NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
20 reportsClear category filter60,000 miles · Sep 20, 2017
Electrical System
THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW MOTOR AND REGULATOR WENT BAD ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. VW KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT SELLS THE CARS ANYWAY WITHOUT WARNING, AND THEN CHARGES BETWEEN $800 AND $900 FOR THE REQUIRED REPAIR KIT. IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE WINDOW, A MECHANIC MUST REMOVE THE ENTIRE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. T…
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THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW MOTOR AND REGULATOR WENT BAD ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. VW KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT SELLS THE CARS ANYWAY WITHOUT WARNING, AND THEN CHARGES BETWEEN $800 AND $900 FOR THE REQUIRED REPAIR KIT. IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE WINDOW, A MECHANIC MUST REMOVE THE ENTIRE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. THIS TAKES MORE THAN FOUR HOURS. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR IS MORE THAN $1200 PER WINDOW. VW PROFITS THROUGH SELLING A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH CAN ONLY BE REPAIRED BY AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR KIT - THE PRICE OF WHICH IS DETERMINED BY VW. ALL MECHANICS CONTACTED (12) IN THE CINCINNATI AREA ARE AWARE OF THIS VW WINDOW SITUATION, AND THE VW OWNERS FORUMS ONLINE ARE FULL OF THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT. VW DEALERS ALSO HAVE TO GET THE PART FROM VW, AND CHARGE THE SAME THING. NEW BUYERS LIKE ME DO NOT BUDGET FOR THIS KIND OF REPAIR, BUT HAVE NO OPTION OTHER THAN TO PAY VW THEIR PRICE.
NHTSA ODI #11024680
38,000 miles · May 6, 2017
Electrical System
ON MY 2008 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR/MOTOR MADE A LOUD POP WHEN ROLLING UP THE WINDOW (VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TRAVLING AT ABOUT 20MPH IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD) AND IS NOW BROKEN. IT WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN, THE CAR ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT & IS ALWAYS GARAGE KEPT. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY ELECTRICAL I…
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ON MY 2008 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR/MOTOR MADE A LOUD POP WHEN ROLLING UP THE WINDOW (VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TRAVLING AT ABOUT 20MPH IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD) AND IS NOW BROKEN. IT WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN, THE CAR ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT & IS ALWAYS GARAGE KEPT. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY ELECTRICAL ISSUE I'VE HAD WITH THE WINDOWS. WHEN PRESSING THE 'ALL WINDOWS' BUTTON (WHETHER UP OR DOWN) THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO DIM AND THEN GO BACK TO NORMAL WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BUTTON. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED OR PARKED. THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMING FROM THE 'ALL WINDOWS' BUTTON IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF VISIBILITY, AND IT'S CONFUSING TO OTHER DRIVERS THINKING THAT YOU ARE FLASHING THEM. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE DEFECTS THAT ARE CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES. I BELIEVE VW IS FULLY AWARE OF BOTH OF THESE QUALITY ISSUES AND EVEN HAS 'TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS' ON BOTH. A RECALL NEEDS BE DONE!
NHTSA ODI #10983798
90,000 miles · Oct 16, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility
REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW STUCK ON CONVERTIBLE BEETLE, WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. HAD WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED--$400 TWO MONTHS LATER, REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AGAIN STUCK. MADE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. DAY BEFORE APPOINTMENT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW STUCK IN OPEN POSITION. WOULD NOT ROLL UP. INFORMED THAT I NEE…
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REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW STUCK ON CONVERTIBLE BEETLE, WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. HAD WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED--$400 TWO MONTHS LATER, REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AGAIN STUCK. MADE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. DAY BEFORE APPOINTMENT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW STUCK IN OPEN POSITION. WOULD NOT ROLL UP. INFORMED THAT I NEED NEW REGULATOR FOR THAT WINDOW TOO, ANOTHER $400. BACK WINDOW JUST NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A FLAW IN DESIGN. WHEN WILL IT BE RECALLED AND FLAW FIXED? I LIVE UP NORTH. SO GLAD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN IN SUBZERO WEATHER! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10645083
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility
LOVE MY VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE BUT THIS IS THE 4TH WINDOW THAT HAS STOPPED WORKING AND WITH THE PRICES TO FIX THEM WELL OVER 300 I HAVE ABOUT HAD ENOUGH. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AWHILE. IS THERE A RECALL ON THESE WINDOW REGULATORS? IF NOT THERE SHOULD BE!!! *…
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LOVE MY VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE BUT THIS IS THE 4TH WINDOW THAT HAS STOPPED WORKING AND WITH THE PRICES TO FIX THEM WELL OVER 300 I HAVE ABOUT HAD ENOUGH. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AWHILE. IS THERE A RECALL ON THESE WINDOW REGULATORS? IF NOT THERE SHOULD BE!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587412
42,000 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE EXAMINED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE EXAMINED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #10461653
41,048 miles · May 25, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
FAULTY IGNITION COILS, CAR WILL STALL DURING DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT AND AFTER ONE -TWO HOURS DRIVING STOP AND GO THE ENGINE WILL STALL OR MISFIRE. VW DEALER IDENTIFIES THE PROBLEMS BY MISFIRE OF COIL BUT REPLACES ONLY ONE COIL. THE PROBLEM COMES BACK WITHIN 2 MONTH WITH DIFFERENT COIL. VW SHOU…
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FAULTY IGNITION COILS, CAR WILL STALL DURING DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT AND AFTER ONE -TWO HOURS DRIVING STOP AND GO THE ENGINE WILL STALL OR MISFIRE. VW DEALER IDENTIFIES THE PROBLEMS BY MISFIRE OF COIL BUT REPLACES ONLY ONE COIL. THE PROBLEM COMES BACK WITHIN 2 MONTH WITH DIFFERENT COIL. VW SHOULD REPLACE ALL 5 COILS IN ORDER TO AVOID DAMAGE OR ACCIDENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402666
47,364 miles · Nov 16, 2010
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
SENSOR LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. NOT CONSISTENT AND GO DAYS BETWEEN REPEAT ISSUE. ABS/BRAKE/ESP: COMES ON AND WHEN CAR IS RESTART WILL NOT DUPLICATE. DEALER REPLACED MODULE AND IT CAME ON AGAIN. SEAT BELT ALARM: WILL ALARM EVEN WHEN SEAT BELT IS FASTENED. AIRBAG SENSOR: CAME ON THEN, WHEN CAR WAS RESTART IT WO…
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SENSOR LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. NOT CONSISTENT AND GO DAYS BETWEEN REPEAT ISSUE. ABS/BRAKE/ESP: COMES ON AND WHEN CAR IS RESTART WILL NOT DUPLICATE. DEALER REPLACED MODULE AND IT CAME ON AGAIN. SEAT BELT ALARM: WILL ALARM EVEN WHEN SEAT BELT IS FASTENED. AIRBAG SENSOR: CAME ON THEN, WHEN CAR WAS RESTART IT WOULD NOT DUPLICATE. HAPPENED 3 TIME IN A WEEK. HEADLIGHTS REPLACED: BOTH REPLACED TWICE IN ONE YEAR. LOCKS: WILL LOCK/UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING WHEN THEY ALREADY HAD BEEN LOCKED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10366488
5,000 miles · Sep 16, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2008 VW BEETLE AND IT'S AN AUTOMATIC. WHEN FIRST GETTING THE CAR I COULD TELL THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED NOT SMOOTH AT ALL. WHEN DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION FROM A RED LIGHT MY CAR HAD TROUBLE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS. IT HAD A PAUSE. THEN WHEN GOING DOWN THE HIGH WAY WHEN I WAS CHANGING LANES TO GO INFRONT OF SO…
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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2008 VW BEETLE AND IT'S AN AUTOMATIC. WHEN FIRST GETTING THE CAR I COULD TELL THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED NOT SMOOTH AT ALL. WHEN DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION FROM A RED LIGHT MY CAR HAD TROUBLE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS. IT HAD A PAUSE. THEN WHEN GOING DOWN THE HIGH WAY WHEN I WAS CHANGING LANES TO GO INFRONT OF SOMEONE I PRESSED THE GAS AND MY CAR JUMPS. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ONCE AND A WHILE. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT ON 5,000 BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS! THEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE POURING RAIN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. WHEN I WENT THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH I ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOW AND IT MADE A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE THAT I THOUGHT THE WINDOW WAS GOING TO SHATTER. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDOW MOTOR. THEN THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND BACK WINDOW. BOTH MY HEAD LIGHTS KEEP GOING THROUGH $20.00 BULBS. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE FUSES. ON MY CONVERTIBLE TOP THE SIDE COVERS STOPPED GOING IN AND OUT. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THOSE. THEN ON MY WAY TO WORK ALL THE LIGHTS FOR THE WHAT GEAR YOU WERE IN BLINKING. WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED BECAUSE IT WAS RUNNING IN EMERGENCY TRANSMISSION MODE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE SOMETHING WITH THAT. RIGHT AFTER THAT WAS REPLACED GOING DOWN THE ROAD MY CAR MADE A GRINDING NOISE SO I TURNED AROUND TO TAKE IT BACK AND IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE FUEL INTAKE THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE. THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355989
5,975 miles · Apr 15, 2009
Electrical System
I PURCHASED A 2008 NEW BEETLE IN 2008, TRADING IN A 2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE MODEL. I HAVE ALSO PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2000 MODEL. AFTER ABOUT TWO MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP WITH THE 2008 NEW BEETLE, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN IN THE STARTER. I FOUND I HAD TO USE A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE AND OVER THE…
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I PURCHASED A 2008 NEW BEETLE IN 2008, TRADING IN A 2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE MODEL. I HAVE ALSO PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2000 MODEL. AFTER ABOUT TWO MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP WITH THE 2008 NEW BEETLE, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN IN THE STARTER. I FOUND I HAD TO USE A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE AND OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS BROKE TWO KEYS OFF IN THE IGNITION. IN MARCH 2009, I WAS DOWN TO MY LAST KEY WHEN THE STARTER BECAME STRIPPED, WITH THE KEY SPINNING AND NOT TRIGGERING THE STARTER AT ALL. AT THIS POINT, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE VW DEALER, WHICH ORDERED A REPLACEMENT STARTER. I WAITED 17 DAYS FOR THE REPAIR TO BE COMPLETED BECAUSE, I WAS TOLD, THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF BACKORDERS NATIONALLY FOR THIS STARTER PART. WHEN I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK WITH THE NEW PART, I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO NOTED THE SAME PROBLEM IN TWO LOANER CARS (2009 MODELS OF THE VW NEW BEETLE) PROVIDED BY MY DEALER. I NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 OR 2005 MODELS. I CALLED TO REPORT THIS TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO CALL VW. I JUST CALLED VW AND THEY ADVISED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK FOR POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART AGAIN. I TOLD VW I WOULD DO SO, BUT THAT I LACK CONFIDENCE THAT YET ANOTHER REPLACEMENT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM AS I SUSPECT THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE OF DESIGN AFFECTING THE PART. I ASKED VW IF THEY HAD KNOWLEDGE OF A PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THEY DON'T TRACK WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR POSSIBLE PART PROBLEMS, SO I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT HERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265451
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2008
Electrical SystemVisibility
2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WITH BROKEN AIR VENTS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CAME FROM THE MANUFACTURING PLANT WITH A DEFECT. SHE FEELS THAT SHE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A NEW VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE COMING OUT OF ANOTHER VENT WHEN IT WAS CLOSED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED…
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2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WITH BROKEN AIR VENTS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CAME FROM THE MANUFACTURING PLANT WITH A DEFECT. SHE FEELS THAT SHE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A NEW VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE COMING OUT OF ANOTHER VENT WHEN IT WAS CLOSED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS SHUT OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10217184
Official recalls
3Sep 25, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
Dec 10, 2010
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Jan 28, 2008
ON CERTAIN SPECIAL EDITION TRIPLE WHITE SEDAN VEHICLES, AN INCORRECT ADHESIVE MAY HAVE BEEN USED TO ATTACH THE ROOF SPOILER TO THE REAR GLASS OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE INCORRECT ADHESIVE WAS USED, THE SPOILER COULD BECOME LOOSE OR FALL FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING, EVEN THOUGH INITIALLY THE SPOILER MAY FEEL SECURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SPOILER COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ROOF SPOILER ON THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 29, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VWOA 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 ↗