Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
1325–50K
1550–75K
1075–100K
16100–150K
4150K+
69 reports with mileage · 105 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports20 fire reports14 injury reports
What owners actually said
174 reports
121,000 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2010. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN DRIVE MODE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL GEAR; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION. SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO SHI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2010. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN DRIVE MODE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL GEAR; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION. SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BY REPLACING PARTS UNKNOWN TO THE CONTACT. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, WHICH ALSO DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 121,000.
NHTSA ODI #10312237
106,000 miles · Dec 6, 2009
Power Train
V.W. BEETLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE - HARD SHIFT OR WILL NOT SHIFT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10294669
75,608 miles · Nov 23, 2009
Power Train
DRIVING DOWN NJ PARKWAY,65 MPH. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT,THUMPING,LOSING SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT AFTER READING BLOG ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED BASED ON THIS INFO. CAR IS NOW UNDRIVABLE. SHIFTING ERRATICALLY IF AT ALL. JERKING BETWEEN GEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293258
89,140 miles · Aug 12, 2009
Equipment Adaptive/mobility
FAULTY VALVE STEMS -- SUSPECT -- MADE IN CHINA, PURCHASED AT LOCAL AAA REPAIR FACILITY THAT PURCHAES SUPPLIES FROM TECH INT'L. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280209
108,000 miles · Jan 29, 2009
TiresFire
DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING DOWN ROAD AT 45 MPH (SPEED LIMIT) AND THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. SHE SAW SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO CAR DEALERSHIP. THE RESULT WAS THE TREAD SEPARATED, DAMAGED …
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DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING DOWN ROAD AT 45 MPH (SPEED LIMIT) AND THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. SHE SAW SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO CAR DEALERSHIP. THE RESULT WAS THE TREAD SEPARATED, DAMAGED OIL PAN, WRAPPED AROUND CV AXLE, MELTED THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT. THE CAR IS BEYOND REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256887
136,000 miles · Dec 12, 2008
Electrical SystemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE DRIVER COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. SHE THEN NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND, WITHIN MINUTES, FLAMES ENGULFED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPAR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE DRIVER COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. SHE THEN NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND, WITHIN MINUTES, FLAMES ENGULFED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD; HOWEVER, THIS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DEFINITIVELY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 136,000.
NHTSA ODI #10251632
47,000 miles · Oct 7, 2008
Fuel System, Other
WE PURCHASED A USED 99 VW BEETLE; THE PREVIOUS OWNERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS US THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. WE HAVE IT CHECKED OUT (DIAGNOSTIC) AND THEY TELL US IT SHOW RICH FUEL. WE PAY AROUND $250.00 EACH TIME TO HAVE IT FIXED AND RESET AND IT LAST FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS AND IT DOES IT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT…
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WE PURCHASED A USED 99 VW BEETLE; THE PREVIOUS OWNERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS US THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. WE HAVE IT CHECKED OUT (DIAGNOSTIC) AND THEY TELL US IT SHOW RICH FUEL. WE PAY AROUND $250.00 EACH TIME TO HAVE IT FIXED AND RESET AND IT LAST FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS AND IT DOES IT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BACK IN 2004 ABOUT A OCTAIN SENSOR. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE THE PROBLEM AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HAVE THIS FIXED RIGHT WITH NO CHARGE. IF THERE WAS A RECALL SENT OUT REGARDING THIS THE PREVIOUS OWNERS DID NOT RECEIVE ONE BECAUSE THEY PURCHASED IT AS A USED VEHICLE AS WELL. PLEASE HELP THIS IS DRIVING US CRAZY AND THIS IS MY TEENAGE DAUGHTERS VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244615
69,023 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Power Train
PROBLEM: GEAR SHIFTER FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN PARK POSITION. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER HAS LOCKED IN THE PARK POSITION. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR INTO A DRIVE GEAR, IT WAS NECESSARY TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES WHILE PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT HAS TAKEN AS LONG A 30 MINS. OF THIS P…
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PROBLEM: GEAR SHIFTER FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN PARK POSITION. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER HAS LOCKED IN THE PARK POSITION. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR INTO A DRIVE GEAR, IT WAS NECESSARY TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES WHILE PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT HAS TAKEN AS LONG A 30 MINS. OF THIS PROCESS TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. ON EACH OCCASION MY CAR WAS IN A PARKED POSITION. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM COULD POTENTIALLY OCCUR IF THE CAR WERE PLACED INTO PARK AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, IT WOULD CREATE A TRAFFIC HAZARD. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED BY MULTIPLE CONSUMERS THROUGHOUT VARIOUS INTERNET WEBSITES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241910
78,000 miles · May 25, 2008
Visibility
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED - CABLE 'SHREDDED' AND AUTOMATIC WINDOW NO LONGER WORKS TO 'ROLL UP' THE WINDOW. FOUND MANY RESULTS ONLINE FOR OTHER VW OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR OE REGULATORS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228868
35,000 miles · May 7, 2008
Structure
HEADLINER SEPARATES FROM FORMED SUB COMPOSITE. FAILURE IS A DAY TO DAY PROBLEM. HEADLINER DROOPS INTO INTERIOR OF CAR. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE BECAUSE OF CURRENT AGE OF VEHICLE. WE SAFETY PIN UP THE HEADLINER TO SUB STRUCTURE IN HOPE THAT IT WILL NOT FALL IN FRONT OF US AS WE DRIVE THIS CAR ON A DAILY BASIS. *TR
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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.
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.
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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