Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE | |||||
| 010702 | 01/11/2007 | 10021315 | Dtc's p1297 (17705) or p1557 (17965) stored in dtc memory. this may be caused by intake hoses leaking (during boost conditions) due to incorrect torque on clamps or improper placement, worn or torn intake hoses. *kb | 04/03/2007 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| 2010464 | 05/14/2007 | 10021962 | Mil is on and/or catalytic converter is rattling. *kb | 06/27/2007 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||||
| 2015831 | 08/28/2008 | 10026848 | Volkswagen: exhaust heat shield, replacement guidelines. heat shields are to be inspected after completion o any type of repair to the underbody (exhaust system transmission, etc.), and if damaged, replaced. *pe | 12/29/2008 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 11/14/2008 | |||
| We own a 2000 volkswagen beetle...in 2008 the water pump went in it...had that replaced and 4 weeks later had to have it replaced again then the following year 2009 the window motors in both windows went..had to have those replaced... the headlights and tail lights are falling out have to constantly push them back in....now 2011 the water pump went in it again..now the car is sitting in the drive way acting as a paper weight..had i know that there were so many issues with this type of vehicle i would have never bought one..i hope that volkswagen is happy raking people over the coals by selling them nothing but junk and god forbid if you have to take it to a dealer they want everything up to and including your first born child... | |||
| 11/07/2008 | 126000 | 1 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that the engine warning indicator remains illuminated on the instrument panel. a diagnostic was performed, which produced error code 5. a mechanic repaired the vehicle and reset the computer; however, the indicator continues to illuminate. the current and failure mileages were 126,000. updated 02/24/09. *lj updated 02/26/09. *jb | |||
| 05/20/2007 | 74000 | 1 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen beetle. while driving 60 mph, the engine lost power. the battery and the ecp warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed the failure as the timing belt. the manufacturer will not perform the repair for free. the contact stated that the water pump was replaced at 38,000 miles and 49,000 miles. the timing belt was removed to replace the pump. the purchase date was unknown. the current and failure mileages were 74,000. | |||
| 01/31/2007 | 98700 | 1 | 06/15/2000 |
| The service rep at university vw reported my car needed a new timing belt and water pump - cost $1,500 (the word warranty was never mentioned, so i never considered this repair might be covered.) another mechanics quote for the same job was $448. during repair he found the timing belt tensioner was defective, so my total cost was $615 - still less than half of the quote by university vw. (i also had to pay university $96 for their rip-off quote.) i contacted vw, who told me to take the part to the dealer for confirmation of defect. defect was confirmed by their lead mechanic. (note that he confirmed defect and not worn out part. i still have all parts.) service manager stated he would file a claim with vw for me. he called on 2/19 and reported my claim was denied. the request was not made to vw, but decided by his regional manager. i called vw about a claim. on 2/20 vw claims called stating my claim was denied. she stated that my claim was denied. she also informed me that the repair would have been covered under warranty - if i had not taken it to another mechanic. i told her i would not have taken it to another mechanic, if i had known it would be covered under warranty! (this was the first time i learned the problem was covered by the warranty!) i told her i wanted to appeal this decision, so whom should i contact? she stated, i am empowered by the ceo of volkswagen, so there isn't anyone higher. your claim will not be paid. as far as i am concerned, this entire problem was caused by a service consultant not telling me this repair would be (or even, might be) covered under warranty. as a non-mechanical customer, i feel i should have every right to expect that service. if i had been told that, i definitely would have left my car at university vw for the repairs, but i felt i had no choice - either pay $1,500 or $500. *nm | |||
| 02/01/2007 | 68700 | 1 | 06/05/2000 |
| 2000 turbo engine beetle with 68,700 miles was 'chugging' like a diesel immediately after non-related warranty repair at the dealer. took back to the dealer who quoted $1500 to replace timing belt and water pump. paid $95 for their diagnosis and took the car to my regular mechanic who did the same repair for $450! however, my mechanic told me that the timing belt tensioner was defective and caused the belt to wear out. this was an additional $150 cost for that part. i have all the parts from the repair. *jb | |||
| 11/01/2001 | 1 | 01/01/2000 | |
| Consumer states: the engine would shut itself off while driving. dealership kept 5 days and never recognized problem. *tt | |||
| 10/21/2004 | 50000 | 1 | 09/10/2000 |
| After parking the vehicle, within 15 minute or less the vehicle caught on fire under the hood. the local fire department arrived on location to extinguish the fire. the dealer and the manufacturer were both notified. the cause of the fire was still undetermined. *jb | |||
| 09/21/2004 | 57000 | 1 | |
| While driving and at a stop vehicle stalled. consumer would restarted the vehicle. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| 25000 | 4 | 07/01/2000 | |
| 2000 volkswagen beetle leaking coolant, defective airflow sensor, check engine light illuminated and problems with window switch. *mr the window had to be operated a certain way in order to operate properly,the check engine light had come on due to a bad airflow sensor in which the problem occurred on two occasions, the coolant light had come on due to the tube that had run from the coolant container to the engine had cut in it and leaked coolant. *scc *jb | |||
| 02/03/2003 | |||
| The vehicle hesitates, shuts down and will not restart. please furnish additional information. dealer is aware of the problem. ph | |||
| 10/01/1999 | 4 | 09/01/1999 | |
| Undercarriage of vehicle was hard cardboard, when going over a high speed bump it ripped undercarriage off. also in heavy rain, it tears and comes off. has been repaired 4 times, replaced once. dealer said it was poor design.*ak the undercarriage came off several times after being replaced. the temperature guage and the a/c had failed. *yh | |||
| 01/01/2000 | 3 | ||
| Temperature gauge warning light broke and reservoir tank sensor failed causing vehicle to overheat. nlm | |||
| 03/20/2000 | 1 | 03/11/2000 | |
| While driving engine check light and temperature light came on. then smoke came from under the hood. when this happened, car had to be towed to nearest vw dealer. dealer said that both electric fans needed to be replaced. there was a kink in the wire of one of the fans that caused it to fail. both fans basically melted and blew apart. *ak *ml | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 04/04/2008 | 72500 | 1 | 08/28/2001 |
| On april 4, 2008, our 2000vw gls beetle caught fire as it was being driven on the interstate. car had been hesitating and the check engine light would come on, so we had it serviced at our local vw dealership on march 28. diagnostics did not find anything wrong. we went ahead as asked for fuel filter and the coolant sensor to be replaced. for the next week, the car continued to hesitate, especially after being driven for more that 20 minutes. we made another appointment with the service department to have it repaired and as my daughter was driving to this appointment she noticed the hesitation again, and about 10 miles later, noticed smoke in the rear view mirror. she pulled off the highway and smoke started pouring inside the car. all of the dashboard lights clicked on, then off. within 2 minutes, the car was completely engulfed in flames. my daughter was able to get out of the car and was not physically harmed. the car was a total loss. *tr | |||
| 07/22/2006 | 1 | 07/20/2006 | |
| Airbag short to ground coolant system short to ground. *jb | |||
| 07/15/2003 | 80000 | 5 | 11/11/2000 |
| Cooling system failed causing the original overheating. the car has continued to peridodically overheat since. the car was fully repaired from the first incident and has been in for repair many times since. now there are several failures with the car. | |||
| 07/10/2001 | 1 | 11/20/1999 | |
| The dealer replaced the radiator, water pump and thermostat.*jb | |||
| 01/01/2000 | 3 | ||
| Temperature gauge warning light broke and reservoir tank sensor failed causing vehicle to overheat. nlm | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN | |||
| 03/20/2000 | 1 | 03/11/2000 | |
| While driving engine check light and temperature light came on. then smoke came from under the hood. when this happened, car had to be towed to nearest vw dealer. dealer said that both electric fans needed to be replaced. there was a kink in the wire of one of the fans that caused it to fail. both fans basically melted and blew apart. *ak *ml | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 05/06/2004 | 5 | ||
| I have a 2000 beetle. bought it used with a extended warranty. the problem started few months after the buying it. the consumption of oil is outrageous. i have to change the oil every 800 miles. i took the car to the dealer, the dealer performed a consumption oil test, and according with their test the consumption of oil was within the standards of a regular consumption. having to check the oil level every 800 miles is stressful. few week ago i had to change the spark plug because the car wouldn't start. *jb | |||
| 04/10/2003 | 45208 | 10 | 03/17/2003 |
| I have a 2000 vw beetle. i bought the car used a little more than two years ago. within a few months of buying the car i started having engine/electrical problems. i took it in........several times, same problem. as i am driving the car it just dies. i can be going 60 mph on the highway or 1 mph pulling to or away from a stop sign. with no warning the car cuts off. it always starts back up, but it will continually die. i lose all power to the car including steering. this is a serious concern and has been for two years and approximately ten times in the vw shop. the car definitely has a problem that no one can seem to fix. i have or my warranty company has repeatedly paid for the same and then some repairs to the vehicle. some parts (the same part) were replaced within four months of each other. mostly the shop determines it is the o2 sensors throughout the car (apparently you have several different o2 sensors) or something to do with the turbo (which has also been replaced once or twice now). those things have been repaired. some more than once. the car still dies. it gives no warning it just shuts off. losing power at 70 mph on a crowded interstate can shake one up. i have contacted the dealer, the manufacturer, and everyone in between. no one seems to care or want to help me. someone please help this car is a death trap!*jb | |||
| 05/10/2004 | 1 | 05/10/2004 | |
| While driving and making turns vehicle stalled at various speeds. manufacturer was contacted by consumer.*ak the vehicle also stalled while stopped. the dealer replaced the mass air meter, diverter valve, oxygen sensor and fuel pump relay but the problem persist. the lower engine cover was damaged and the serpentine belt was replaced. *nm | |||
| 09/30/2003 | 1 | ||
| Consistent problem with air bag light and engine light comimg on/off while driving vehicle at any speed. dealer inspected vehicle, and stated that air sensor failed. *ak | |||
| 08/08/2003 | 2 | ||
| The vehicle stalled on several occasions. previously the battery was replaced, however the stalling continued. *jb | |||
| 08/04/2003 | 1 | ||
| While traveling on the highway and without prior warning vehicle will vibrate and stall without no power at all. *ak | |||
| 41232 | 2 | ||
| The check engine light and air bag light illuminated on the dashboard. *ph *jb | |||
| 06/01/2002 | 1 | 12/01/1999 | |
| Bolts that hold engine front on right hand side crystalized, heat treatment failed causing engine to come loose. *ak *yh | |||
| 04/04/2001 | 1 | 03/25/2000 | |
| Vehicle has experienced several problems with the engine and transmission. consumer was informed that there was an internal problem with automatic transmission which required that transmission be replaced. also, dealership has informed consumer that head gasket and control valve for the engine were defective. note: dealership has been in possession of the vehicle for approximately 30 days. *ak *jb | |||
| 1 | 03/01/2000 | ||
| While driving at 20-30 mph, the vehicle accelerated on its own regardless of braking by the driver. oil pan failure was found out to be the cause. *yh | |||
| Oil pan broke, and dealer replaced oil pan. vehicle was brought back to dealer for replacement of oil pump at 13,000 miles and at 14000 miles. dealer stated engine needed to be replaced. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 08/02/2003 | 1 | ||
| While driving at highway speed with a quarter tank of gas, the vehicle stalled. *ak *scc *jb | |||
| 5 | 10/31/2000 | ||
| Consumer is having problems with the oil consumption in this vehicle. vehicle has been examined for oil leaks. vehicle runs low on oil every 1000 miles. dealer says this is normal for this type of engine.*jg | |||
| 03/01/2000 | |||
| Vehicle burns 1 quart of oil for every thousand miles. this is normal. consumer feels engine is burning the oil and should not also it may be an emission issue. please provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 04/05/2002 | 4 | 09/21/1999 | |
| While traveling on the highway, the check engine light illuminates on the dasboard and the vehicle will shutdown. dealership is aware of the problem.*ak *yd consumer stated the manufacturer replaced the engine which was rebuilt. | |||
| 02/01/2000 | |||
| Excessive oil consumption (1 quart oil every 250 miles!) yet dealer and manufacturer don't want to fix it until we said we would suit if they don't act on it. *ak | |||
| 01/01/2001 | 8 | 09/21/1999 | |
| Vehicle has stalled 7-8 times at speeds of 55-65 mph. dealer has replaced o2 sensor 3 times, however that has not remedied the problem. *ak | |||
| 01/15/2000 | |||
| During normal operation of vehicle engine will jump or buck, increasing the risk of a crash in traffic. dealership has examined vehicle and could not identify cause. please provide any additional information / attachments.*ak | |||
| 04/04/2001 | 1 | 03/25/2000 | |
| Vehicle has experienced several problems with the engine and transmission. consumer was informed that there was an internal problem with automatic transmission which required that transmission be replaced. also, dealership has informed consumer that head gasket and control valve for the engine were defective. note: dealership has been in possession of the vehicle for approximately 30 days. *ak *jb | |||
| 11/01/2000 | 3 | 03/13/2000 | |
| Intermittently vehicle will stall out while driving approximately 20-25 mph, battery light will come on. consumer must restart vehicle. dealer has replaced fuel pump relay switch and ran test, but defect still occurs. dealer cannot determine cause.*ak consumer states dealer has also replaced the throttle body and vehicle continues to stall. *slc | |||
| 03/02/2001 | 4 | 08/01/1999 | |
| When it is extremely cold (most of the time the temperature has been below zero) the car will lose power and die. this has happened 4 times. i was going approx. 75 on the interstate passing another vehicle when the car lost power and died. the temp. was ten below zero. i have been left stranded 4 times with this vehicle in temperatures below zero. thank god for cell phones!! i am worried about this happening on railroad crossings or in heavy traffic. i am currently working with the better business bureau and volkswagen for a refund- just wanted you to be aware of the safety issue with the beetle.*ak | |||
| 01/21/2000 | 5 | 11/01/1999 | |
| Driving along at highway speed, diesel engine dies, won't restart, towed 5 times. *ak | |||
| 02/24/2000 | 5 | ||
| While driving at any speed or any time, vehicle stalled unexpectedly which could cause a crash. able to restart vehicle. been to dealer 5 times, and dealer could not determine the cause of the problem. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||
| 11/23/2004 | 68000 | 1 | 09/16/2003 |
| Driving on the freeway in construction zone with close cement barriers on both sides, no shoulder; without warning car stopped running. it turned out the timing belt had failed and had destroyed the vavles and pistons requiring a new engine and timing belt to fix. my car had 68,000 miles on it. warranty on timing belt for first owner is to 100,000 miles, but only 50,000 miles for second owner. i am second owner. i am concerned not only about the extraordinary cost that is involved in repairing this failure but also in the fact that there is no warning and it caused complete failure of my engine. it was extrememy dangerous. i have read about other timing belt failures on this vehicle. volkswagen is completely uninterested in my story because i am a second owner. my feeling is this type of failure which is so severe that it requires a new engine is unacceptble and unexpected and unsafe on a car with only 68,000 miles. it used to be a timing belt failure made a car run poorly not get destroyed.*ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 25000 | 4 | 07/01/2000 | |
| 2000 volkswagen beetle leaking coolant, defective airflow sensor, check engine light illuminated and problems with window switch. *mr the window had to be operated a certain way in order to operate properly,the check engine light had come on due to a bad airflow sensor in which the problem occurred on two occasions, the coolant light had come on due to the tube that had run from the coolant container to the engine had cut in it and leaked coolant. *scc *jb | |||
| 03/01/2000 | |||
| Vehicle burns 1 quart of oil for every thousand miles. this is normal. consumer feels engine is burning the oil and should not also it may be an emission issue. please provide any further information.*ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer stated the mass air flow sensor was replaced.*jb | |||
| 05/17/2001 | 2 | 02/01/2000 | |
| Consumer states the engine light appeared, the dealer replaced the spark plugs and front and rear oxygen sensors.*jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | |||
| 07/15/2003 | 80000 | 5 | 11/11/2000 |
| Cooling system failed causing the original overheating. the car has continued to peridodically overheat since. the car was fully repaired from the first incident and has been in for repair many times since. now there are several failures with the car. | |||