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.
While in motion, the red engine coolant light illuminated. Consumer checked the coolant reservoir and found it to be empty. The cause, a leaking coolant reservoir cap. The red engine oil pressure light illuminates occasionally. The oil level was extrememly low. Mazdas service manager informed consumer that the new Beetles tends to use oil. The engine control unit failed also. The oil pan has a hole in it which allowed the oil level to continuously be low, therefore allowing the engine oil pressure light to continuously illuminate, also the timing belt and tensioner belt were replaced.
While driving at 35 mph vehicle began to stall, and shake, showed a sign of vehicle losing power.engine check light illuminated on the dash panel, and vehicle shut off. Dealer has been contacted. Engine also hesitates when accelerating from the start. Vehicle has had complaints regarding trunk and fuel release actuator cable. Steering rods came loose and had to be resecured and mounting bolt.. window motor failed.
The car stops dead - I know of a man who was killed in another VW Beetle because of this....I heard on tv that Ford might be recalled for a faulty relay part. Why not VW? the malfunction light comes on and the car dies. My dealer had my car for one month and I didn't get any satisfaction until I called the main plant and until I filed a complaint with the dept of motor vehicles. I believe this is a large VW problem.
While driving about 30 mph vehicle will stall without a warning, and when consumer tried to start the engine again, it won't start. Failure due to relay part which was replaced by dealer.
- Rocks, PA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
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.
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.
I was driving along a straight, dry stretch of road at approximately 45 miles per hour, when my car suddenly accelerated and the steering locked up. I was unable to control my vehicle and crashed into an embankment. It is also important to note that the vehicle had been serviced (regular servicing) at the Volkswagen dealership just 3 days before. In addition, Volkswagen had a similar problem on its cabriolet about 8 years ago. This problem was caused by the water separator panel being bent during servicing. The outcome of this accident was $6000 worth of damage to my vehicle and minor injuries sustained by me.
While driiving at any speed vehicle enters a safe mode, restricting engine power. The vehicle slows down to 10-15 mph, creating an unsafe situation. The vehicle has been towed to the dealership twice for this problem. The dealer is not able to determine what causes this problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Dover , NH, USA