NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
174 reports89,000 miles · Jun 12, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
COOLING PROBLEMS LED TO OVERALL DIAGNOSIS OF COOLING SYSTEM. 30 AMP FUSE LOCATED IN FUSE PANEL ON TOP OF BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE BURNED AND MELTED. THE PLASTIC FUSE PANEL WAS DESTROYED AND THE FUSE ITSELF MELTED INTO THE FUSE HOLDER. THE CONTACTS IN THE PANEL FOR THE REMAINING FUSES APPEAR TO BE VERY SMALL (APPROX 18-GAUGE WI…
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COOLING PROBLEMS LED TO OVERALL DIAGNOSIS OF COOLING SYSTEM. 30 AMP FUSE LOCATED IN FUSE PANEL ON TOP OF BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE BURNED AND MELTED. THE PLASTIC FUSE PANEL WAS DESTROYED AND THE FUSE ITSELF MELTED INTO THE FUSE HOLDER. THE CONTACTS IN THE PANEL FOR THE REMAINING FUSES APPEAR TO BE VERY SMALL (APPROX 18-GAUGE WIRE SIZE) AND POSSIBLY THIS EXTREMELY SMALL CONTACT AREA CONTRIBUTED TO THE OVERHEATING, MELTING AND BURNING OBSERVED. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS DETAILED IN THIS THREAD ONLINE: HTTP://FORUMS.NEWBEETLE.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=E9AEE49B8C9FDDF9B634388731C5D59A&THREADID=26315&PERPAGE=15&HIGHLIGHT=30A%20FUSE&PAGENUMBER=1 THE FUSE BOX AND FUSE (ORIGINAL OEM GREEN FUSE) APPEARED THE SAME AS THE PICTURES PRESENTED IN THE ABOVE-LINKED THREAD. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10125037
45,000 miles · Apr 22, 2005
SeatsCrashInjury
AFTER BEING REAR ENDED, THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN WHIP LASH. AFTER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, THEY STATED THE SEAT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10119066
87,522 miles · Apr 12, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringVisibility
1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TIE ROD EQUIPMENT.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND NOISY ON TURNS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION GEAR AND TIE ROD ENDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BAKE TO THE DEALER FOR FRONT END VIBRATION AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE ROD ENDS WERE WORN. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT CLOSE…
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1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TIE ROD EQUIPMENT.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND NOISY ON TURNS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION GEAR AND TIE ROD ENDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BAKE TO THE DEALER FOR FRONT END VIBRATION AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE ROD ENDS WERE WORN. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT CLOSE DUE TO DEFECTIVE REGULATORS. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR AND REST THE READINESS CODES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10117848
87,522 miles · Apr 8, 2005
Steering
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP TEMPORARILY. DEALERSHIP INFORMED/REPAIRED THE FRONT RACK AND PINION.*AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10115303
113,000 miles · Mar 15, 2005
Structure
WENT IN FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND WHEN DRAIN PLUG WAS REMOVED FROM OIL PAN THE THREADS FELL OUT. TECH. WAS ABLE TO PUT IN OVERSIZE DRAINPLUG BUT STATED I WILL NEED NEW OIL PAN (ESTIMATED AT $430) UPON NEXT OIL CHANGE. TECH. STATED THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON 1999 NEW BEETLES AND HE HAS SEEN A SERVICE BULLETIN RE: THIS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10114114
59,000 miles · Feb 7, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainFire
WHILE DRIVING CLUTCH WENT OUT, AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SHIFT THE GEARS. AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. VEHIICLE WAS LATER TOWED. THE AIR PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10110989
36,933 miles · Jan 13, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashFire
THE DRIVER WAS SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. NO INJURIES TO REPORT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO EXTINGUISHED OUT THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE PROVIDE A…
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THE DRIVER WAS SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. NO INJURIES TO REPORT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO EXTINGUISHED OUT THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. UPDATED 04/19/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10107375
101,000 miles · Oct 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE MOTOR BLEW. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10096733
36,000 miles · Oct 2, 2004
Power Train
I BOUGHT A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE ON AUGUST 4, 2004. ON AUGUST 27, 2004 I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. I THEN BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM AND ASKED THEM TO FIX THE CLUTCH, AS IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED, AND SAID THAT I RUINED THE CLUTCH DU…
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I BOUGHT A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE ON AUGUST 4, 2004. ON AUGUST 27, 2004 I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. I THEN BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM AND ASKED THEM TO FIX THE CLUTCH, AS IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED, AND SAID THAT I RUINED THE CLUTCH DUE TO MY DRIVING. ACCORDING TO THEM THIS CAN HAPPEN IN THE 23 DAYS THAT I OWNED THE CAR. THEY STILL CONTINUE TO REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10093504
46,803 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A FUEL LEAK. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD A CRACK IN IT. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL COMING THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10081509
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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