Volkswagen Beetle

Otmer of Akron OH (05/03/08)
When we purchased the car we were told warranty was bumber to bumber, just change oil. After 2 months the A/C didn't work, they charged it then it was OK. The first time we had awarm day this year no A/C. Well now we are told that A/C is a maintainance item it would not fall under warranty. How good is your car if you have to charge your A/C every year. It was charged twice in 14 months. They say there is no leak, so where does it go. The other item is a whistle in the moonroof, you pay extra so you can listen to the whistle. The so called service guy said he could not verify the whistle. I'll bet every VW New Beetle with a moonroof has a whistle. They said maybe we should try a wind deflector & they could sell me one. Well if they say there is no whustle why would I buy a deflector. No more VW no more Clark VW. Thank VW

Angela of Memphis TN (02/18/08)
EPC warning light light comes on at times and Dealer was very clueless about anything about the car. Key want go all the way into the switch and once forced into switch, it just make a complete turn and don't start. Heater knob switch caught dash on fire and destroyed dash and gave me hardship in getting to work and etc. Rear shakes makes a bumpie noise. Fire Dept. just made it worse with foam.

Christina of Lake Elsinore CA (01/22/08)
I bought a 2003 new convertible Beetle in 2003.About 15,000 miles into the car, the cables snapped on the top (convertible). I took it to the dealer. The sunvisor on the passenger side as well as the ash-tray were already broken. Problems were fixed. 6 months after that, the passenger side back window snapped. The regulator broke. Also, the top would not go down properly. There ended up being a recall on the top (as well as a brake light switch and a catalytic converter). Both items were fixed. Then, shortly thereafter (Dec, 2003), my back lights burned out. I had my brother replace them. Not even 1 month later, back lights burned out again. A friend replaced them. Within another month, back lights out again. I initally took it to Power VW in Corona in June '04 They claimed the bulbs were bad and replaced them. I tried to explain there had to be an underlying electrical problem. No use. Basically, I drove around with faulty rear running and brake lights. Again, in June 2005, took it to Murrieta VW and complained about the lights. It is stated on the service invoice, Customer reports that the left rear turn signal bulb is inoperable. Customer also states that they have had a number of concerns in the past. Once again, I was told, Oh it is a socket and a bulb. I left. Lights burned out immediatly. I was sick and tired of running back to the dealer. So, I drove around with no working break lights or running lights (at night) Eventually, I did get rear-ended. I did not go after the driver as I knew the lights were burned out and it really wasn't her fault. So, I now had a crease in the bumper. The break light situation continued on..and on...July of '07 (yes, I had no back lights the entire time)I took it in again to Murrieta VW because the regulator (2nd time) on the driver side passenger window broke and none of the back lights worked. They claimed to have fixed the situation but it still cost me money. However, on a side note, I paid to have my windows tinted. The service tech ended up breaking that back window and replaced it with a normal window that had some sort of film on it. Clearly, it wasn't the original window. To this day, Murrieta VW claims that they did not replace that window and because I wasn't diligent in reporting that problem, they refused to fix it. After that, Within one week, first the right break light went out..then the left and once again, no back lights.Please note-blinkers worked intermittenly. I refused to go back to the dealer. My complaints fell on deaf ears and I had no idea what to do. I was stuck. Finally, I took my car in 2 weeks ago. I told them none of the back lights worked and the regulator broke on the back window on the passenger side again. (3rd defective regulator). I was told my car was fixed. I went to pick it up, pulled out of the lot, and when I hit the brakes, the right side had no lights. I turned around and went back into the dealer. Explained again that the problem is not the bulb and socket as that had been replaced 3 times on the right side. Finally, embarrased, Karen (service person) stated we'll have our top mechanics look at it. I went back again to pick it up the next day. Good as gold. However, Karen at Murrieta told me that the Manager stated that they would mail me the invoice reflecting the latest socket and bulb. I never received it and I am sure I never will. Well, as usual, within 3 days the check engine light was back on. There went another few hundred out of my pocket. Seriously, I had to refinance the car because it was a lease. I planned on paying it down and then selling it.But due to mechanical errors, I cannot keep dropping money into it. I have spent more money on that car. I gave up. Yesterday, I had to trade it in because I am not paying for a car that is a defective lemon anymore. I ended up having to roll over 6,000 into my new loan to make up for that horrible car. It is pathetic that VW can treat people horribly and get away with it.They should have taken that car back based on the window regulators and the obvious electrical problem they are not admitting to. I have numerous colleagues, family, and friends that can attest to the defective beetle that I drove around for the last 5+ years.

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Stephen of Pearblossom, CA (01/22/08)
The vehicle,1998 new beetle diesel, was purchased 9-99 as rental return 15800 miles. Needed a road call within 12hrs of purchase. Continued to stall/ hard to start until repaired 6-05. Had it to 2 approved agents and 2 dealers 3 times 2001-2. Sued 2 VW dealers and dismissed with settlement for past inefective repairs and funds for another injection pump. Discontinued driving. Trailered it to a dealer in Van Nuys 4-04 and told them I did'nt want it back until it was fixed. 6-05 called and said it was ready. Paid $2700 and it wouldn't start. Dealer wanted permission to pull fuel tank and it finally started. No additional charge. Older mechanic gave me defective part. Had crack in inlet pickup tube. I recorded conversation. Yellow engine is light on and has been on since purchase to date except for a few minutes after leaving shops. Still didn't license until 07 and drove to my lawer to sue last dealer and VW America and upon returning got a ticket for one headlight which they were supposed to fix. Still has no power up a hill. Once after they changed oil the belly cover was draging down the street. Most bolts missing. Wanted $400 to fix. Just threw it away. BEETLEJUNK. I feel that this VW bunch is not any different than a crook I once worked for until figured him out. He would go to a junkyard and buy all the used transmissions he could. He would steam clean and paint them and put them in stock as rebuilts. When I asked how he could do that he said that They are guarenteed 90 days so if they don't make I just put in another. At least he honored his warrantee!

Nicole of Las Vegas NV (01/17/08)
Ive wanted a beetle since the new ones first came out. At 18 I bought a 99 beetle. Regular oil changes, I took care of it. Ive had the alternator literally FALL APART in my engine and damaged a belt. Ive had the cv joint literally fall out of the engine while backing out of the engine. If you dont know what a cv joint is, its the thing that causes power, when you put the car in drive the car is suppose to go forward. I live in Las Vegas, what if that happened on the freeway? Ive had door problems like none other. And also Ive had headlight problems since I first got it. HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK. Than its $150 to put new bulbs in, theres no short or anything. I've replaced these bulbs more than 10 times. What the heck. Now I know Im not the only one with problems. Oh, and the check engine lights comes on periodically. And the piece on the roof, where it shows the time, I tried plugging that in, and it caught on fire. Now Im 21 and broke because of the car I always wanted. A blue 1999 Beetle. Thanx for making a great car Volkswagen!

Kelly of Crown Point IN (01/15/08)
bought my car used with a three year extended warranty in september of 2005. it is a 2001 vw beetle gls. found out that something was wrong with the coolant light that they just cleared out to avoid fixing. less than a year later, my car wouldn't start out of the blue one morning. had towed to dealer that kept my car for days without contacting me, returning calls, or saying what was wrong with it. finally said catalytic converter, wouldn't tell me when it was going to be done. warranty covered it, but customer service was agonizing to deal with. several months later, car overheated with no warning, dealership had car for months without telling me what was wrong with it. wouldn't return my calls, treated me like crap. dealer put engine together wrong and said it wasn't their problem. warranty sent two inspectors and said faulty workmanship. vw finally replaced engine, so I thought. told me car was ready four different times, and it never was. wrote better business bureau, called vw america at least a dozen times, said not their problem. in the meantime, received recalls for brake lights, cruise control, and catalytic converter. went to pick up my car twice and it wasn't ready. the second time, said it was being washed. when I went into the parking lot, they were trying to jump it, the hub cap was missing, and the passenger mirror shattered. car was disgusting, died in the parking lot after they 'replaced' the battery. car died fifteen minutes later on freeway. dealership said 'they knew it was going to die', said not their problem. vw said not their problem. many things had to be replaced...I have all documentation, too much to list. when I got home, engine light went on ONCE AGAIN. told them something was wrong with acceleration. they said it was nothing, fixed random things. Last week, took car in with brake problems, told 1200 to replace four brake pads and rotors. When I picked up my car, check engine light mysteriously went on. Dealer said not their problem, 79.95 to have them look at it again. took it back in, said bad spark plugs and spark plug wires, 520.00 to have replaced. online, found that this is a common vw problem. I refuse to pay this. I will have it done elsewhere, but at what point does this end?? my car is a lemon...what laws protect used car buyers that bought extended warranties? my warranty company has been very great with all of this, but volkswagen america makes me dread climbing into the car everyday. I can smell a burning smell after my car has been 'fixed'...something tells me it never has. I am at a loss for words at this point and in over my head. vw america acknowledges faulty parts but refuses to fix them. They treat me like crap and I'm sick of it.

Lori West of Manchester TN (10/31/07)
CAN YOU SAY LEMON!!!

My husband purchased a 2005 Turbo Beetle in September of 2006, it was practically brand new when we purchased it. The car only had 3,000 miles on it, the car had been driven by the owner of our local dealership.

Two weeks after the purchase of the car the Check Engine Light came on, so my husband called and they told him to come in and they would reset the light, one week later the Check Engine Light came on again, after the second time of taking it to the dealership we were told by the dealership that Volkswagen had a program to correct the problem, that was a year ago and it has still yet to be fixed, after numerous times of taking it to the dealership.

When the Check Engine Light it on my husbands car runs very sluggish, and some times it doesn't start at all. But this is not the only problem we have had with the car on three different occasions in the past year we have had to replace blown headlights, and guess what now the fuses are blowing when you turn the air or heat on, now come on enough is enough.

I have all proper documentation of these events, and at first i really thought our dealership was not really wanting to help with the problems but it is not, it is Volkswagen Corp. that do not want to deal with the situation. They claim there is nothing they can do. But what they don't bother to tell you is all of the times that we have had the problem with the check engine light is that there is no where on the internet or anywhere that these vehicles need to have the so- called fixable program.

Kima of Pisgah AL (10/11/07)
I purchased my 2003 Turbo Beetle brand new. It had a recall on the ignition from the very beginning. It has been a total lemon from day one. While the car was still under warranty, the coolant light kept coming on and I took it back to VW 2 or 3 times before they figured out that the coolant sensor and coolant pump were bad and needing replacing. They also replaced the wiring harness.

They had to replace the latch on the trunk lid because it wasn't connecting properly therefore it wasn't telling my trunk light to come on when the trunk was open. After they worked on my car I had to take it back because there was air blowing like a hose was loose. It was the turbo hose. The rubber coating on the interior door handles started coming off within the first couple of years of having the car. The car rattles and squeaks constantly. After the warranty expired, the water pump on the car went down and I had to pay almost $500 to replace that. That was in February 2007.

September 2007 the water pump went down again. They replaced it, no charge, with a refurbished pump. The first time I drive the car after this repair, I have an air blowing noise like my turbo hose it loose again. Then 1 week later my check engine light comes on again. I am so disgusted with VW and have been for quite sometime. I wouldn't buy another VW of any make and wouldn't recommend one to anyone. The Chattanooga office doesn't have a very friendly staff. They just act like they really don't care that you have bought a car from them and it's been nothing but bad.

Gregg of Sandy UT (07/18/07)
We purchased a 2003 Volkswagon Bug just over one year ago. In the year that we have had it, all four windows have come off the tracks and broke. The first three were under warranty but the fourth was not. It was about two months out of warranty. The cost for this repair...$1200. In speaking with other Volkswagon owners, this is a common problem. Volkswagon was less than helpful in dealing with the problem. The dealer we took the car to, cut fifty percent off the bill. This action leads me to wonder about one of those secret warranties and that they are trying to do as little as possible.

Ron of Holtsville NY (05/14/07)
I have a 2000 VW Passat with the same faulty window regulator clips as the Jetta. Called VW of America to confirm that the extended warranty of 7 years applied but i was told sorry it does not. It seems not enough of the Passats are having window regulator clip problem to justify the repairs to my car. Problem is that both the Passat and Jetta had the same plastic window regulator clips installed.

Corey of Saukville WI (04/17/07)
I own a 2002 VW Passat with 57,000 miles that blew a hole in a high pressure fuel line. Gasoline was being sprayed all over the inside of my engine compartment! I have an excellent photo that I took at the dealership that clearly shows the fuel being sprayed out of the fuel line (I'd be happy to send that in) and on top of the engine. I am very lucky that it did not start a fire especially with my kids strapped into their car seats. When I contacted VW they expressed NO concern at all about the issue. They said they were sorry I had that experience and that they would do nothing about it!

They had no interest in learning about how this fuel line blew out. They did not contact the dealer that did the repair and they did not request to have the failed parts sent back for analysis......this is all to my dismay as I offered to send them back to them. VW seems to have little disregard to the safety concern that I brought up to them, I do not believe that my vehicle is the only one to have this failure. Not when you build millions of these car.....there is never just one. The failure was on a metal fuel line that extends from the tank to the engine compartment.

The leak occurred immediately adjacent to a mounting bracket. I saved all of the failed parts. I have access to a materials engineering laboratory through my employer and I will be having a failure analysis completed on this hose to determine what type of failure mode caused this hose to rupture. I work in a warranty/quality capacity and get involved with similar instances to my own that I am in. If somebody who worked for me handled this situation the way VW has I would fire them on the spot. It is nothing short of negligent for VW to not even investigate how this could happen. (Or maybe they know already)

Euly of Jamacia NY (02/19/07)
I purchased a 2004 VW Passat used. The finance manager named Frank, when preparing my paper work inadvertantly left out amount costs when explaining in his words the things that were to my benefit because I was financing. The only thing I recieved was sign here and sign there to inflate the final cost of my vehicle with the financing. When confronted with this practice everyone I spoke about it did not want to aide in customer satisfaction. But only aided in their prospective commission. I feel because I was not familar with this finance procedure, I was duped into the signing of paperwork without full disclosure as to what I was really paying to get.

The economic concern I have is that I do not want to pay for something I don't need. Moreover to be duped into a situation of this magnitude and have to pay almost double for a vehicle. Personally I feel violated and everyone seems to want to pass the buck.

Alicia of Santa Monica CA (02/13/07)
I am sick of replacing my engine coils (four times now on my 2002 Passat Wagon on my dime!) I have 75,000 miles on my car. Not too happy about shelling out $1500 because it rained and ruined my electrical system because of a clog under my battery...an Act of God?

Pa-leeeze! $800 to dry out my carpets? Pa-leeze! Why didn't they even CHECK it or UNCLOG it during my 4 years under warranty? Oh, and now, I am looking at the oil sludge problem, as well.

They only told me (VW repair on my latest visit) that I should have been using Synthetic Oil all along! Huh???? What????? I am so sick of shelling out $$$ for rental cars, dealing with THE SAME RECURRING problems, over and over and over again!!! Why can't they just admit the car is DEFECTIVE! Count me in on any class-action suit!

Too lengthy to list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not to mention all the emotional damage you have to go through dealing with all these nightmares!!!!! Hey, Corporate: Did you know we're not all made of money and that money doesn't grow on trees!!!!!!!!!!!! Have some heart!!!

Victoria of San Jose CA (01/13/07)
I experienced an accident on 1/7/07. My Golf of 2003 has the problem with airbags. My side airbags were not opened properly to protect me.

Dorothy of Reno NV (12/28/06)
bought 2001 beetle new from this dealership. had to replace motor after 1000 miles, found out my 2001 beetle has 2000 engine in it. dealership ordered engine when we went to put it in didnt fit, had to reorder engine thats how we found out.

it took 4 months to finally get the vw fix, had to pay installment engine twice because dealership had wrong engine delivered. no answer why this could happen

Daphne of Oneonta AL (11/14/06)
We have had many problems our VW beetle. Had to completely replace the A/C, the check engine light comes on for no reason. We've had it checked and there was nothing wrong. We did not think much about this until the car burst into flames a couple of days ago. Driving down the highway the car starting pouring smoke from under the hood, then the brakes went out, and then the car burst into flames under the hood. WHY CAN'T SOMEONE MAKE VW DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY WILL TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY! I am outraged to read the other stories confirming that we are not the only ones that this has happened to. I want to take legal action if it can be done. Thank God my daughter was not injured.

Car was a total loss. We paid 11,000 for it used and will get less than 1/2 of that from insurance.

Spencer of Gainesville GA (11/07/06)
My parents bought a 2000 VW Beetle new, off the the lot. Numerous problems occurred with the car. A/C went out twice. Had problems opening the fuel door. Check engine light came on. Took it into the dealership at 25,000 miles and had to pay $400 for new o2 censors. Engine light came back on 20 miles later. Took it back in and couldnt figure out what was wrong with the car. I guess VW hires untrained monkeys to fix their crappy cars.

Here is where it gets bad. 60,000 miles on the car, the engine and turbo go out. They need to be replaced at a cost of over $9000!! Not covered under our extended warranty because VW claims car was not properly taken care of due to found sludge in the engine. Oil was changed religiously for over 60,000 every 2500 miles with synthetic oil. How does that happen. Car sits on dealer lot for three weeks fighting with VW. No help from dealer with repairing cost, even though so many other people have had the same problems with oil consumption in these cars.

In the end, we owed $10,000 on a car that doesn't run, with no warranty. Towed it to a Dodge dealership, bought a Ram, was given $2500 for the Beetle, ended up paying sticker for the Ram because they were having a sale. These cars are known nightmares and VW will do absolutely nothing about it because they dont have to. These cars are selling like hotcakes. They take people for suckers and they don't care!!

Rick of Plano TX (09/19/06)
My daughter and wife were driving down the highway in her 1999 VW Beetle, when the engine light came on. She pulled over and went through the step-by-step checkup procedure in the owner's manual. Everything checked out fine. After about 1/2 hour with the engine off, the light turned blue. She drove onto the highway. Within five minutes the accelerator quit working and the engine compartment went up in flames while she was driving at 60 mph. She slowed the car down and flames started shooting out of the engine compartment. She was not able to pull off the highway and was stopped in the left hand lane. My wife and daughter jumped out of the car in the middle of busy highway traffic. Thank God neither was hurt or killed.

We had bought the car ($10000) from a Used Car dealer about two months before. The car was a total loss.

Lisa of Worden IL (09/01/06)
I have a 2002 vw beetle TDI with a automatic transmission. The vehicle just reached 63,000 miles. The transmission failed, internally broke apart. WE had the vehicle towed to the dealer. This is a sealed transmission, so there isn't a whole lot that can be done to it. The warranty ends at 60,000. This vehicle was always maintained and well taken care of, never abused in any way. Auffenberg Volkswagen or Volkswagen USA headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan would offer no assistance in repairing or replacing.

The dealer wants $4500 for a remanufactured transmission. I just expected Volkswagen to stand behind their products better than this, being the vehicle only had 63,000 highway miles on it.

Yosmar of Miami FL (08/22/06)
I was driving my 98 VW Beetle on SW 137 Ave and 66 Street in Miami on 8/22/06 around 3:30 P.M. I tried to turn on the AC and smoke starting coming out the AC vents. I stopped the car and noticed that a fire had started inside the AC controller panel. Since I was on the side walk with nobody around, I had to run the the nearest condo building and a gentlemam quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. The center of the dashborad is completly burnt including the radio.

I had to get the car towed to my house. and now, I have to take the bus from and to work. There should have been a fuse to prevent that kind of fire due to a short circuit.

Jo of Sonoma CA (08/09/06)
The 2000 Turbo New Beetle I purchased brand new at Prestige Imports has been a nightmare, and service from the dealer has been extremely unsatisfactory. To date, I have been stranded on the road six times; the vehicle has had two clutch replacements and two complete replacements of the engine cooling system. The rear center brake light fell off and had to be replaced; the driver's side headlight periodically pops out of place; the coatings on the VW emblem on the hood and all of the interior handles have peeled off; the passneger window will not open all the way; the mirror adjustment knob fell off; the tires wear very unevenly (but no one knows why); the alarm goes off on a whim; and there are on-going problems with opening and closing the fuel door and rear deck lid.

I have the thing serviced regularly, and give it only the best synthetic oil and supreme fuel. These are just a few of the many problems to date. I am currently trying to get the dealer to correctly diagnose and repair the reason the Malfunction Indicator Light (aka check engine light) stays on and occasionally flashes alarmingly, even though they supposedly did this two weeks ago and it costs at least $200 every time they attempt to diagnose anything - and it's usually a lot more than that. Plus, I just found out that they actually WILL provide a loaner car (I bought the car there for cash and have already spent a small fortune on rental cars, but overheard another customer getting a loaner last time, so I insisted on similar treatment). This is my seventh vehicle, and the previous six together caused fewer problems and required less maintenance. It is truly THE infamous Y2K Bug!

I'd sell it, but who would buy it??

Dennis of Stillwater MN (08/03/06)
My wife and I purchased a 2003 diesel New Beetle in 2003. For 31,xxx miles we were very happy with the car, this is my wife’s car and she treats it like a baby. Then one day, out of the blue, it refused to start. We had it towed in and they found the problem to be a carbon problem on the ERG valve. Not bad, the cleaning was $140 something. Although the repairs were not under warranty, I contacted VW and they reimbursed me the amount. Everything went well for another few thousand miles and the engine light goes on. Not bad again, bad injector and it was under warranty.

Another few thousand miles go by and the engine light goes on again. This time it's the injector again and a carbon problem on combustion plenum. Injector was under warranty, carbon removal $600. I tried VW to get reimbursed but no luck this time, seems your service manager said it was because of the fuel I have been using. Ya right, I don't see any diesel pumps at your establishment so we are kind of at the mercy of fleet farm. I wasn't happy about it, but you know 40 some thousand miles and $600 out of pocket, I guess I could live with it.

But here is the kicker, another few thousand miles go by, (we are at just under 45,000 at this point), and the check engine light goes on again. This time, it's a wiring harness of some kind. No problem under warranty, but here is the part the killed me. The service guy says, oh ya some piece of fascia is hanging down from under the car, you must have hit something. Right, we have driven this car on the freeway work and back and we hit something. I got under the car that weekend and it is real tore up. I think we would know if we hit something, and it looks like exactly what would happen if someone drove it over a lift that was up too high. I called Jon in the service department, and he said he would check into it and get back to me. He didn’t, I had to call a week later and all he basically said was our word against yours.

Jackie of Sky Valley CA (07/27/06)
My 2000 Beetle had a fire in it due to bad wiring on the fan switch. I expect a settlement from Volkswagen since they have determined the fire is the fault of the car. I want my new car paid for and Beetle owners warned of the possibility.

If I had been on the freeway in the fast lane I would not have had time to pull over and get out before the flames would of been in my face. I pulled over as soon as I saw and smelled the black smoke, shut the door and the car was engulfed in flames. I had no previous air conditioning problems. I left work and in a matter of 20 minutes this all happened. I continue to have severe headaches and nightmares over this incidence.

Kate  of Palo Alto CA (05/25/06)
Timing belt blew apart at 93,000 on 2002 VW Beetle. Manual says check at 40K and 80K, and recommend replace timing belt and tension roller at 105,000. Had 80K check up at dealership, they did not identify a problem. Are others having timing belt break before 105,000 miles?

I am looking at a repair for $4,500 to replace belt, and 24 valves. I think there is something seriously wrong with this picture.

Kimberly of Newton MA (03/11/06)
i've had my 2003 beetle in the shop 6 times over the past 8 months, 3 of which was for a rattling noise i was hearing in the transmission. the first time in they said they replaced the control arm, but the noise was still there when i left. i returned, two more times, on both occasions they told me it was a normal sound due to the cold weather. my vehicle is still under original warranty. i was driving to the movie with my 13 year old last sunday and suddenly i had no transmission past 3rd gear. i took it in on monday and they told me it needs a new transmission however the work will not be covered because the transmission plate is cracked and the subframe mounts are bent, so i must have hit something, causing the damage from the outside in.

Caren of Smiths Falls, Ontario (5/23/04):
I bought a "new" 1998 Beetle in march 1999. My dealer suggested I look at this red one as it had been a "show car" in Germany and gave me a better deal. Such a deal -- it has been a nightmare since day one. It has burned a litre of oil every 1200-1800 kms and everyone has closed their eyes to this. We have had the O2 Sensor problems, MAF sensor a few handbrake calipres, a defective gas filler neck that took extremely long to fill in the tank with gas, window regulator, many window switches, burnt out defrost button, major front end problems ongoing, fit and finish issues.

I haven't been able to get into my glove compartment for over three years. As a result I had a $600.00cdn 20GIG iPod stolen last week. Bought that because the door on the CD changer fell off and it was useless! The door locks seized and had to be replaced The rear hatch cover is also broken so I can not leave anything in plain view there either! I was told after much fighting for every issue that I was a problem customer. I guess after driving home in 20 degree weather with the window fallen into the passenger door for 77 kms might have given me a bit of an attitude problem.

During the meagre warranthy period of 40,000 kms I brought up the oil consumption issue and it was basically ignored until I fought to get it rectified. I told the area rep it burned oil every 1200 to 1800 kms (approximately 1 litre) SO they decided to do an oil consumption test every 1,000 kms (don't get that one!) and then after many stupid trips to Hunt Club Volkswagen in Ottawa Ontario they said the car was fine. They never listened to me about when this happened and insisted that checking the oil every 1,000 kms and topping it off was fine.

I tried to trade the car in and was told that these cars are worthless as they have reams of problems. I drove for over two years with a check engine light on in the dash. So I have kept it and put gallons of oil into it. Now we have loss of engine compression and I suspect that it will be a matter of time before the engine fails.

I have been very good to this car and faithfully got it tuned up etc by a very reputable mechanic and in fact since I left the stealership the car has had fewer problems! But there is premature wear in the front end and I am now putting more parts into it than I knew it had. It is literally falling apart and has been that way from day one.

I called VW in Germany about the oil issue and I wanted confrimation about the "Show Car" story as it was suggested to me that it was more than likely this was a press car and that it had been driven hard for the 1700 kms it had when I bought it. The rep in Toronto told VW Germany that the car was fine and there was no oil consumption. Only problem here is that he never even saw the car as it was in Ottawa and he was taking the word of a service manager who I find out was demoted.

VW gave me what they call "Goodwill" for a few issues but honestly it is just unacceptable that I have to fight for manufacturing issues. A bolt fell off from under the hood last year which holds down the plastic leaf catcher under the wipers. For the life of me I do not know how but it resulted in a huge crack in the windshield which I finally had money to replace last month as it was getting very dangerous. I spoke to VW last year again about another issue which was useless and tried the oil thing again as I had documentation that the oil problem was an unresolved warranty issue. The woman I spoke to agreed that there are problems with the 2.0 litre engine but tough luck for me as I was over warranty.

Lisa of Forestburgh NY (4/27/04):
My 2001 Beetle is burning approximately 3-3 1/2 quarts of oil every 3 thousand miles. Amazingly enough, the mechanic looked me right in the eye and informed that this is perfectly acceptable. I, oh so sweetly, informed good old Shawn that I was no Einstein when it comes to cars but even I know this is completely UNacceptable and what were they going to do about it?

The reply was we're not doing anything about it. I then asked the dealership to put in writing that there was nothing wrong with my engine even if it was burning mega amounts of oil. Yes, you guessed it, they really couldn't do that. I should just take their word for it. Since this incident I've been doing some research and have read literally thousands of complaints from people like me. How can this company get away with this?

So, let me sum up my problem. My 2001 Beetle with 35,000 miles is burning 3-31/2 quarts of oil per 3000 miles. It's still under warranty but the dealership and Volkswagon refuse to admit there is a problem or to fix it. Please help, this is criminal! How about a class action suit? I don't know much about it, but it certainly seems like enough people are being cheated to warrant this.

No damage yet, but eventually this engine is going to self destruct and I can't afford, nor should I have to replace it with money from my own pocket.

Not necessarily. VW has for many years stated that burning one quart per thousand miles or so is within their engines' normal range. There is nothing inherently bad about this, as long as consumers keep an eye on the oil and top it off as needed.

Alicia of Amesbury, MA writes (1/5/02):
On 12-27-01 my 2000 VW Beetle caught on fire, resulting in a total loss of the vehicle. I had driven less than 5 miles when all the panel lights started flashing and "clicking". I then smelled wires burning.

I stepped out of the car to call for assistance. I returned to the car to retreive an expensive piece of medical equipment (belonged to my employer), my car was filling with smoke and I could see flames coming from beneath the driver's side dash. I called 911, the car was fully engulfed befor they arrived (fire station 1 mile away). VW has said "too bad."

Total loss of my vehicle. I am in sales so this has been a hardship also. I waited 2 years to buy this car as I did not want to buy the first year, first model.

Dana of Cambridge City IN (1/13/02):
In April, 2001 I purchased a 2001 VW Beetle. After having it for a little over one week It started acting up and wouldn't accelerate. I called my dealer and he told me to bring it in right then. I took it in and they said there was something wrong with the transmission but they took care of it. On the way home from the dealership it started doing it again. So, I called the dealership from my cell phone and they gave me an apointment to bring it in overnight. When I returned to get my car they told me nothing was wrong with my car.

I took my car and less than a week later I went and started my car and went to pull out of the parking lot it made a loud boom and wouldn't accelerate. I took it back to the dealership for the third time for the same problem, I had the machnic ride with me, and they said they would keep my car untill it was fixed. But they said they couldn't get me a rental because of my age, but it is in the warranty. I had to get hateful and remind them of the lemon law for them to even listen to me about it. Finaly one salesman let me use his car.

Then they had to put a new transmission in my car. I also mentioned that air leaks through my window and they said that is the design of the car but the dealer's car that I drove was a Beetle and it didn't do it. Now the interior is falling apart, the material on the door panel is falling off. For such a great car that they kept telling me I was buying I haven't seen it yet. I have tried calling the 1-800 number for VW but they weren't any help either.

Jesus of Radcliffe, kY (1/8/02):
I have a 2001 New Beetle that has given my family tons of headache and agony. My dream turned nightmare after the first oil change. After that it has gone in for numerous Oxygen sensors. It burns oil at a rate of 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 quart every 3,000 miles, "Check Engine" light comes on periodically, spits oil out the exhaust (I have a digital picture of this), "MAP Sensor" replaced, engine misses periodically, bad smell inside passenger compartment, faulty spark plugs, loose spark plugs, smoke out of the exhaust periodically, driver side door window handle falls and makes sticking sounds, driver and passanger doors handles peeling, shifter panel peeling.

Beth of Hermosa Beach CA writes (12/5/01):
I have had NUMEROUS problems with my 99 'VW Beetle. Most recently (May 01'), I had a new engine installed because of an oil consumption problem. But, since the engine replacement, my vehicle has continued to consume a massive amount of oil (1 1/2 quart every 1,000 miles). VW requested I get an oil consumption test every 1,000 miles to document the oil consumption problem. Because I only average 500 miles a month, I was going into Peyton Cramer every other month.

Well, I've now had 6 oil consumption tests. Each time my car had consumed 1 1/2 quarts of oil to 2 1/2 quarts. All along I was led to believe that there was a particular someone charting my information and in charge of my situation. Finally, Ramez from Peyton Cramer VW in Torrance, CA sent my file to Scott S of the Thousand Oaks VW office who reviewed my whole file for a whole 15 minutes. His only solution was to bring my car back to the dealership's service department for MORE service. This 99' vehicle has been in the service department WAY TOO OFTEN.

My request prior to the oil consumption tests was to trade in the car for a new vehicle. But, in order for them to consider my request, they asked that I do the oil consumption tests. Well, I did, plus an additional 3 because they weren't responding. Today I went in find out the status and to have my CD changer (which was installed in August of 2000) fixed. Well, it is unfixable and needs to be replaced (ALREADY!) for $300.00, and that's not even for a new one.

Michelle of San Francisco writes (10/20/01):
I purchased a 1999 VW Beetle and I have had problems with it from day one. It took them close to 9 months to fix the passenger seat and I will name the rest of the problems: trunk door does not open without force, fuel door does not open without force, both window regulators have gone out, the passenger window broke as a result, blinker light stuck and they would only fix after it stuck for them so this took a year to get repaired, passenger seat fell apart, service deptartment falsely stated that brakes had more left on them than what was true so when I had them replaced I had to also purchase rotors, battery died when car was less than two years old, keeping in mind that I have done nothing to ever drain them, and blinker lights unattached therefore leading them to not operate ... basically if you name it, it has happended.

Susan of Trabuco Canyon CA writes (10/10/00):
I purchased a 1998 Volkswagen Beetle in March, 1998. From the first few months I owned the car until the present (October, 2000) the car has had nothing but major problems. I was at the dealer at least every two months with a new issue. The car has already had a brand new transmission put in before it was even a year old.

I have all receipts and documentation of each major event that has happened. I contacted Curt Chamberlain, Sales Rep. for Volkswagen of America. I met with Curt on August 3, 2000. I discussed with him the constant problems with the car. I gave him all the receipts and all the documentation concerning each issue. Curt stated that my car does not fall under the lemon law due to each occurrence being different and not the same re-occurring event. They absolutely said they cannot replace the car.

I told Curt at our meeting on August 3rd that guaranteed I would be contacting him in a few months with another problem. Sure enough almost exactly two months later (October 6, 2000) another major issue. The fuses and wires in the battery were melted and burnt. The car is currently at the dealer again being fixed. On that date (October 6, 2000) the dealer informed me not to drive the car when the red indicator light came on. The dealer sent a tow truck and towed the car. I am currently driving a rental until the car is fixed. This is just completely out of control. The car is a total lemon.

Cornell of Thomaston, GA, writes:
I purchased a VW Beetle in April '98.Since My car has had many problem . I 've had a total of 12 repairs, ranging from defective computer chip to the alarm involuntarily going off. All the window control have popped off a least three times each. (Leaving me unable to let the window up or down). This time the window just stop working, on a very cold night and I had to drive 76 miles home freezing.(it won't roll up) I can't drive my car because it's too cold with the window down. The alarm goes off without warning and stays on for at least ten minutes before shutting itself off (road hazard).