I bought a Beetle (136K M) from an acquaintance for $1600 cash there were some issues I.e. the faulty trunk release didnt work, the driver side door had no power, (turns out the door motor is a common issue Beetle has) sunroof was stuck part open, and the key fob to the Beetle had been worn/broken. (fun fact: Without the key fob, access to the trunk, and no power to the driver side door. The stock alarm is very difficult to disable.) we drove the Beetle for about a week when the clutch went out. A transmission specialist quoted us $400 for the hydraulic line, after further examination the entire clutch was out (he charged me $1100) the very next day the oil light was blinking, we checked the oil level and it was full. We continued on our business the car started losing power, stalling and making a horrible tapping/knocking sound. The engine light started blinking. We werent able to pull codes because the odb was disconnected during the expensive clutch repair. At this point we have invested a great deal of money into this used vehicle, we are hesitant to to take it to the crusher. We bought a haynes repair manual and after some luck, common sense, and trouble shooting we were able to diagnose the car with a faulty camshaft timing chain tension guide. The repair seemed easy enough so we enlisted a our family mechanic to perform the repair. After another $575 we discovered that the tension guide was in fact the problem. We were able to get the vehicle all put back together with several new vital parts. It will not turn over. The manual indicates it may still be out of time or we may have a blown fuse. After I replace the fuses and reattempt installing the timing chain, I will have put 3 X as much money into this car than its worth. I feel like volkwagen is producing lemons and ripping off americans!!!

- Lakewood, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving at a low speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. In addition, the brake warning light illuminated even though the emergency brake was disengaged. The check engine warning light also illuminated intermittently. The contact also stated that the low beam head lamps failed to fully illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Stockton, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving at 15 mph, there was a loud abnormal noise and the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing belt and the motor mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Lake, MS, USA

While driving noticed white smoke behind the vehicle, then all electronics failed but car remained running, pulled to side of the road and engine compartment engulfed in flames. The car was quickly on fire from the dash forward. Tried calling VW costumer care and there are no recalls on the vehicle pertaining to fire. After searching online found dozens of similar if not exact incidents. This was my daughters car (17) and carried only liability. Only reason for writing is to educate so that others are not facing a life threatning event, as VW denies any wrong doing.

- Marietta , OH, USA

The fuse box atop the battery melted on 2/18/2009 causing a fire in the engine compartment. Repairs including new fuse box and other damaged parts cost me $1500. On 7/15/2011 the fuse box melted causing A/C to stop working. The outside temperature at the time was in the high 90's during a prolonged heat wave in the North East. Cost to repair $400. On 5/18/2014 once again the fuse box melted, cost to repair and replace $700. Two days later the repair (5/20/2014) the car went dead in traffic caused by a drained battery cost of towing $150 + new fuse box melted. In checking VW owners forums available on the internet, this is a common problem and complaint (fuse box melting) in the VW product line. Why hasn't VW been fined and ordered to recall their defective cars?

- Rocky Point, NY, USA

Engine timing belt prematurely failed at 89,000 mile. VW owners manual supplied with vehicle states that for the 1.8L turbocharged engine, the timing belt did not need to be replaced until 105,000 miles. The failure of the belt caused bent valves. Total service bill as a result came to about $4500. Loss of power when the belt failed also put my safety at risk as my car was stalled in heavy traffic.

- Golden, CO, USA