https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the Volkswagen NEW Beetle. en-us Sun, 18 Oct 2026 05:31:34 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-561181 Thu, 03 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT DT:THE CONTACT PURCHASED A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM STOPPED FUNCTIONING, RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH WITH A LOSS OF POWER. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER SAID THE IP CONTROLLER WAS FAULTY, AND IT WAS AN ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW. THIS WAS A COMMON P https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-508494 Sun, 28 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT DEFECTIVE OR INCORRECT DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND REPEATED FAILURES OF SENSORS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL SWITCHES.*AK https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-508401 Sat, 27 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 NEW BEETLE FAILS TO ENGAGE FOR A SECOND OR TWO AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE. DOESN'T DO IT AT OTHER TIMES, ONLY WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AN HOUR OR MORE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRANSMISSION MODULE TWICE (TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS) AND THE THIRD AND FOURTH TIME I BROUGHT IT IN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT, THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BEHA https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-508402 Sat, 27 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 NEW BEETLE FAILS TO ENGAGE FOR A SECOND OR TWO AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE. DOESN'T DO IT AT OTHER TIMES, ONLY WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AN HOUR OR MORE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRANSMISSION MODULE TWICE (TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS) AND THE THIRD AND FOURTH TIME I BROUGHT IT IN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT, THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BEHA https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-508403 Sat, 27 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 NEW BEETLE FAILS TO ENGAGE FOR A SECOND OR TWO AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE. DOESN'T DO IT AT OTHER TIMES, ONLY WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AN HOUR OR MORE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRANSMISSION MODULE TWICE (TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS) AND THE THIRD AND FOURTH TIME I BROUGHT IT IN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT, THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BEHA https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-508404 Sat, 27 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 NEW BEETLE FAILS TO ENGAGE FOR A SECOND OR TWO AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE. DOESN'T DO IT AT OTHER TIMES, ONLY WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AN HOUR OR MORE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRANSMISSION MODULE TWICE (TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS) AND THE THIRD AND FOURTH TIME I BROUGHT IT IN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT, THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BEHA https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-508257 Thu, 25 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT TWO WIRES ON IGNITION SWITCH MODULE SHORTED. CAUSED FAILURE OF HEADLIGHTS, WIPERS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONING, INTERIOR LIGHTING, ETC. IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM REMEDIED.*AK THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN, AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE THIS DEFECT, OR INITIATE A RECALL. HERE IS A LINK TO AN ONLINE FORUM WITH OTHER CONSUMERS THAT HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAM https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-508216 Wed, 24 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR WHEN STARTING FROM A COLD START. IT WAS IN THE SHOP OVER A MONTH, AND IT WAS GIVEN BACK TO ME WITH "WE CAN FIND NOTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH IT, IT MAY BUCK A BIT, BUT THERE ARE NO SAFETY HAZARDS." LIVE WITH IT BASICALLY. VW THEMSELVES HAVE BEEN OF NO HELP WHATSOEVER IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. *NM https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-507703 Mon, 22 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO COME ON. ON TWELVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, UNDER VARYING BUT RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED BY MYSELF OR MY WIFE, THE WIPERS FAILED TO COME ON WHEN SWITCHED ON. ON FOUR OF THESE OCCASIONS THE RAIN BEGAN TO FALL QUICKLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHICH CAUSED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ON ALL OCCASIONS, WE HAD TO PULL TO THE SI https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-507144 Wed, 17 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT WHENEVER THE PASSENGER/DRIVER SEATS ARE MOVED WITHIN 10 SECONDS OF STARTING THE CAR AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON IN THE CONSOLE AND DOES NOT TURN OFF UNTIL DONE SO MANUALLY BY A MECHANIC. THE "POD" DEVICE IS THEN DISABLED. IF LIGHT IS ON, THEN AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURIES OR DEATH MAY OCCUR. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ONE IN AUGUST AND ONE IN OCTOBER THE LIGHT WAS RESET BY A MECHANIC A https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-506287 Fri, 12 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT WHEN CHANGING THE OIL, A FRAME SUPPORT PAN FOUND ONLY ON CONVERTIBLE CATCHES THE MOTOR OIL. THIS SUPPORT PEN IS CONCAVED AND TRAPS A LARGE MOUNT OF OIL. IF NOT WIPED OUT WITH RAGS IT STAYS THERE CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD FROM A SPARK. *AK *NM https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-505939 Tue, 09 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SEVERELY OVERHEATED, CHECKING OUT CAUSE FOUND THE FUSE BOX ON TOP OF THE BATTERY HOUSING HAD MELTED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT! VWOA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM ALTHOUGHT INTERNET SURVEYS SHOW 26% FAILURE IN NEW BEETLES. PLACEMENT OF THE FUSE BOX ON THE BATTERY HOUSING DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A VERY SAFE IDEA!*AK https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-505694 Mon, 08 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, NEEDED TO REPLACE CALIPERS, ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS AT 16,455MILES.*AK https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-505695 Mon, 08 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, NEEDED TO REPLACE CALIPERS, ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS AT 16,455MILES.*AK https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-505696 Mon, 08 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, NEEDED TO REPLACE CALIPERS, ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS AT 16,455MILES.*AK https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-504217 Fri, 29 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT SOME TYPE OF 'CONTROL MODULE' NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, WITHOUT IT THE AIR-BAG SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE WHICH HELPED IN THE DECISION TO BUY THE CAR, AND AFTER 5 YEARS IT FAILS RENDERING THE SYSTEM USELESS AND REQUIRING OVER $700 TO REPLACE. THIS IS WRONG! https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-500092 Tue, 05 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET, AND RESET IT SIX TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE SEAT LATCH WAS BROKEN AND THE REAR CONSOLE WAS FALLING APART. *SC https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-500093 Tue, 05 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET, AND RESET IT SIX TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE SEAT LATCH WAS BROKEN AND THE REAR CONSOLE WAS FALLING APART. *SC https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-500094 Tue, 05 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET, AND RESET IT SIX TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE SEAT LATCH WAS BROKEN AND THE REAR CONSOLE WAS FALLING APART. *SC https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-499652 Mon, 04 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS BEEN A MAJOR FAILURE POINT. IT HAS BEEN "FIXED" SEVERAL TIMES NOW AND IS STILL FAILING.*AK https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-498752 Wed, 29 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I WANTED TO PULL OVER SINCE THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD NEVER SEEN THAT LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE MANUAL AND SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MEANT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFTER CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE...I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THING IS, ROAD SIDE ASSIST https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-498753 Wed, 29 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I WANTED TO PULL OVER SINCE THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD NEVER SEEN THAT LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE MANUAL AND SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MEANT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFTER CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE...I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THING IS, ROAD SIDE ASSIST https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-498754 Wed, 29 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I WANTED TO PULL OVER SINCE THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD NEVER SEEN THAT LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE MANUAL AND SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MEANT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFTER CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE...I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THING IS, ROAD SIDE ASSIST https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-498755 Wed, 29 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I WANTED TO PULL OVER SINCE THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD NEVER SEEN THAT LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE MANUAL AND SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MEANT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFTER CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE...I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THING IS, ROAD SIDE ASSIST https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-498756 Wed, 29 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I WANTED TO PULL OVER SINCE THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD NEVER SEEN THAT LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE MANUAL AND SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MEANT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFTER CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE...I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THING IS, ROAD SIDE ASSIST https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-498757 Wed, 29 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I WANTED TO PULL OVER SINCE THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD NEVER SEEN THAT LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE MANUAL AND SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MEANT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFTER CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE...I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THING IS, ROAD SIDE ASSIST https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-498867 Wed, 29 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT 2004 VW BEETLE BUY 8-19-04. RANSMISSION FAILURE 4 SINCE 9-8, LETTER 9-18 SENT CERTIFIED *VW TECH HOTLINE GAVE NO CASE # SERVICE MGR GAVE CUSTOMER TWO 800#S & CUSTOMER SPOKE W/3 MEN BUT NO CASE #S & SAID THEY WOULD CALL BACK IN 10-15 DAYS. A/O 9-29, NO RETURN CALL & CAR BACK IN SHOP FOR 4TH TIME SAME THING. DEALER WANTS CUSTOMER TO DRIVE AROUND, LEAVE SERVICE TICKET OPEN IN CASE HAPPENS AGA https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-494072 Thu, 02 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGON BEETLE AND WAS VERY FRUSTRATED WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS CHARGED $100!!!! AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS! I WAS SO UPSET! THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT CAME ON AGIAN AND I WAS FURIOUS! I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE M https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-493869 Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, NO DRIVABILITY PROBLEMS THOUGH. DEALER SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY; 2001 VW BEETLE WITH 7,600 MILES. CHECKED AND CHARGED $142.00 TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, REPLACED CTS, COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR. IT APPEARS THAT IT IS HARD TO FIND ANY SHOPS WITH EQUIPMENT TO ACCESS VW'S ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM; ONLY WAY IS AT VW OR IF A SHOP HAS A PC BASED SYSTEM CALLED MORPHUS? WAS THIS DEFE https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle https://plaincars.com/make/volkswagen-new-beetle#complaint-492548 Tue, 24 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT SEATBELT AIR BAG SENSOR- AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON 11/8/03 TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY ORDERED THE PART. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED THOSE, TURN SIGNALS WERE GOING ON AND OFF ALONG WITH THE HAZARD LIGHTS, WAS TOLD THESE NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. CALLED IN 2 WEEKS AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE ON MANUFACTURE BACKORDER AND THEY WOULD CAL