I HAVE A 2000 VW BEETLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF BUYING THE CAR I STARTED HAVING ENGINE/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT IN........SEVERAL TIMES, SAME PROBLEM. AS I AM DRIVING THE CAR IT JUST DIES. I CAN BE GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY OR 1 MPH PULLING TO OR AWAY FROM A STOP SI…
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I HAVE A 2000 VW BEETLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF BUYING THE CAR I STARTED HAVING ENGINE/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT IN........SEVERAL TIMES, SAME PROBLEM. AS I AM DRIVING THE CAR IT JUST DIES. I CAN BE GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY OR 1 MPH PULLING TO OR AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN. WITH NO WARNING THE CAR CUTS OFF. IT ALWAYS STARTS BACK UP, BUT IT WILL CONTINUALLY DIE. I LOSE ALL POWER TO THE CAR INCLUDING STEERING. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN AND HAS BEEN FOR TWO YEARS AND APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES IN THE VW SHOP. THE CAR DEFINITELY HAS A PROBLEM THAT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIX. I HAVE OR MY WARRANTY COMPANY HAS REPEATEDLY PAID FOR THE SAME AND THEN SOME REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. SOME PARTS (THE SAME PART) WERE REPLACED WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. MOSTLY THE SHOP DETERMINES IT IS THE O2 SENSORS THROUGHOUT THE CAR (APPARENTLY YOU HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT O2 SENSORS) OR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TURBO (WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED ONCE OR TWICE NOW). THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. SOME MORE THAN ONCE. THE CAR STILL DIES. IT GIVES NO WARNING IT JUST SHUTS OFF. LOSING POWER AT 70 MPH ON A CROWDED INTERSTATE CAN SHAKE ONE UP. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THE MANUFACTURER, AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN. NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE OR WANT TO HELP ME. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP!*JB
NHTSA ODI #10135746
70,000 miles · Jun 27, 2005
Electrical System
2000 VW NEW BEETLE IGNITION SWTICH - THOUSANDS OF FAILURES WITH DOCUMENTED PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF OF OVERHEATED WIRING BURNING THROUGH INSULATION WITHIN STEERING COLUMN. FIRE HAZARD! MY SWITCH WENT BACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ARIZONA DESERT. NO HEADLIGHTS, NO WINDSHIELD WIPERS, NO HORN, NO A/C, NO TURN SIGNALS, NO FOG LIGHTS, NO …
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2000 VW NEW BEETLE IGNITION SWTICH - THOUSANDS OF FAILURES WITH DOCUMENTED PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF OF OVERHEATED WIRING BURNING THROUGH INSULATION WITHIN STEERING COLUMN. FIRE HAZARD! MY SWITCH WENT BACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ARIZONA DESERT. NO HEADLIGHTS, NO WINDSHIELD WIPERS, NO HORN, NO A/C, NO TURN SIGNALS, NO FOG LIGHTS, NO REAR DEFROSTER. MAIN CONCERN IS NO HEADLIGHTS, AND RISK OF FIRE OBVIOUSLY. VW OF AMERICA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ACROSS MANY MODELS, AND DEALERS HAVE WARNED THAT CARS ARE 'UN-DRIVEABLE' DUE TO FIRE RISK WHEN PROBLEM SURFACES. VWOA REFUSES TO REPLACE OR RECALL SWITCHES. IGNITION SWITH REQUIRES REPLACMENT.
NHTSA ODI #10126685
43,000 miles · Dec 13, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-40 MPH, SUDDENLY THE VENTILATION PANEL BECAME HOT. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM ON THE KNOB MELTED. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY SMOKE COMING OUT THE AIR VENT. VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN MINUTES OF THE CONSUMER EXITING THE VEHICLE, AND CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE INS…
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WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-40 MPH, SUDDENLY THE VENTILATION PANEL BECAME HOT. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM ON THE KNOB MELTED. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY SMOKE COMING OUT THE AIR VENT. VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN MINUTES OF THE CONSUMER EXITING THE VEHICLE, AND CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS REPORTEDLY DUE TO INTERIOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10103570
50,000 miles · Nov 22, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE PARKED VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK A PEDESTRIAN INFORMED THE FIRE INSPECTOR THAT THE FLAMES WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE. (ELECTRICAL FIRE) *SC
NHTSA ODI #10097557
54,000 miles · Nov 9, 2004
Electrical System
FUSE BLOCK ON TOP OF BATTERY MELTED, FUSES NOT BLOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10098552
45,000 miles · Jul 18, 2004
Electrical System
BATTERY HAS TO BE JUMPED WHENEVER LEFT FOR 5 DAYS. HAD TESTED AT 39K BUT VW SERVICE SAID WAS FINE. PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE UNTIL HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 45K AS WOULD NO LONGER START IN MORNINGS. REPORT STATES FAULTY BATTERY AND REPLACED WITH STATELINE (CANNOT AFFORD VW BATTERY WITH ALL THE REPAIRS I'M HAVING TO DO) AT $182.
NHTSA ODI #10081282
41,000 miles · Jul 18, 2004
Electrical System
CHECK MILL LIGHT CAME ON AT 41K. HAD TO REPLACE AIR MASS FLOW METER, AIRFLOMETER, HOSE, AND INSTALL NEW VACUUM VALVE. ALSO SOMETHING TO DO WITH INJECTION SOLENOID TO THE COMBI VALVE AND A FAULTY MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. COST ME CLOSE TO $300.
NHTSA ODI #10081281
41,000 miles · Jul 18, 2004
Electrical System
ONE RELAY SENSOR IN MY HORN FAILED WHICH CAUSED HORN NOT TO FUNCTION. HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR RELAY SENSORS IN ORDER TO CORRECT PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $ 300.
NHTSA ODI #10081280
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
FAN SWITCH WOULD TURN OFF, THEN STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE, BURNING THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10066202
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2004
Electrical System
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON MORE OFTEN THAN NOT SINCE 22,000 MILES. ON 8/28/01 O2 SENSOR REPLACED BY DEALER (#1). ON 1/20/03 DEALER (#3) TOLD ME THAT ENGINE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR AN ESTIMATED COST TO OWNER OF $1306.25. CAR BROUGHT TO NONDEALER AND REPAIRED FOR $36.00, ALBEIT TEMPORARILY. INCIDENTALLY DEALER…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON MORE OFTEN THAN NOT SINCE 22,000 MILES. ON 8/28/01 O2 SENSOR REPLACED BY DEALER (#1). ON 1/20/03 DEALER (#3) TOLD ME THAT ENGINE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR AN ESTIMATED COST TO OWNER OF $1306.25. CAR BROUGHT TO NONDEALER AND REPAIRED FOR $36.00, ALBEIT TEMPORARILY. INCIDENTALLY DEALER HAD COMPLETELY RUN DOWN BATTERY, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. ON 5/8/03 CAR BROUGHT TO DEALER (#4) FOR OVERHEATING DUE TO A PUNCTURE IN OIL PAN, THOUGH OWNER WAS NOT AWARE OF HITTING ANYTHING. OF COURSE ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ON AND TEMPERATURE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. AGAIN INCIDENTALLY TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN 5 MILES OF DEALERSHIP AFTER OIL PAN HAD BEEN "FIXED". ON 1/15/04 OWNER IS NOT ABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS TESTING AND THEREFORE NOT ABLE TO RENEW REGISTRATION OF VEHICLE BECAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. ON THAT DAY, VACUUM LEAK WAS REPAIRED BUT LIGHT RETURNED WITHIN 24 HOURS. ON 1/21/04 A HOSE IN AIR INJECTION SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BUT LIGHT RETURNED WITHIN 24 HOURS. MECHANIC HAS NOW REFUSED TO CONTINUE WORKING ON THE CAR. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR - NEVER EVEN CONSIDER FOR A MOMENT BUYING A VW!! THIS IS THE WORST CAR THAT I OR ANYONE I'VE EVER KNOWN HAS OWNED. VW SERVICE IS ATROCIOUS AS WELL. THEY ARE INCOMPETENT, IRRESPONSIBLE AND RUDE TO BOOT. THE FACT THAT VW WILL NOT PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRENTY AND PROBLEMS OCCUR THAT HAVE KNOWN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE, PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT THESE CARS POSE. SEE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS THAT OWNER HAS EXPERIENCED UNDER "OTHER".*AK
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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