Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||||
| 11292005 | 11/29/2005 | 10018786 | Engine pre-heater installation. calix. *tt | 01/17/2006 | |
| 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 | |||||
| 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 | |
| 05012007 | 05/01/2007 | 10021950 | Emissions recall circular. reprogramming of engine control module and replacement of malfunctioning oxygen sensor. *kb | 06/27/2007 | |
| 0501 | 09/09/2005 | 10016900 | Mil is on and or catalytic converter is rattling. *sc | 10/14/2005 | |
| 0405 | 12/03/2004 | 10011901 | Hybrid oil pan, installing. *tt | 02/03/2005 | |
| 0409 | 05/10/2004 | 10007711 | Evaluating fuel mixture diagnostic trouble codes- how to perform effective diagnosis related to fuel system adaptation - system too rich/too lean. volkswagen. *mj | 07/08/2004 | |
| 0410 | 05/10/2004 | 10007712 | Evaluating fuel mixture diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) - how to perform effective diagnostic related to fuel system adaptation system too rich/ too lean. volkswagen. *mj | 07/08/2004 | |
| 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 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL | |||||
| 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 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 10/10/2005 | 25000 | 1 | 02/18/2001 |
| 2001 brand new beetle started developing stains on the seat from day one. blue jeans and dark sweaters stain the interiors to that color everytime someone sits down in the car. the throttle body has gone out three times, costing me over countless dollars in repair fees and is now out for the fourth time. crown volkswagen in tyler, tx has repaired it each time, the longest repair lasting about four months. they've paid for the repair once, but do not provide me with a replacement rental vehicle, refuse to pick up the phone during the day or return phone calls, and has cost me tons of time and money traveling from dallas to tyler to check on the car and pick it up. once, i drove two hours from nacogdoches, tx to tyler, tx on the scheduled pick up day, having tried to call before leaving town to make sure it was ready, only to find that they hadn't gotten to the car when i arrived. this happened twice during the same repair which lasted a couple of weeks. they have been uncooperative, and the car is horrible. the arm rest broke one day as i lifted it, it just fell apart in my hands, the interior covering on the doors and dashboard flakes off, the sunroof broke numerous times while driving over a railroad track to get to work everyday. it finally jammed the visor so that it no longer works. the seat moving mechanisms no longer work. the airbag is in constant malfunction, the check engine and eps lights are always on. i constantly have to pull my car over onto the side of the road because it loses power and i have to restart it to get it to work again, although it never has a lot of power. this particular issue has nearly caused several wrecks. i am incredibly lucky. the cruise control no longer works, and it takes about 200 dollars a month to fill it up with gas because the engine problems effect the fuel efficiency. *tr | |||
| 06/13/2007 | 4 | 04/17/2007 | |
| Epc light came on numerous times, causing the engine power to be reduced greatly. the light was never constant it would come on at random times. brought to dealer 6/13-6/15. engine failed on 6/16 due to a coolant component failure. new engine put in, i had to pay $1,360 even thought still under warranty. vehicle was picked up 7/9. epc light on again the next week, brought back to dealer, when i went to pick it up the light was still on accompanied by the check engine light and the car was barely running, it sounded like it would stall out at any minute. car was picked up a few days later. epc and check engine light on again on 9/11 before bringing it to the dealer i had my brother look at it, he states its a problem with the throttle, the same problem as all the other times. i brought the car to dealer on 9/13 and still waiting for repairs. *tr | |||
| 08/05/2006 | 56000 | 1 | 02/01/2003 |
| I purchased a certified used 2001 volkswagen new beetle in feb 2003. while driving down the turnpike suddenly the car lost power and all the lights on the dashboard lit up. i was able to get the car off to the side of the road. i had the car towed to a certified vw garage where i was told i needed a new engine. i had no warning that the car was overheating until it stopped and the dashboard lights came on. this car has only 56,000 miles on it. the mechanic is going to give me a rebuilt engine because he is trying to save me some money. so far my car is in the garage for over a month because it seems it is not easy to get a repairable used motor. this is going to cost me several thousands of dollars. also i have been without a car for one month already which of course causes a hardship and a lot of stress. i don't feel that a motor should have to be replaced with only 56,000 miles on it. i thought i was buying a reliable car. boy was i wrong!! *jb | |||
| 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 | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 11/18/2009 | |||
| While beetle driven by my wife it will just shut down!!! it will only crank back on about 30 minutes later! this is very dangerous because it will shut down wherever!!! i already spend 1350.00 dllrs. and not yet fixed! the car has being park outside of my house for las year! and still making payments on it!!!! dealer will not do anything! | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 03/06/2007 | 23775 | 2 | |
| Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen new beetle. while driving the vehicle lost oil. the failure mileage was 23,775. the dealer informed the contact that the piston rings were installed upside down which caused the oil leak. the curent mileage was 23,800. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - DIESEL | |||
| 08/22/2005 | 95900 | 1 | 04/16/2003 |
| Loss of power on 2001 vw new beetle tdi. air intake clogs up due to water like substance causing substantial power loss. *jb | |||
| 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. | |||
| 01/23/2004 | 8 | 1 | 09/19/2001 |
| 2001 new beetle 1.9 l tdi, 55,000 mi.: check engine light comes on and stays on until car is turned off then it comes on once glow plug light goes off and car has started (witin 20 seconds). the dealer first told me it was the glow plug sensor. then recanted and said the sensor was fine and told me i needed a new bridge wire and 4 new glow plugs. should glow plugs only last for 55,000 miles? the car just turned over 55,023 when the check light came on. *ak | |||
| 02/19/2003 | 55000 | 20 | 04/04/2001 |
| 2001 new beetle 1.9 l tdi, 55,000 mi.: engine mil light comes on solid and glo-plug light blinks on/off at steady rate (no apparent code to blink rate). foot throttle control is lost and engine changes from (normal) idle (950 rpm) with foot-throttle (accelerator) control to complete loss of foot throttle and steady 1200 rpm engine speed. this may happen at random times during driving or (once) even within seconds after starting engine before vehicle is put in gear or begins moving. most times, it occurs when vehicle is at speed, causing immediate loss of speed (i.e. 2000 rpm in 5th gear = 55 mph changes to 1200 rpm = 35 mph). independent garage has 'read' obd-ii diagnostic codes and determined throttle out of range. two remedies (1) re-boot the vehicle (turn ignition off and then back on --- requiring straight/wide stretch of road because of interlock with steering), after which throttle control is regained for some random period of time (fraction of a km to several km's) before throttle control is lost again... or resort to vehicle operation with hand throttle (called cruise control. with 1200 rpm engine speed limit, vehicle can be driven if very gingerly shifted gears, getting up to 20-25 mph in 3rd gear at which point cruise control (cc) can be engaged. subsequently higher speeds can be obtained by incremental (1 mph) increases on cc, eventually regaining 55 mph (2000 rpm) engine speed. driving in traffic required continuous engagement & disengagement/re-engagement of hand throttle (cc) as foot throttle is useless. starting from traffic signals, merging with high speed traffic, etc. is inconvenient at best and, typically, quite hazardous when considering the constant 1200 rpm engine speed limitation (until the painstaking hand throttle increments slowly allow speed increases from 20-25 mph to highway speeds. vw customer care claims there is no recall and they are unaware of a problem. *nlm | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 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 | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - TURBO-CHARGER | |||
| 01/03/2003 | 11/13/2002 | ||
| Coilpacks on 2001 new beetle 1.8 turbo sport going out. if i were passing someone or pulling out into traffic, what could have inevitably happened?? myself and/or others could have been hurt or killed! | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 10/18/2009 | 125000 | 1 | |
| 1. normal driving. 2. exhaust gas recirculating (egr) cooler connecting pipe fractures. this can occur anywhere between 30,000 and 120,000 miles. this fracture allows exhaust fumes to enter the passenger cabin. as of now the part has not been replaced, $178 dealer item. old part will be available upon request. *tr | |||
| 07/23/2008 | 85233 | 1 | |
| Defective part. catalyst failed on our 2001 new beetle turbo. this vehicle, for some reason, was not of warranty extension for this issue from 80,000 to 120,000. we did not get any notice, and, as a result, vw refuses to replace our catalyst as we have 85,000 miles on the vehicle. *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 | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 07/18/2005 | 7 | 03/15/2005 | |
| 2001 new betle. in shop 7 times since purcahse on march 15, 2005. was told it was 02 sensors. replaced sensors, re wired, and placed new computer in automobile. problem still not fixed. several ohters have expreinced the same problem. please see http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/forum3/html/000059.html | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) | |||
| 08/30/2004 | 7860 | 1 | 05/30/2001 |
| Check engine light came on, no drivability problems though. dealer said not under warrenty; 2001 vw beetle with 7,600 miles. checked and charged $142.00 to diagnos problem, erplaced cts, coolant temperature sensor. it appears that it is hard to find any shops with equipment to access vw's engine controll system; only way is at vw or if a shop has a pc based system called morphus? was this defect under warranty since it is part of the overall engine management system, controlling emissions? thank you, joe.*ak | |||