370 of the
3,621 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Beetle
are about the glass, mirrors and wipers —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
370
Complaints
10%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
6
Fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the high-beam headlights, the lever failed to operate as designed. The contact stated who is an independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the multifunction lever switch failed to operate in the forward position as designed, and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11505202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE ROLL THE WINDOW UP OR DOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF HUNTINGTON LOCATED AT (838 E JERICHO TPKE, HUNTINGTON, NY 11746). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,600.
NHTSA complaint #11317598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE BEING OPERATED, THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID SMEARED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PAUL MILLER VOLKSWAGEN 118 MORRISTOWN ROAD, BERNARDSVILLE, NJ 07924, 855-896-3830 , DOUGLAS VOLKSWAGEN 491 MORRIS AVENUE, SUMMIT, NJ 07901, (908)341-1254, AND TREND MOTORS VOLKSWAGEN 221 US-46, ROCKAWAY, NJ 07866, (973)625-0100 BUT, WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA AND ALSO REFERRED TO CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
NHTSA complaint #11297978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2010 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FAILED SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MPH AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH 30% OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FULL AMOUNT SHOULD BE REIMBURSED DUE TO THE FAILURE BEING KNOWN BY THE MANUFACTURE.
NHTSA complaint #11257013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED AND CONTINUED DRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEAM VOLKSWAGEN (3990 W LINCOLN HWY, MERRILVILLE, IN 45410) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V658000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,130.
NHTSA complaint #11151441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY VIN NUMBER ON CAR IS DIFFERENT FROM THE VIN NUMBER ON MOTOR. I JUST FOUND THIS OUT ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. I WASN'T TOLD THIS WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE.. SO, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM OR NOT. ITS A 2005 VW, WITH A 2004 ENGINE FROM A SLAVAGE YARD, BANDB, OR B AND R?? THIS CAUSED ME GREAT ALARM. THE WIRING SINCE HAD TO BE DONE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. ALSO, THE BELLY PAN HAD BEEN MISSING. I HAD IT FIXED. AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAD TO BE REPAIRED TOO. THIS CAR HAS COST ME THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS SINCE PURCHASE. AND I DON'T HAVE MORE THOUSANDS TO PUT IN IT. PLEASE HELP I HOPE THE CAR IN EXCELLENT SHAPE NOW. ALSO, I NOTICED THE DIP STICK BROKE TO OIL CHECK AND HADN'T BEEN PRIOR TO MY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. ALSO, THE CAR HAS A SOFT TOP AND I WAS TOLD WAS NEWLY REPLACED IN 5/2018. BUT IT SEEMS TO HAVE A DIFFERENT LOOK INSIDE THEN A TIGHT SHAPE REGARDING TOP, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS SHOULD BE OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #11138907 — 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CRACKING NOISE AND THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF CRACKED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 17079053. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #11000463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF VERY HEAVY RAIN AND MY WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED. I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO VW. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED 4 VW AND HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS ISSUE. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THEY JUST STOPPED WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10978571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVE WAY (AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, PARKED IN A LOT), CONVERTIBLE ROOF STALLS UPON OPENING. YOU HAVE TO STOP PRESSING BUTTON AND TRY AGAIN. EVENTUALLY IT STARTS AGAIN AND OPENS. VW SERVICE UNABLE TO REPLICATE. THEY GREASE THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED HOPING IT CORRECTS THE PROBLEM. 2. WHEN CAR WAS NEW, NOT WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS WERE NOTED. AFTER A YEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE SQUIRTS OUT IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE WIPER DOESN'T GET WET ENOUGH TO CLEAN WINDOW, THUS LEAVING BLURRY STREAKS THAT IMPEDES DRIVER'S SIDE VISION. PASSENGER SIDE OK. TOOK CAR IN 2 TIMES, THEY SAY THEY ADJUST SPRAY. PROBLEM STILL THERE EVEN AFTER REPLACING WIPERS WITH BRAND NEW (VOLKSWAGON BRAND) WIPERS. JUST HAD THE SPRAY FIXED AGAIN LAST WEEK. AFRAID TO SEE IF IT IS ANY BETTER. WILL WRITE ANOTHER REPORT IF PROBLEM PERSISTS. HAD CONVERTIBLE TOP GEARS GREASED AGAIN LAST WEEK. I WONDER IF HOT WEATHER IS EFFECTING THE TOP TO OPEN?
NHTSA complaint #10895365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WINDSHIELD RANDOMLY CRACKED WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY IN 80 DEGREE WEATHER, IN THE SHADE. CRACK GOES FROM ROOF, DOWN BEHIND REAR-VIEW MIRROR, THEN TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT APPEARS TO BE A STRESS FRACTURE, AS THERE IS NOT VISIBLE SIGN OF ROCK DAMAGE. THE TOP LINE OF THE WINDSHIELD IS CLEARLY UNLEVEL NOW. APPEARS TO BE A STRESS FRACTURE FROM IMPROPER DESIGN OR INSTALLATION. OTHER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR MAKE/MODEL/YEAR HAVE REPORTED THE SAME, WITH COMPARABLE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10887633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY OVERNIGHT. WAS FINE THE NIGHT BEFORE, NOTICED A LONG CRACK THAT STARTED HORIZONTALLY ON THE EDGE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THEN CURVED UP VERTICALLY THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I PULLED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE. I DRIVE THIS CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK, GENTLY, AND ALTHOUGH IT IS A 2014, IT HAD ONLY 4777 MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN HIT BY ANY STONES, HAVE NOT DRIVEN ANY BUMPY ROADS OR HIT ANY POTHOLES, AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS WITH THE CAR. BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALER AND VW CUSTOMER CARE, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN SLOW TO MAKE A DETERMINATION.
NHTSA complaint #10885395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. AIR BAG: THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATING. 2. SUNROOF DRAIN SYSTEM CLOGGED: THERE IS LEAKAGE THROUGH THE SUNROOF OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALL RAIN WATER IS COMING IN FROM THE PASSENGER DOOR. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS OF THUNDER STORMS THE CAR HAS WATER ALL OVER THE INSIDE AND THE CEILING AND SMELLS BAD. (AS SOON AS I FOUND OUT THE SUNROOF LEAKAGE PROBLEM OF THIS CAR, I FOUND THAT HE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT HAS APPROVED A $69 MILLION SETTLEMENT STEMMING FROM A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT THAT STARTED IN 2007 OVER LEAKING SUNROOFS. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2014/VOLKSWAGEN-SETTLES-LAWSUIT-LEAKING-SUNROOFS.SHTML)
NHTSA complaint #10876204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BACKUP CAMERA IS SO DIM IT IS USELESS. ALTHOUGH SOME VW CAMERAS HAVE ADJUSTABLE BRIGHTNESS, MY MODEL DOES NOT AND EVEN THE DEALER SAID IT WAS USELESS. WAS SHOWN OTHER MODELS WITH SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED DEALER AND VW OF AMER. AND WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE. NEEDS NEW SENSOR OR REPLACEMENT. A REAL SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10778862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BACKUP CAMERA ON MY VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE IS SO DARK THAT IS IS VIRTUALLY USELESS. WE HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE MANAGER AGREED THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. HE REPLACED THE CAMERA AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEN THE MANAGER LEFT AND ANOTHER ONE CAME ON BOARD WE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO VW AND THEY SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER ONSITE. HE TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS OK BECAUSE ALL OF THE CAMERAS WERE LIKE THAT. WE HAVE OWNED CARS PREVIOUSLY WITH BACK UP CAMERAS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. THE CAMERAS WITH GPS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALER TOLD ME I COULD PAY FOR A UNIT WITH GPS. I HAVE A HAND HELD GPS SO HAVE NO DESIRE TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO IT. I PAID EXTRA FOR THE BACKUP CAMERA AND DID NOT GET MY MONEY'S WORTH. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE BACK WINDOW IN THE CONVERTIBLE ALLOWS FOR ONLY LIMITED SIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10778034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ROLL THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW UPWARDS, THE WINDOW INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED DOWNWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10712433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BACKUP CAMERA ON THE BEETLE DOES NOT WORK. THE IMAGE ON THE SCREEN IS TOO DARK TO SEE ANYTHING. THE ONLY TIME YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE BACKUP CAMERA IS IN FULL SUN, AND THEN IT IS STILL DISTORTED AND UNABLE TO USE. I KNOW THAT 2018 THAT ALL CARS ARE SUPPOSE TO HAVE A BACK UP CAMERA, BUT IF A CAR ALREADY HAS THE SAFETY FEATURE SHOULD IT NOT WORK PROPERLY? MY THEORY IS THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO TEST THE SYSTEM TO SEE HOW MUCH THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH. TO HAVE THE CAMERA IN PLACE, BUT ONLY MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF THE LAW. BUT THIS IS NOT USABLE. I HAVE TAKEN THE BEETLE INTO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, ALL THEY HAVE DONE IS VISIBLE COMPARISON WITH OTHER BEETLES. THEY SAY THAT IT MEETS ALL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS, AND THERE IS NO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10701312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE WINDOWS ON THE DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT ROLL UP. THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A VOLKSWAGEN PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE WINDOW SIDE AS OF THIS DATE. IF THERE IS A RECALL, PLEASE ADVISE. I NEED THIS FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE WINDOW REGULATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10679519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.