10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 37,395 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 contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle convertible. The contact stated that when sitting idle or when traveling between 1-10 mph, the vehicle would become resistant to acceleration attempts for approximately 2-3 seconds before rapidly accelerating without warning. The contact disconnected the battery and reset the computer in an attempt to repair the failure. The failure did not recur until five weeks after the reset. The vehicle was inspected by several authorized dealers who were unable to diagnose the vehicle without the failure occurring in the presence of the dealer. The vehicle was placed on a diagnosis machine however, there were no failure codes generated. The failure never occurred when traveling over 10 mph. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 41,000 and the current mileage was 51,000.....updated 12/20/12 the consumer stated the pedal assembly and sensor was replaced. But the failure recurred. Updated 12/27/2012
- Pinellass Park, FL, USA
2006 new Beetle convertible, 5 speed transmission, purchased new by myself as sole owner. Driving down road on 12/4/11 late at night suddenly could not shift gears; car would not go into any gear, causing me to have to coast in neutral through dangerous intersection in a major urban city. Car was disabled and had to be towed to shop. "transmission failure" diagnosed at only 31,800 miles? (damaged transmission parts discovered - but VW denies any responsibility). This problem appears to be widespread in Beetles, has been reported by many owners on public internet message boards, and sooner or later someone is going to be killed in an accident as a result. Personally I was lucky no one was behind me or approaching at a normal speed head on; had that been the case I would clearly have been in a major accident.
- Bayharbor Islands, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving approximately 60 mph in dry conditions, the vehicle would decelerate on its own and then accelerate. The contact pulled to the side of the road and waited for a tow truck. While waiting, the brake lights would not dim. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they were unable to locate the failure. The manufacturer sent an investigator, but they could not provide him with any information. The contact has called the manufacturer several times, but they have not returned any calls. The current and failure mileages were 10,000. Updated 4/23/08 the consumer stated the vehicle stalled on several occasions.
- West Palm Beach, FL, USA
: the contact stated the vehicle accelerated on its own causing an accident. An attempt was made to stop the vehicle by depressing the brakes but vehicle would not respond. The vehicle ran over two speed bumps at 25 mph then jumped a curb and crashed into an apartment building. A police report was filed. Updated 10/25/2006 - a witness stated that the brake light were ulliminated and that he heard a revving noise coming from the vehicle.
- Sayville, NY, USA
- St.Augustine, FL, USA