TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHENEVER HE STARTED HIS VEHICLE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AND THEN REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A MONTH AND A HALF. THE FAILU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHENEVER HE STARTED HIS VEHICLE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AND THEN REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A MONTH AND A HALF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
NHTSA ODI #10298693
70,000 miles · Nov 17, 2009
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE '04 (APPROX. 80K MILES) - SLIPPING AND BANGING TRANSMISSION. SLAMS AND BANGS HARD WITH EACH DOWNSHIFT (AUTOMATIC) AFTER ABOUT 15 MILES OR DRIVING. SLIPS OR WILL NOT MOVE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLAMMING AND BANGING BEGINS. CANNOT DRIVE CAR IN TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OR BEING REAR ENDED OR BROADSIDED, THEREFORE,…
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VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE '04 (APPROX. 80K MILES) - SLIPPING AND BANGING TRANSMISSION. SLAMS AND BANGS HARD WITH EACH DOWNSHIFT (AUTOMATIC) AFTER ABOUT 15 MILES OR DRIVING. SLIPS OR WILL NOT MOVE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLAMMING AND BANGING BEGINS. CANNOT DRIVE CAR IN TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OR BEING REAR ENDED OR BROADSIDED, THEREFORE, CANNOT SAFELY OR DEPENDABLY DRIVE THE CAR. EXPECTED THOUSANDS TO REPAIR IF A MECHANIC WHO UNDERSTANDS THE PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND. MANY OF THE KNOW ISSUES WITH CAR HAVE ALSO OCCURRED; BROKEN PLASTIC WATER PUMP, REAR WINDOW SEAL BROKEN, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN, PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LIGHT MALFUNCTION, HEADLIGHTS UNEVEN BRIGHTNESS, SHORT IN DASH, HEATED SEAT TOO HOT TO USE (FEAR OF FIRE) AND INCREDIBLE DOOR RATTLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292479
75,000 miles · Nov 17, 2009
Air BagsPower TrainTires
2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE TURBO...2.0 LITER ENGINE...THE TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING DOWN OR UP....FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS REARENED IT IN THE BACK....HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP AND COUPLE OF OTHER TRANSMISSION PLACES...THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY...NOW THAT IT HAS…
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2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE TURBO...2.0 LITER ENGINE...THE TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING DOWN OR UP....FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS REARENED IT IN THE BACK....HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP AND COUPLE OF OTHER TRANSMISSION PLACES...THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY...NOW THAT IT HAS 94000 MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY DECIDE IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION.....WE HAVE HAD IT SERVICED JUST LIKE WE SHOULD...IT DOESN'T MATTER...WE DON'T HAVE 6000.00 TO GET IT FIXED...SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE...I'VE TALKED WITH MANY, MANY VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM..HOW MANY DOES IT TAKE BEFORE YOU GUYS DO A RECALL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292448
36,000 miles · Sep 16, 2009
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT WONT GO OFF. WAS TOLD THE SEATBELT SENSOR CAME LOOSE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED COSTING $350. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10284106
62,000 miles · Aug 3, 2009
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES. PLEASE REFER TO COMPLAIN ODI 10279199. CALLED VW RECALL CENTER 800.822.8987, THERE IS A RECALL #08V178000 FOR EXACT SAME ISSUE. VW SAID MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED FOR THAT ISSUE. ASKED IF THEY WOULD TAKE MY CAR FOR INSPECTION, REQUEST DENIED UNLESS I PAID FOR THE INSPECTION. MY CONCERN IS TH…
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AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES. PLEASE REFER TO COMPLAIN ODI 10279199. CALLED VW RECALL CENTER 800.822.8987, THERE IS A RECALL #08V178000 FOR EXACT SAME ISSUE. VW SAID MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED FOR THAT ISSUE. ASKED IF THEY WOULD TAKE MY CAR FOR INSPECTION, REQUEST DENIED UNLESS I PAID FOR THE INSPECTION. MY CONCERN IS THAT AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT TO MY FAMILY, BESIDES THE ACTUAL ISSUE OF NOT DEPLOYING PROPERLY. EVEN IF MY VEHICLE HAS NO DUAL STAGE AIRBAG, THE ISSUE OF AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON MAY BE CAUSED BY THE SAME QUALITY/POOR DESIGN ROOT CAUSE. BELOW IS THE ACTUAL RECALL DESCRIPTION AND REMEDY: "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: 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". *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279206
62,000 miles · Aug 3, 2009
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, DOES NOT TURN OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279199
27,660 miles · Jun 10, 2009
Air Bags
2004 VW BEETLE 27,660 MILES VW DEALER - KELLY MOTOR, SCRANTON, PA AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK CAR TO VW. PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED CONTROL MODULE DEFECTIVE. TOLD PART WILL TAKE 8 WEEKS TO ARRIVE. CAR SIDE AIRBAG NOW DOES NOT WORK. 2ND TIME AIRBAG LIGHT HAS LIGHTED AND BEEN IN SHOP, THIS ON TOP OF RECENT RECALL FOR ANOT…
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2004 VW BEETLE 27,660 MILES VW DEALER - KELLY MOTOR, SCRANTON, PA AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK CAR TO VW. PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED CONTROL MODULE DEFECTIVE. TOLD PART WILL TAKE 8 WEEKS TO ARRIVE. CAR SIDE AIRBAG NOW DOES NOT WORK. 2ND TIME AIRBAG LIGHT HAS LIGHTED AND BEEN IN SHOP, THIS ON TOP OF RECENT RECALL FOR ANOTHER AIRBAG SENSOR FIXED EARLIER THIS YEAR. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT BEING WITHOUT AN AIRBAG FOR 8 WEEKS; VW HAS NO REASON FOR THE DELAY. I CALLED THEIR HEADQUARTERS IN CALIFORNIA WITH NO SUCCESS. SECOND CONCERN IS GENERAL RELIABILITY FOR THIS AIRBAG SYSTEM DUE TO REPAIRS PLUS RECALL. VW WON'T RESPOND IN GETTING THIS PART IN EARLIER, CAN YOU HELP GET THIS PART TO MY VW DEALER SO THEY CAN MAKE THIS CAR SAFE? THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273493
13,000 miles · Mar 16, 2009
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON WITHOUT APPARENT REASONS. NO COLLISION OR BUMPS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262060
82,400 miles · Mar 5, 2009
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON (CONCERNED ABOUT NOT WORKING PROPERLY IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT) POSSIBLE WIRE THAT IS TOO SHORT UNDER THE SEAT BREAKING WHEN IT IS MOVED FORWARD TO ALLOW ACCESS TO REAR SEAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260813
27,858 miles · Feb 19, 2009
Air BagsSeat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR DID NOT DIM ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT LATCH FOR THE SEAT B…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR DID NOT DIM ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT LATCH FOR THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A FAILED WIRE BY THE LATCH OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,888 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,858.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL PUMPS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPER FASTENER, WHICH COULD ALLOW DIESEL FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE PUMP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN 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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