9.5
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 1,066 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.
I have three concerns about my new car. First and foremost is the window issue. I had the vx Beetle for about two weeks when the automatic windows on both driver's and passenger's sides either do not go up or down all the way as they are supposed to. They stop intermittently and take several tries to either close or open. Safety issue. Dealer says vx knows and is working on fix. Vx says the same but I have had the car three months now and no fix (and no fix in sight it seems). Also, fuel gauge would not register as full. A part for this issue has been ordered and is in. It will be installed in a few days and hopefully addresses this problem although other consumers have posted that this doesn't always work. Lastly, my air conditioner blows warm air unless you turn the dial completely to max. Any adjustment backward feels like the heater is on. When I turn off the ac and put on the fan with vents open wanting to get fresh air (55 degrees out), air warmer than outside is blowing in. It's difficult to adjust the interior temperature when you have either ice cold or heat and are hesitant to mess with the windows!!!
- Greeley, CO, USA
The driver and passenger windows do not go up or down on command when the button has been pressed. Once the window does go down (usually on its own) it is very difficult to get the windows back up. I feel this is a safety issue as it allows the elements (ie moisture) to enter the vehicle while it is parked and could contribute to further malfunctions of the electrical components that control other aspects of the car (electronic transmission, push button start, traction control, etc). VW has been unresponsive to owners complaints to this issue (check youtube, twitter, and forums). Thank you.
- Pflugerville, TX, USA
My driver's window won't go all the way up after parking. It is supposed to lower just a hair when opened and close again once the door is shut. This lets rain in. Also when rolling up the driver's window you must inch it up in increments instead of all at once. It goes up about half way then sends itself back down.
- Kansas City, MO, USA
Both drivers side and passenger side windows experiencing issue when auto-closing. Windows will not close using the "auto up" feature. Windows retract to the down position 2-3 times before switching to manual mode by default. Window motors must be reset for "auto up/down" after each time.
- Greenwood, IN, USA
Recurring issues with door power windows. Takes approximately 6-7 attempts to secure or roll them up after opening; unsure if they will completely fail and eventually not roll up at all. Safety issue concerns: Unable to roll up windows against adverse weather conditions and freeway debris, (rain and debris can damage electrical circuitry located next to door and debris can injure driver; rain/wind/debris can impair drivers visibility if window cannot be rolled up properly); in addition, in an emergency situation that would require sheltering in place in this vehicle; such as an assault, robbery etc. The inability for the consumer to roll up their windows presents a real life-safety threat. After having researched on-line and spoken to the dealership which I purchased my vehicle from, this serious problem has been known for approximately a year, and I was told (4 months ago) that I would be placed on a back-stock order list for the revised electrical modem that would resolved this problem. I have called for follow-up information and an eta on the part. They were unable to provided me with new information or an eta. This is clearly a problem that 1) they (manufacture and dealership) cannot fix 2) have not found a fix for (manufacturer) and have been lying to the consumer about (manufacturer/dealership) 3) have not elevated to the proper priority level to find a fix for (manufacturer).
- Dixon, CA, USA
The power window do not go up right. When window are down trying to put up window they go up and stop one third of the way and spring back down push switch to go up window go up half up spring back down this go on two to three time if you hold switch in up they go up and smell like smoke. The dealer said V.w. is trying to correct this problem but at this time there is no know fix. I think this is a safety problem not being able two roll window up right a way if we had to in a emergency not to say the smoke smell.
- Maumee, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the electronic windows failed and would open and close independently. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where they advised that the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and stated that they did not have a remedy available for the failure. The manufacturer advised the dealer not to make any repairs to the vehicle. The contact also stated that the head rest was too large and blocked 40 percent of his view through the rearview mirror. In addition, the contact stated that the metal plate around the gear shifter was too shiny when the sun reflected, blinding the contact's view of the roadway. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 3,748. Updated 09/05/12 the consumer stated the air conditioner would at times blow warm air when on. Also, the rear windshield was too small and the tint was too dark. Updated 09/10/2012
- Corpus Christi , TX, USA
Drivers window does not function properly. Will at times not go up or down. Dealer states this is a known problem and that there is currently no fix for the issue.
- Lakeway, TX, USA
- Sterling, VA, USA