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.
I recently purchased a VW Beetle in may of 2010, for my birthday from hollywood auto brokers in los angeles, ca. The car ran smooth for about a course of five to six months, I had to return to the dealership early on because my head lights were out when I first bought the car. As I continued to drive the car, a jerking and extremely weird deceleration of the car would begin, but it would "pop back to normal" after a while, maybe three to ten seconds. This had gone on and has been going on since five months after I brought it. I finally made it back into the dealership and he rode with me on a test drive around the corner and of course it didn't repeat the previous show of defects. He assured me the car is just being broken in. A year goes by and I decided I want to trade in my car for another car, so I head to Nissan. I test drive a car and love it and then go in for the paper work. The guy runs my VIN to see my car value and come backs and tell me my car title is salvaged. To my disbelief and disgust, I immediately called my financial company, al financial of glendale, ca that I am leasing the car from. They give me the run around and assure me that the title is clean and not a salvage. I continue on my investigation and come to a carfax website to get the real facts on my defected vehicle. The information reveals that not only is the title salvage but it had bodily damage and had been totaled out from the insurance company from it's previous owner. The car had been brought back from Mexico and registered in the states again as a new car I believe. I would really love to get to the bottom of this situation asap and get some closure on a recurring problem that is messing with my income as I am a travel nurse for hospice patients. Recently the water pump has gone out and I'm not sure yet if I need to replace the head gaskets. I hope I can hear an response in a good enough amount of time so I can work out an reimbursement of some kind with payment on either behalf.
The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled after all the warning lights illuminated on the instrumental panel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the fuse box and the wiring harness to the alternator burned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Well it has been nothing but trouble. First thing, the transmission went bad and then right after that there was no brake lights. The top will not come down by it self. The dash lights come on ( air bag, brakes, check engine, emissions). Sounds like there are holes in the muffler. Last but not least the right rear window fell down and they won't 800 to fix, there are several complaints about this and nothing is being done.
2004 new Beetle conv turbo. Always in shop. Always had problems. In the shop more than at home. Elec issues, windows not working, air bag lights flashing, top staying down wont go up one repair after another. Now the transmission is gone. What a piece of [xxx]. just hope some one reads this and talks their daughter or wife out of making a 20,000 dollar mistake. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Dickson, TN, USA
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I have a 2004 VW bug with 51,000 miles. The car started jerking so hard its almost caused several accidents to me and others ! VW says it needs a new 7000 dollar transmission! they wont admit the problem is of epic proportions with this model. It's all over the internet. My car has also had the window motor go out and many parts just fall off such as seatbelt latch cover. These cars should be recalled for safety!please help me get VW to fix this problem! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
My left front headlamp failed while driving. I thought it would be just a bulb. I went to pull the bulb and the headlamp harness was melted and fused. I contacted the local VW dealer and they claimed this can happen and I would have to replace the entire assembly. This is a $400 repair. Why does the harness melt, this is a fire hazard under the hood. Plus what if this happens to both headlights at the same time ??
2004 VW turbo Beetle--after last two dealer servicing the car dies on turns--dash lights come on, no power steering. Car regains power in @ 2 seconds. A definite safety concern. The dealer and VW America want to start replacing parts and see what works at my expense. Have been without my car for three weeks.
At about 35,000 miles my car started slipping with the transmission. It would jerk forward and sometimes get stuck in between 1, 3, and 4th gears. This was not a huge problem at this point and during my regular check ups, VW dealership always said there was no problem detected. 2. the automatic transmission is now failing at 60,000 miles. It has almost caused me several accidents, especially at intersections. People almost rearend me daily. Not only is the car jerking forward and backward upon gear shifting, but now it gets stuck period and will not move..the RPM's going all the way to 6-7. the tires spin, the car groans horribly, the gears show up on my dash in brackets. When I had a diagnostic test done at the dealership about four months ago, and I explained in detail the tranny problem, they said nothing was wrong with it. Now, I can tell it is almost undrivable at this pt. On my fifteen mile commute home today, I had to pull over seven times because the transmission failed. I could not get out of first gear then it jumped to six. I was stuck in the middle of an intersection at a red light, almost getting backended. This is terrifying. I had a panic attack. I have an appt. Tomorrow at the dealership to see what the problem is and how much money this will cost me. My car has always been checked up regularly.
My 2004 VW Beetle turbo convertible check engine light came on, vehicle then stalled out, smoke came out of engine hood, embers fell below car, smoke continued to poor out of engine hood, flames came out of engine hood, 911 called and fire dept and fire marshall put out fire. I am now waiting to hear from my insurance company.
2004 Volkswagen new Beetle turbo gls has a defective part producing high voltage. Consumer wants to be reimbursed for expenses and depreciation because the vehicle was damaged beyond repair. The dealer told the consumer the vehicle needed a new window motor. The consumer decided to have the work done somewhere else, so they gave her a cable kit and not a regulator. The other repair shop stated it was the regulator that was defective. The consumer also stated the vehicle would not start. The consumer received a second opinion after the original dealer implied she had done something wrong. It was determined that something was overcharging the alternator, which turned out that a new battery was needed. A couple of days later, the vehicle would not start again, the consumer was informed the window motor was causing high voltage even when the vehicle was shut off; it was draining the power. The consumer stated the dealer refused to accept responsibility for leaving the defective window motor in the vehicle.
I have had my 2004 VW Beetle at boardwalk dealership in richardson, tx 3 times for the same problem. My car will lose all power the battery light will come on I will have to turn the car off and restart the car. This has happen on interstates as well as on busy streets. I am very fearful that I am going to be in a very bad accident. I take my 76 year old mother to the doctor several times a month. She has had 2 major back surgeries this year. I have had the car in the shop on 9-4-07, 9-18-07, 9-21-0. all for the same thing. On 9-27-07, I was in down town dallas and it happened at least 7 times. I called the dealership and they had a wrecker to put me and the car up. They are telling me today 10-26-07 to pick the car up that they can't get the car to duplicate the problem. There is a bad problem with this car not having any power and I am scared to drive it.
Purchased brand new. Problems I have had with this car: 1. rear power windows have both taken turns falling down into the body. Will not power up. One has been replaced. Dealer now won't fix second one because they 'don't see it as a known problem.' 2. headliner around rear window has come undone. 3. headlights have to be replaced constantly. For example; a light bulb was installed on a Saturday, and had stopped working by the following Wednesday. 4. rubber coating on glove box and on interior doors is peeling off. Dealer would not even condsider fixing or addressing. 5. key assembly for arm console broke almost immediately. It took approximately 8 months, and several reminders, to get dealer to replace. 6. sometimes radio stays on after key has been removed from ignition. 7. air bag light stays on. Won't go off. 8. hand release on front passenger seat often gets 'stuck' and will not work. 9. cup holder has come off track. I only drive this car to-and-from work. No kids/passengers ride in it. It has not had any owner abuse. I will never buy another Volkswagen product.
4th electrical failure, 3rd airbag light/malfuction. 5 days after servicing car for airbag safety issue, same repeated problem. (see complaint 10148516, 10148511).
Major electrical, mechanical malfunction (see 10148507, 10148481) 5th electrical/mechanical safety issues/4th airbag light/malfunctioned. Vehicle 2nd X towed in 10 days for same issues for freeway breakdown electrical/mechanical malfuction.
4 days after purchasing volksw Beetle 1.8L turbo I had a complete electrical system failure while driving. No readouts, engine will crank, but does not turn over. No electrical lights or readouts. Had to have vehicle towed to bob baker Volkswagen dealership where car was purchased for service. Repeated electrical issues/repairs to current date.
Consumer complained about electrical problems; the speakers didn't work/windows kept going up and down, and transmission failed. The car was not even a one year old. The replaced transmission still performs poorly. The air bag light came on at least 3-4 times.
- Bloomington, CA, USA
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- Long Beach, CA, USA