Our 2004 VW new Beetle has had two air bag switch failures. The first one was within the first couple thousand miles and was covered under warranty. The second one just happened and was not covered by our original warranty, or our extended warranty. If this is a safety issue and we did nothing to promote the failure, is the $535 repair our responsibility? SRS.pco

- Oregon City, OR, USA

Purchased brand new. Problems I have had with this car: 1. rear power windows have both taken turns falling down into the body. Will not power up. One has been replaced. Dealer now won't fix second one because they 'don't see it as a known problem.' 2. headliner around rear window has come undone. 3. headlights have to be replaced constantly. For example; a light bulb was installed on a Saturday, and had stopped working by the following Wednesday. 4. rubber coating on glove box and on interior doors is peeling off. Dealer would not even condsider fixing or addressing. 5. key assembly for arm console broke almost immediately. It took approximately 8 months, and several reminders, to get dealer to replace. 6. sometimes radio stays on after key has been removed from ignition. 7. air bag light stays on. Won't go off. 8. hand release on front passenger seat often gets 'stuck' and will not work. 9. cup holder has come off track. I only drive this car to-and-from work. No kids/passengers ride in it. It has not had any owner abuse. I will never buy another Volkswagen product.

- Richmond, TX, USA

4th electrical failure, 3rd airbag light/malfuction. 5 days after servicing car for airbag safety issue, same repeated problem. (see complaint 10148516, 10148511).

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

3rd electrical failure, 2nd airbag light/malfunction. Continued issue with airbag light on/malfunctioning spontaneously.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

Airbag malfunction light came while car was on and in idle and remains on.

- Greenville, NC, USA

In April 2005, the airbag light came on. I immediately brought it to the nearest VW dealer/shop. I was told that they needed to order a part, but that all was fine. In the next few months I called many times and the airbag light had come back on. By August 2005 they finally received the part (passenger airbag sensors under/in the seat). They were unable to fix it even when they received the part (three more errors came up and the wires did not connect properly) and they sent the information to the manufacture for assistance. On 12 September 2005, they had me bring the car back in because they had received repair instructions from the manufacture. I was told that the airbag system was fixed and would have no further problems with it. I do not know if the old parts are available, I will ask. On 17 September 2005 (five days later), the airbag light came back on.

- Apo, AE, USA

Consumer complained about electrical problems; the speakers didn't work/windows kept going up and down, and transmission failed. The car was not even a one year old. The replaced transmission still performs poorly. The air bag light came on at least 3-4 times.

- Bloomington, CA, USA

Bought new 2004 VW Beetle in 9/04, 2 weeks later, airbag light came on, took to dealer. They had the car over 8 weeks trying to fix. Finally agreed to replace with identical new one. Less than 2500 miles later, airbag light comes on again. They reset but did not do any repairs. Don't know if that fixed the problem as shortly after, steering went out causing the vehicle to run off road and hit guard rail. VW has now, waiting to see if they take responsibility, it doesn't appear as they will from what I am hearing from service manager. Final verdict not in yet.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Consumer was involved in an accident where the air bags failed to deploy. The airbag light was on, as well as the check engine and ABS lights. Consumer went to dealership to get vehicle serviced, but dealership could not determine the cause of the problem.

- Salem, OR, USA