28 of the
3,621 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Beetle
are about the tires —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that the TPMS warning light and the air bag warning light were intermittently illuminated. The contact then stated that on two separate occasions while driving at approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently jerked and veered to the left or right side of the road. The contact also stated that on multiple occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and started shuddering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side lower ball joint failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11534770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Separation between belts near the sidewall Cooper cs5 grand touring 205/65 r16. I have had 4 tires that this has happened to. Replaced both front tires twice. This seems to be a recurring problem with these tires.
NHTSA complaint #11534186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Beetle equipped with Barum Tires, Tire Line: Bravuris, Tire Size: 225/45/R17, DOT Number: (Not Provided). The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 65 MPH, the front passenger’s side of the vehicle started to shake, vibrate, and wobble. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the sidewall of the front passenger’s side tire had completely separated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The tire manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 200.
NHTSA complaint #11489286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Continental passenger rear tire (215/60 R 16) blew out while I was driving on the freeway. There was a swerve then a pound rumbling noise. It was very dangerous. I was put at severe risk because it blew out on the freeway. There were no warning lamp last prior to this incident.
NHTSA complaint #11432429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ECM SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MOVING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.*JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE LATEST DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM DIDN'T NOTIFY HER THAT THE AIR IN THE TIRE WAS LOW. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE. *JS *JS THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER STRIKING AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED SOMEONE SEEMED TO HAVE TAMPERED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT APPEARED THE RADIO WAS HACKED. THE MUSIC VOLUME WOULD OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WAS INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11153809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD TWO BLOWOUTS IN BACK TO BACK WEEKS IN APRIL 2014 AND THOUGHT IT WAS BAD LUCK. THE TIRES WERE CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO AND HAD LESS THAN 20K MILES. I REPLACED 2 EACH TIME SINCE THE CAR IS FWD. THEY CAME ON MY 2013 BEETLE TDI. AT THE END OF AUGUST IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE TIRE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN MINUTES THE TIRE BLEW AT 65MPH. I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE BLEW COMPLETELY OFF FUSSING ABOUT A 2" SECTION TO THE RIM. THE INSIDE HAD 2 MAJOR SIDEWALL FAILURES. I GOT HOME AND GOOGLED CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO COMPLAINTS AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME ISSUES. I REPLACED THE BLOWN TIRE AND PARKED THE CAR. I ORDERED A SET OF MICHELINS AND HAD THEM INSTALLED THIS WEEKEND. THE CONTINENTALS ARE IN MY BASEMENT UNTIL THERE IS AN ADMISSION OR RESOLUTION THAT THERE IS INDEED A PROBLEM. I DRIVE AROUND 35K MILES PER YEAR FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIRE FAILURES UNTIL THESE. CONTINENTAL'S RESPONSE SO FAR IS THEY WERE MADE TO SPECIFICATIONS. AND VW'S RESPONSE WAS WE DIDN'T MAKE THE TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10640417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CLOCKSPRING BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME CAUSING FAILURE OF ABS, AIRBAG, ESC AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. SECOND FAILURE OF THE SAME PART IN 3 WEEKS. VOLKSWAGEN IS UNRESPONSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10598464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONTIPROCONTACT TIRE 23540R19 BLOW OUT DEC 2012. SAME TIRE REPLACED IN 2014. NOW FOR THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS (MAY 11,2014) LOSING AIR PRESSURE IN ORIGINAL TIRES. FILL THE TIRES WITH CORRECT AMOUNT OF AIR AND A FEW DAYS LATER DASHBOARD LIKE COME ON SAYING AIR PRESSURE PROBLEM IN TIRES. KEEPS DOING THE SAME THING. ONLY HAVE 10,000 MILES ON THE TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10592749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE TIRE SENSORS FAILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHICH TIRE SENSOR FAILED BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT WOULD NOT OFFER TO REPLACE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AN OPERABLE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA complaint #10399568 — 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.
SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN TIRE(S) ON 2001 NEW BEETLE WITH 17 INCH ALUMINUM WHEELS. CAUSED BY CORROSION ON THE BEAD AREA OF THE RIM. CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO TIRE, HAD TO REPLACE ONE EXPENSIVE TIRE BECAUSE OF DAMAGE TO SIDEWALL. 3 TOTAL OCCURRENCES ON 2 DIFFERENT RIMS. TIRE DEALER "CLEANED UP" THE BEAD AREA AND REMOUNTED THE TIRE. LUCKILY ALL FAILURES EITHER OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS OR NOTICED WITH CAR PARKED. COULD NOT REINFLATE TIRE AS RIM WOULD NOT RESEAL WITHOUT REMOUNTING.
NHTSA complaint #10371024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE WITH CONTINENTAL MS RADIAL(NA) TIRES, SIZE P225/45 R17, DOT NUMBER 50751. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE COMPLETELY CAME APART. THE SIDEWALL SPLIT AND THE TREAD FROM THE TIRE CAME OFF OF THE TIRE. THE TIRES WERE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PUT 20000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37000.
NHTSA complaint #10370738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE TEST DROVE CARS AT ROD & TYS ALL STAR AUTO IN PUYALLUP, WE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE BALD AND ONE CAR HAD A BULGE AND TEAR IN THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. I BROUGHT THIS TO THEIR ATTENTION AND THEY SAID THEY AREN'T REQUIRED TO MAKE THESE CARS SAFE. THAT IS THE BUYERS RESPONSIBILITY. I WAS VERY UPSET. THESE TIRES ARE SO BALD THEY AREN'T EVEN LEGAL. I WOULD LIKE THIS PLACE INVESTIGATE TO SHUT DOWN BEFORE SOME IS HURT OR KILLED FROM THE DANGEROUS CARS.
NHTSA complaint #10366716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS YOKOHAMA TIRES, SIZE 205/55R16. WHILE DRIVING AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF OF THE ROAD AND CHANGE THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER; THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE ROTTEN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,355.
NHTSA complaint #10323811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE TURBO...2.0 LITER ENGINE...THE TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING DOWN OR UP....FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS REARENED IT IN THE BACK....HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP AND COUPLE OF OTHER TRANSMISSION PLACES...THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY...NOW THAT IT HAS 94000 MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY DECIDE IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION.....WE HAVE HAD IT SERVICED JUST LIKE WE SHOULD...IT DOESN'T MATTER...WE DON'T HAVE 6000.00 TO GET IT FIXED...SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE...I'VE TALKED WITH MANY, MANY VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM..HOW MANY DOES IT TAKE BEFORE YOU GUYS DO A RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10292448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN 2006, MY WIFE LEASED A NEW VW BEETLE FROM A DEALERSHIP IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THE CAR CAME WITH A SET OF NEW GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES. MY WIFE COMMUTES 40 MILES ROUND TRIP FIVE TO SIX DAYS A WEEK TO WORK. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 60K IN MILES ON IT. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN MISTREATED- SURFACE STREETS AND FREEWAY USE ONLY. ON 4-25-09, MY WIFE DROVE TO WORK, PARKED IN A PUBLIC USE GARAGE, AND SPENT EIGHT HOURS WORKING. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE CAR, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. A TOW SERVICE WAS CALLED AND THEY PUT ON THE SPARE TIRE. IT WAS AT THAT TIME THE TOW SERVICE DRIVER SHOWED MY WIFE THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE REPLACED TIRE. IN BRIEF, ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF THE SIDEWALL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN TREAD TO THE POINT THE METAL BANDS WERE EXPOSED. WHEN MY WIFE GOT HOME, I CRAWLED UNDER HER CAR AND SAW THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS ALSO IN THE SAME DEFECTIVE CONDITION. I TOOK PICTURES OF BOTH TIRES AND DOWNLOADED THEM ONTO MY COMPUTER. THE COST TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES WILL BE OVER $500.00 BASED ON A SEAR\'S ESTIMATE. I CHECKED THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS AND SAFETY BULLETINS ON GOODYEAR TIRES. I FOUND THERE WAS NO FORMAL RECALL OF THIS TIRE, BUT GOODYEAR WAS DOING A \"SILENT RECALL\" REPLACING TIRES FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. I FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES, THE EAGLE RS-A, SEPARATING AT THE SIDEWALL ON THE INTERNET. TODD MAYER
NHTSA complaint #10266769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING DOWN ROAD AT 45 MPH (SPEED LIMIT) AND THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. SHE SAW SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO CAR DEALERSHIP. THE RESULT WAS THE TREAD SEPARATED, DAMAGED OIL PAN, WRAPPED AROUND CV AXLE, MELTED THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT. THE CAR IS BEYOND REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10256887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY GIRL FRIEND HAD A LOW TIRE (KUMHO ECSTA AST 225/R17 94HXL). I WAS PUTTING AIR IN THE TIRE WHICH IS RATED FOR 50PSI MAX. I WANTED 32PSI AND OVER INFLATED TO 40PSI. AS I WAS LETTING AIR OUT THE TIRE RUPTURED IN MY FACE CAUSING LOTS OF FACIAL ABRASIONS, EYE DAMAGE (TEMPORARY I HOPE) AND HEARING LOSS (ALSO TEMPORARY I HOPE). I DO NOT OVERINFLATE TIRE AS AFTER ACCIDENT THE AAA TECH CHECKED THE OTHER TIRES AND ONE WAS AT 45 PSI.
NHTSA complaint #10255576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A GAS STATION TO REPLACE THE TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10048434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.