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 | |
| 010103 | 06/27/2001 | 622406 | A condition may exist where diagnostic trouble codes p1297 or p1557 are stored in diagnostic trouble code memory. may be caused by intake hoses leaking due to clamps incorrectly torqued or improperly placed, worn / torn intake hoses etc. | 10/17/2001 | |
| 260101 | 06/06/2001 | 621618 | A condition may exist where the power surge on the secondary air pump blows 40 amp. fuse. *tt | 09/27/2001 | |
| 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 | |||||
| SAC-28F3/P1-REV | 08/01/2010 | 10036496 | Volkswagen: gasoline engine vehicles inspect, and if necessary, replace ignition coils. vehicles affected by this action may have ignition coils that could malfunction under certain conditions. models passat and wagon; golf; gti; jetta a | 03/23/2011 | |
| WG | 04/01/2004 | WG | 10005665 | Replacement of the ignition coils. it is possible that if one of the vehicle's ignition coil fails, rough idling or reduced driving power could occur in addition to illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp light. *tt *mj | 03/10/2004 |
| 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 | |||
| 06/01/2011 | |||
| The hazard lights, turn signals and headlights on my car do not work. i've taken it in to an auto shop and they cannot find out what is wrong with the car. hoping maybe there is a recall that i have missed. | |||
| 03/14/2009 | 69890 | 3 | |
| Throttle body goes out (02-03-2009) cv axel goes out (03-31-2009 brake lights go out (02-18-2010) cv axel goes out again (4-31-2010) alternator goes out (06-21-2010) ignition coils fail (09-13-2010) ignition coils fail again(01-21-2011) brake switch replaced again (01-21-2011) air flow sensor fails (01-21-2011) air flow sensor fails again (07-26-2011) timing belt replaced (06-15-2011) thermostat replaced (06-15-2011) water pump replaced (06-15-2011) now having problems with throttle body/ throttle body sensor/ electrical issue. dealer is not sure what the problems is and wants to throw money at it to see what the problems is. this car is just one problem after another after another. | |||
| 07/01/2011 | 67860 | 1 | |
| 2001 vw beetle. from the very beginning, it has been nothing but problems. for the first few years it was covered under the warranty, free of charge repairs. i have low mileage so i thought that by the time these items were repaired it would be fine when the warranty expired. there is always something wrong with the car and in particular the electrical system. the check engine light is always going off. the safety issue comes in with its current problem. i had a fuel injection flush which included the carbon deposits removal known as induction, air filter replaced, engine fuel filter replaced, and a brake fluid flush plus 4 new spark plugs. prior to this service, my car was having difficulty starting with major shaking. i had to put my foot on the accelerator to get it going while starting. now after the service it runs much better but the problem is that now stalls when i come to a traffic light and stop for a period of time. this is extremely dangerous. the other malfunctions that have happened over the years are an expense but it was something that i could somehow manage. this is incredibly dangerous. i have no control over traffic lights and the generator comes on when i stop, it is worse when the light changes fast and then i have to stop even more suddenly. imagine if i am on the highway and it stops. this has happened once, a few weeks prior to the cleaning service. now, i am afraid to drive that vehicle. i have looked online at message boards from other vw beetle owners and had read similar stories of such dissatisfaction, incredible financial expense with the electrical system and other components of cars. i have even read that these cars can become inflamed , necessitating the fire dept. to put it out. this is a lemon and so many other vw owners have written similar account message boards. the consumer stated the oxygen sensor and mass air flow sensor had to be replaced. also, the epc light illuminated. updated ivoq 07/07/11. *jb | |||
| 12/15/2010 | 189944 | ||
| 2001 vw beetle: 189944 miles. sudden permanent failure of speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauges. will investigate repair/replacement cost. | |||
| 11/19/2009 | 46500 | 4 | |
| I purchased a 2001 vw beetle new and i have had to take it to the shop 4 times due to seat belt warning light. this seems to be an on-going problem even after vw made a recall and supposedly fix the seat belt problem. this very first time this happened the car had less 1500 miles on it. *tr | |||
| 04/05/2008 | 75000 | 1 | |
| I have a 2001 vw new beetle. i have replaced brake light, which was drains the battery, serpentine belt, remoteless key which is still broken- basically 6 days after buying this car- i spent $1200 on repairs- now the check engine light is on, the transmission is acting funny, and basically- my vw dealership has a field day with me. to top it off- my battery died a month ago- and caught on fire when i tried to jump it. i am afraid that this car will blow up on me at any time. please help me! *tr | |||
| 10/12/2006 | 119750 | 1000 | 06/11/2003 |
| Emergency light switch (hazard switch) there was a vw recall issued to replace this switch that not only controls the hazard flashers but also the turn signals, in the jetta, golf, & gti. my beetle uses the same switch i am wondering why it was not included in this recall (vw recall vx). my switch has the same intermittent problem as described in the march 2005 recall letter, i will be replacing the switch on my own accord, but this bulletin should include the vw new beetle model in my opinion. *nm | |||
| 07/09/2006 | 6 | 11/23/2000 | |
| Almost too many to list o2 sensor at 20k miles - twice temp sensor for cooling fan ($5 part - $200 to install) at 30k miles ignition coils at 50k miles. vw had initiated a customer action on all 1.8l engines for defective ignition coils on vw and audi models. customer service action means nothing, cost me $600 without rental car added. they refused to acknowledge this press release when contacted directly. water pump went south at 61k miles electronic control module went south at 61k miles also. warranty covered still cost me $300 for rental car for 5 days. timing belt damaged when water pump went. voa will tell you to check it at 50k but it should last to 108k. paid full labor even though engine was apart for pump work. vw should be forced to honor the quality problems with this car. nhtsa should investigate and force a recall on the coils, potentially the o2 sensor and definitely the ecm. the repair costs are insane. ecm on this car is $1300 no labor. current warranty on new is 60k. mine went at 61k. 2001 warranty was 10/100 and 8/80. they know they have problems. car is a lemon, contact lawyer too much hassle - they win again. *jb | |||
| 07/26/2005 | 65000 | 1 | |
| Dt: having the same problem for the recall. epc light came on and off, came on again. currently, the brake lights were off. tried turning off the vehicle, just turning the key have way , but they still will not come on. it came on once before about 4 or 5 months, but it went back off. contacted dealer ,they had checked with the manufacturer. this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin.*ak | |||
| 02/16/2004 | 18500 | 1 | 03/09/2003 |
| While driving my 2001 vw new beetle the car suddenly lost power and began to shake violently. i immediately slowed down but the car continued to idle very roughly. the esc and check engine lights illuminated. i pulled the car off the highway and turned off the engine. i was able to re-start the engine and drive the car home. i took the car to the dealer and was informed that the o2 sensor and the throttle body had failed and required replacement. the total cost was $1097.00 and was my responsibility even though the car is a 2001 model with just over 18000 miles on the odometer. a call to the volkswagen customer advocate center proved hopeless as they refused to pay for the repair. i was told that the 2001 vw beetle came with a 2 year 24000 mile warranty. the lack of warranty leads me to believe that vw knew these cars were of substandard quality from the date of manufacturer. *jb | |||
| 05/02/2003 | 23000 | 2 | 03/01/2003 |
| Instrument cluster malfunction: (purchased this used car march 1, 2003. started noticing problems shortly thereafter, decided to report it after the most current incident and unsuccessful attempts at fixing). - when trying to start the car, it will start then die immediately, i have almost been stranded a few times. i had to keep trying to restart the car until the engine finally stayed running (this has occurred at least 7 times from march 1, 2003 and is getting progressively worse). could this potentially cause the engine to die while driving? - the seat belt warning buzzer has never functioned during my ownership. - the door buzzer has never functioned during my ownership, not if the lights are left on or if the keys are still in the ignition. *jb | |||
| 01/31/2003 | 06/11/2001 | ||
| I started my car on 1/31 and the epc, check engine and traction control lights came on. the car would drive however had much less power and was very rough. i borught it into the dealership on 2/3 and they stated it was a coil. they refused to replace all 4 coils, only the faulty one, and i was told that only if this power failure occurs again and it is due to another coil...then they would replace all four. i am questioning the reliability of my car, since it appears this problem has been wide spread throghout the us. i feel very unsafe in my year and half old beetle that was bought because of the high reliability rating at the time. | |||
| 01/23/2003 | 7100 | 10/18/2001 | |
| Coil pack failure iin vw new beetle with 1.8t engine -- last week, i had my 2nd coil pack failure (the first being in november 2002) while commuting to work on the george washington parkway at about 45 mph. the car suddenly began to shake violently, and i narrowly averted an accident when i had to slow down to 30. fortunately, i was able to exit safely, and i followed surface streets to the dealer, with the car shuddering whenever my rpm exceeded 2,500. the dealer (alexandria vw) replaced the coil pack the same day, but, after checking with vw of america at my insistence, they refused to replace the remaining two defective coil packs despite their admission that the other two would almost certainly fail in the future. i called vw's complaint line the next day and was told that vw couldn't issue a recall because of insufficient supply of the replacement parts. vw doesn't, apparently, consider this a safety issue -- please see the comments attributed to vw's representative in this boston globe story from yesterday: http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/026/auto/no_easy_fix_for_failing_ignition_coils_in_audis_vws+.shtml i would submit (1) that, based on my personal experience, the coil pack problem is a serious safety issue and that vw should be required to replace all defective parts whether or not they have already failed and (2) that this is an epidemic issue, involving potentially 500,000 automobiles, which vw cannot be allowed to continue to sweep under the table. please investigate and force vw to amend its irresponsible behavior and to issue a recall. | |||
| 04/12/2002 | 17000 | 11/07/2000 | |
| I am frustrated and scared by a problem volkswagen and audi are having with the ignition system on their turbocharged four-cylinder engines. the sibling automakers, parts of volkswagen ag of germany, admit there is a higher-than-normal failure rate of the four ignition coils on 2001 and 2002 turbocharged, 1.8-liter engines used in about 300,000 vehicles, including the golf, new beetle, jetta, passat and audi a4. i have already had one coilpac replaced, and fear for the time when the others will go too. i have been told that they are going to fail at some point. so why didnt vw just replace all of the coil packs with the improved ones. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| 12/06/2000 | 11/01/2000 | ||
| Headlights started browning out on deceleration at 100 miles. dealer could not verify. at 35,000 miles, headlights flashed all the time. at cold start engine fan would come on, then headlights would dim and fan would run, then headlights would come back normal and fan would stop. this happens at 3 second intervals. dealer replased grounds and harness. fan stopped cycling but headlights still dimmed, until one morning the cold light went out and also blew a headlight. now no dimming and no fan trouble. dealer replaced headlight bulb and the problem started again. this is a very dangerous situation as the flashing lights mezmorize you when you drive. problem 2: car will start and die three times , running rough before it will stay running. dealer says to use 87 octane fuel. car manual says 93 octane and has used 93 since new. dealer suggested additives at my cost!!! seems to happen in low temps and at high temps, 70 degrees is ok!. i live in maine, no such luck.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 07/09/2006 | 6 | 11/23/2000 | |
| Almost too many to list o2 sensor at 20k miles - twice temp sensor for cooling fan ($5 part - $200 to install) at 30k miles ignition coils at 50k miles. vw had initiated a customer action on all 1.8l engines for defective ignition coils on vw and audi models. customer service action means nothing, cost me $600 without rental car added. they refused to acknowledge this press release when contacted directly. water pump went south at 61k miles electronic control module went south at 61k miles also. warranty covered still cost me $300 for rental car for 5 days. timing belt damaged when water pump went. voa will tell you to check it at 50k but it should last to 108k. paid full labor even though engine was apart for pump work. vw should be forced to honor the quality problems with this car. nhtsa should investigate and force a recall on the coils, potentially the o2 sensor and definitely the ecm. the repair costs are insane. ecm on this car is $1300 no labor. current warranty on new is 60k. mine went at 61k. 2001 warranty was 10/100 and 8/80. they know they have problems. car is a lemon, contact lawyer too much hassle - they win again. *jb | |||
| 01/27/2003 | 20517 | 1 | 07/18/2001 |
| The coil pack on my 2001 volkswagen new beetle burned out causing me to practically stall on a very busy freeway. so far, vw doesn't seem to think this a saftey issue yet and will not require a recall on these parts. these coils will burn out. not if, but when. i would hate to be going up a hill when one of these coil packs go out. | |||
| 11/01/2002 | 2 | 06/01/2001 | |
| The 2001.5, 2002, and certain 2003 vw/audi 1.8t engines have experienced a high rate of coilpack failures. this has been reported by the media (autoweek magazine) and detailed on internet message boards at vwvortex.com, audiworld.com, newbeetle.org, and others, in great detail. the current parts shortage is causing owners to wait up to 3 weeks or more. i waited 2 1/2 weeks. because of this shortage, only the failed coilpacks are being replaced at this time. this leaves the owner with the remaining potentially defective coilpacks that can fail at any time. this is a serious safety issue that warrants a recall. the failed units have been isolated to a certain part number. previous 1.8ts that use a coilpack of a slightly different design and produced by a different supplier, have not experienced this high rate of failure. dt | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||
| 09/01/2004 | 3405 | 1 | 04/09/2001 |
| I have a 2001 volkswagon beetle and was very frustrated when my check engine light came on and the car started shaking. i took it in to the dealer where i was charged $100!!!! and they told me that they did not know what the problem was! i was so upset! the next day the light came on agian and i was furious! i took the car in again and was told it was the ignition coil and they wanted to charge me $100 agian. i copmplained and got the 2nd fee waved. i'm not an expert but it is very rare for an ignition coil to fail???*ak | |||
| 05/01/2001 | |||
| Epc and check engine lights come on///car loses power......extremely dangerous as most of my drive to work is on freeway...happened 7/4 and 7/5..taken into metro vw 7/5....told ot problems found....happened again 7/9 returned to metro vw/checked/nothing wrong....happened again 7/12/13...eturned to metro vw....throttle replaced....happened again 7/12 7/13 again to metro vw throttle body replaced......happened again 7/30 throttle body replaced.....again 9/10 9/11...control mod. replaced again 9/12...thought i was goin to die this time....when lost power 18 wheeler was turnin my way.....again to metro vw.....worked on wiring overlay....waitin to see what happens next!!!*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 05/15/2007 | 69500 | 99 | 06/12/2006 |
| Hazard warning light switch, p/n 1co 953 235 failed causing turn signals to work erratically or not at all. replacement of switch with p/n 1co 953 235 b restored proper operation. communications/letter dated june 25, 2007 with supporting documentation) to volkswagen of america setting forth this condition as an expansion of the current recall of jettas and golf models , recall 04v584000) with same symptons and cure, with request for reimbursement, has been ignored. failed switch wa sretained, and will be made available to third parties for engineering analysis. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 02/28/2006 | 62738 | 2 | 07/29/2001 |
| These are secondary safety issues: 1) gas gauge requires $700 instrument cluster 2) headlights shipped from factory missing retainer band and require $650 fix just to align. vw san jose, ca invoice 441148 on 2001 vw beetle lemon 3vwdd21c21m460086. *nm | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 07/20/2005 | 83500 | 1 | 07/21/2001 |
| 1. attempted to start vehicle; 2. engine then exploded resulting in engine fire and destruction of engine and all underhood components. | |||
| 01/27/2003 | 20517 | 1 | 07/18/2001 |
| The coil pack on my 2001 volkswagen new beetle burned out causing me to practically stall on a very busy freeway. so far, vw doesn't seem to think this a saftey issue yet and will not require a recall on these parts. these coils will burn out. not if, but when. i would hate to be going up a hill when one of these coil packs go out. | |||
| 12/06/2000 | 11/01/2000 | ||
| Headlights started browning out on deceleration at 100 miles. dealer could not verify. at 35,000 miles, headlights flashed all the time. at cold start engine fan would come on, then headlights would dim and fan would run, then headlights would come back normal and fan would stop. this happens at 3 second intervals. dealer replased grounds and harness. fan stopped cycling but headlights still dimmed, until one morning the cold light went out and also blew a headlight. now no dimming and no fan trouble. dealer replaced headlight bulb and the problem started again. this is a very dangerous situation as the flashing lights mezmorize you when you drive. problem 2: car will start and die three times , running rough before it will stay running. dealer says to use 87 octane fuel. car manual says 93 octane and has used 93 since new. dealer suggested additives at my cost!!! seems to happen in low temps and at high temps, 70 degrees is ok!. i live in maine, no such luck.*ak | |||