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.
Drivers side window regulator failed - cable 'shredded' and automatic window no longer works to 'roll up' the window. Found many results online for other VW owners experiencing the exact same problem with their oe regulators.
Purchased 1999 VW Beetle 20 months ago. Car has only 54,000 miles. Since owning the car have already over $3,500 in repairs. All of the repairs were done at my local darcar VW repair shop. I believe some of these repairs were recalls and have all receipt. Is there someone I can sent my repair receipts to to see if I can be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses which should have been recall services" I can forward receipts. Also seven days ago the passenger side window regulator broke and it appears it had been recalled per two VW owner who had same problems but I can't find the recall information on it. Can you suggest how I can view all recalls for 1999 VW Beetle gls"
The first occurrence (driver's side window) occurred within 6,000 miles of driving off the dealer's lot -- the second occurrence (passenger side window) occurred today, 7/24/2006. The events leading up to today's incident, albeit identical to the first occurrence 3 years ago, goes something like this: I hit the 'down' button to lower the window; the window lowers itself and stays in the down position -- thereby subjecting the driver and passengers to the possibility of: A: exposure to the elements including the possibility of dust/debris causing temporary blindness. B: exposure to noxious air fumes from inner-city driving. C: making the occupants of the vehicle more-likely subjects of violent crimes up to and including car-jacking, rape, armed robbery.
Consumer complained about problems with unlocking vehicle. When she turned the key the windows roll down on their own. It might not happen right at that time, but some time after the vehicle was turned on and off the windows rolled down. Sometimes the keyless entry remote will work and sometimes it will not work. Consumer knew of other people with the same type of vehicle having the same problem. Dealer was repairing the problem. Dealer told consumer that repairs were not covered under warranty. Repairs were done at consumer's expense. Dealer replaced the cylinder lock switch.consumer had this problem since she owned the vehicle.
1999 Volkswagen Beetle having problems with tie rod equipment. The vehicle was hard to steer and noisy on turns. The dealer replaced the rack and pinion gear and tie rod ends. The vehicle was taken bake to the dealer for front end vibration and it was determined that the tire rod ends were worn. The windows would not close due to defective regulators. The ABS light illuminated. The dealer replaced the left rear speed sensor and rest the readiness codes.
- Elizabethtown, NC, USA
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June 2, 2003 the following letter was sent to voa dear Volkswagen of America I have a 1999 Beetle that caught fire on May 4th 2003; as of today May 12, 2003 this is what I was told by [xxx] from your department. He said, corporate Volkswagen will do nothing with the car because it is too old and has too many miles. They will not be sending any kind of paperwork to me, and I will not get any more calls from Volkswagen on this issue, this is an insurance issue" I am not pleased with this answer and this is why: 05/04/03 Sunday smoke then flames came pouring out of the dashboard of our 1999 VW beatle purchased Oct 1998. I was given a case # of [xxx] to refer to. [xxx] said the A/C switch wire caused the fire. He was waiting for a call from Volkswagen of America?S customer relation's person. 05/12/03 Monday 1:38 pm I called Volkswagen of America again because I have not heard from [xxx]. [xxx] got on phone and said that a fire report was sent to their product liaison person. [xxx] said, corporate Volkswagen will do nothing with the car because it's too old and has to many miles. They will not be "sending paperwork" to me and " I will not get any more calls from Volkswagen on this issue, this is an insurance issue. I have a record of all past service receipts (dating back to the purchase date) and have documented proof of recent problems and repairs to the A/C and electrical wiring on this car in the past. My daughter, a current resident of Arizona, currently is employed as a full-time nanny. She has in her care a two month old and will be expected to drive him about. Her past job was caring for a two year old and had this fire? erupted while he was in her care, this would have been a true tragedy. Please send verification of your decision in writing to me by May 30, 2003. Please send all inquiries back to me at [xxx] sincerely [xxx] jelinek builders information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Current problem: Manual transmission stick shift mechanism completely broke during shifting at highway speeds (during rush hour). It went to neutral, but I was able to find 3rd gear and get the car off of the road.
While driving 5 mph and without hazard flashing warning lights blinked on and off on their own. Also, driver and passenger side windows rolled up and down, and SRS light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection on numerous occasions. But, mechanic was unable to duplicate or resolve the problems.
Shortly after I bought the vehicle, engine"check light came on and stayed on. Also, cd player was not operating correctly and temperature display (by rear view mirror) did not work. Took in to dealer's svc dept. Many times, but problems persited. Dealer svc. Dept. Claimed everything working fine. Recently, the window on the driver side failed and it would not go up. Took car in to dealer svc. Dept. And got repaired. Shortly after that, car died. It was not the battery, so car was towed to dealer service dept. On 8-14-02. Dealer examined car and said it was the tri-lock system and didn't know how to fix it. Tri-lock system removed by dealer but car still not working. Problem: Power windows did not work, push window button and trunk would pop open, air bag light stayed on, etc. Etc. Etc. The car has been at dealeship for over a week and dealer keeps telling me it's fixed, but when I go pick it up (3 times), the car is still doing the same thing, and the air bag light is still on all the time. Very frustrated and disappointed.
Windows on passenger side and driver side will continuously fall whenever consumer is driving vehicle. Contacted dealer. Dealer was not willing to do anything.
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.
Battery cable has burned out twice since date of purchase. Dealer has been contacted. Rear hatch intermittently will not open with the remote due to it being out of adjustment, the left window switch is loose. Nlm
Power window switch breaks and must be replaced often. We know many New beetle ownwers - nearly all have had the problem. Window can stick down and not be closeable, in any weather, in any area - definite security problem in the wrong neighborhood. Ours was fixed on warranty less than 10,000 miles ago - problem is so common that we are buying extras to carry with us. VW is definitely aware of the problem and is silent. Four years worth of cars have been produced with the same defective switch, and current production is unchanged, to my knowledge. Thanks for your time. No summary listed for above vehicle.
I purchased this vehicle because I was looking for a reliable and economical car. I have been very disappointed. This car burns oil at an unbelievable rate. I cannot rely on it and do not want to drive it out of town. I am now keeping jumper cables in the hatch because of constant battery problems. The radio is not working. I have already replaced a regulator (window) on the driver's side and it has broken again. Less than a year after it was replaced. Several dealerships told me that they couldn't get me in to fix the problem for 2 weeks - my window was stuck down inside of the door and would not roll up. The waiting time for an appt at a dealer should be an indication that the are not producing quality vehicles. The warranty period is too short. The problems seem to all happen after the warranty is up. Is that how long they expected to last - 2 years?I have been very disapointed.
All of the electrical problems occur periodicaly. One day the gas gauge will show empty when the tank is full. The electric window went down and never came back up, they had to replace a switch in side the door. The right side door handle has to be pulled on twice to open from the outside. The rear hatch will not always open when released, you must push the buttom again to open it. And the reason I am filling out this questionnaire is because the car tonight would not start. The lights would come on, then off, then dim, then go bright. (the radio shows on its small window the word safe) the ignition switch does not seem to be working. So I decided to check out your web site for any recalls or service bulletins. The car will be heading to the dealership in the morning. Thank you for your time and consideration.
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.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Folsom, CA, USA