2001 Volkswagen NEW Beetle problems

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, NEEDED TO REPLACE CALIPERS, ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS AT 16,455MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10098477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, NEEDED TO REPLACE CALIPERS, ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS AT 16,455MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10098477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, NEEDED TO REPLACE CALIPERS, ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS AT 16,455MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10098477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGON BEETLE AND WAS VERY FRUSTRATED WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS CHARGED $100!!!! AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS! I WAS SO UPSET! THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT CAME ON AGIAN AND I WAS FURIOUS! I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $100 AGIAN. I COPMPLAINED AND GOT THE 2ND FEE WAVED. I'M NOT AN EXPERT BUT IT IS VERY RARE FOR AN IGNITION COIL TO FAIL???

NHTSA complaint #10088988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, NO DRIVABILITY PROBLEMS THOUGH. DEALER SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY; 2001 VW BEETLE WITH 7,600 MILES. CHECKED AND CHARGED $142.00 TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, REPLACED CTS, COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR. IT APPEARS THAT IT IS HARD TO FIND ANY SHOPS WITH EQUIPMENT TO ACCESS VW'S ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM; ONLY WAY IS AT VW OR IF A SHOP HAS A PC BASED SYSTEM CALLED MORPHUS? WAS THIS DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY SINCE IT IS PART OF THE OVERALL ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, CONTROLLING EMISSIONS? THANK YOU, [XXX].*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10088927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

THE REAR DISC BRAKE PADS (BOTH SIDES) COMPLETELY WORN OFF/OUT AT 25,000 MILES ON 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. THE WORN OUT PADS ALSO DAMAGED BOTH REAR HUB/ROTOR ASSEMBLIES, WHICH ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED BY THE CONSUMER, AT THE CONSUMERS COST. THIS CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR ITS 20,000 MILE CHECK UP TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE FEMALE OWNER HAD ASKED ABOUT REAR BRAKE NOISES THAT CONCERNED HER. THE DEALERSHIP ASSURED HER THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK, BUT SOMETIMES IT WOULD JUST NORMALLY MAKE SOME NOISES. A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER THE PADS AND ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY SHOT AND WE HAVE TO PICK UP THE TAB AS THE CAR IS NOW NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. VW HAS HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN(TSB#4602-01 DATED 04-02), I RECENTLY FOUND OUT, CONCERNING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WE EXPERIENCED:BRAKE PADS(REAR) APPARENT PREMATURE WEAR. I MENTIONED THIS FACT TO BOTH THE DEALERSHIP IN RACINE, WI AND VW AT THEIR 1-800-822-8987 "CUSTOMER CARE" CARE NUMBER WHEN SPEAKING TO MR KEN PARROTT. IT WAS TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT PERSON FELT THIS WAS "NORMAL" THOUGH I CONTESTED THAT OPINION. THE VW PERSON, MR PERROTT, SAID HE COULDN'T EVEN LOOK INTO THE MATTER AS THE WORK WAS PERFORMED AT A NON VW DEALERSHIP, THOUGH IT WAS A CERTIFIED NAPA AUTOCARE SERVICE CENTER THAT DID THE REPAIR WORK. HE, MR PARROTT, ALSO STATED IF I HAD TAKEN IT IN TO A VW GARAGE WAS NO GUARANTEE THEY WOULD PAY FOR MY EXPENSES EITHER. I ASKED ABOUT "OPENING A CASE" W/VW AND HE SAID THE CONVERSATION WE WERE HAVING INITIATED IT AND WHEN I HUNG UP(I ASKED HIM ABOUT THIS) THAT THE CASE WOULD BE CLOSED, AS FAR AS THEY WERE CONCERNED. BUT NOT AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.

NHTSA complaint #10079103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

THE REAR DISC BRAKE PADS (BOTH SIDES) COMPLETELY WORN OFF/OUT AT 25,000 MILES ON 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. THE WORN OUT PADS ALSO DAMAGED BOTH REAR HUB/ROTOR ASSEMBLIES, WHICH ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED BY THE CONSUMER, AT THE CONSUMERS COST. THIS CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR ITS 20,000 MILE CHECK UP TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE FEMALE OWNER HAD ASKED ABOUT REAR BRAKE NOISES THAT CONCERNED HER. THE DEALERSHIP ASSURED HER THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK, BUT SOMETIMES IT WOULD JUST NORMALLY MAKE SOME NOISES. A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER THE PADS AND ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY SHOT AND WE HAVE TO PICK UP THE TAB AS THE CAR IS NOW NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. VW HAS HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN(TSB#4602-01 DATED 04-02), I RECENTLY FOUND OUT, CONCERNING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WE EXPERIENCED:BRAKE PADS(REAR) APPARENT PREMATURE WEAR. I MENTIONED THIS FACT TO BOTH THE DEALERSHIP IN RACINE, WI AND VW AT THEIR 1-800-822-8987 "CUSTOMER CARE" CARE NUMBER WHEN SPEAKING TO MR KEN PARROTT. IT WAS TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT PERSON FELT THIS WAS "NORMAL" THOUGH I CONTESTED THAT OPINION. THE VW PERSON, MR PERROTT, SAID HE COULDN'T EVEN LOOK INTO THE MATTER AS THE WORK WAS PERFORMED AT A NON VW DEALERSHIP, THOUGH IT WAS A CERTIFIED NAPA AUTOCARE SERVICE CENTER THAT DID THE REPAIR WORK. HE, MR PARROTT, ALSO STATED IF I HAD TAKEN IT IN TO A VW GARAGE WAS NO GUARANTEE THEY WOULD PAY FOR MY EXPENSES EITHER. I ASKED ABOUT "OPENING A CASE" W/VW AND HE SAID THE CONVERSATION WE WERE HAVING INITIATED IT AND WHEN I HUNG UP(I ASKED HIM ABOUT THIS) THAT THE CASE WOULD BE CLOSED, AS FAR AS THEY WERE CONCERNED. BUT NOT AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.

NHTSA complaint #10079103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM NUT SECURING THE BRACKET TO THE WIPER MOTOR NUT HAS NO LOCKING MECHANISM TO PREVENT THE NUT FROM LOOSENING DURING WIPER OPERATION. THIS RESULTS IN THE NUT WORKING ITS WAY OFF THE WIPER MOTOR AND THE WIPERS CEASING OPERATION. REATTACHING THE NUT ONLY WORKS BRIEFLY UNTIL THE NUT WORKS LOOSE AGAIN. IN ADDITION, I RECEIVE NO RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR THIS VEHICLE IN THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED IT AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.

NHTSA complaint #10075301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

A FAMILY MEMBER OF MINE RECENTLY BOUGHT, I BELIEVE, A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. AFTER WAITING A WHILE FOR HER TAGS SHE AND HER FATHER LOOKED INTO THE DOCUMENTS GIVEN TO HER BY THE DEALERSHIP AND NOTICED A DISCREPANCY IN MILEAGE AFTER THEY DID A FULL CARFAX REPORT ON THE CAR. THE CARFAX REPORTED THAT THE CAR HAD 76000 MILES ON IT IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 BUT THE DOCUMENT ATESTING TO MILEAGE FROM THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT HAD ONLY 66K WHEN BOUGHT IN MARCH ON IT AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SOLD TO THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL FEBRUARY WITH WHO KNOWS HOW MANY MILES. I BELIEVE THAT THE DEALERSHIP OR THE PREVIOUS OWNER ROLLED BACK THE MILEAGE. IN MY MIND IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT IT IS THE DEALER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE STEPS WE NEED TO TAKE, THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO HAVE AND HOW TO GET IT, AND WHO TO CONTACT IN SOUTH CAROLINA (PREFERABLY IN ROCK HILL, SC) IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10074638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILS TO OPERATE OR OPERATES RANDOMLY. THE BLADE WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW AND GO NO FURTHER UNLESS I PHYSICALLY PUSH IT DOWN OR TURN THE SWITCH ON THE HIGHEST SPEED AND THEN IT MAY WORK SO I CAN PUT IT IN THE DOWN POSITION SO IT DOESN'T OBSTRUCT MY VIEW.

NHTSA complaint #10068131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

BRAKE LAMPS ON 2001 NEW BEETLE COME ON AND STAY ON EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND PARKED. THIS IS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 03V265000 (7-25-03). I CHECKED VW AND THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL WAS VIN SPECIFIC AND MY 2001 NEW BEETLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. IT SEEMS THERE MAY BE MORE UNITS AFFECTED THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10063712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

I OWN A 2001 NEW BEETLE AND HAVE DILIGENTLY HAD ALL FACTORY SERVICE PERFORMED. AT THE 20,000 MILE SERVICE, WE REPORTED A METALLIC RUBBING SOUND FROM THE REAR BRAKES. THE DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE NOISE CONTINUED, AT 9,000 MILES LATER WE TOOK IT BACK FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. AT THAT TIME, THE DEALER INFORMED US WE NEEDED NEW REAR ROTORS AND PADS AT A COST OF $357.47. WE ASKED HOW THE BRAKES COULD BE FINE JUST 9,000 MILES PREVIOUSLY, AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THAT WAS THE WAY IT WAS WITH THESE NEW BEETLES; WHEN THE PADS WEAR OUT, YOU ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ROTORS. I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE, MARY GENERA, WHO STATED THAT SHE BACKED UP WHATEVER THE DEALER SAID. SHE FURTHER INDICATED THAT SHE HAD NO TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE WHATSOEVER, AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A TECHNICAL CONTACT WITHIN THE COMPANY TO SPEAK TO. SHE SAID MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO WORK WITH THE DEALER. I CONTACTED A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE EXPERT, DAVE FINKELESTEIN, (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH), WHO SUGGESTED, BUT COULD NOT CONFIRM, THAT VW MIGHT BE USING A SUBSTANDARD "SOFT" BRAKE ROTOR. A FOLLOWUP WRITTTEN COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALER YIELDED NO RESPONSE. I SUSPECT VW IS USING SUBSTANDARD PARTS ON THEIR NEW VEHICLES. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THE REAR PADS WORE OUT AROUND 19,000 MILES, WHICH IS RIDICULOUSLY LOW FOR A NEW CAR. THIS CAR HAS HAD AN EXTEREMELY LARGE NUMBER OF MECHANICAL FAILURES, MOST OF THEM REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. IT GOT SO BAD, VW AGREED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY AN ADDITIONAL 48,000 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ADDITIONAL WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER BRAKE ROTORS. THE DEALER-PROVIDED SERVICE PROVIDED FOR THIS CAR HAS BEEN ABYSMAL AND I WOULD CAUTION ANYONE THINKING ABOUT BUYING A NEW VW TO THINK TWICE. THESE CARS ARE VERY POORLY MADE AND EVEN MORE POORLY SUPPORTED BY SO-CALLED "CUSTOMER SERVICE".

NHTSA complaint #10060463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 VW NEW BEETLE THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO IDLE VERY ROUGHLY. THE ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE ENGINE AND DRIVE THE CAR HOME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE O2 SENSOR AND THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE TOTAL COST WAS $1097.00 AND WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS A 2001 MODEL WITH JUST OVER 18000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. A CALL TO THE VOLKSWAGEN "CUSTOMER ADVOCATE" CENTER PROVED HOPELESS AS THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE 2001 VW BEETLE CAME WITH A 2 YEAR 24000 MILE WARRANTY. THE LACK OF WARRANTY LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT VW KNEW THESE CARS WERE OF SUBSTANDARD QUALITY FROM THE DATE OF MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10058361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH. IT MALFUNCTIONED LEAVING ME STRANDED BY NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. CALLED VOLKSWAGEN ROADSIDE BUT NO HELP DUE TO STINGY WARRANTY PERIOD(2YRS&24K) FOR 2001 AND OLDER VW'S. FINALLY REPAIRED, BUT STILL PROBLEMATIC. THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NO LONGER RETRACT 100%. THE BRAKES ACTUALLY OVERHEATED! I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT NOW, SO I HAVE GOTTEN ACCUSTOMED TO MANUALLY PULLING IT BACK WITH MY LEFT FOOT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL & THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE BRAKES BEING APPLIED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION. UPON FURTHER DISCOVERY ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND A GUY WHOSE BRAKES ACTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THIS PROBLEM!! WHAT SHOULD I DO?????

NHTSA complaint #10056244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

2001 NEW BEETLE 1.9 L TDI, 55,000 MI.: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OFF THEN IT COMES ON ONCE GLOW PLUG LIGHT GOES OFF AND CAR HAS STARTED (WITIN 20 SECONDS). THE DEALER FIRST TOLD ME IT WAS THE GLOW PLUG SENSOR. THEN RECANTED AND SAID THE SENSOR WAS FINE AND TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW BRIDGE WIRE AND 4 NEW GLOW PLUGS. SHOULD GLOW PLUGS ONLY LAST FOR 55,000 MILES? THE CAR JUST TURNED OVER 55,023 WHEN THE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON.

NHTSA complaint #10055077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE WHICH WAS LEASED NEW FROM BILL COOK IN FARMINTON HILLS MICHIGAN. THE COMPLAINT REGARDS THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT OF REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT 18,000 MILES WHILE THE FRONTS WERE STILL AT 70%. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND NOTHING IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED OR ANY EVIDENCE OF POOR MAINTENANCE OR ABUSE. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987 AFTER GETTING THE SERVICE COMPLETED AND OPENED A CASE. VOLKSWAGEN VERIFIED THAT I HAVE HAD ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE PERFORMED ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP RECORDS AND CONFIRMED THE DETAILS OF MY COMPLAINT WITH THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THE DEALERSHIP. YET THEY REFUSE TO COMPENSATE IN ANY WAY, STATING THAT NO MANUFACTURING DEFECT EXISTS. I HAVE FOUND A VOLKSWAGEN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 4600-01 ON THE INTERNET REGARDING UNEVEN PAD WEAR INSTRUCTING TECHNICIANS TO USE AN ALTERNATE BRAKE PAD OF DIFFERENT COMPOSITION. I AM AN ENGINEER IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, AND IN MY OPINION THIS LEVEL OF REPAIR AT THIS MILEAGE WITH NO EVIDENCE OF ANY EXTERNAL CAUSE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE STATE OF THE FRONT BRAKES, INDICATES EITHER A DEFECT IN DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. AT THE DEALERSHIP I ASKED WHETHER I COULD EXPECT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO FAIL AS QUICKLY AS THE ORIGINALS AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. THE ONLY WAY THIS COULD BE TRUE IS IF THE NEW PARTS ARE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN OR THE OLD PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THIS COST ME $45.00 TO DIAGNOSE AND $399.15 PARTS AND LABOR PLUS TAX AND SHOP FEES TO REPAIR. I EXPECT A LONGER LIFE FOR THESE COMPONENTS ON A NEW VEHICLE AND CONSIDER THIS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF VOLKSWAGEN TO REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10054748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE WHICH WAS LEASED NEW FROM BILL COOK IN FARMINTON HILLS MICHIGAN. THE COMPLAINT REGARDS THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT OF REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT 18,000 MILES WHILE THE FRONTS WERE STILL AT 70%. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND NOTHING IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED OR ANY EVIDENCE OF POOR MAINTENANCE OR ABUSE. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987 AFTER GETTING THE SERVICE COMPLETED AND OPENED A CASE. VOLKSWAGEN VERIFIED THAT I HAVE HAD ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE PERFORMED ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP RECORDS AND CONFIRMED THE DETAILS OF MY COMPLAINT WITH THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THE DEALERSHIP. YET THEY REFUSE TO COMPENSATE IN ANY WAY, STATING THAT NO MANUFACTURING DEFECT EXISTS. I HAVE FOUND A VOLKSWAGEN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 4600-01 ON THE INTERNET REGARDING UNEVEN PAD WEAR INSTRUCTING TECHNICIANS TO USE AN ALTERNATE BRAKE PAD OF DIFFERENT COMPOSITION. I AM AN ENGINEER IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, AND IN MY OPINION THIS LEVEL OF REPAIR AT THIS MILEAGE WITH NO EVIDENCE OF ANY EXTERNAL CAUSE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE STATE OF THE FRONT BRAKES, INDICATES EITHER A DEFECT IN DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. AT THE DEALERSHIP I ASKED WHETHER I COULD EXPECT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO FAIL AS QUICKLY AS THE ORIGINALS AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. THE ONLY WAY THIS COULD BE TRUE IS IF THE NEW PARTS ARE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN OR THE OLD PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THIS COST ME $45.00 TO DIAGNOSE AND $399.15 PARTS AND LABOR PLUS TAX AND SHOP FEES TO REPAIR. I EXPECT A LONGER LIFE FOR THESE COMPONENTS ON A NEW VEHICLE AND CONSIDER THIS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF VOLKSWAGEN TO REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10054748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

VIOLENT SHAKING OF 2001 NEW BEETLE GL (HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AFTER SNOW STORM. 1/14/04 SNOW STORM HITS DETROIT METRO AREA. THE NEXT MORNING 1/15/04 WHILE GOING TO WORK MY VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE/VIBRATE, STARTING AT 45 MPH. I DID NOT TAKE THE BUG ABOVE 55 MPH BECAUSE THE SHAKING WAS GETTING WORSE. AFTER WORK, I DROVE TO THE VW DEALER AND LEARNED THAT 16 OTHER NEW BEETLE OWNERS BROUGHT THEIR CAR IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM (THIS WAS A QUOTE BY THE SERVICE REP. STEVE)AND NUMEROUS OWNERS CALLED IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THE DESIGN OF THE WHEEL RIMS ALLOW SNOW TO ACCUMULATE CAUSING AN IMBALANCE WITH THE WHEELS. THIS CAUSES THE VIOLENT SHAKING WHILE RUNNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (45 MPH AND ABOVE). THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO REMOVE THE SNOW BY HAND OR MELT IT AWAY. (DEALER IS CHARGING ABOUT 72 DOLLARS FOR MELTING IT). I NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DO THIS AFTER ANY SNOW STORM IN MICHIGAN. BUT SINCE I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE INVOLVED, I FELT YOU SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE. I LOVE MY BUG, BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP (VYLETEL BUICK & VW, STERLING HEIGHTS MICHIGAN) I LEFT THE VEHICLE THERE OVERNIGHT FOR 30K MAINTENANCE. I FIGURED, WHILE THEY DO THE MAINTENANCE, THE SNOW WOULD MELT OFF THE WHEELS. GIVEN THE SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE CAUSED BY THE IMBALANCE OF THE WHEELS, I AM CONCERNED THE TIRES WILL HAVE PREMATURE WEAR OR FLAT SPOTS ON THE SURFACE. HOPEFULLY, THIS IS NOT THE CASE, SINCE I ACTED ON THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10054252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SAFETY LATCH.

NHTSA complaint #10049274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR DURRING A PANIC STOP, BRAKES DID NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE COMPUTER IN CAR DID NOT IDENTIFY A MALFUNCTION. SAID DEALERSHIP DID/HAS NOT DONE ANY MANUAL DIAGNOSTICS.

NHTSA complaint #10043118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR DURRING A PANIC STOP, BRAKES DID NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE COMPUTER IN CAR DID NOT IDENTIFY A MALFUNCTION. SAID DEALERSHIP DID/HAS NOT DONE ANY MANUAL DIAGNOSTICS.

NHTSA complaint #10043118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

THE BRAKE BOOSTER SPRING FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKES TO BE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #10039868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE HAS HAD AT LEAST ONE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH FAILURES IN THE MATERIALS MAKING UP THE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES IN SIDE THE VEHICLE (WINDOW SWITCHES). RECENTLY, THE I BUMPED THE KNOB THAT CONTROLS THE REMOTE CONTROL EXTERIOR MIRROS AND THE KNOB BROKE OFF. UPON INSPECTION, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE OPTICAL MATERIAL WHICH IS USED TO CONNECT (MOLDED) THE KNOB TO THE MIRROR SWITCH ASSEMBLY (AND TRANSPORT LIGHT TO THE KNOB FOR NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY) IS TOO BRITTLE TO WITHSTAND PROLONGED USE AND SNAPPED CLEAN WHEN GENTLY BUMPED.

NHTSA complaint #10030878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHT BULBS (LOW BEAMS) 3 TIMES IN MY NEW BEETLE. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THAT I NOT RUN THE LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAY. THEY SAID THAT EXCESSIVE USE OF THE HEADLIGHTS WILL CAUSE THE BULBS TO BURN OUT FASTER. SORRY, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS COME ON AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THE CAR IS ON AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED. SO THE LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR MOTION. THE DRIVER HAS NO CONTROL ON THE USE OF THE HEADLIGHTS ORTHER THAN ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE WHILE DRIVING. HMMM, DOES NOT SOUND LIKE AN ALTERNATIVE THAT IS USEFUL. THE LAY PERSON CAN NOT CHANGE THESE BULBS, IT TAKES A MECHANIC TO REMOVE/DISASSEMBLE THE ENTIRE LAMP ASSEMBLY TO GET TO THE BULB. AND VW IS NOT REASONABLE IN THEIR REPLACEMENT COST (LABOR) OF THIS PART. ESPECIALLY AFTER THE THIRD TIME IN 13 MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10025960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.