2003 Volkswagen NEW Beetle

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

• 12/31/2010· POWER TRAIN

  VW BEETLE 2003, 61,000 MILES, I NOTICED IT SHIFTED HARD SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED IT THIS PAST APRIL; JERKS WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND, SECOND AND THIRD, ETC; WENT TO VW AFTER I RECEIVED THE WARRANTY EXTENSION - TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY LETTER (RECEIVED IN DECEMBER 2010, BUT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO COVER THE COST BECAUSE THE EXTENSION IS TO COVER 7 YEARS, AND MY CAR IS 6 MONTHS TOO OLD; THEY'VE ADMITTED THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT. *TR

• 12/29/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  2003 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WINDOW REGULATORS. *TR

• 12/29/2009· VISIBILITY

  THE REAR WINDOWS ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON. *TR

• 12/29/2006· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AROUND 20 MPH. JERKS SO HARD SOMETIMES IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR WILL STALL OUT. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT IT IS GOOD ON THE TRANSMISSION!? THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS.

• 12/28/2006· AIR BAGS

  TL* - THE CONTACT'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON AFTER THE VEHICLE REACHED 51,000 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER CONTROLLER FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY THE OWNER AT A COST OF $1000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 27, 2006, WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ,THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG / CURTAIN DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, BRUISING A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE WEATHER AT THE TIME THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WAS NICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WANTED TO PURSUE VOLKSWAGEN TO GET AIR BAG REPAIRED AND WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *AK

• 12/24/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSTANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WIRES MELTING, BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, WARNING LIGHTS GO ON THEN THE CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING, ALARM SYSTEM GOES OFF WHEN RAINING.

• 12/22/2009· VISIBILITY

  ROLLED THE BACK WINDOW DOWN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THEN WHEN I WENT TO ROLL IT BACK UP IT FAILED AND THE WINDOW WENT DOWN ON ITS OWN. WINDOW IS NOW INOPERABLE. WILL HAVE TO REPLACE BACK WINDOW REGULATOR, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. *TR

• 12/22/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  CAR INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL - ACCELERATION IS DELAYED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS - POSSIBLY BY COMPUTER. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC- CAR ACCELERATES ONLY WHEN IT IS READY. I HAVE REQUESTED REPAIR EVERY TIME THE CAR IS IN FOR SERVICE. THEY SAY THAT THEY RESET SOMETHING AND PROBLEM TEMPORARILY GOES AWAY. VW DOESN'T SEEM ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE/CONCERN. THEY DIDN'T PUT THE REQUEST IN MY LAST MAINTENANCE/COMPUTER WRITE-UP. I ALSO HEAD ANOTHER CUSTOMER, WHILE AT THE DEALER, ASK ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. VW SHOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *JB

• 12/21/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATSFire

  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).? *PM

• 12/21/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

  EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. BRAKE LIGHTS INOP. REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THE SWITCH HAD BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL IN 2007. *TR

• 12/20/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  FROM DAY ONE THIS CAR HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHICH WERE DENIED BY THE DEALER ON 5 VISITS, AFTER I SOLD THE CAR I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM VW, NOW THAT I AM LOOKING AT BLOGS THEY HAVE APPARENTLY RECALLED THIS RECALL TO SUIT THEM. OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE WINDOW TROUBLES, CONVERTIBLE ROOF TROUBLES, ELECTRONIC TROUBLES, SEATBELT TROUBLES, AIRBAG TROUBLES. I CAN'T BELIEVE ANYONE WILL ALLOW THIS CAR TO STILL BE SOLD OR ON THE ROAD. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD ON WHEELS. *TR

• 12/18/2008· AIR BAGS

  2003 VW BEETLE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON, WILL NOT GO OFF. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V178000, INVESTIGATION PE08-012, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE08012 LISTS MODEL YEAS 2003-2005 HOWEVER, 2003 MODEL WITH THIS VIN NUMBER NOT LISTED. BELIEVE TO BE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/18/2008· AIR BAGS

  2003 VW BEETLE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON, WILL NOT GO OFF. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V178000, INVESTIGATION PE08-012, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE08012 LISTS MODEL YEAS 2003-2005 HOWEVER, 2003 MODEL WITH THIS VIN NUMBER NOT LISTED. BELIEVE TO BE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/17/2010· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE WOULD LURCH WHEN DOWN OR UPSHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD AND 3RD TO 4TH AT JUST OVER 90,000 MILES. IT WOULD ALSO STICK IN NEUTRAL FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL SHOP FOR REPAIR IN DECEMBER 2010. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY CAUSING A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS. WHILE THE OUR BUG WAS IN THE SHOP WE RECEIVED A LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 2010 FROM VW ABOUT EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES OR 7 YEARS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE. OUR BUG WAS PURCHASED AUGUST 2003 PUTTING IT OUT OF WARRANTY. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS VW SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING A GENERAL SERVICE RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION LONG BEFORE NOVEMBER 2010..

• 12/16/2009· AIR BAGS

  VW NEW BEETLES HAVE A SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CONSTANT AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON DUE TO POOR QUALITY WIRING UNDER THE SEAT AND IN THE SEAT BELT HARNESS. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICAN DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR QUALITY WORKMANSHIP. PARTS ARE TOO EXPANSIVE AND ONLY A DEALER ITEM. THERE ARE A LOT OF VW BEETLE OWNERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE THE SOME PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT. *TR

• 12/15/2009· POWER TRAIN

  2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 59,500K MILES. IN LOWER GEARS THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD, SHIFTS VIOLENTLY AND TRANSMISSION SLIPS. CAR CANNOT GET ENOUGH POWER IN LOWER GEARS TO MOVE AT A SAFE RATE OF SPEED. WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR VISA VERSA CAR VIOLENTLY JERKS. THERE HAVE BEEN LOUD BANGING NOISES WHEN CAR IS SHIFTING IN LOWER GEARS. MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING CAN CANNOT MOVE FAST ENOUGH BECAUSE OF VIOLENT SHIFTING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES. TRANSMISSION ISSUES HAPPEN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS USED. NOT USING CAR MUCH BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS AND CONCERNED OF SAFETY ISSUES. PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YRS AND IS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. TAKING CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE ESTIMATE ON REPAIR. *TR

• 12/14/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WITH AUTO AND TIPRONIC TRANSMISSION. AT ABOUT 64,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED "SLIPPING". AS IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE TO A HIGHER GEAR THE CHANGE WOULD SLIP AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REV UP UNTIL IT CHANGED INTO THE NEXT GEAR THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO JUMP OR LURCH. WHEN IN THE TIPTRONIC MANUAL MODE THE GEAR WOULD SLIP ALSO. ALSO WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE IT JUMPS IN REVERSE AND WANTS TO ACCELERATE BACK QUICKLY. A FEW OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND GETTING INTO TRAFFIC THE CAR WOULD TAKE SO LONG TO GET INTO GEAR THAT IT CAUSED TRAFFIC BEHIND TO ALMOST REAR END ME. NO CRASH BUT ALMOST. *TR

• 12/14/2009· POWER TRAIN

  THE TRANSMISSION JERKS IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THIS HAPPENS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND IS VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE READ FROM OTHER OWNERS THAT THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES. MY AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING OTHER THAN REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

• 12/13/2017· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE REAR WINDOW OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS COME UNGLUED. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE SOURCES, I HAVE FOUND THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER CARS. IT CAN CAUSE THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW BLOW OUT IF ALL OF THE ADHESIVE GIVES WAY.

• 12/13/2010· POWER TRAIN

  VW BEETLE 2003, 98,000 MILES, STARTED SHIFTING HARD ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO; JERKS WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND, SECOND AND THIRD, AND 4TH TO 3RD TO 2ND TO 1ST; CALLED VW AFTER I RECEIVED THE WARRANTY EXTENSION - TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY LETTER (DEC 11, 2010) BUT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO COVER THE COST (5 MONTHS TOO OLD); THEY'VE ADMITTED THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT. *TR

• 12/11/2010· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER WARMING UP, THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION JERKS VERY BADLY, AND RUNS WILDLY BEFORE SHIFTING. THE MILEAGE IS JUST 75K. IT IS REALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE HARD SHIFT. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. VW MUST BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HORRIBLE DEFECT. *TR

• 12/10/2010· POWER TRAIN

  VOLKSWAGEN, 2003 NEW BEETLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/10/2003· SEATS

  SINCE PURCHASING OUR 2003 VW BEETLE TURBO S WITH HEATED FRONT SEATS, THE SEAT WARMERS GET EXTREMELY HOT ON THE HIGHEST SETTING (#5). IF SET AT A LOWER SETTING, THE SEATS DO NOT GET WARM AT ALL. WE ARE NOTICING THERE IS A CHANGE IN THE LEATHER MATERIAL ON THE SEATS USED. *LA

• 12/08/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I NOTICED A GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CAR EACH TIME I DROVE IT. THE MECHANICS CHECKED AND FOUND A SEAL FOR THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING LEAKS. THEY REMOVED AND REPLACED HOUSING AND SEAL. *JB

• 12/07/2018· POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND ROLLED BACK. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE SAFE MODE ENGAGED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,437.

• 12/07/2010· SEAT BELTS

  I OWN A 2003 VW BEETLE, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAS WIRES CONNECTED TO IT, THIS WIRES SNAPPED ON THEIR OWN. MY AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON, FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS I HAD THIS LIGHT ON IN MY CAR. THROUGH RESEARCH IN THE INTERNET, I FOUND OUT THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, LOTS OF BEETLE OWNERS HAD THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED VW AND THEY REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. INFORMATION PROVIDED INDICATES THAT WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR

• 12/07/2010· POWER TRAIN

  DEFECTIVE VALVE BODY FOR 09G ENGINE THAT VW CORPORATE HAS KNOWN ABOUT AND FIXED IN LATER MODELS. *TR

• 12/05/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND WITHIN THREE MONTHS HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. RECENTLY IT STARTED TO LURCH AT STOPS AND STARTS, AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAILED VALVE BODY ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSITION COMPANY REFERRED ME TO WEBSITES WHERE THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN IN MI AND WAS TOLD THERE HAD BEEN A WARRANTY EXTENSION, OF WHICH I WAS NOT INFORMED, BUT THAT IT WOULD NOT APPLY TO ME NOW. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM WARRANTS A LOOK AT THIS MODEL AND ITS TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WARNED MY TRANSITION SPECIALIST THAT THE REPAIR WHICH HAS BEEN FREQUENT ONLY WORKS ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. I ASKED IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE AS IS AND WAS WARNED ONLY FOR SHORT DISTANCES. IT APPEARS TO E THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE TRIGGERED A RECALL OR A CLASS ACTION SUIT. *TR

• 12/04/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  FIRST I MUST ASK MYSELF WHY AM I WASTING MY TIME AGAIN? YOU CAN WRITE TO NHTSA ALL YOU WANT AND EXPLAIN YOUR COMPLAINT / DEFECT BUT THAT'S AS FAR AS IT GOES, THEY NEVER RESPOND AND NOTHING GETS REPAIRED FOR FREE UNLESS NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND PEOPLE GET HURT OR WORSE YET DIE! *TR

• 12/04/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE OIL PRESSURE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO OIL SLUDGE AND THE SENDING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. 4/01/09 *NJ THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE OIL PAN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. UPDATED 04/06/09. *JB

• 12/03/2010· POWER TRAIN

  FAULTY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ACTIVITY. LOW MILEAGE TRANSMISSION FAILURES CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING. DOWNSHIFTING CAUSES JOLTING GEAR CHANGES, ACCELERATING CAUSES SLIP INTO NEUTRAL NEARLY CAUSING REAR-END COLLISIONS. COMPUTER CODES FAIL TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSE FAILURE, CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING HAZARD. *TR

• 12/01/2017· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING. THE BATTERY, CHECK ENGINE, AND EPC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND, UPON OPENING THE HOOD, NOTICED THAT PART OF THE ENGINE HAD SEPARATED FROM THE MOTOR MOUNT AS THE BOLTS WERE CRACKED AND STRIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS REPAIRING THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

• 11/28/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ON SEPT. 22ND, 2005, OUR 2003 VW EUROVAN BROKE DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD IT TOWED TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP, ROGER JOBS VW IN BELLINGHAM, WA. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THAT THE CAUSE OF THE BREAKDOWN WAS THAT THE OIL FILTER CAP HAD SPLIT, CAUSING ALL THE OIL TO DRAIN OUT, RUINING THE ENTIRE ENGINE WITHIN MOMENTS. FIVE VW EXPERTS EMPLOYED WITH OR ASSOCIATED WITH ROGER JOBS VW (ANGELA MATTIX THE SERVICE ADVISER, PETER DRAKE THE SERVICE MANAGER, DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE JUAN GARCIA, AND TWO TECHNICIANS, BOB GORSUCH AND PAUL TIEGROB), UNANIMOUSLY AGREE AND ARE UNEQUIVOCALLY CERTAIN, THAT BASED ON THEIR EXPERIENCE AND WISDOM, THE OIL FILTER CAP SPLITTING WAS DUE TO AN OVER TIGHTENING OF THE CAP BY THE SELLING DEALERSHIP (PACIFIC VW), AND, WAS NOT THE RESULT OF, AS CLAIMED BY PACIFIC VW AND SUPPORTED BY VW OF AMERICA, A STONE FLYING UP UNDERNEATH THE CAR, WHICH WOULD CLASSIFY IT AS DAMAGE DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES, THEREBY EXCLUDING IT FROM COVERAGE UNDER THE LIMITED NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY. AS POINTED OUT BY THE FIVE VW EMPLOYEES LISTED ABOVE, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS STRONGLY PROTECTED AGAINST SUCH OCCURRENCES WITH MULTIPLE LAYERS OF HARD PLASTIC SHIELDS, ALL OF WHICH SHOW NO SIGN WHATSOEVER OF ANY KIND OF ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE OIL FILTER IN THE CAR WAS A FACTORY VW OIL FILTER. WE BOUGHT THE CAR (ALONG WITH A FULL WARRANTY) DIRECTLY FROM PACIFIC VW IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN THE SPRING OF 2004. ACCORDING TO THE EXPERT OPINION OF FIVE VW EMPLOYEES, IT''S CLEAR, THAT THE FAILURE OF THE OIL FILTER CAP WAS DUE TO FAULTY SERVICE ON THE PART OF PACIFIC VW, AND WAS NOT DAMAGE DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. *NM

• 11/24/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I PURCHASED MY VW 2003 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE NEW IN 2003. I HAVE KEPT VEHICLE MAINTAINED- MOSTLY AT DEALERSHIP ACCORDING TO THE SCHEDULE. I HAVE ABOUT 115,000 MILES. OVER THE PAST MONTH IT HAS BEGUN "REVVING UP" OR "JERKING"- ESPECIALLY WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM STOP. THIS HAPPENS VERY SPORADICALLY, BUT IS VERY SCARY WHEN IT OCCURS. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT HAVE AN AMATEUR GUESS THAT IT IS TRANSMISSION RELATED. *TR

• 11/24/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR WHEN STARTING FROM A COLD START. IT WAS IN THE SHOP OVER A MONTH, AND IT WAS GIVEN BACK TO ME WITH "WE CAN FIND NOTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH IT, IT MAY BUCK A BIT, BUT THERE ARE NO SAFETY HAZARDS." LIVE WITH IT BASICALLY. VW THEMSELVES HAVE BEEN OF NO HELP WHATSOEVER IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. *NM

• 11/22/2004· VISIBILITY

  WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO COME ON. ON TWELVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, UNDER VARYING BUT RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED BY MYSELF OR MY WIFE, THE WIPERS FAILED TO COME ON WHEN SWITCHED ON. ON FOUR OF THESE OCCASIONS THE RAIN BEGAN TO FALL QUICKLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHICH CAUSED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ON ALL OCCASIONS, WE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, AND ONLY AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF REPEATEDLY TURNING THE WIPER SWITCH ON AND OFF AND/OR DOING NOTHING BUT WAITING, THE WIPERS WOULD SUDDENLY COME ON BY THEMSELVES. WE HAVE RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS (THE THIRD BEING NEXT WEEK) WITH THIS COMPLAINT. THE DEALER REPLACED A RELAY, BUT THIS HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS SUDDEN RAIN AT 70 MPH LEAVES YOU COMPLETELY BLIND. THE INCIDENT DATE IS TODAY'S DATE AS TODAY IS THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE. *JB

• 11/21/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WINDOW NEEDS NEW REGULATOR. IT IS STUCK HALFWAY DOWN. IT IS THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WINDOW.

• 11/20/2009· VISIBILITY

  2003 VW NEW BEETLE WINDOW REGULATORS BREAK AND MOTORS GO OUT WAYYYY TOO EARLY. THE 2005 AND UP ARE DESIGNED TO POP DOWN WHEN YOU PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEYLESS ENTRY BUT ON THE PREVIOUS YEARS, THEY DO NOT. THEREFORE, THIS CAUSES STRESS ON THE WINDOW AND WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY MOST OF THE TIME. ALSO, SINCE THEY DO NOT POP DOWN WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY, WHEN THE TEMP DROPS BELOW FREEZING AND THE CAR IS OUTSIDE, THE WINDOWS FREEZE AND WILL NOT POP DOWN TO CLOSE THE DOOR UNTIL COMPLETELY THAWED OUT. MEANING YOU GET TO SPEND UP TO 45 MINS WITH THE DOOR CRACKED WAITING FOR THE '!@#$% THING TO UNFREEZE ENOUGH TO POP DOWN AND CLOSE. *TR

• 11/19/2009· POWER TRAIN

  CAR JERKING, LURCHING, AND SHIFTING GEARS- TRANSMISSION- AS CAR STARTS AND STOPS IT JERKS REALLY BAD THIS MAKE IT HARD TO STOP THE CAR...VERY SCARED THAT I WILL HAVE AN INCIDENT. *TR

• 11/18/2010· VISIBILITY,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,EQUIPMENT

  2003 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE :DRIVERS SIDE WINDOWS REGULATOR AND MOTOR AND BROKEN HINGE. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAYS IT NEED COIL PACK AND TEMPERATURE SENSOR. SEAT BELT LIGHT SAYS IT NEED SEAT BELT SENSOR. ALSO DOOR LATCH REPLACED. *TR

• 11/17/2010· POWER TRAIN

  FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS MY 2003 AUTOMATIC VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WITH 56K MILES HAS BEEN SHIFTING HARD (LURCH FEELING) INTERMITTENTLY GOING UP OR DOWN HILLS. WHEN THE MECHANIC INSPECTED IT THE TRANSMISSION READOUT SAID IT WAS FINE AND THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010 WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 15MPH, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED GRABBING AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT IT TO THE TIPTRONIC SYSTEM TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY OUT OF THE WAY. UPON INSPECTION THE VW DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW THE EXACT CAUSE AND ONLY DIRECTION THEY GOT FROM VW NATIONAL WAS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FOR $7K. *TR

• 11/17/2009· POWER TRAIN

  VW BEETLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS, MAY OTHER INDIVIDUALS ARE COMPLAINING ALSO. VERY UNSAFE AND THE COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT. CONSUMERS NEED HELP. *TR

• 11/16/2009· POWER TRAIN

  2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. 77315 MI. TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY. SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR...BANGS INTO GEAR SHIFTING FROM 3 TO 4. ENGINE REVS WHILE TRANSMISSION TRIES TO "FIND" THE NEXT GEAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS ! PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED BEFORE FORCING VW TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT !! *TR

• 11/16/2007· SEATS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE WELDING HAS FAILED ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH AND, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT WOULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WERE NOT OBLIGATED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07

• 11/12/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  GENERATOR PULLEY FAILURE. *TR

• 11/11/2009· POWER TRAIN

  WITH ONLY 64000 MILES ON THE CAR, MY 2003 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE'S MANUAL TRANSMISSION LET GO AND SOMETHING TORE A 3/4" BY 2" HOLE IN THE BELL HOUSING. LUCKILY, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE OPEN ROAD. THE RESULTING GUSH OF TRANNY FLUID COULD HAVE CAUSED MAJOR PROBLEMS. *TR

• 11/09/2010· POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN SHE CHANGED GEARS. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS DONE AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR MOTORS FAILED; THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED AND WERE REPAIRED AT A REPAIR SHOP. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE REAR WINDSHIELD WAS BEGINNING TO DETACH FROM THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,347 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,800.

• 11/09/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY 2003 VW BEETLE WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN APRIL OF 2003. I HAVE JUST OVER 60K MILES AND IT APPEARS THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. I HAVE TAKEN IT A REPUTABLE MECHANIC WHO TELLS ME IT COULD BE APPROX $3000 TO FIX IT. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VW'S AND I THINK THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD RECALL THE TRANSMISSIONS AND PAY TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. *TR

• 11/08/2010· POWER TRAIN

  I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE IN 2003. A FEW YEARS AGO, I REPORTED A NUMBER OF INSTANCES OF A LURCHING PROBLEM TO MY SERVICE GUY AT THE VW DEALERSHIP, AND HE SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE PROBLEM CAME BACK FULL FORCE, AND HE SAID EVENTUALLY I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS BEGUN LURCHING AND SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING, AND TODAY, MY RPM'S WERE HIGHLY ELEVATED, DESPITE MY LOW SPEED. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, DESPITE BEING ON THE 101 FREEWAY IN LA. IT COULDN'T DRIVE. IT STARTED UP AGAIN, AND THIS EVENING THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I'M AFRAID TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY CAR. IT'S SEVEN YEARS OLD AND IT ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. THERE'S NO REASON FOR THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM TO OCCUR, AND THERE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR

• 11/08/2009· POWER TRAIN

  2003 VW BEETLE, TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR ON UPSHIFT. VW 'REBUILT' THE TRANSMISSION LAST YEAR BUT PROBLEM RETURNED. *TR