10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 20,800 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The car made a funny whistle noise then shut off. The person behind us said blue smoke came out the back. Took to dealer had engine, water pump, turbo and belts replaced. Now dealer can not get car to run properly. The diesel starts fine and runs great after 15 minutes car starts running sluggish and has no power. The car has been at the dealer for 4 months still waiting and still making payments on the Beetle.
- Smyrna, DE, USA
#1 my check engine light came on and they replaced a sensor and it did no good, it came on again, and they could not fix it, I took it back four times and they still did not get it fixed properly. # after that there was a problem with a noise in the front end and I told them about it and they said it was ok, but I took it back after my step dad told me to and they look at it and told me it was my sway bar and told me they had to order a new part but it was ok I told them I have two kids and I was worried about the safety of the car and they told me to take it was ok to drive. This it the fifth time it has been in the shop and I am worried about the safety of the car and want some one to check it over and clear it to drive so I don't have to worry about getting in to a accident with a unsafe car would you please help me to take care of this so I have a safe car to take my children in and don't have to worry about it going off the road.
- Freedom, ME, USA
1)driver's side window had difficulty going up since vehicle purchase, have to push with hand to assist. 2) just a few months after purchase sensor behind brake pedal failed, vehicle would shift from park, replaced. 3) air bag came on and then engine light soon after, catalytic converter replaced. Both warning lights off and replaced. 4) headlights are constantly blowing out, evidence of a short when replaced. Burn marks, and exposed wiring because plastic on connectors got brittle and cracked off. 5) air bag light on again, two weeks later engine light on. Told two sensors on mass air flow and some others are malfunctioning and now been replaced. Told there is a broken clock spring in steering column along with bad wiring harness, both affecting air bags. Also, told air bag is now bad and needs to be replaced because other defective components have shorted igniter in air bag out. I am a college student and cannot continue to fund repairs to this vehicle. Cannot sell either because of these problems, and now reputation of Beetle for problems. Vehicle has never been in an accident, even so much as bumped. Meticulously maintained. Dims 11 IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis----------------770755.
- Grove City, OH, USA
Please see photo's at www.crivelli.com/Beetle.htm. this car just exploded into flames without any warning. Volkswagen admits car is defective and is taking vehicle to Mexico.
- Plainsboro, NJ, USA
- Washington Dc, DC, USA