Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| TB-94-10-02 | 08/09/2010 | 10036467 | Volkswagen: headlights may intermittently dim slightly at idle. the headlamps or inside lights intermittently dim slightly at idle speed. at idle speed the alternator voltage can fluctuate, as the alternator cannot fully compensate the f | 03/16/2011 | |
| 0603 | 01/30/2006 | 10019085 | Diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p1176 is stored in dtc memory (new beetle 1.8t, engine code aph). *nm | 02/10/2006 | |
| 0502 | 01/14/2005 | 10012457 | Diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p1603 (18011) stored in dtc memory. *tt | 03/02/2005 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||||
| TB-09-10-02 | 08/09/2010 | 10035204 | Volkswagen: headlights may intermittently dim slightly at idle. at idle speed the alternator voltage can fluctuate, as the alternator cannot fully compensate the fluctuations. some electric consumers come on in cycles or have no constant | 02/11/2011 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||||
| TB-09-10-02 | 08/09/2010 | 10035204 | Volkswagen: headlights may intermittently dim slightly at idle. at idle speed the alternator voltage can fluctuate, as the alternator cannot fully compensate the fluctuations. some electric consumers come on in cycles or have no constant | 02/11/2011 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER | |||||
| 9911 | 06/25/1999 | 608349 | Information on the anti-theft immobilizer on board diagnostic (obd). mjs | 11/23/1999 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||||
| 9901 | 08/09/1999 | 607924 | Technical bulletin regarding engine control module codes. *tt | 10/18/1999 | |
| 9903 | 08/09/1999 | 607923 | Information pertaining to engine control module codes. *tt | 10/18/1999 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||||
| TB-94-10-02 | 08/09/2010 | 10036467 | Volkswagen: headlights may intermittently dim slightly at idle. the headlamps or inside lights intermittently dim slightly at idle speed. at idle speed the alternator voltage can fluctuate, as the alternator cannot fully compensate the f | 03/16/2011 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||||
| 970102 | 06/25/2007 | 970705 | 10022464 | Wiring harness, coolant contamination at instrument cluster. *kb | 08/15/2007 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||||
| 0103 | 08/15/2001 | 0102 | 626970 | Some vehicles may experience instrument cluster malfunction. *slc | 02/04/2002 |
| 900101 | 06/27/2001 | 621623 | Subject regarding malfunctioning instrument cluster. *tt | 09/27/2001 | |
| 0102 | 05/08/2001 | 621611 | A condition may exist with coolant leaking from the coolant reservoir bottle wiring connector contaminating the wiring harness and / or contamination resulting in various malfunctions of the instrument planel. *tt | 09/27/2001 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 10/21/2011 | |||
| Traveling on the crosstown freeway @ the posted speed, i started to engage the vehicle's heater and the power control switch started to malfunction. i turned the power control knob clockwise and noticed slippage of the control knob. i noticed smoke coming from the whole heater control assembly and then an arch, then a smallflame. | |||
| 12/30/2010 | 102000 | ||
| Bought used 2000 volkswagen new beetle for daughter. 102k miles. after having it one week, went to start it, battery dead (new battery). noticed that the cosmetic mirror light in driver's side visor would go on even though mirror closed and visor not in use. in looking further, it appears that something in the movement of the car jiggles some loose wiring in the visor, and light remains on without our knowledge. we bought new battery, and have taped visor into secure position when parked. | |||
| 12/25/2010 | 78350 | ||
| Fire in engine compartment | |||
| 05/09/2008 | 68100 | 1 | |
| Power windows and power door locks will not operate while i'm driving. took to dealer and they could not diagnose the problem. left it there for 2 days and they still could not find problem. when i stop the car and open the door, then the windows and door locks will operate. when i start driving again, they are dead once more and will not open or close. i cannot get them to operate unless i stop the car and open the door first. when i close the door, they are okay until i start driving again. very dangerous and i can't go through a drive through bank, etc. or if i just want to open the windows while i'm driving, i can't. if it starts to rain, i can't close the windows unless i stop the car. *tr | |||
| 04/12/2006 | 85000 | 1 | 06/10/2000 |
| Faulty instrument cluster that effects all electronics of the vehicle. causes door locks and remotes to not work properly. causes door warning and seat belt warning chimes to not turn off for a minute after either starting the car or turning on the headlights. may also effect engine immobilizer causing the car to shutdown at any time or place. *nm | |||
| 02/17/2003 | 36000 | 0 | 02/14/2003 |
| The 2000 new beetle that my husband and i purchased apparently has a defect in the electrical system. we purchased the car in february 2003. at that time there were no problems. the first time i put gas in the car the check engine light came on. my husband contacted a local volkswagen dealer to see about getting it fixed. he was told that this was a normal problem. if the gas cap wasn't put back on and clicked at least seven times, the light would come on. he was instructed to remove the gas cap, put it back on and turn it until there had been seven clicks. after that, we were supposed to do a cold start to make the light go off. this worked, but we have had to do it several times. the light will come on and go off, even though there are no engine problems. i have had another mechanic look at the car, and was told there were no problems with the engine, so it had to be a problem in the electrical system. after seeing some of the complaints that have been posted, i am worried about the possibility of the car stalling, malfunctioning, or, as in some of the other complaints have shown, the car catching on fire. i feel that the volkswagen company needs to really examine this issue. we had to have a sensor replaced for the braking system earlier this year that was under recall, and we only got it done because we were at the dealership for routine maintenance. we had not received a recall notice at all. i don't feel that the volkswagen company is concerned about any of the problems that are going on with this model. it is very distressing to think that i am stuck with a car that isn't worth what i paid for it because of defective equipment. this problem with the check engine is ongoing and i am not pleased with the response i have gotten from the dealer. it hasn't made the problem go away. | |||
| 06/19/2003 | 5500 | 01/29/2000 | |
| Within 5,500 miles of purchasing my 2000 beetle i started experiencing sudden major power loss while driving the car. when i took it in they would run a diagnostic and come up with nothing. according to them the problem did not exist. they said to me, they were not going to start throwing parts at it. they refused to take any corrective steps to try and correct this problem because it wasn't showing up on the diagnostic equipment. now with a total of 12,455 mile on this car ( i don't drive it much because of this problem) vw has recalled their vehicles with the 1.8 liter engines due to an ignition coil problem. i have this same type engine but the recall did not cover my model year. i had to argue and insist that they look at my vehicle. the dealer finally agreed , according to them my coil is fine . they did not replace it and they still refuse to take any corrective action to start to fix this problem. i can not sell my car because i will be held responsible for any accident created by this pre-existing problem, and if i disclose this problem to a perspective buyer they will not buy it. if i was able to afford to trade it in, let's say, on a new vw, the dealer would not give me much on the trade in ( knowing it has this problem) and then they would have to turn around and finally fix it. they couldn't resell it otherwise. this is a major potential accident problem waiting to happen. update: the dealer called me. they finally did something. they replaced the fuel pump relay. they would not cover it under the original warranty so now i have a big repair bill to deal with. that is another issue i will have to deal with separately. i hope this will correct my problem, time will tell. i will still file this complaint for the record (hoping the replacement part works). if the problem continues i will follow up with another complaint. *nlm | |||
| 04/01/2003 | 3000 | 8 | 08/22/1999 |
| Ongoing electrical problems/false positives for the check engine light. gel-like substance in the oil. frequent replacement of interior/exterior lights. nlm | |||
| 03/03/2003 | 0 | 11/20/1999 | |
| My 2000 volkswagen new beetle glx caught fire fifteen minutes after i parked it in my garage, causing the destruction of the garage, the beetle, and two other cars. *nlm | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| 10/01/2000 | 2 | 10/01/2099 | |
| When car was purchased, it was missing the fuse for the rear defroster.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 12/29/2006 | 6 | 04/17/2000 | |
| 2000 vw new beetle- diesel: has had recurring problem with the glow-plug system. components have been repeatedly replaced starting 11/2004. service dates include, but not limited to 5/2005, 8/2006, 12/2006, not including separate diagnostics. total charges to date in excess of $1200.00 of this single system. no help from manufacturer or acknowledgemet that a problem even exists. vehicle is located in area (se texas) that would necessitate the use of glow plug only a few days a year. the system is supposed to be designed to activate only below a centian low temperature. it is otherwise a 'static' system with no moving parts that should not be subject to wear and tear. yet, components of this system have regularly failed, causing dashboard warning light. have totally lost confidence in the vehicle, or vw's authorized service providers to rocognize that there is a problem, and provide a solution from the manufacturer's side that is a permanent fix, rather than just replacing the same parts repeatedly. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 10/16/2005 | 65000 | 1 | |
| I drove an hour away in the rain, parked for 15 minutes, and when i returned the engine would start but i had no use of wipers, heater/blower, or directional signals. since i dared not drive in the rain without wipers, and since it was a sunday, i had to get towed home. it was the ignition switch -- and when they tried to replace it, they found that its receptacle and nearby wires were all melted! vw says tough luck, it's my problem. *nm | |||
| 06/19/2005 | 70000 | 1 | 09/11/2001 |
| 2000 vw new beetle ignition swtich - thousands of failures with documented photographic proof of overheated wiring burning through insulation within steering column. fire hazard! my switch went back in the middle of the arizona desert. no headlights, no windshield wipers, no horn, no a/c, no turn signals, no fog lights, no rear defroster. main concern is no headlights, and risk of fire obviously. vw of america is aware of the problem across many models, and dealers have warned that cars are 'un-driveable' due to fire risk when problem surfaces. vwoa refuses to replace or recall switches. ignition swith requires replacment. | |||
| 10/05/2004 | 155000 | 1 | 11/13/1999 |
| Two wires on ignition switch module shorted. caused failure of headlights, wipers, brake lights, air conditioning, interior lighting, etc. ignition module was replaced. problem remidied.*ak this is a known problem. volkswagn, and volkswagen of america refuse to recognize this defect, or initiate a recall. here is a link to an online forum with other consumers that have had the exact same safety issue as i have. http://forums.newbeetle.org/showthread.php?s=0667e7e7a9388bfaaa8a71dcdd6574f2&postid=499275#post499275 this is a fire hazard, and could potentially hurt someone. | |||
| 08/03/2004 | 59992 | 1 | 12/21/2002 |
| The ignition switch on the car failed sometime between 8:00pm monday 8/02 and 5:30am on tuesday 8/03. i went out to my car and started it, only to notice, i had no fan, no a/c, no defroster, no rear defroster, no headlights, no foglights, no power to some of my gauges. i researched the problem and found it to be the ignition switch, which i called my dealer for and had to spend $90 to replace. upon removing the old unit, i noticed a wire that connects to the 30 fuse on the unit was melted and corroded, the plastic housing that connects the wires to the switch it self had melted in a small portion and the old unit had visible burn marks on it. the failure has been fixed, but the potential safety hazard still exists in my opinion, just based on the numerous people i've read about with the same problem.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY | |||
| 01/10/2003 | 25000 | 10/16/1999 | |
| Failure of starter | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 09/18/2006 | 111200 | 1 | 06/16/2004 |
| Volkswagen new-bettle all the electrical system burn down. *nm | |||
| 01/04/2002 | 08/01/2000 | ||
| Car was parked and caught fire-total loss, was this an electrical failure or vandalism. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 05/28/2002 | 12/01/2099 | ||
| At 4:20pm on 5/28/02 my wife was on interstate 95 near georgetown, ma on the way to the dealership in amesbuy for service because the car's airconditioner had quit and some of the dashboard indicator lights would not stop flashing. suddenly she saw smoke in the rearview mirror and pulled the car over to the side of the road. then more smoke came from under the hood, so she got out of the car. minutes later the car was engulfed in flames and black smoke. ten minutes later it was completely destroyed. the georgetown fire department and state police had responded, but by the time they got there, there was nothing they could do. we have not contacted volkswagen directly because we feel they would not be responsive. maybe the insurance company or the nhtsa can force the manufacturer to look into this, since this seems to be happening to other 2000 beetles as well, and sooner or later someone will be seriously injured or killed because of this apparent defect.*ak | |||
| 12/27/2001 | 11/01/1999 | ||
| Car began to hesitate but did not stall. all panel lights began to flash, also a ''clicking'' sound. there also was a smell of burning wires. the car became fully engulfed in flame in less than 10 minutes. the fire began on drivers side. *ak | |||
| 12/02/2001 | 8 | 03/01/2000 | |
| While coming to an intersection and downshifting, instead of the car slowing down, the cruise control turned itself on and proceeded to accelerate. by pressing the brake pedal, the cruise control turned off. the cruise control switch has already been replaced one time. my car has now been in the shop 8 times for numerous electrical problems and vw of america doesn't seem too interested on solving the problems. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 12/27/2001 | 1 | 11/01/1999 | |
| On 12/27/01 while driving my 2000 vw beetle to work all the dashboard lights started to flash and make a clicking sound. i then smelled wires burning. i got out of my car , called my husband as i was not expecting the car to catch on fire. within minutes i noticed smoke and then flames coming from beneath the drivers side dash. i then called 911 but the car was fully engulfed in flames by the time the f.d. got there. the fire station is aprox. 1 mile from the incident. vw has been deaf to my complaint.*ak | |||
| 04/11/2001 | 1 | 02/01/2001 | |
| Engine would not start, after several attempts it started but check engine & air bag light was on. check engine light went off after 23 miles, but air bag light stayed on until instrument cluster was replaced by dealer. *ak | |||