I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE BACK WINDOW OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS COMING APART FROM THE CLOTH TOP. I HAVE READ ONLINE SEVERAL POSTS OF MANY CONSUMERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THIS MAY BE RELATED TO A DEFECT IN THE GLUE OR SEALING THEY USE TO HOLD THE WINDOW IN PLACE.MY CONCE…
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I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE BACK WINDOW OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS COMING APART FROM THE CLOTH TOP. I HAVE READ ONLINE SEVERAL POSTS OF MANY CONSUMERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THIS MAY BE RELATED TO A DEFECT IN THE GLUE OR SEALING THEY USE TO HOLD THE WINDOW IN PLACE.MY CONCERN IS THE BACK WINDOW MAY FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING OR EVEN FALL INTO THE BACKSEAT ONTO SOMEONE CAUSING SEVER INJURIES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276879
40,000 miles · Jul 15, 2009
StructureVisibility
REAR WINDOW IS DETACHING FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP CREATING OPEN SPACE INTO CAR, RAIN ENTRY AND POOR VISIBILITY THRU REAR VIEW MIRROR WHEN WATER IS COMING IN. FABRIC SHRINKING BACK FROM GLASS. CANNOT BE RE GLUED. WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED THE ENTIRE TOP MUST BE REPLACED. RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS WITH A COMPANY THAT RE…
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REAR WINDOW IS DETACHING FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP CREATING OPEN SPACE INTO CAR, RAIN ENTRY AND POOR VISIBILITY THRU REAR VIEW MIRROR WHEN WATER IS COMING IN. FABRIC SHRINKING BACK FROM GLASS. CANNOT BE RE GLUED. WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED THE ENTIRE TOP MUST BE REPLACED. RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS WITH A COMPANY THAT REPLACES CONVERTIBLE TOPS EVIDENTLY HIS IS COMMON ON THE 2003 MODEL. THE REAR CONVERTIBLE TOP WINDOW STARTED FALLING OUT LATE 2008. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. TOO MANY SAFETY CONCERNS DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276858
62,000 miles · Jun 14, 2009
EquipmentStructureVisibility
SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ASAP TO MAKE VOLKSWAGEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 2003 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE DOORS AND WINDOW PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2003 WITH LESS THAT 10 MILES ON IT SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH MOST OF THE PROBLEM BEING WITH THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR HING…
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SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ASAP TO MAKE VOLKSWAGEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 2003 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE DOORS AND WINDOW PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2003 WITH LESS THAT 10 MILES ON IT SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH MOST OF THE PROBLEM BEING WITH THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR HINGES BROKE OFF AND ALL OF MY WINDOWS REGULATORS/MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE. TODAY TOPS THE CAKE WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP!! NOW WITH THE REGULATORS JUST BEING REPLACED IN 2006 THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!!! AFTER READING EVERYONE ELSE'S COMPLAINTS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ONGOING PROBLEM THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN AND HOLD VOLKSWAGEN RESPONSIBLE!! I DID NOT PAY THE AMOUNT I DID FOR A NEW VEHICLE TO HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. I HAVE OWNED OTHER TYPES OF CARS AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. IF THERE IS AN ATTORNEY READING THIS I WOULD BE HAPPY TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS THAT FEEL THE SAME!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273720
99,000 miles · Jun 11, 2009
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
THE DOOR HINGES ON MY DRIVERS' SIDE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN CONVERTIBLE BEETLE HAS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME. VOLKS OF AMERICA AND VW OCONNOR IN AUGUSTA MAINE ARE VERY UNHELPFUL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOUR YEARS AND TURNS OUT BEFORE I OWNED THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR ON SAT 6/6/09…
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THE DOOR HINGES ON MY DRIVERS' SIDE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN CONVERTIBLE BEETLE HAS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME. VOLKS OF AMERICA AND VW OCONNOR IN AUGUSTA MAINE ARE VERY UNHELPFUL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOUR YEARS AND TURNS OUT BEFORE I OWNED THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR ON SAT 6/6/09 AND MY DOOR HINGE SNAPPED AND THE DOOR IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. NOW MY ALARM SYSTEM WILL NOT GO ON. SOMEONE NEED TO FIX MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273516
40,000 miles · May 28, 2009
StructureVisibility
REAR WINDOW WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10270199
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2009
StructureVisibility
2003 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE RIGHT SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264152
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2007
StructureVisibility
REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS FALLEN DOWN AND THE DEALER WANTS AROUND $1,000 TO REPAIR IT. OUR THERMOSTAT WENT OUT LAST WEEK AND COST US $315 FOR JUST THAT, AND THEN THE NEXT DAY OUR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE BROKE. THE CAR HAS AROUND 70,000 MILES ON IT AND THINGS KEEP GOING WRONG EVERY WEEK! I LOVED THIS CAR BUT THE WAY IT IS…
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REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS FALLEN DOWN AND THE DEALER WANTS AROUND $1,000 TO REPAIR IT. OUR THERMOSTAT WENT OUT LAST WEEK AND COST US $315 FOR JUST THAT, AND THEN THE NEXT DAY OUR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE BROKE. THE CAR HAS AROUND 70,000 MILES ON IT AND THINGS KEEP GOING WRONG EVERY WEEK! I LOVED THIS CAR BUT THE WAY IT IS GOING I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VW PRODUCT (EVEN THOUGH I OWNED 2 IN THE PAST). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10202772
50,000 miles · Jun 18, 2007
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLASS ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS BEGUN TO SEPARATE FROM THE CANVAS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO PAY 75% OF THE REPLACEMENT COST. AS OF JUNE 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLASS ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS BEGUN TO SEPARATE FROM THE CANVAS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO PAY 75% OF THE REPLACEMENT COST. AS OF JUNE 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10193649
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2007
Structure
AFTER ANY RAIN ON MY NON-MOVING 2003 VW NEW BEETLE WATER COLLECTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT FLOOR PAN CAUSING THE CAR TO STINK AND MOLD TO GROW. I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO CLEAR THE SUNROOF DRAIN WITH VERY LIMITED SUCCESS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTENTLY RETURNS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10180755
45,000 miles · Jul 27, 2006
StructureCrashInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT-END COLLISION. THE HYDRAULIC ROD HOLDING THE HOOD UP DETACHED AND ENTERED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD GLASS. THE CONTACT INCURRED WRIST AND ANKLE INJURIES IN THE COLLISION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 76,900 MY 2004-2005 NEW BEETLE AND MY 2003-2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED (DUAL-STAGE) AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM MAY HAVE AIR BAG FRONTAL CRASH SENSORS THAT CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE FALLBACK ALGORITHM WILL ENSURE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS ALWAYS DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE'S DECELERATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN LOW-SEVERITY FRONTAL IMPACTS, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY MORE FORCEFULLY THAN DESIGNED, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO OUT-OF-POSITION FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT EACH VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE SPECIFIC DEFECT CRASH SENSOR IS PRESENT ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE DEFECT CRASH SENSORS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
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 APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. 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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE08012 · Front Air Bag Crash Sensor Failure
Opened Feb 15, 2008 · Closed Apr 24, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
CERTAIN SUBJECT VEHICLES, MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CONVERTIBLE AND MY 2004 SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED DUAL-STAGE AIR BAG SYSTEM.THE AIR BAG CRASH SENSORS (#1F0 909 606) CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS.IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE CONTROL MODULE WILL ENABLE A FALLBACK ALGORITHM THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG ALWAYS DEPLOYS IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE'S DECELERATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS.HOWEVER, IN LOW-SEVERITY FRONTAL IMPACTS, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY MORE FORCEFULLY THAN DESIGNED, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO OUT-OF-POSITION FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT FOR THE DEFECTIVE CRASH SENSOR AND REPLACE WITH AN UPDATED DESIGN.IN ADDITION, 16,177 EARLY-MY 2005 NEW BEETLE SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES (BUILT THROUGH OCT 31, 2004) ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL 08V-178)
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