NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
261 reports55,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $4000. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $4000. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR RELATED WARRANTIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10421104
80,000 miles · Aug 22, 2011
Visibility
REAR PASSENGER WINDOW STUCK DOWN IN 2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE - THERE IS APPARENTLY A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER ON THIS REAR WINDOW REGULATOR OF AT LEAST 2 MONTHS WHICH MEANS THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AFFECTING MANY VW DRIVERS AND VW SHOULD CLEARLY HAVE A RECALL - LEAVING MY CAR WITH A WINDOW OPEN IS NOT AT ALL IDEAL AND I WILL HAVE …
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REAR PASSENGER WINDOW STUCK DOWN IN 2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE - THERE IS APPARENTLY A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER ON THIS REAR WINDOW REGULATOR OF AT LEAST 2 MONTHS WHICH MEANS THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AFFECTING MANY VW DRIVERS AND VW SHOULD CLEARLY HAVE A RECALL - LEAVING MY CAR WITH A WINDOW OPEN IS NOT AT ALL IDEAL AND I WILL HAVE TO CAREFULLY PLAN OUT WHERE I PARK THE CAR UNTIL THE PART IS LOCATED AND INSTALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421037
27,643 miles · Aug 18, 2011
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE CONSTANTLY KEEPS FAILING AND CAUSES THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS TO FIX THIS ISSUE BUT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE AND THE THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WITH DIFFERENT THINGS BEING THE ISSUE. FI…
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THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE CONSTANTLY KEEPS FAILING AND CAUSES THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS TO FIX THIS ISSUE BUT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE AND THE THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WITH DIFFERENT THINGS BEING THE ISSUE. FIRST THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SEAT OCCUPIED RECOGNITION MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND AN UPDATE WAS PREFORMED. AFTER THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SIDE FRONT CRASH SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND REPLACED. AFTER THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY AND REPLACED. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTER ADVISES ME THE FRONT CRASH SENSOR IS FAULTY AGAIN AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN NORTH AMERICA CLAIMING THE SYSTEM HAS NUMEROUS FAULTS BUT THEY DO NOT WANT TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THEY ADVISE ME TO BRING IT TO THE DEALER AND GET IT REPLACED FOR THE FULL COST OF THE PART AND REPAIR. THE MODEL YEAR 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE HAS A FAULTY AIRBAG SYSTEM AND VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO FIX THE ISSUES AND OFFSET THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR COSTS CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY.
NHTSA ODI #10420596
69,995 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Visibility
REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR JUST STOPPED WORKING AS THE WINDOW WAS GOING DOWN. IT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE BUTTON AND MADE A GRINDING NOISE. I HAD TO MANUALLY RETURN IT TO THE CLOSED POSITION AND NOW IT WILL NOT OPERATE AT ALL. WHEN CHECKING ONLINE FOR THIS ISSUE AND SPEAKING TO THE VW DEALER I FOUND THAT THEY ARE AWARE O…
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REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR JUST STOPPED WORKING AS THE WINDOW WAS GOING DOWN. IT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE BUTTON AND MADE A GRINDING NOISE. I HAD TO MANUALLY RETURN IT TO THE CLOSED POSITION AND NOW IT WILL NOT OPERATE AT ALL. WHEN CHECKING ONLINE FOR THIS ISSUE AND SPEAKING TO THE VW DEALER I FOUND THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE ALREADY SETTLED A SUIT FOR THE FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE THE REAR ONE. THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT VW WOULD REPLACE THE PART BUT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE LABOR. SO THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE YET ARE NOT WILLING TO INCLUDE THE REAR WINDOW PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED IN THE SETTLEMENT OF THE SUIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418129
74,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Visibility
LEFT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDS REPLACED. $675 FOR THE REPAIR. LEFT FRONT WINDOW SQUEALS WHEN RAISING/LOWERING AND SOMETIMES WHEN RAISING IT - WHEN IT GETS TO THE TOP IT JUST POPS BACK DOWN AND YOU HAVE TO RAISE IT AGAIN. SUSPECT THE REGULATOR TO BE AT FAULT ON THIS WINDOW AS WELL. THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON VW PRODUCTS SEEM T…
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LEFT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDS REPLACED. $675 FOR THE REPAIR. LEFT FRONT WINDOW SQUEALS WHEN RAISING/LOWERING AND SOMETIMES WHEN RAISING IT - WHEN IT GETS TO THE TOP IT JUST POPS BACK DOWN AND YOU HAVE TO RAISE IT AGAIN. SUSPECT THE REGULATOR TO BE AT FAULT ON THIS WINDOW AS WELL. THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON VW PRODUCTS SEEM TO HAVE A PRETTY BAD TRACK RECORD. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HAVE VW STEP UP AND FIX THESE SHODDY PARTS? I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THIS FIXED! NOW I JUST HAVE TO KEEP DRIVING WITH MY WINDOW PARTIALLY UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415625
1,246 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Power Train
2005 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. "JUMPS" FORWARD SUDDENLY AND ALMOST HITS CAR IN FRONT OR BACK IF IN REVERSE. HAVE TOLD VW THIS SINCE I PURCHASED WITH 1200 MILES ON IT. VW NEVER ACKNOWLEDGES A PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415272
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility
VW 2005 CONVERTIBLE BUG BOTH REAR WINDOW PROBLEMS, WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IS MAKING A HORRIBLE SQUEAKING NOISE, SEEMS TO BE THE NEXT ONE TO GO. ALONG WITH HEAD LIGHT SHORTAGES. THE LAST 5 YEARS I HAVE AT LEAST REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS AT LEAST 8 TIMES. RECENTLY BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED THEMSELVES OFF/…
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VW 2005 CONVERTIBLE BUG BOTH REAR WINDOW PROBLEMS, WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IS MAKING A HORRIBLE SQUEAKING NOISE, SEEMS TO BE THE NEXT ONE TO GO. ALONG WITH HEAD LIGHT SHORTAGES. THE LAST 5 YEARS I HAVE AT LEAST REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS AT LEAST 8 TIMES. RECENTLY BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED THEMSELVES OFF/OUT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND VW SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES TO NOT FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY FLAWED! I UNDERSTAND PUTTING OUT A PRODUCT WILL HAVE SOME FLAWS, BUT NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR BRAND NAME AND NOT MAKING THINGS RIGHT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE. I WAS A PROUD OWNER OF MY FIRST CAR I BOUGHT MYSELF. AND ALL I HAVE TO SHOW AND GET OUT OF THE DEAL IS AN EMPTY WALLET AND EMBARRASSMENT WHEN I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE FEATURES DON'T WORK RIGHT. DO WHAT'S RIGHT VW AND MAN UP TO YOUR MISTAKE. I WOULD BUY 10 MORE CARS LIKE THE ONE I HAVE IF ONLY THEY TOOK PRIDE IN THEIR PRODUCT AND HONORED THE AVERAGE LOYAL CUSTOMER. I'M A 25 YEAR OLD GIRL WHO SUPPORTS MYSELF ON MY OWN DOLLAR. I WAS RAISED KNOWING YOU FIX WHAT PROBLEMS YOU CREATE. BE ACCOUNTABLE AND DO WHAT'S RIGHT! IT'S YOUR TURN VW PLEASE DO WHAT'S RIGHT. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413480
118,000 miles · Jul 15, 2011
Fuel System, Diesel
PREMATURE CAMSHAFT AND LIFTER WEAR AT 118,000 MILES ON A VW TDI DIESEL WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT LIFTERS BEARINGS AND BOLTS AT A COST OF $3,400. DIESEL ENGINES SHOULD LAST 300,000 MILES. ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE ACCORDING TO VW GUIDELINES AND AT A VW DEALER. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10413094
35,000 miles · Jul 5, 2011
EquipmentVisibility
WE HAVE A 2005 VW NEW BEETLE. IT HAS 2 BROKEN REAR WINDOW REGULATORS. VW QUOTES HUNDREDS EACH TO FIX, WITH THE SAME FAULTY PARTS IT WAS BUILT WITH. NO ASSURANCE IT WILL NOT BREAK AGAIN AT ANY TIME. ALSO, THE 2 FRONT WINDOWS HAVE A "DROP DOWN" FEATURE WHEN OPENING TO ALLOW GLASS TO ENTER SEAL. THIS DOES NOT WORK EITHER. VW …
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WE HAVE A 2005 VW NEW BEETLE. IT HAS 2 BROKEN REAR WINDOW REGULATORS. VW QUOTES HUNDREDS EACH TO FIX, WITH THE SAME FAULTY PARTS IT WAS BUILT WITH. NO ASSURANCE IT WILL NOT BREAK AGAIN AT ANY TIME. ALSO, THE 2 FRONT WINDOWS HAVE A "DROP DOWN" FEATURE WHEN OPENING TO ALLOW GLASS TO ENTER SEAL. THIS DOES NOT WORK EITHER. VW IS WELL AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS & REFUSES TO FIX. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10410429
75,000 miles · Jun 29, 2011
Air Bags
AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILURE - LIGHT ILLUMINATED, REPLACED CONTROL MODULE IN DASHBOARD, DID NOT CORRECT THE ERROR. VW DEALER AND COMPANY REFUSE TO DISCOUNT REPAIRS EVEN AFTER BEING PROVIDED 100'S OF DOCUMENTS PROVING THE SAME ISSUE ON OTHER SIMILAR CARS. THIS FAILURE IS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V178000, BUT MY VIN IS NOT IN…
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AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILURE - LIGHT ILLUMINATED, REPLACED CONTROL MODULE IN DASHBOARD, DID NOT CORRECT THE ERROR. VW DEALER AND COMPANY REFUSE TO DISCOUNT REPAIRS EVEN AFTER BEING PROVIDED 100'S OF DOCUMENTS PROVING THE SAME ISSUE ON OTHER SIMILAR CARS. THIS FAILURE IS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V178000, BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10409294
Official recalls
3Apr 17, 2008
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.
Feb 20, 2007
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.
Dec 15, 2004
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 ↗