN DRIVING TO SCHOOL NO BURN NOTICED ON HIS LEG THE CAR IS A CONVERT ABLE BEETLE 2003 THE SEAT IS IN REASONABLE CONDITION .LEATHER STILL SUPPLE WITH NO VISUAL DEFECTS APART FROM SLIGHT DISCOLORATION AND SOME PERIPHERAL CRACKING ON THE EXTERIOR SEAT SECTION. WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TURN ON HEATED SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10628056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FIRST THE BUTTON TO ROLL UP THE PASSENGER WINDOW BROKE, THEN THE BUTTON TO LOCK THE PASSENGER DOOR BROKE, THEN THE SEAT FELL APART FOR NOT REASON AND WOULD NOT CLIP DOWN, THEN THE PLASTIC PANELS INSIDE THE DOOR CRACK AND ARE FALLING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10618479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TWO ISSUES: THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS UNABLE TO LATCH DOWN. AT THE DEALER, THEY STATED THAT A PIN HAD BROKEN. THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE SEAT BASE. AT OUR REQUEST, THEY PROVIDED US WITH THE BROKEN SEAT BASE. UPON MY INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT A C CLIP HAD COME OFF OF A PIN. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT LOCKING MECHANISM SLID OFF THE PIN. THEREFORE, THE SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. I INSPECTED THE PASSENGER SEAT. A CLIP HAD FALLEN OFF OF THIS SEAT AND WAS LYING ON THE CARPET IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT SECTION. WHEN I SHOWED THIS BROKEN PART TO THE DEALER, HE INDICATED THAT THIS PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY DID NOT RECOMMEND THAT I TAKE ANY ADDITIONAL ACTION AS THIS TIME. THE PASSENGER SEAT STILL LATCHES DOWN. THE CLIP THAT FELL OFF IS DIFFERENT THAN THE C CLIP THAT FELL OFF ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10616136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH. I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED AND THEY SENT THE CAR OVER TO THE VW DEALERSHIP. VW DEALERSHIP CONTACTED ME AND SAID THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT, AIRBAG IGNITER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED A DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG UNIT TO THE TUNE OF 881.79. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HOWEVER NOTHING RELATED TO THE AIRBAG OR SAFETY IS COVERED. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN I WONDER WHY VW DOESN'T STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS AND WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10606996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TWO SMALL BOLTS THAT HOLD DOWN THE FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BECAME LOOSE AND OVER TIME THEY EVENTUALLY BROKE COMPLETELY FREE ALLOWING THE SEAT TO ROLL AND TIP BACKWARD AND SIDEWAYS. THIS WAS A COMPLETE SHOCK WHEN IT OCCURED, I HAD NOTICED THE SEAT BECOMING LOOSE BUT THEN TO HAVE IT BREAK FREE WAS A SCARE. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT A CRASH AND INJURY AS A RESULT. IT APPEARS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO IT IS SURPRISING THAT THAT CARS ARE NOT RECALLED TO HAVE THREAD LOCKER OR DIFFERENT BOLTS INSTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10503645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC WINDOWS FAILED AND WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A REMEDY AVAILABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE DEALER NOT TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEAD REST WAS TOO LARGE AND BLOCKED 40 PERCENT OF HIS VIEW THROUGH THE REARVIEW MIRROR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE METAL PLATE AROUND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS TOO SHINY WHEN THE SUN REFLECTED, BLINDING THE CONTACT'S VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,748. UPDATED 09/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD AT TIMES BLOW WARM AIR WHEN ON. ALSO, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WAS TOO SMALL AND THE TINT WAS TOO DARK. UPDATED 09/10/2012
NHTSA complaint #10468960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HARD HEAVY ODOR PERMEATING MY INSIDE OF MY VW CONVERTIBLE 2007 CAR. WENT TO DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM AND FOR A FEW DAYS THEY PURIFIED IT FOR DAYS. I PICKED IT UP AND IT WAS STILL THERE. BROUGHT IN TO OTHER DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING. IT WAS CLEARLY A STAGED ANSWER. BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT , VW DEALERS TOOK TIME TO SEE WHAT IT COULD BE. STATING THEY SMELL "SOMETHING" NOT SURE WHAT IT IS? IT VERY WELL COULD BE A HEALTH RISK .HOW DO I KNOW I WONT GET CANCER OR POISONING FROM THIS ? I CAN ASSURE YOU NO ONE CARS FROM VW OF AMERICA. BASICALLY I OWN A CAR I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE AND ONLY DRIVE IT WHEN I AM HARD UP TO GET SOMEWHERE. IT SMELLS LIKE CRAYONS AND CHEMICALS. WHEN I DROVE IT, I WOULD GET HEADACHES AND SO WOULD MY DAUGHTER. I WOULD GET TEARS IN MY EYES, AND I QUIT DRIVING IT.IT IS NOW 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 32000 MILES ON IT. FILED 3 CLAIMS WITH VW OF AMERICA AND THEY SAID "THERE IS NO SMELL". I HAVE ALMOST PAID OFF THE CAR , (WHICH I CANNOT DRIVE). I AM SO FRUSTRATED. LEMON LAW DOES NOT COVER ODOR ISSUES AS THE CAR RUNS PERFECTLY. IT IS TOXIC TO ME, AND I WON'T DRIVE MY FAMILY IN IT. BUT ITS A DANGER. I EMAILED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY TOTALLY BLEW ME OFF. I AM A 30 YEAR VW OWNER. I KNOW MY CARS. THERE IS A DEFECT HERE. AND I AM SCREWED OUT OF A NEW CAR. THERE GOES ALL MY MONEY. MANY POSTS POINT TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE LINING , AS THEY WERE MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO. POSSIBLY USED LOW GRADE MATERIAL CAUSING THE SMELL.THE ONLY WAY TO DRIVE THIS ,IS WINDOWS DOWN. THE SMELL IS SO STRONG, THAT WITH THE TOP DOWN- THE CAB SMELLS I AM TELLING YOU I HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF.THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT!!!! NO ONE IS HELPING ME WITH A FULL REFUND OR A FINAL REMEDY!--FYI VW OF AMERICA REPS TOLD ME TO CALL THE CEO OF VOLKSWAGEN?????????????????????????(REALLY?)
NHTSA complaint #10463237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SEAT HEATER GOT EXTREMELY HOT VERY QUICK WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS SO HOT, THAT IT BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND BURNED MY BOTTOM. THIS ALSO NEARLY CAUSED ME TO GET INTO A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT AS I TRIED TO NOT GET BURNED.
NHTSA complaint #10440000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.