NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
39 reportsClear category filter67,695 miles · Feb 4, 2003
Electrical System
ON 01/28/2003 WHILE CRUISING AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH MY DIESEL ENGINE SIMPLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE WARNING WHATSOEVER. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A VERY BUSY ROAD WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO JIM ELLIS VW ON PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341 (PHONE: 770-458-6811). THEY WERE A…
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ON 01/28/2003 WHILE CRUISING AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH MY DIESEL ENGINE SIMPLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE WARNING WHATSOEVER. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A VERY BUSY ROAD WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO JIM ELLIS VW ON PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341 (PHONE: 770-458-6811). THEY WERE ABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM AND DIAGNOSED A FAILED POWER SUPPLY RELAY WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED. THUS FAR THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REPEATED ITSELF. THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION!!!!
NHTSA ODI #10005297
58,000 miles · Dec 13, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
1)DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAD DIFFICULTY GOING UP SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE, HAVE TO PUSH WITH HAND TO ASSIST. 2) JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE SENSOR BEHIND BRAKE PEDAL FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM PARK, REPLACED. 3) AIR BAG CAME ON AND THEN ENGINE LIGHT SOON AFTER, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. BOTH WARNING LIGHTS OFF AND REP…
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1)DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAD DIFFICULTY GOING UP SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE, HAVE TO PUSH WITH HAND TO ASSIST. 2) JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE SENSOR BEHIND BRAKE PEDAL FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM PARK, REPLACED. 3) AIR BAG CAME ON AND THEN ENGINE LIGHT SOON AFTER, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. BOTH WARNING LIGHTS OFF AND REPLACED. 4) HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING OUT, EVIDENCE OF A SHORT WHEN REPLACED. BURN MARKS, AND EXPOSED WIRING BECAUSE PLASTIC ON CONNECTORS GOT BRITTLE AND CRACKED OFF. 5) AIR BAG LIGHT ON AGAIN, TWO WEEKS LATER ENGINE LIGHT ON. TOLD TWO SENSORS ON MASS AIR FLOW AND SOME OTHERS ARE MALFUNCTIONING AND NOW BEEN REPLACED. TOLD THERE IS A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING IN STEERING COLUMN ALONG WITH BAD WIRING HARNESS, BOTH AFFECTING AIR BAGS. ALSO, TOLD AIR BAG IS NOW BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OTHER DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS HAVE SHORTED IGNITER IN AIR BAG OUT. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND CANNOT CONTINUE TO FUND REPAIRS TO THIS VEHICLE. CANNOT SELL EITHER BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND NOW REPUTATION OF BEETLE FOR PROBLEMS. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, EVEN SO MUCH AS BUMPED. METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS----------------770755. *AK *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10006532
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2002
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting
EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN IT ON. AFTER THE THIRD TIME, CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. *JG
NHTSA ODI #567115
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2002
Electrical SystemEquipmentUnknown Or Other
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 18 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INOPERATIVE SPEEDOMETER BUT IT ENDED UP BEING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE L…
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THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 18 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INOPERATIVE SPEEDOMETER BUT IT ENDED UP BEING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS WOULDN'T WORK BECAUSE OF AN ERROR WITH THE ELECTRONICS. *SCC
NHTSA ODI #567334
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2002
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD A FAILURE IN FUSE BOX WHICH CAUSED SOME FUSES TO MELT. ONE FUSE SHORTED OUT A WIRE TO THE RELAY BOX WHICH ALSO SUSTAINED A SHORT. HEAD LIGHTS, DEFOGGER, HORN, TURN SIGNALS ETC, BECAME INOPERATIVE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012113
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibility
CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL FEATURES. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED 2 BATTERIES/ 1 CD CHANGER/ 4 HEADLIGHT BULBS, AND AIR CONDITIONER OUTLET DIDN'T WORK. DEALER STATED VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES. PROBLEMS EXISTED SINCE DAY 1.*AK
NHTSA ODI #898624
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2001
Electrical System
WHILE STARTING BATTERY EXPLODED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBELM WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SURGE FROM ALTERNATOR . FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #897237
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2001
Electrical SystemPower Train
AT 1 1/2 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON "WITH NO FAULT FOUND" TOOK 1 1/2 YEARS AND 6 SERVICE VISITS TO FIX. THE CAR OFTEN GOES FORWARD WHILE IN REVERES AND HAS SHIFTING PROBLEMS, HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION "ADJUSTED" 3 TIMES STILL HAS PROBLEMS. OIL LIGHT DOESNT GO ON WHEN OIL IS LOW. BATTERY LIGHT DOESNT GO …
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AT 1 1/2 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON "WITH NO FAULT FOUND" TOOK 1 1/2 YEARS AND 6 SERVICE VISITS TO FIX. THE CAR OFTEN GOES FORWARD WHILE IN REVERES AND HAS SHIFTING PROBLEMS, HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION "ADJUSTED" 3 TIMES STILL HAS PROBLEMS. OIL LIGHT DOESNT GO ON WHEN OIL IS LOW. BATTERY LIGHT DOESNT GO ON WHEN THE BATTER IS DYING. WIRING TO HEADLIGHT KEEPS "LOOSENING" CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO FAIL. HAD REAR AND FRONT BRAKES REPLACED DUE TO LOW GROUND CLEARANCE AND SNOW GETTING LODGED IN THEM AND FREEZING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #751240
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility
BATTERY CABLE HAS BURNED OUT TWICE SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK REAR HATCH INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE REMOTE DUE TO IT BEING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, THE LEFT WINDOW SWITCH IS LOOSE. NLM
NHTSA ODI #895019
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipmentFire
THREE MONTHS PRRIOR TO THE ENGINE FIRE, A BATTERY BLEW UP IN THIS CAR AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY. PRIOR TO THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE A/C CONDENSER REPLACED. WE BELIEVE THIS CAR HAS SOME SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. VW DECIDED IT WAS AN "INSURANCE" ISSUE, BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE OF THE CAR. …
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THREE MONTHS PRRIOR TO THE ENGINE FIRE, A BATTERY BLEW UP IN THIS CAR AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY. PRIOR TO THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE A/C CONDENSER REPLACED. WE BELIEVE THIS CAR HAS SOME SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. VW DECIDED IT WAS AN "INSURANCE" ISSUE, BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE OF THE CAR. IN SHORT, THEY ARE SAYING THAT IT IS OK FOR THE ENGINE TO BURN UP ON A 1999 CAR WITH 44,000 MILES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #749060
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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