2001 VW Beetle. From the very beginning, it has been nothing but problems. For the first few years it was covered under the warranty, free of charge repairs. I have low mileage so I thought that by the time these items were repaired it would be fine when the warranty expired. There is always something wrong with the car and in particular the electrical system. The check engine light is always going off. The safety issue comes in with its current problem. I had a fuel injection flush which included the carbon deposits removal known as induction, air filter replaced, engine fuel filter replaced, and a brake fluid flush plus 4 new spark plugs. Prior to this service, my car was having difficulty starting with major shaking. I had to put my foot on the accelerator to get it going while starting. Now after the service it runs much better but the problem is that now stalls when I come to a traffic light and stop for a period of time. This is extremely dangerous. The other malfunctions that have happened over the years are an expense but it was something that I could somehow manage. This is incredibly dangerous. I have no control over traffic lights and the generator comes on when I stop, it is worse when the light changes fast and then I have to stop even more suddenly. Imagine if I am on the highway and it stops. This has happened once, a few weeks prior to the cleaning service. Now, I am afraid to drive that vehicle. I have looked online at message boards from other VW Beetle owners and had read similar stories of such dissatisfaction, incredible financial expense with the electrical system and other components of cars. I have even read that these cars can become inflamed, necessitating the fire dept. To put it out. This is a lemon and so many other VW owners have written similar account message boards. The consumer stated the oxygen sensor and mass air flow sensor had to be replaced. Also, the epc light illuminated. Updated IVOQ 07/07/11.

- Holyoke, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. Ever since the vehicle was purchased, the mass air flow sensor has been repaired 4 times. When the vehicle was started and placed into first gear, the vehicle would shutter, stall, and then fail. A local technician stated that the mass air flow sensor was failing and the vehicle was repaired at the cost of $350. The mass air flow sensor has been replaced four times since the vehicle was purchased. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 68,000 and current mileage was 69,900. Updated 02/05/09 updated 02/06/09.

- Lake Havasu City, AZ, USA

On 8/21/07 took my VW to dealer due to a recognizable rattling noise coming from under vehicle and the mil light came on. Paid $126.94 to "remove and replace oil pan shield". eighteen days latter, 9/8/07, I received a "catalytic converter warranty extension" warning the catalytic converter was susceptible to degraded performance. If this happens, the owner me hear a readily recognizable rattling noise coming from under your vehicle in the area of the converter and/or the mil may illuminate due to the presence of specific fault codes caused by faulty catalytic converter. This I a real coincidence. The dealer claimed I had a "cracked oil pan shield" and 18 days later the factory states the same symptoms are caused by a faulty catalytic converter!!! I don't believe this.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Almost too many to list O2 sensor at 20K miles - twice temp sensor for cooling fan ($5 part - $200 to install) at 30K miles ignition coils at 50K miles. VW had initiated a "customer action" on all 1.8L engines for defective ignition coils on VW and Audi models. Customer service action means nothing, cost me $600 without rental car added. They refused to acknowledge this press release when contacted directly. Water pump went South at 61K miles electronic control module went South at 61K miles also. Warranty covered still cost me $300 for rental car for 5 days. Timing belt damaged when water pump went. Voa will tell you to "check" it at 50K but it should last to 108K. Paid full labor even though engine was apart for pump work. VW should be forced to honor the quality problems with this car. NHTSA should investigate and force a recall on the coils, potentially the O2 sensor and definitely the ECM. The repair costs are insane. ECM on this car is $1300 no labor. Current warranty on new is 60K. Mine went at 61K. 2001 warranty was 10/100 and 8/80. They know they have problems. Car is a lemon, contact lawyer too much hassle - they win again.

- Manville, NJ, USA

2001 new betle. In shop 7 times since purcahse on March 15, 2005. Was told it was 02 sensors. Replaced sensors, re wired, and placed new computer in automobile. Problem still not fixed. Several ohters have expreinced the same problem. Please see www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/forum3/html/000059.html

- Houston, TX, USA

Mass airflow sensor failure. I have had 4 fail, and the dealer has just been replacing these. I have come to the point of just disableing this sensor and running off of the manifold absolute pressure sensor. Several cars have had this problem.

- League City, TX, USA