While backing out of driveway and without prior warning smoke was coming from inside of the vehicle vents. Vehicle caught on fire.

- Houston, TX, USA

While driving at 35mph a fire started under the hood, causing consumer to pull over. Dealer notified.

- Kikei, HI, USA

At 4:20pm on 5/28/02 my wife was on interstate 95 near georgetown, MA on the way to the dealership in amesbuy for service because the car's airconditioner had quit and some of the dashboard indicator lights would not stop flashing. Suddenly she saw smoke in the rearview mirror and pulled the car over to the side of the road. Then more smoke came from under the hood, so she got out of the car. Minutes later the car was engulfed in flames and black smoke. Ten minutes later it was completely destroyed. The georgetown fire department and state police had responded, but by the time they got there, there was nothing they could do. We have not contacted Volkswagen directly because we feel they would not be responsive. Maybe the insurance company or the NHTSA can force the manufacturer to look into this, since this seems to be happening to other 2000 beetles as well, and sooner or later someone will be seriously injured or killed because of this apparent defect.

- Lynn, MA, USA

Car began to hesitate but did not stall. All panel lights began to flash, also a ''clicking'' sound. There also was a smell of burning wires. The car became fully engulfed in flame in less than 10 minutes. The fire began on drivers side.

- Amesbury, MA, USA

While coming to an intersection and downshifting, instead of the car slowing down, the cruise control turned itself on and proceeded to accelerate. By pressing the brake pedal, the cruise control turned off. The cruise control switch has already been replaced one time. My car has now been in the shop 8 times for numerous electrical problems and VW of America doesn't seem too interested on solving the problems.

- Jackson, GA, USA

SRS light keeps coming on. Vehicle taken to dealer 6 times, replaced wiring harness once. Other times consumer was told vehicle was repaired, light was off, but came back on after a period of time.

- Grand Ledge, MI, USA

Vehicle caught fire while on way home from work. Initial symptom was that vehicle lost power while on highway and stalled. Vehicle was able to be restarted. It then was able to be driven approx. 5 miles when it again lost power. It was then able to be restarted. Vehicle was driven to a fuel station when it stalled. Upon restart the instrument panel gages were not operative. It was driven into an amoco gas station when smoke began emanating from under the hood. The intensity of the smoke increased and it was apparent that the car was on fire. I pulled hood opening lever near driver's side kick panel to open hood. I jumped out of vehicle and opened hood. The left front portion of the engine compartment was on fire and flames were readily apparent. The flames were coming from underneath the firewall of the vehicle extending up the wire harness towards the battery. The battery started to melt as well. A passerby in a cube van observed this incident and grabbed a fire extinguisher from his truck and proceeded to contain and extinguish the fire.er.

- Perrysburg, OH, USA