Headlights went out on my 2004 Beetle convertible while driving at night and was pulled over and given a ticket. VW replaced the wiring the next day.

- Mt Pleasant, SC, USA

I own a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle that I bought new. Last year one of the lens covers on the headlight fell off. I had to replace the whole headlight assembly due to the part falling off as I was driving. I replaced it through ebay. A couple of weeks ago the other factory headlight lens cover fell off. It seemed the sealant that was being used was drying out, causing the lens to come loose and fall off the assembly. Last week, the headlight, that I replaced through ebay, also fell apart, with the lens cover coming off. If I go through the dealership to replace the lens covers it would be in excess of $ $250 a piece for them. I am now looking at having to replace two of them at a cost of more than $500. This to me seemed to be a factory defect as it kept happening.

- Tioga, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag indicator constantly illuminated. Also, the seat belt indicator illuminated intermittently even when the vehicle was unoccupied. In addition, the daytime running lamps would shut off, but the dealer replaced the bulbs. The contact had an appointment to have the air bag indicator diagnosed. The current and failure mileage were 35851.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

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.

- Richmond, TX, USA

Headlamp assembly shorting out and burning assembly beyond repairable. Heat being produced by headlamp too high and shorts out headlight. Replacement of assembly is an option, but cause of assembly shorting out is not removed, with high probability of a repeat short.

- Kaufman, TX, USA

Purchased my third Volkswagen New beetle - recognize that my second one, a 2003 was a lemon  5 right rear tail lights replaced and 2 headlights. Also had to have the intermittent wiper relay replaced - see ODI #10074539. Dealer traded me for a 2004, on 4/6/04 and not even 2 weeks into my purchase, the driverS side window would not operate properly. Thought I was imagining things, especially after my last experience. I put the window down (electronically) and then put it up and it comes down by itself  certainly another safety fault of this car. It happened 2 more times before I called the dealer  they told me oh, we knew about that  bring it in and get it fixed. oh, here we go again! I buy a new car about every 3-4 years, as I drive a lot and want a very dependable car, with no repairs needed. I will never feel safe in a VW New beetle again. No matter if I never have another problem&& incidient date noted is when the dealer took my car to fix it...............

- Lake Stevens, WA, USA