TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BATTERY AND ABS INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND WAS MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BATTERY AND ABS INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND WAS MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. LEITH VOLKSWAGEN OF CARY (2300 AUTOPARK BLVD, CARY, NC 27511, (919) 842-5624) AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000.
NHTSA ODI #11231906
50,000 miles · Jul 8, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING RUBBER AND THE VEHICLE'S RADIO STOPPED WORKING. AS THE CONTACT PROCEEDED DRIVING, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS BEGAN FLASHING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING RUBBER AND THE VEHICLE'S RADIO STOPPED WORKING. AS THE CONTACT PROCEEDED DRIVING, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS BEGAN FLASHING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE FUSE BOX REPLACED, YET THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #11230138
350 miles · Feb 3, 2018
Electrical System
THE FUSE BOX IS BURNING BECAUSE SOME CABLES ARE TOO SMALL AND ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS, IT IS SOMETHING EXTREMELY COMMON BUT ACCORDING TO ME, IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA ODI #11066820
164,500 miles · Nov 6, 2017
Electrical System
CONTINUED HEADLAMP FAILURE RE: HEADLAMP COVER GLASS / LEXAN COMES OFF AND FLYS OFF OF CAR. SEVERAL OWNERS REPORT SAME PROBLEM. CREATES HAZERDOUS DEBRIS WHEN IT HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY AND ALSO EXPOSES HEADLAMP LIGHTS DIRECTLY TO WEATHER AND CAUSES FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #11043985
5 miles · Aug 12, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System
VW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, OBD SENSOR PORT NOT READING, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON, NOW RADIO IS GOING ON AND OFF. STARTED YESTERDAY MORNING,WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE ABS STARTED AFTER WORK ON THE WAY HOME.
NHTSA ODI #11014835
15 miles · Jul 4, 2016
Electrical System
THE FIRST TIME I ROLLED WINDOWS DOWN IN MY DRIVEWAY SO THAT I COULD TAKE TOP DOWN. THEY WOULD NOT ROLL UP PROPERLY TO MAKE A CONNECTION TO THE TOP CONVERTIBLE OF THE CAR. SO THE CAR WAS NOT WEATHER SAFE.
NHTSA ODI #10882429
64,000 miles · Jun 21, 2016
Electrical System
POWER PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW. STOPPED 3/4 OF WAY UP, HEARD A "CRACK". ROLLED DOWN AND NO LONGER WORKS.
NHTSA ODI #10875747
79,000 miles · Mar 4, 2016
Electrical System
JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2015, FEBRUARY 29, 2016 THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START, HAD MY SONS JUMP IT AND DROVE IT TO WORK, AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF TRIED TO START AGAIN RIGHT AWAY, VEHICLE DEAD. MADE AN APPOINTMENT MARCH 4, 2016 WITH VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THAT THE ISSUE IS A BURNT ALTERNATOR CABLE AND M…
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JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2015, FEBRUARY 29, 2016 THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START, HAD MY SONS JUMP IT AND DROVE IT TO WORK, AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF TRIED TO START AGAIN RIGHT AWAY, VEHICLE DEAD. MADE AN APPOINTMENT MARCH 4, 2016 WITH VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THAT THE ISSUE IS A BURNT ALTERNATOR CABLE AND MELTED FUSE BOX. AFTER READING NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS ONLINE, IT SEEMS THAT IS GOES OUT BETWEEN 70,000 - 80,000 MILES, MY VEHICLE HAD 79,000 MILES WHEN IT HAPPENED. VOLKSWAGEN ISN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT I'VE SEEN...WANTING VOLKSWAGEN TO PAY FOR REPAIR...VERY FRUSTRATED, DON'T THINK I WOULD OWN ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN!...IF THIS IS THE WAY THEY TREAT CUSTOMERS. THERE WASN'T A FIRE, BUT IT COULD'VE HAPPENED, ISN'T VOLKSWAGEN CONCERNED ABOUT INDIVIDUALS SAFETY, THINK THEY SHOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE BY PROVIDING A DIFFERENT SOLUTION TO HOW THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED PERTAINING TO THE FUSE BOX, ETC.
NHTSA ODI #10839864
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2016
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR CABLE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10820095
75,000 miles · Nov 23, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
FOR THE PAST 3-4 YEARS MY BEETLE HAS HAD WORSENING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. SOMETIMES IT JUST TURNS OFF ALL BY ITSELF. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL GOES OUT. IT HAS EVEN HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND IT SHUT OFF. I WAS NEARLY KILLED.
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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