Safety restraint system failure has occurred in this 2000 Volkswagen new Beetle multiple times. Volkswagen responded by replacing the wiring harness under the driver's seat the first time that the failure occurred but refused to actually correct the engineering issue causing the failure to return. The wiring harness is too short under the seat and feeding to the switch in the seat belt of the driver. The car is now out of warranty and failed yet again. If you will notice, there are many issues with the 2000 new Beetle but only 4 recalls of third party lighting products and no actual Volkswagen recalls. Volkswagen is being allowed to get away with abuse to the consumer.

- Carrizozo, NM, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph the air bag light stayed on. The contact stated that the air bag light came on after driving over a speed bump and if the vehicle was involved in a crash the air bags would not deploy. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer but refused to have a diagnostic test performed due to the cost. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Monterey, CA, USA

For the fifth time in 10 years, the airbag warning light has come on in my 2000 Volkswagen new Beetle (less than 50,000 miles and never in a crash). According to manufacturer when the airbag warning light is on the airbags are deactivated providing no protection in the event of a crash. Dealer has twice previously replaced driver side airbag harness and recommends doing so again.

- Ames, IA, USA

Problem: Chronic failure of driver's air bag circuit purchased February 2000. Since July 2004 we have had repeated (eight) repairs done in response to the airbag light illuminating continuously, indicating the air bag circuit is faulty and the air bag won't fire should an accident occur. Despite repeated repairs, twice completely replacing the wiring harness, and once replacing the airbag itself, the airbag light has illuminated again this week and a ninth repair is needed. All repairs have been done and documented by our VW dealer. To date repair costs exceed $1500. The problem continues to occur.

- Stillwater, MN, USA

On the 2000 Beetle, you can telescope the driver steering column. Well, the airbag spring coil uncoiled on my car when I telescoped the column and the only way I know this is because the airbag light came on. The dealer and other mechanics are saying the whole airbag needs to be replaced which will cost anywhere from $600 to $800. Now, I don"T feel as if this is a problem I should have to pay for. The vehicle was designed to have the steering column telescope so why would the coil uncoil when I use the feature? also, they have told me that the airbag will not work if something where to happen. Is this something VW should look into and replace for me free of charge"

- Great Falls, MT, USA

While driving on a highway at 65 miles per hour, I attempted to turn the cruise control off. It did not go off. Then I applied the brakes and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor with no tension. There was no braking action at all. I drove along some grassy areas on the side of the highway to slow the car, turned off the ignition because the car was no decelerating, and hit a tree at about 50 mph. The airbags did not go off. The car was totalled. The car was sold to a junk yard because the repair costs were too high and because the repair facility said they could not determine why the cruise control and brakes failed.

- Jamaica Plain, MA, USA

Air bag fault light on.

- Malvern, PA, USA

While traveling on the highway and without prior warning air bag light appeared on the dashboard. Air bag light will not go off until the vehicle is turned off.

- Martinsville, VA, USA

Consumer states that while driving at 55 mph, the driver side door air bag deployed without any warning. Contacted dealer. Mr the consumer also stated that after reviewing the underside of the vehicle, there was slight damage discovered on the left side in the firewall area. The consumer feels that the vehicle was improperly engineered. Scc

- Lucasville, OH, USA

Airbag malfunction light repeatedly comes on, consumer has taken vehicle into dealership on numerous occasions, the airbag unit has been replaced several times but problem still exists.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Airbag malfunction light repeatedly comes on, consumer has taken vehicle into dealership on numerous occasions, the airbag unit has been replaced several times but problem still exists.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Air bag light continues to stay on even after consumer has taken vehicle into dealer three times already. Dealer has tried three times to remedy vehicle, but the problem still occurs.

- Summerville, AL, USA

While traveling at 5 mph another vehicle ran into consumer's vehicle going at speed of 45 mph. Upon impact, driver's side air bag did not deploy. Manufacturer has been contacted.

- Elma, NY, USA

Side impact airbags did not deploy during serious accident resulting death.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA