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.
On the soft top convertible the windows drop when the door is opened and raised when the door is closed. Window still rolls up and down however the window doesn't respond to the door opening or closing anymore. This is a common and popular problem that needs to be addressed! expensive defect for unsuspecting owners.
The window regulator has failed. When I roll the window up it starts going slowly when it's almost all the way up and then it makes a squealing noise and then once it reaches the top it rolls back down by itself without me touching anything. This is a safety hazard because if there is inclement weather, I cannot get my window to stay rolled up. My car is not safe left with the window rolled all the way down. This is not just an issue that I am having. There a forums filled with people experiencing the same problems all with 2003 VW Beetles. It is a cheaply made part that has to be replaced professionally. It is not fair that everyone has to pay $300+ for repair that shouldn't happen this often in the first place.
I have had to replace all four power window regulators. I am now having to replace one of the replacements. This vehicle only has 83000 miles on it. The parts to repair this window are extremely expensive - over $500. I've already invested well over $1500 replacing the regulators already. Volkswagen is making defective parts and will not stand behind their product. I filed a complaint earlier on this vehicle for a defective airbag. This car has not been abused. I've taken good care of it. The airbag was never deployed or damaged in any way. If the airbag is defective it is because VW puts defective airbags in their vehicles.
From day one this car had transmission problems which were denied by the dealer on 5 visits, after I sold the car I received a recall from VW, now that I am looking at blogs they have apparently recalled this recall to suit them. Other complaints with this vehicle are window troubles, convertible roof troubles, electronic troubles, seatbelt troubles, airbag troubles. I can't believe anyone will allow this car to still be sold or on the road. It is a safety hazard on wheels.
I have a 2003 VW new Beetle convertible and both rear window regulators continually break. I was told that there is an active campaign going on with your Agency to get this item covered as a recall by Volkswagen. The item or complaint number that was given me is 10282664. These window regulators are of a defective design and should be covered by VW. I don't feel that they should prosper by selling the regulator kits that are necessary due to their faulty design. This will be the second time that I am replacing these items in a 7 year old car.
I took the top down this year for the first time the rear right side window went down but would not go up tried to get it fixed at the dealer they were going to charge more then $600 went somewhere else they took it apart and it started working fine then less then a week later it was stuck down again and two days later went up with some work now I don't even want to put it down at all!
2003 new VW Beetle convertible passenger side rear quarter window. Window fails to fully raise and will automatically open when it reaches 2/3 raised position. Faulty window regulator. A very expensive repair.
The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen new Beetle gls (N/a). The contact stated that the driver side rear window regulator was broken. The contact stated that the regulators on the different windows had been replaced five times. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the repairs would have to be performed at her expense. The current and failure mileages were 32,990.
2003 VW Beetle rear window issues. 3 times this has happened where the rear window wont roll up. 3 times VW dealership charged us close to a thousand dollars to fix because of there design flaw. So many people have had this problem its time to investigate...please! I have put the latest date this occurred, but as I say this has happened 3 times.
I have a 2003 VW new Beetle convertible and both rear window regulators continually break. I was told that there is an active campaign going on with your Agency to get this item covered as a recall by Volkswagen. The item or complaint number that was given me is 10282664. These window regulators are of a defective design and should be covered by VW. I don't feel that they should prosper by selling the regulator kits that are necessary due to their faulty design. This will be the second time that I am replacing these items in a 7 year old car.
2003 VW Beetle convertible. Rear windows regulator/motors broke. VW issued an extended warranty for front windows (7 years) rear windows have the same problem. Dealer wants $700 per side to fix. Windows do not roll down on command. Often fall on their own after a bump in the road.
Rear window will not come up. Other rear window is locked in up position as it broke 8 mo. Ago. There seems to be alot of this problem on the new beatle all years. Time for a recall?
ODI number: 10282664 hello, I have a 2003 VW new Beetle turbo convertible with only 26,000 miles. I have had at least 5-6 repairs in the last two years. I'm the second owner of the car and purchased the car in 2008 after the warranty was up. Like many, I have had two problems with the rear window regulator on the left and right side in the last 6 months. The last repair to replace the right side window regulator was over $1,000 dollars and no the other side has the same problem. This should be a recall!
Rolled the back window down on the passenger side, then when I went to roll it back up it failed and the window went down on its own. Window is now inoperable. Will have to replace back window regulator, new Beetle convertible.
2003 VW new Beetle window regulators break and motors go out wayyyy too early. The 2005 and up are designed to pop down when you press the unlock button on the keyless entry but on the previous years, they do not. Therefore, this causes stress on the window and will not close properly most of the time. Also, since they do not pop down with the keyless entry, when the temp drops below freezing and the car is outside, the windows freeze and will not pop down to close the door until completely thawed out. Meaning you get to spend up to 45 mins with the door cracked waiting for the '!@#$% thing to unfreeze enough to pop down and close.
The window regulator on the 2003 and 2004 Volkswagen new Beetle convertibles does not work properly. It does not allow the window to go down enough or sometimes not at all. This causes the window to rub against the convertible top. I now have a small tear in my top, which could lead to a larger tear or possible breakdown of my convertible top, rendering the car undriveable in my Minnesota climate. This happens all the time with these cars and VW refuses to accept responsibility for their design flaw. This is unacceptable as the regulator can cost up to $700 per side to fix. This is outrageous for something that is happening to virtually every 03, 04 new Beetle convertible.
Window switches/regulators on 2003 new Beetle convertible continue to fail which then does not allow the windows to go up or down. One of my rear-seat quarter windows just fell into the window slot and I couldn't get it back up. Windows that do not close all the way are safety issues.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Madison, WI, USA