NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
32 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or OtherCrashFire
I BOUGHT A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE FROM TORRANCE NISSAN ON 5 JANUARY, 2003: SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE, THIS CAR HAD BEEN OVERHEATING OFF AND ON. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.? THEY WENT AS FAR AS TAKING IT TO A VW SERVICE REP ON 5 AND 6 JANUARY, 2003 FOR CONFIRMATION. I …
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I BOUGHT A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE FROM TORRANCE NISSAN ON 5 JANUARY, 2003: SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE, THIS CAR HAD BEEN OVERHEATING OFF AND ON. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.? THEY WENT AS FAR AS TAKING IT TO A VW SERVICE REP ON 5 AND 6 JANUARY, 2003 FOR CONFIRMATION. I FOUND OUT LATER THAT VW HAS NO RECORD OF EVER SERVICING OR EVEN SEEING THE VW UNTIL 1 APRIL, 2003! DURING THE MONTHS OF FEBRUARY AND MARCH, 2003 I STILL EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING AND EACH TIME I CALLED AMIR, I WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH A VISIT TO TORRANCE NISSAN. THEIR REPLIES WERE ALWAYS THE SAME, THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM FOR THE OVERHEATING? THERE WERE MANY TIMES I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THAT I NO LONGER WANTED THIS CAR AND EVEN SUBMITTED IT IN WRITING ON 15 APRIL, 2003. ON 1 APRIL, 2003 I TOOK THE BEETLE TO VOLKSWAGEN MYSELF AND HAD IT FIXED, BUT THE WATER PUMP BROKE AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED ON 4-9-03. THREE DAYS LATER, THE CAR WAS GETTING HOT. I TOLD BOTH VOLKSWAGEN AND TORRANCE NISSAN THAT I NO LONGER WANT THIS CAR! I HAVE PROOF OF ALL THE REPAIRS PERFORMED AND STILL IT OVERHEATS! ON 12 APRIL, 2003 I TOOK THE CAR ONCE MORE TO VOLKSWAGEN TO THOROUGHLY CHECK IT OUT AND THEY CALLED THEIR TECHNICAL SUPPORT. A FEW DAYS LATER THEY FOUND A CRACKED HEAD ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. TO TOP IT OFF, I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT ON 28 APRIL, 2003 ON MY WAY TO WORK AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE LONG BEACH HONDA BODY SHOP. LATER THAT NIGHT THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS BURNED DOWN WITH 3 OTHER CARS IN THE BODY SHOP. BEFORE THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE, I WAS IN PROCESS OF A VALID CLAIM UNDER THE LEMON LAW & MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT WITH THE ADAM KROHN OF THE CONSUME LAW CENTER. ISSUES: RENTAL CAR $1,607.78 (MY INSURANCE ONLY COVERED $600.00, MY INSURANCE COVERED ONLY ACTUAL VALUE OF $10,788.31; LEAVING ME WITH A BALANCE OF $1,043.00 OUT-OF-POCKET. WHICH MY INSURANCE INFORMS ME MAKE A CLAIM AGAINST THE BODY SHOP FOR DIFFERENCE ON BALANCE AND $ 1007.78 OF THE CAR RENTAL.
NHTSA ODI #10069625
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10051949
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER REPLACED BRAKE LIGHTS/HEADLIGHTS/REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS/ ENGINE SHIELD AND COOLING SYSTEM. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #567790
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingService Brakes, HydraulicFire
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND THE DRIVER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. *MR THE HEAD LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLES IS FLLING APART AFTER ONE MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8019393
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO TRADING IN THE 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DECELERATING AND STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND THE DEALER COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*JB
NHTSA ODI #567131
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN, ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATES. *AK *TT
NHTSA ODI #6900585
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
THIS CAR DRINKS OIL, THE ENGINE KNOCKS, VW HAS DONE NOTHING TO EVEN AKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. THE WINDOW REGULATORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND ONE BROKE COMPLETELY WITH THE WINDOW FALLING OUT. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPEND WITH A KEY AND HAS BEEN CORODE
NHTSA ODI #753397
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
BAD WIRING, ALARM GOES OFF IN THE MIDDLE OG THE NIGHT, REAR HATCH LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, WIRING IS BAD IN COLD WEATHER, FRONT HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURINING OUT, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, AT ABOUT 2000 MILES ENGINE WILL BE BONE DRY, EXCESSIVE ROAD NOSIE, RADIO NO LONGER WORKS, IN GENERAL THE CAR IS IN BAD SHAPE AFTER TWO YEARS OF US…
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BAD WIRING, ALARM GOES OFF IN THE MIDDLE OG THE NIGHT, REAR HATCH LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, WIRING IS BAD IN COLD WEATHER, FRONT HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURINING OUT, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, AT ABOUT 2000 MILES ENGINE WILL BE BONE DRY, EXCESSIVE ROAD NOSIE, RADIO NO LONGER WORKS, IN GENERAL THE CAR IS IN BAD SHAPE AFTER TWO YEARS OF USE AND IT SEESM TO BE ALL FACTORY RELATED TYPE OF PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #746433
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages
CAR OVERHEATS ROUTINELY. INITIALLY IN FOR REPAIR ON 1/25/01 WHEN DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. SINCE THEN, CAR HAS OVERHEATED ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WATER LEAKAGE HAS BEEN OBSERVED. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AND UNLOCK RELIABLY, FORCING M…
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CAR OVERHEATS ROUTINELY. INITIALLY IN FOR REPAIR ON 1/25/01 WHEN DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. SINCE THEN, CAR HAS OVERHEATED ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WATER LEAKAGE HAS BEEN OBSERVED. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AND UNLOCK RELIABLY, FORCING ME TO ENTER AND EXIT CAR THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR. REPORTED TO DEALER THREE TIMES (INITIALLY 5/31/00). ONE TIME DEALER LUBRICATED LOCK; CURRENTLY THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND WILL NOT FIX. AFTER WATER PUMP REPAIR IN 1/01, CAR EXHIBITED A WHINING NOISE AND POWER STEERING STIFFNESS AT LOW RPMS -- LIKELY DUE TO IMPROPER WORKMANSHIP DURING THAT REPAIR. DEALER CLAIMS POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW, AND HAS BEEN "TOPPED OFF" TO ALLEVIATE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I RECENTLY HAD ROUNTINE MAINTENANCE AT ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT JUST 4 DAYS PRIOR TO TAKING INTO SHOP; DURING THAT SERVICE, POWER STEERING FLUIDS WERE INDICATED AS "OK." OIL CONSUMPTION IS EXCESSIVE. DESPITE REPEATED REPORTS TO VW (INITIALLY 5/00), HAVE RECEIVED NO RESOLUION OR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE. THROUGH RESEARCH, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON BEETLE PROBLEM, AND SOME BEETLE OWNERS ARE RECEIVING NEW ENGINES OR VALVE STEM REPAIRS TO REMEDY. TRANSMISSION JERKS SEVERLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. INITIALLY REPORTED 9/29/98 AT 9596 MILES AND NOT ADDRESSED BY DEALER. RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHT SEALANT LEAKAGE AND WATER GETTING INTO HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO BE UNRELIABLE AND POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL/FIRE HAZARD. HAVE RESEARCHED VW AND LEARNED DURING INITIAL BEETLE PRODUCTION IN PUEBLA, MEXICO, THEY EXPERIENCE AN ABOMINAL 40% DEFECT RATE. FROM RESEARCH INTO OTHER CONSUMER ISSUES WITH 1998 BEETLES, I AM CERTAIN THAT VW PASSED THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES ON TO CONSUMERS. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER DETAILS. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED WINDOW REGLATOR FAILURES, DEAD BATTERY, INTERIOR PIECES FALLING APART AND OTHER ISSUES. THANK YOU!*AK
NHTSA ODI #745010
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLANT LOSS ON TWO OCCASIONS CAUSING ENGINE TO BLOW, NO WARNING UNTIL LAST MINUTE, ALL FLUIDS AND MAINTENACE DONE AND UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, DEALER REFUSED TO PAY FOR NEW ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #742096
NHTSA investigations
3RQ06004 · Brake Light Switch Failure
Opened Feb 28, 2006 · Closed Aug 7, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
EA03002 · Brake Light Switch
Opened Apr 8, 2003 · Closed Aug 20, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
PE02084 · Brake Light Switch Operation
Opened Nov 18, 2002 · Closed Apr 8, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Exterior Lighting
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
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