1999 Volkswagen NEW Beetle

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/27/2001· VISIBILITY

  THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THE WINDOW REGULATOR SYSTEM IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE AND IS EXPENSIVE TO FIX. TIME-CONSUMING AND EXPENSIVE EVEN FOR A DO-IT-YOURSELFER.*AK

• 12/26/2000· AIR BAGSCrash

  IS THERE ANY WAY TO FIND OUT IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR OUR 18 YEAR OLD TWIN DAUGHTERS WITH SAFTEY IN MIND. WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP ON THIS. PLEASE CONTACT US. THANK YOU. *AK

• 12/19/2002· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE DRIVER SHIFT GEARS AND THE LEVER BROKE OFF IN THEIR HAND. VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE SHIFTER AND ALL RELATED COMPONENTS HAD BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

• 12/17/2002· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING IN METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, D.C. BELTWAY ("HIGHWAY") TRAFFIC AT EVENING RUSH HOUR, I WAS PREPARING TO SWITCH LANES AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS .... WHEN MY STICK SHIFT BROKE (ONE PIECE BECAME TWO PIECES). I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED, I WAS FURTHER BLESSED THAT I WAS ABLE TO COAST AT HIGHWAY SPEED (CAR WENT TO NEUTRAL) UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO MOVE FROM THE MIDDLE LANE TO THE SLOWER RIGHT HAND LANE. AT THIS POINT I CONTINUED ON WITH FLASHERS AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN THIRD GEAR, BUT THE STICK SHIFT REMAINED BROKEN. I HAVE ASKED APPROXIMATELY 50 PEOPLE IF THEY HAVE EVER HEARD OF SUCH A MALFUNCTION. NONE HAD! I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE DEALING WITH ONLY VW PEOPLE CONCERNING THE ACCEPTIBILITY OF THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED USAA AND THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I GET YOUR GROUP INVOLVED. THANK YOU

• 12/17/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY,SEATS

  ON 2 OCCASIONS WHEN MY CAR HAS BEEN FACING DOWN ON A SLOPE IT WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND ROLL TO LEVEL GROUND TO GET IT TO START. ON ONE OTHER OCCATION MY CAR DID HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN I PULLED INTO MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY AND I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE , IT DID NOT GO INTO GEAR AND I ROLLED OVER MY MOM'S FLOWERS. THE DEAL HAS CHECKED IN THEIR DATABASE AND WITH VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND NOONE HAS REPORTED A PROBLEM SIMILAR TO MINE. THEY TRIED TO RECREATE WHAT I DESCRIBED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. TO DATE I HAVE NOT HAD ANY INCIDENT REPEAT AND I HAVE GONE TO MY PARENTS HOUSE TO TRY TO RECREATE IT MYSELF, BUT AGAIN TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL WITH ANY PROBLEM I HAVE ENCOUNTED WITH MY NEW CAR. *AK

• 12/13/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  1)DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAD DIFFICULTY GOING UP SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE, HAVE TO PUSH WITH HAND TO ASSIST. 2) JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE SENSOR BEHIND BRAKE PEDAL FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM PARK, REPLACED. 3) AIR BAG CAME ON AND THEN ENGINE LIGHT SOON AFTER, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. BOTH WARNING LIGHTS OFF AND REPLACED. 4) HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING OUT, EVIDENCE OF A SHORT WHEN REPLACED. BURN MARKS, AND EXPOSED WIRING BECAUSE PLASTIC ON CONNECTORS GOT BRITTLE AND CRACKED OFF. 5) AIR BAG LIGHT ON AGAIN, TWO WEEKS LATER ENGINE LIGHT ON. TOLD TWO SENSORS ON MASS AIR FLOW AND SOME OTHERS ARE MALFUNCTIONING AND NOW BEEN REPLACED. TOLD THERE IS A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING IN STEERING COLUMN ALONG WITH BAD WIRING HARNESS, BOTH AFFECTING AIR BAGS. ALSO, TOLD AIR BAG IS NOW BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OTHER DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS HAVE SHORTED IGNITER IN AIR BAG OUT. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND CANNOT CONTINUE TO FUND REPAIRS TO THIS VEHICLE. CANNOT SELL EITHER BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND NOW REPUTATION OF BEETLE FOR PROBLEMS. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, EVEN SO MUCH AS BUMPED. METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS----------------770755. *AK *NLM

• 12/13/1999· POWER TRAIN

  THE LEFT SIDE DRIVESHAFT CRACKED AND IT RUPTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.THIS OCCURRED IN MAY OF 1999. THE TRANSMISSION BUSTED AGAIN IN DECEMBER OF 1999. *AK

• 12/12/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE DRIVER COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. SHE THEN NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND, WITHIN MINUTES, FLAMES ENGULFED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD; HOWEVER, THIS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DEFINITIVELY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 136,000.

• 12/09/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL AND RADIO.*MR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE RADIO OPERATED ON IT'S OWN AND THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN ON THEIR OWN. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO USE THE POWER CONTROLS TO. HE WROTE A LETTER TO THE VW DEALERSHIP AND HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN AND AUCTIONED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE SURE VOLKSWAGEN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *CB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ODOMETER ROLLED UP APPROXIMATELY 9000 MILES, THE DEALER RAN A COMPUTER CHECK BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB

• 12/06/2009· POWER TRAIN

  V.W. BEETLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE - HARD SHIFT OR WILL NOT SHIFT. *TR

• 12/01/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH COMPUTER SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE AFTER REPLACING BATTERY. COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RECODED. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS WARNING WAS NOT LISTED IN OWNER'S MANUAL WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

• 12/01/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING BECAUSE OF OIL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE FROM A FAULTY HOSE. DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS. *AK

• 11/28/2006· VISIBILITYFire

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THEN, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS EVACUATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE PRESENT, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE FROM THE HEATER FAN WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, REFUSED TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE FIRE COULD HAVE INJURED AN OCCUPANT.*AK

• 11/28/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DEFECTIVE OR INCORRECT DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND REPEATED FAILURES OF SENSORS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL SWITCHES.*AK

• 11/26/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE BRAKE SENSOR WENT OUT. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WAS NOT ON. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

• 11/25/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING ON AN ICY ROAD AT 20 MPH MY CAR SKIDDED OF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. THE CAR WILL BE MOST LIKELY TOTALED, AND I RECEIVED INJURIES TO MY LEG, BACK, SHOULDER AND NECK. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH BOTH FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS, NOT ONE OF THEM DEPLOYED. I MENTIONED THE CAR RECEIVED MASSIVE DAMAGE, YET THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DID NOTHING TO LESSEN MY INJURIES BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WORK AS I HOPED. I PURCHASED MY VW BEETLE WITH THE SAFETY FEATURES IN MIND, BUT I NOW HAVE LEARNED THAT NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE NON DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS IS COMMON. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT MY INJURIES WERE NOT LIFE THREATENING, YET FEEL CHEATED THAT MY VEHILCLE'S SAFETY FEATURES DID NOT WORK WHEN I NEEDED THEM MOST. DT

• 11/25/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER STATEDTHE DESIGN OF THE BATTERY CABLE ASSEMBLY COULD POSSIBLY START A FIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE'S HOOD. THE BATTERY CABLE WAS SITUATED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY ALONG WITH THE FUSE BOX. THIS RESULTED IN THE CABLE BEING "EATEN" THROUGH AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY, CABLE TWICE AND FUSE BOX ONCE. TS *TT

• 11/24/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY WIFE BECAME STUCK AND COULD NOT DRIVER HER 1999 VW NEW BEETLE AFTER DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS PUSHING ON HER BRAKE PEDAL. SO I HAD TO INSTRUCT HER TO REMOVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH SO THE CAR COULD MOVE. ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS ON IT THIRD OR FOURTH RECALL FROM VW. WHY SO MANY RECALLS? CAN'T VW GET IT RIGHT? *JB

• 11/23/2009· POWER TRAIN

  DRIVING DOWN NJ PARKWAY,65 MPH. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT,THUMPING,LOSING SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT AFTER READING BLOG ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED BASED ON THIS INFO. CAR IS NOW UNDRIVABLE. SHIFTING ERRATICALLY IF AT ALL. JERKING BETWEEN GEARS. *TR

• 11/22/2000· TIRES

  GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRE P205/55R15 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, DEALER REFUSED TO TALK TO CONSUMER ABOUT TIRE. *SLC

• 11/18/2010· TIRES

  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. *TR

• 11/18/1999· STRUCTURE

  LOW BOTTOM CHASSIS CLEARANCE CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WHILE GOING OVER CURBS EDGES. YH

• 11/17/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS

  AT VARIOUS SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS REPAIRED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND FUEL TANK. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS VEHICLE EXPERIENCES OIL LEAKS. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, DEALER SECURED LOOSE CONNECTOR CLEAR CODES. PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. TRUNK VERY HARD TO CLOSE, DEALER ADJUSTED UPPER AND LOWER TRUNK LOCK ASSEMBLY. *SLC

• 11/17/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  WHILE TRAVELING 50MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, WENT TO APPLY BRAKES TO RELEASE CRUISE CONTROL & FAILED TO RELEASE OR TO SLOW DOWN VEHICLE. INSTEAD, VEHICLE STARTED TO INCREASE IN SPEED & HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER. ALSO HAD HIT OR CLIPPED 2 OTHER VHEICLES. THEN THE VEHICLE SLID SIDEWAYS & CAME TO A STOP. NO INJURIES. *AK

• 11/16/1999· VISIBILITY

  WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAYTIME THEIR IS A GLARE ON THE GLASS THAT APPEARS AS A CHECKER BOARD ON THE SIDE AND ON REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS THAT OBSTRUCTS THE CONSUMER'S VISION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 11/10/2005· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON (HAS GONE OFF AND ON FOR OVER A YEAR); LOCAL MECHANIC UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. 11.09.2005 TOOK IT TO VW IN BRUNSWICK, MAINE. MECHANIC THINKS THERE IS A RESISTANCE ISSUE AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. HE THINKS IT IS A MALFUNCTION. THE COST IS OVER $500! I SPOKE TO TWO CO-WORKERS WITH DIFFERENT MODEL VW'S AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT A MECHANIC THINKS IS WRONG AND OTHERS HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY PAY FOR? IF IT IS A DEFECT THEN VW SHOULD BE PAYING FOR IT! MY AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED BEFORE. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITH THIS LIGHT ON. *JB

• 11/09/1999· SEATS

  HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT OF HEAD RESTRAINTS ON FRONT SEAT CANNOT LOWER TO PROPER HEAD HEIGHT

• 11/04/2002· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE IN MOTION THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. *JG

• 11/01/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL FEATURES. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED 2 BATTERIES/ 1 CD CHANGER/ 4 HEADLIGHT BULBS, AND AIR CONDITIONER OUTLET DIDN'T WORK. DEALER STATED VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES. PROBLEMS EXISTED SINCE DAY 1.*AK

• 10/25/1999· SEATS

  IN THE 1999 VW NEW BEETLE, THE FRONT (BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER) HEAD RESTRAINT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT DOES NOT ALLOW THE RESTRAINT TO DROP DOWN TO THE TOP OF THE SEAT CREATING INSUFFICIENT HEAD PROTECTION ESPECIALLY FOR SHORTER PEOPLE. BOTH 1998 AND 2000 VW NEW BEETLE MODELS ALLOW THE HEAD RESTRAINTS TO BE ADJUSTED ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP OF THE SEAT. ONLY THE 1999 MODEL HAS THIS PROBLEM. I HAD CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO COULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY ONLY THE 1999 MODEL WAS DESIGNED THIS WAY. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP.

• 10/25/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICFire

  WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN A PANTIC SITUATION ONE OF THE REAR WHEELS WILL LOCK UP ALONG WITH ONE OF THE FRONT WHEELS, THROWING THE VEHICLE INTO A SPIN . THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 10/19/2010· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  K I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 99 VW BEETLE AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JERKS WHEN IT HITS LIKE 3000RPM AND IT IDLES HIGHER THEN IT SHOULD. *TR

• 10/19/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  ELECTRICAL HARNESS BEHIND THE DASHBOARD FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. *MJS

• 10/18/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE MORE THAN 10 MINUTES THERMOSTAT WOULD OVERHEAT. WHILE AT A DEALERSHIP, THERMOSTAT SENSOR THAT WAS REPLACED FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.ALSO, MECHANIC INDICATED THAT WATER PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IF THE THERMOSTAT STILL OVERHEATED. *AK

• 10/15/2002· STRUCTURE

  THE HOOD LATCH HAS FAILED TWICE, INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL AND A REPLACEMENT. THE HOOD POPS OPEN WHILE DRIVING, ONCE AT 55 MPH AND ANOTHER TIME AT 65 MPH. AFTER THIS OCCURS, THE LATCH WILL NO LONGER WORK, AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE HOOD FULLY. THE SAFETY HOOK ON THE LATCH IS THE ONLY THING THAT WILL ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED TO BE TAKEN IN FOR A THIRD LATCH REPLACEMENT ON OCT. 30, 2002, WHICH IS THE EARLIEST DATE THAT THE DEALER CAN SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. MR

• 10/15/1999· EQUIPMENT

  THE JACK DOES NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO PENETRATE THE GROUND RATHER THAN RAISE THE VEHICLE POSSIBLE WEAK DESIGN OF MATERIAL (PLASTIC). NLM

• 10/13/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE MOTOR BLEW. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

• 10/08/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  AFTER ONLY 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, THE MALFUCTION ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE CENTER, I GUESS THEY RESET THE SENSOR ON IT. THE END OF SEPTEMBER THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. CONTACTED DEALER AND HE SET UP APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PART TO FIX IT. I WAITED ABOUT 1 1/2 WEEKS BEFORE I CALLED THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT THE HOLDUP WAS. THEY PICKED UP MY CAR FROM WORK AND TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER ON OCTOBER 6TH. MY RECEIPT THAT WAS PRINTED, STATES THAT THE AIR BAG TEST FAILED AND THEY REPLACED IT AND ALSO SOME RING. TODAY, TWO DAYS LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN!!!! I AM WONDERING HOW SAFE IT IS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR IS GOING BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER ON MONDAY, OCT. 11TH.

• 10/07/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  WE PURCHASED A USED 99 VW BEETLE; THE PREVIOUS OWNERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS US THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. WE HAVE IT CHECKED OUT (DIAGNOSTIC) AND THEY TELL US IT SHOW RICH FUEL. WE PAY AROUND $250.00 EACH TIME TO HAVE IT FIXED AND RESET AND IT LAST FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS AND IT DOES IT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BACK IN 2004 ABOUT A OCTAIN SENSOR. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE THE PROBLEM AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HAVE THIS FIXED RIGHT WITH NO CHARGE. IF THERE WAS A RECALL SENT OUT REGARDING THIS THE PREVIOUS OWNERS DID NOT RECEIVE ONE BECAUSE THEY PURCHASED IT AS A USED VEHICLE AS WELL. PLEASE HELP THIS IS DRIVING US CRAZY AND THIS IS MY TEENAGE DAUGHTERS VEHICLE. *TR

• 10/05/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  FAILURE OF DASHBOARD (AIRCONDITIONING) CONTROLS CAUSED CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE. CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. FAILURE TO ADDRESS THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

• 10/05/2001· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I COMMUTE ON A 2 LANE ROAD TO WORK AND THE DANGER OF DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS PUTS NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT ANYONE IN BACK OF ME IN EXTREME DANGER OF CAUSING A ACCIDENT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED FAILURE AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR MUCH LONGER THAN TWO YEARS. NOT HAVING FOLLOWED MYSELF I HAVE NO IDEA EXACTLY HOW LONG I HAD BEEN DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS. ALSO WITH IT BEING SUMMER AND LIGHT IN THE MORNING WHEN I WOULD LEAVE I COULDN'T SEE THE GLARE IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. *AK

• 10/04/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING AT ABOUT 50 MPH. THE CAR RESTARTED AFTER SITTING MOMENTARILY. THIS HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS RANGING FROM 0-50 MPH. THERE IS A WEBSITE CALLED TDICLUB.COM WITH ENTRIES IN ITS FORUM ABOUT EXACTLY THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING. THE ENTRY I FOUND WAS FROM JULY 1999. IT WAS EXACTLY AS IF I WAS THE RESPONDENT. SO, THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED BEFORE. I SUSPECT THERE ARE A BATCH OF BAD RELAYS AND/OR SOLENOIDS OUT THERE. THIS IS SAFETY RELATED SINCE IN A HIGHWAY SITUATION THE SUDDEN STOPPAGE OF A VEHICLE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A REAR END COLLISION.

• 10/03/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING THEN NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT HOME WHERE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY ENGOLF INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,500.

• 10/02/2004· POWER TRAIN

  I BOUGHT A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE ON AUGUST 4, 2004. ON AUGUST 27, 2004 I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. I THEN BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM AND ASKED THEM TO FIX THE CLUTCH, AS IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED, AND SAID THAT I RUINED THE CLUTCH DUE TO MY DRIVING. ACCORDING TO THEM THIS CAN HAPPEN IN THE 23 DAYS THAT I OWNED THE CAR. THEY STILL CONTINUE TO REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK

• 10/02/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE STARTING BATTERY EXPLODED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBELM WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SURGE FROM ALTERNATOR . FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 09/28/2000· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH APPLIED CLUTCH AND IT WILL NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED.*AK

• 09/25/1999· EQUIPMENT

  JACK FAILURE CAUSED CAR TO FALL. FORTUNATELY NO PERSON WAS UNDER THE CAR AT THE TIME. DEALER HAS NO REPLACEMENT JACK IN STOCK TO COMPARE/ASCERTAIN CAUSE OF FAILURE. SHOULD FAILED PART BE SUBMITTED TO YOU?

• 09/23/1999· AIR BAGS

  INTERMITTENTLY THE AIR BAGS SENSOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON/OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. SEEKING NHTSA HELP OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK

• 09/21/1999· AIR BAGS

  CAR SIMPLY DROVE OVER AN IMPACT WRENCH THAT FELL OUT OF A TOOLBOX FROM A VEHICLE PRIOR ON THE ROAD. IT HIT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. SMALL DENT IN A COMPONENT BRACE IN UNDERCARRIAGE. NO SIDE IMPACT OR DAMAGE OCCURRED AT ALL. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPLACE.

• 09/20/1999· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  ACCELERATOR STILL ACTIVATED WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL. TOO CLOSE TOGETHER! I HAVE CONFIRMED THIS WITH MANY OTHER NEW BEETLE OWNERS. ALSO, VISIBILITY IS VERY POOR WHEN CHANGING LANES BECAUSE FRONT HEADRESTS CANNOT BE LOWERED ENOUGH AND PILLARS OBSTRUCT