This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Driving down the road in my car the day time running light went out. The brights still work but the passenger side headlight doesn't unless it is on brights, I thought this was just normal maybe the light work out but I was told it was the connection and I have seen so many with the same headlight out this is unsafe and can potentially result in a ticket or a wreck.
My 1998 Volkswagen Beetle is falling apart. I've had to replace my headlights 6 times within the past 4 years that I've owned this used vehicle. My interior trim, window switches, gearshift knob & several plastic covers in the car have fallen now fallen apart. My 6 headlights have cost me approx. $600 plus rent-A-car fees which my warranty doesn't cover! please help me.
Headlights constantly go out while driving, have been pulled over by the police many times due to no lights or having to drive with high beams on. This past time had to park the car and have someone take us home, could not drive car until the next morning. Repair bills are becoming rediculous.
Headlights will go out while in use without warning. When vehicle is in cruise control mode it will either surge or continue to accelerate. Dealership stated they need to separate the engine and transmission in order to fix the problem. The windshield wiper works intermittently. The dealership replaced the motor but the problem recurred. Consumer noted he has seen a lot of one headlight Beetles and that the problem is widespread.
I have a 1998 VW beetle. I bought the beetle new. The headlights have been a problem since the car had 15,000 miles. The first time I took it to the dealership they said they could not get the light to remain out, however since I had reported it they would honor the warranty on it if it went out again. It did the month the warranty ran out. They refused to honor the warranty. I filed a complaint with VW and they said settled it with the dealer. After going back and forth I finally paid $80 to get it repaired. Two months after the first headlight went out the other headlight quit completely. I took it back with the same complaint. They told me they are aware of the problem with the headlights and VW would address the problem later. Being stubborn, I have not repaired the headlight. The car now has 52000 miles on it. I think they should pay me for the first repair and also repair the second headlight. VW is very aware of the issue as I have spoken with numerous other owners with the same problem who own 98's and 99's.
Left headlamp bulb burned-out. I had to replace the driver's side headlamp at least 5 times over the life of the vehicle. The passenger side headlamp bulb has only needed replacement once over the same time period.
Vehicle caught on fire, possible engine failure, while driving the vehicles brake system failed and the driver had to use the emergency brake to stop vehicle. The head light malfunctioned and the vehicles is flling apart after one month of ownership. The dealer refused to fix it.
Consumer states upon starting the vehicle, one or both headlights do not always turn on, consumer has replaced the bulbs about 5 times each, consumer can lightly tap the headlight assembly and the lights will turn on until the next start up, consumer has checked the connection and cleaned them, however the problem still exists, he thinks it may have to do with the current flow to the bulbs or be a grounding problem, consumer also states that the lights have never gone out or flickered while driving.
Consumer states upon starting the vehicle, one or both headlights do not always turn on, consumer has replaced the bulbs about 5 times each, consumer can lightly tap the headlight assembly and the lights will turn on until the next start up, consumer has checked the connection and cleaned them, however the problem still exists, he thinks it may have to do with the current flow to the bulbs or be a grounding problem, consumer also states that the lights have never gone out or flickered while driving.
We noticed the headlight was out. The right side had already gone out and we were able to replace the bulb with no problems. When we tried to replace the drivers side bulb, the bulb had exploded inside the headlight assembly and we noticed that the metal end of the halogen bulb was melted to the connector. We made an appointment with the dealer for repairs. The dealer showed us the wiring harness which was completely melted. Additionally they said the headlight assembly connection was also melted. The dealer commented that they were surprised there was not a fire in the vehicle.
Left headlight went out first, then again. Air compressor replaced 3 times. Car now stalls. Replaced fuel/air filters, still stalls. Car was recalled for the electrical system wiring harness under hood, recall states all problems I have had. I was not the owner at time of recall. Apparently was not fixed at recall.
Left headlight went out first, then again. Air compressor replaced 3 times. Car now stalls. Replaced fuel/air filters, still stalls. Car was recalled for the electrical system wiring harness under hood, recall states all problems I have had. I was not the owner at time of recall. Apparently was not fixed at recall.
First bulb out on 10/2000 on driver's side, on 1/17/01 replaced wire harnesses as recommended by volkswagon dealer on both head lights. Also replaced both bulbs at this time. On 6/29/01 both bulbs burnt out again and both replaced. Volkswagon refuses to refund, because work not done at certified VW dealer. This is a dangerous problem... one went out while driving in fog and visibility was bad. I wanted to report this problem, to inform others that this part should be recalled and may not be designed properly. I feel I should also be refunded the money spent on replacing these defective parts. It is a safety issue! sincerely, [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Headlights will blow out unexpectedly, consumer has had 10 sets of new headlights, and paid to have new wiring, and problem still occurs. Mostly happens in dark.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fort Polk, LA, USA