2014 Volkswagen Beetle

This complaint involves the failure of the ABS Control Module. Upon starting the car, audible warnings as well as dash warning lights indicate urgent brake failure, ABS failure, Airbag failure and stability control failure. In my particular case, the rear brake calipers do not activate fully when braking resulting in increased stopping distance. Vehicle was scanned at dealer on 11/16/24 indicating failure of ABS Control Module. Repair estimate, $5379. This is apparently a common issue when searching on-line VW forums. The ABS Module was the subject of a recall for 2009 and 2010 models but appears to still affect later model years. VW is forcing its customers to choose between an exorbitant repair bill or driving an unsafe vehicle knowing they have installed defective modules. Dealer states unable to predict future brake and other issues if not repaired. Evidence of how common this problem occurs is their own admission that the parts are back ordered.

On my dashboard, my passenger seat airbag started going off. I brought my VW Beetle in for its 100,000-mile maintenance check and asked about the airbag. My mechanic informed me that the passenger seat airbag was failing, and if I were driving with someone and crashed, their airbag would not deploy. They told me there was nothing I could've done to prevent this, it's just the piece itself has failed. Their advisory notes were: 'Airbag light on trouble code B12251B occupied recognition sensor mat. PART #5C5959337.' I researched if my car was eligible for a recall and it is not, however I saw that VW has a recall for Takata Driver Front Airbags.

Beginning in June 2021 and thereafter, my husband and I received notifications from Volkswagen of America of a life-threatening urgent airbag safety recall for our 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible - our only vehicle. The recall is referenced on your websiteManufacturer Recall Number 69BC; NHTSA Recall Number 20V785. In response to the notifications, we have spent the past nearly 16 months seeking an appointment to have this airbag defect repaired. Initially, we were advised that a qualified technician from Honolulu would come to the Island of Hawaii (where we reside) to make the necessary repairs, as we were informed that there are no qualified dealers or technicians on our island, which has a population of more than 200,000 people, boasts many VW repair shops, and is home to a plethora of other VW drivers. Until last week, my husband’s numerous calls over the past 16 months seeking a repair appointment were met with repeated assurances that someone from VW would contact us for an appointment locally or return our call for scheduling. Having still not heard from WV about scheduling an appointment, we called yet again two weeks ago and they said they no longer send a technician from Honolulu to our island and that we would need to ship our car to Honolulu by boat at our expense to receive the necessary airbag replacement. Aside from being contrary to the numerous statements in the written notifications that the repair, the repair appointment, and alternative transportation would be “free” to us, it appears contrary to public safety protocol that we, the consumers/drivers, would need to come out of pocket an estimated $2,000 to ship and insure the car and obtain alternative transportation while our car is unavailable. While we are concerned about our own well-being as respects driving the car, we are also concerned that there may be many other VW drivers in Hawaii who are similarly situated. A detailed timeline documenting the above is attached.

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 20V785000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Part distribution disconnect.

DRIVER SIDE TAKEDA AIR BAG REPLACED UNDER 20V785000 RECALL NOTICE BY CLASSIC VOLKSWAGEN, GASTONIA, NC. VEHICLE RETURNED FROM REPAIR WITH BROKEN STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING. HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, STEER WHEEL CONTROLS FOR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM ARE ALL INOPERATIVE REGARDLESS OF STEERING WHEEL POSITION OR IF VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V785000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF PALM SPRINGS (67909 E. PALM CANYON DR, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234, (760) 770-1100) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.