Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||||
| 9904 | 02/08/1999 | 604430 | Information regarding electronic control module (ecm) coding. *tt | 04/29/1999 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 09/19/2012 | 166500 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that while at a traffic light she smelled something burning then noticed smoke emitting from the dashboard. the vehicle was able to be driven to the contact home where the vehicle completely engolf into flames. the vehicle was destroyed. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 166,500. pmb | |||
| 09/19/2012 | 166500 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated while at a stop light she smelled something burning then noticed smoke emitting from the dashboard. the vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's home. the vehicle then caught fire. the vehicle was completely destroyed. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 166,500. mh | |||
| 05/14/2012 | 107000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated while driving 65 mph, he turned off the air conditioner and noticed smoke coming from the instrument panel. the contact was able to park and exit the vehicle, when the vehicle burst into flames. the fire was able to be extinguished and the vehicle was towed from the scene. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure and current mileage was 107,000. | |||
| 05/14/2012 | 107000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated while driving 65 mph, he turned off the air conditioner and noticed smoke coming from the instrument panel. the contact was able to park and exit the vehicle, when the vehicle burst into flames. the fire was able to be extinguished and the vehicle was towed from the scene. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure and current mileage was 107,000. kmj | |||
| 05/14/2012 | 107000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated while driving 65 mph he had turn off the air condition and notice smoke coming out the instrument panel. he got to pull into a friends drive way. once the vehicle was off the vehicle was in flames. the vehicle was towed. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure and current mileage was 107,000.jp | |||
| 12/08/2008 | 136000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. while driving less than 30 mph, the driver could smell a burning odor and noticed white smoke coming from the air conditioning vents. she then noticed black smoke coming from the vents. the driver exited the vehicle and, within minutes, flames engulfed the vehicle. the fire department was called and stated that the fire originated underneath the dashboard; however, this could not be determined definitively. a police report was filed. the failure and current mileages were 136,000. | |||
| 3 | |||
| Problems with vehicle's instrument panel and radio.*mr the instrument panel had to be replaced twice. the radio operated on it's own and the windows rolled down on their own. the consumer was unable to use the power controls to. he wrote a letter to the vw dealership and has not received any response. the car was taken and auctioned off. the consumer was trying to find a way to make sure volkswagen be held accountable. *cb the consumer also stated the odometer rolled up approximately 9000 miles, the dealer ran a computer check but found nothing wrong with the vehicle. *jb | |||
| 01/28/2003 | 67695 | 2 | 11/28/1998 |
| On 01/28/2003 while cruising at approximately 45mph my diesel engine simply shut down without any advance warning whatsoever. i was stranded on the side of a very busy road with my 3 year old granddaughter. i then had it towed to jim ellis vw on peachtree industrial blvd, atlanta, ga 30341 (phone: 770-458-6811). they were able to repeat the problem and diagnosed a failed power supply relay which was subsequently replaced. thus far the problem has not repeated itself. this was a potentially dangerous situation!!!! | |||
| 3 | 10/01/1998 | ||
| The consumer stated that 18 months after the purchase of the vehicle, the vehicle needed to be jump started. the consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer and was told that it was a computer malfunction. the consumer had taken the vehicle in for an inoperative speedometer but it ended up being the instrument cluster. the low beam lights wouldn't work because of an error with the electronics. *scc | |||
| 1 | |||
| When consumer turns the vehicle on, there is a loud beeping noise and a flashing red light. *jg | |||
| 06/01/2000 | |||
| Consumer has been having alot of problems with electrical features. consumer has replaced 2 batteries/ 1 cd changer/ 4 headlight bulbs, and air conditioner outlet didn't work. dealer stated vehicle had too many miles. problems existed since day 1.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 01/28/2003 | 67695 | 2 | 11/28/1998 |
| On 01/28/2003 while cruising at approximately 45mph my diesel engine simply shut down without any advance warning whatsoever. i was stranded on the side of a very busy road with my 3 year old granddaughter. i then had it towed to jim ellis vw on peachtree industrial blvd, atlanta, ga 30341 (phone: 770-458-6811). they were able to repeat the problem and diagnosed a failed power supply relay which was subsequently replaced. thus far the problem has not repeated itself. this was a potentially dangerous situation!!!! | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 06/01/2000 | |||
| Consumer has been having alot of problems with electrical features. consumer has replaced 2 batteries/ 1 cd changer/ 4 headlight bulbs, and air conditioner outlet didn't work. dealer stated vehicle had too many miles. problems existed since day 1.*ak | |||
| 09/28/2001 | |||
| While starting battery exploded. vehicle towed to dealer, and informed consumer that the probelm was due to an electrical surge from alternator . feel free to provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 06/12/2000 | 11/01/1998 | ||
| At 1 1/2 months of ownership the check engine light came on with no fault found took 1 1/2 years and 6 service visits to fix. the car often goes forward while in reveres and has shifting problems, have had the transmission adjusted 3 times still has problems. oil light doesnt go on when oil is low. battery light doesnt go on when the batter is dying. wiring to headlight keeps loosening causing the headlights to fail. had rear and front brakes replaced due to low ground clearance and snow getting lodged in them and freezing.*ak | |||
| 07/20/2001 | 12/01/1998 | ||
| Three months prrior to the engine fire, a battery blew up in this car after turning the ignition key. prior to that the headlights have been replaced three times and the a/c condenser replaced. we believe this car has some serious electrical problems. vw decided it was an insurance issue, because of the mileage of the car. in short, they are saying that it is ok for the engine to burn up on a 1999 car with 44,000 miles.*ak | |||
| 06/01/2000 | 03/01/1999 | ||
| I purchased this vehicle because i was looking for a reliable and economical car. i have been very disappointed. this car burns oil at an unbelievable rate. i cannot rely on it and do not want to drive it out of town. i am now keeping jumper cables in the hatch because of constant battery problems. the radio is not working. i have already replaced a regulator (window) on the driver's side and it has broken again. less than a year after it was replaced. several dealerships told me that they couldn't get me in to fix the problem for 2 weeks - my window was stuck down inside of the door and would not roll up. the waiting time for an appt at a dealer should be an indication that the are not producing quality vehicles. the warranty period is too short. the problems seem to all happen after the warranty is up. is that how long they expected to last - 2 years?i have been very disapointed.*ak | |||
| 02/28/2001 | 11/01/1999 | ||
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 02/09/1999 | 1 | 06/10/1998 | |
| Battery was cracked causing acid to leak onto power steering reservoir. *slc | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY - CABLES | |||
| 04/05/2001 | 2 | 03/27/1999 | |
| Battery cable has burned out twice since date of purchase. dealer has been contacted. please provide further details.*ak rear hatch intermittently will not open with the remote due to it being out of adjustment, the left window switch is loose. nlm | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| Electrical system had a failure in fuse box which caused some fuses to melt. one fuse shorted out a wire to the relay box which also sustained a short. head lights, defogger, horn, turn signals etc, became inoperative. please describe details.*ak | |||
| 06/12/2000 | 11/01/1998 | ||
| At 1 1/2 months of ownership the check engine light came on with no fault found took 1 1/2 years and 6 service visits to fix. the car often goes forward while in reveres and has shifting problems, have had the transmission adjusted 3 times still has problems. oil light doesnt go on when oil is low. battery light doesnt go on when the batter is dying. wiring to headlight keeps loosening causing the headlights to fail. had rear and front brakes replaced due to low ground clearance and snow getting lodged in them and freezing.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 08/20/2002 | 58000 | 1 | 06/01/2001 |
| 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. *ak *nlm | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||
| 3 | |||
| Eighteen months after purchase, the vehicle would not start when consumer tried to turn it on. after the third time, consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. consumer was informed it was a computer malfunction. *jg | |||
| 11/27/2000 | |||
| Vehicle experiencing a problem with computer shutting down engine after replacing battery. computer needed to be recoded. consumer would like to know why this warning was not listed in owner's manual when this problem occurred. please feel free to provide any further details on this matter. *ak | |||
| 04/04/2000 | 3 | 06/10/1998 | |
| Ecm failed. *slc | |||
| 07/08/1999 | |||
| While driving at 55 mph there was a loss of power. consumer has to reset the computer, and start the vehicle back up again. there was no prior warning that this would happen. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 02/25/2008 | 46000 | 5 | 07/07/2006 |
| Purchased 1999 vw beetle 20 months ago. car has only 54,000 miles. since owning the car have already over $3,500 in repairs. all of the repairs were done at my local darcar vw repair shop. i believe some of these repairs were recalls and have all receipt. is there someone i can sent my repair receipts to to see if i can be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses which should have been recall services? i can forward receipts. also seven days ago the passenger side window regulator broke and it appears it had been recalled per two vw owner who had same problems but i can't find the recall information on it. can you suggest how i can view all recalls for 1999 vw beetle gls? *tr | |||
| 06/24/2005 | 1 | 02/28/2005 | |
| Dt:consumer complained about problems with unlocking vehicle. when she turned the key the windows roll down on their own. it might not happen right at that time, but some time after the vehicle was turned on and off the windows rolled down. sometimes the keyless entry remote will work and sometimes it will not work. consumer knew of other people with the same type of vehicle having the same problem. dealer was repairing the problem . dealer told consumer that repairs were not covered under warranty. repairs were done at consumer's expense. dealer replaced the cylinder lock switch.consumer had this problem since she owned the vehicle.*ak | |||
| 04/22/2000 | |||
| Vehicle caught fire on inside of ignition switch box. there was a bad connection in the ignition switch. fire meleted wires inside the box which caused shutdown in dashboard ie/ headlights/ windshield wipers, and etc. dealer's remedy was to tighten the wires in ignition box, but the electrical portion of dashboard would periodically go down. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY | |||
| 05/01/2006 | 1 | 12/01/2005 | |
| 1999 ww beetle with many problems including shifting, brake switch (recall n4)**cc the consumer could not shift out of park, which was related to the brake switch. the consumer then received a recall notice after already having the repairs done. the consumer didn't take the vehicle to a volkswagen dealer because they would only had paid for the switch and not the labor because at the time, the recall was not in effect. the serpentine belt and starter was replaced. *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY - RELAY | |||
| 01/27/2000 | 0 | 08/01/1999 | |
| While driving about 30 mph vehicle will stall without a warning, and when consumer tried to start the engine again, it won't start. failure due to relay part which was replaced by dealer. *ak *ml | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 02/25/2008 | 46000 | 5 | 07/07/2006 |
| Purchased 1999 vw beetle 20 months ago. car has only 54,000 miles. since owning the car have already over $3,500 in repairs. all of the repairs were done at my local darcar vw repair shop. i believe some of these repairs were recalls and have all receipt. is there someone i can sent my repair receipts to to see if i can be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses which should have been recall services? i can forward receipts. also seven days ago the passenger side window regulator broke and it appears it had been recalled per two vw owner who had same problems but i can't find the recall information on it. can you suggest how i can view all recalls for 1999 vw beetle gls? *tr | |||
| 06/06/2006 | 1 | 08/18/2005 | |
| 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. *jb | |||
| 03/17/2003 | |||
| #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 . *jb | |||
| 08/20/2002 | 58000 | 1 | 06/01/2001 |
| 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. *ak *nlm | |||
| 05/20/1999 | 04/01/1999 | ||
| Please see photo's at http://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. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 07/20/2001 | 12/01/1998 | ||
| Three months prrior to the engine fire, a battery blew up in this car after turning the ignition key. prior to that the headlights have been replaced three times and the a/c condenser replaced. we believe this car has some serious electrical problems. vw decided it was an insurance issue, because of the mileage of the car. in short, they are saying that it is ok for the engine to burn up on a 1999 car with 44,000 miles.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 09/30/2007 | 115000 | 1 | 06/06/2005 |
| Failure of dashboard (airconditioning) controls caused car to catch on fire. car was completely destroyed. failure to address this defect could cause injury or death. *tr | |||
| 04/22/2000 | |||
| Vehicle caught fire on inside of ignition switch box. there was a bad connection in the ignition switch. fire meleted wires inside the box which caused shutdown in dashboard ie/ headlights/ windshield wipers, and etc. dealer's remedy was to tighten the wires in ignition box, but the electrical portion of dashboard would periodically go down. *ak | |||
| 1 | 05/15/1999 | ||
| Electrical harness behind the dashboard failed resulting in vehicle fire. *mjs | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK | |||
| 02/25/2008 | 46000 | 5 | 07/07/2006 |
| Purchased 1999 vw beetle 20 months ago. car has only 54,000 miles. since owning the car have already over $3,500 in repairs. all of the repairs were done at my local darcar vw repair shop. i believe some of these repairs were recalls and have all receipt. is there someone i can sent my repair receipts to to see if i can be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses which should have been recall services? i can forward receipts. also seven days ago the passenger side window regulator broke and it appears it had been recalled per two vw owner who had same problems but i can't find the recall information on it. can you suggest how i can view all recalls for 1999 vw beetle gls? *tr | |||