Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 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 | |||
| 01/07/2011 | 48000 | ||
| I purchased a 2001 new beetle gls turbo with 42k miles on it in 2008 for my teenage daughter. i have had this car garaged, oil changed, and have only put 8k miles on it in the three years i've owned it. at my most recent oil change, i explained to the vw dealership of the transmission issue which they brushed off as being the way vw transmission's do in and that they are not smooth running transmissions. during this 8k miles, i have went through two new batteries until the dealership made me aware of the need for a new alternator. after getting the new alternator fixed this week at the tune of $500, the tech informed me the transmission needed replacing at a cost between $4k-$6k. i had been noticing when i stop and then accelerate again, the engine hesitates and then slings forward so fast the tires will bark. it's hesitation almost cost me a rear-end accident not long ago. thankfully, everyone was just shaken up a bit. i have also had to replace the cabin air filter when it disintegrated and started blowing filter in her face as she was driving. all these repairs in the 8k miles i've put on it. the car at this moment now has only 50k miles and sits in my garage as i am afraid for my teenage daughter to drive it because of it's unreliability and safety issues. also, the console has broken, the clear coat is pealing off the interior doors, handles and dash. please help us because there are alot of people that depend on the vw's and cannot afford new, safer cars. | |||
| 11/01/2010 | |||
| The transmission on my 2001 volkswagen beetle has many issues including but not limited to, slipping into neutral while accelerating, hard shifts between gears, and not going into the correct gear causing slow to no acceleration which can cause an accident at any given time. | |||
| 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 | |||
| 07/28/2006 | 76000 | 1 | 05/10/2001 |
| My 2001 vw beetle turbo will not come out of park. it is stuck there. i was parked on a downward slope without the parking brake on. i t was 95 degrees f. i called vw and they told me to do the following. * 1. i have to turn it off * 2. pump the brake 5 times and hold it for the 5th time all the way down * 3. turn the car on completely * 4. wait 5 seconds * 5. then turn it off * 6. turn it 1/4 turn (no lights on the dashboard of the car) * 7. then i can turn the shift in between neutral and drive * 8. then turn the car completely on to turn it completely on to shift it into drive. *jb | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT | |||
| 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. | |||