Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | ||||||||||||||||
| 08V178000 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC | from 07/30/2002 to 10/31/2004 | V (Vehicle) | 76900 | 07/31/2008 | ODI | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC | 04/17/2008 | 04/18/2008 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Volkswagen is recalling 76,900 my 2004-2005 new beetle and my 2003-2005 new beetle convertibles equipped with an advanced (dual-stage) air bag system. this system may have air bag frontal crash sensors that contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions. if this occurs, the air bag indicator light will illuminate and the fallback algorithm will ensure that the front air bags always deploy in a frontal crash in which the vehicle's deceleration is high enough to activate the frontal air bags. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | In low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will inspect each vehicle to determine that the specific defect crash sensor is present on one or both sides of the vehicle. all of the defect crash sensors will be replaced free of charge. the recall is expected to begin on or before july 31, 2008. owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Volkswagen recall no. r6.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | |||||
| SB-69-11-01 | 02/17/2011 | 10038665 | Ready | 06/24/2011 | |
| SB-69-11-01 | 02/17/2011 | 10038665 | Volkswagen: air bag light is on with an internal trouble code stored. this could be a wiring problem. *rm | 06/24/2011 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||
| 02/01/2011 | 27000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen new beetle convertible. the contact stated that the airbag light remained illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who performed a diagnostic test and stated that the failure was located at the airbag control module. the vehicle had not been repaired. the failure mileage was 27,000 and the current mileage was 32,631. sm. | |||
| 02/01/2011 | 27000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen new beetle convertible. the contact stated the air bag light remained illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnosed that located the failure at the air bag control module. the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure mileage was 27,000 and the current mileage was 32,631. li | |||
| 01/10/2011 | 34000 | ||
| This vehicle was subject to a recall for the air bag sensors. we had previously had the sensors replaced (the vehicle was just out of warranty based on time). vw refused ultimately reimbursed us for the repairs and replacement of the sensors. in january of 2011 the air bag light came on. the dealer charged a fee to do a diagnostic test. they determined that the light was due to the failure of the driver side seat belt buckle, and the fact that the battery was discharged and needed to be repaired. they wanted approximately $480 to replace the seat belt buckle, and $245 to replace the battery. i called vw customer service and they agreed to replace the buckle for no charge, but would do nothing about the battery. vw opened a case # 110006836 and regional manager lisa was the contact. we had aaa come to do a test on the battery. the battery and charging system both passed the test. they recommended that a trickle charge would bring the battery to a full charge. in addition, vw agreed to do a one time courtesy replacement of the convertible roof since the fabric had separated from the rear window. a clip recall had already been performed, but the headliner was hanging down and had separated from the rear window. we feared that the window could separate from the roof at highway speeds. statement indicates that vw performed 61.07-02 tech bulletin to perform modifications to the rear window. | |||
| 01/10/2011 | 34000 | ||
| The air bag warning light came on. this was the subject of an earlier recall due to sensors. we were told that this was due to a faulty seat belt buckle and not due to sensors. we were also originally told it was due to a faulty battery. however, the battery was checked by aaa and was not faulty. eventually vw agreed to replace the seat belt buckle on the drivers side. | |||
| 01/10/2011 | 34000 | ||
| This vehicle was subject to a recall for the air bag sensors. we had previously had the sensors replaced (the vehicle was just out of warranty based on time). vw refused ultimately reimbursed us for the repairs and replacement of the sensors. in january of 2011 the air bag light came on. the dealer charged a fee to do a diagnostic test. they determined that the light was due to the failure of the driver side seat belt buckle, and the fact that the battery was discharged and needed to be repaired. they wanted approximately $480 to replace the seat belt buckle, and $245 to replace the battery. i called vw customer service and they agreed to replace the buckle for no charge, but would do nothing about the battery. vw opened a case # 110006836 and regional manager lisa was the contact. we had aaa come to do a test on the battery. the battery and charging system both passed the test. they recommended that a trickle charge would bring the battery to a full charge. in addition, vw agreed to do a one time courtesy replacement of the convertible roof since the fabric had separated from the rear window. a clip recall had already been performed, but the headliner was hanging down and had separated from the rear window. we feared that the window could separate from the roof at highway speeds. statement indicates that vw performed 61.07-02 tech bulletin to perform modifications to the rear window. | |||
| 01/10/2011 | 34000 | ||
| The air bag warning light came on. this was the subject of an earlier recall due to sensors. we were told that this was due to a faulty seat belt buckle and not due to sensors. we were also originally told it was due to a faulty battery. however, the battery was checked by aaa and was not faulty. eventually vw agreed to replace the seat belt buckle on the drivers side. | |||
| 01/10/2011 | 34000 | ||
| This vehicle was subject to a recall for the air bag sensors. we had previously had the sensors replaced (the vehicle was just out of warranty based on time). vw refused ultimately reimbursed us for the repairs and replacement of the sensors. in january of 2011 the air bag light came on. the dealer charged a fee to do a diagnostic test. they determined that the light was due to the failure of the driver side seat belt buckle, and the fact that the battery was discharged and needed to be repaired. they wanted approximately $480 to replace the seat belt buckle, and $245 to replace the battery. i called vw customer service and they agreed to replace the buckle for no charge, but would do nothing about the battery. vw opened a case # 110006836 and regional manager lisa was the contact. we had aaa come to do a test on the battery. the battery and charging system both passed the test. they recommended that a trickle charge would bring the battery to a full charge. in addition, vw agreed to do a one time courtesy replacement of the convertible roof since the fabric had separated from the rear window. a clip recall had already been performed, but the headliner was hanging down and had separated from the rear window. we feared that the window could separate from the roof at highway speeds. statement indicates that vw performed 61.07-02 tech bulletin to perform modifications to the rear window. | |||
| 01/10/2011 | 34000 | ||
| The air bag warning light came on. this was the subject of an earlier recall due to sensors. we were told that this was due to a faulty seat belt buckle and not due to sensors. we were also originally told it was due to a faulty battery. however, the battery was checked by aaa and was not faulty. eventually vw agreed to replace the seat belt buckle on the drivers side. | |||
| 01/10/2011 | 34000 | ||
| This vehicle was subject to a recall for the air bag sensors. we had previously had the sensors replaced (the vehicle was just out of warranty based on time). vw refused ultimately reimbursed us for the repairs and replacement of the sensors. in january of 2011 the air bag light came on. the dealer charged a fee to do a diagnostic test. they determined that the light was due to the failure of the driver side seat belt buckle, and the fact that the battery was discharged and needed to be repaired. they wanted approximately $480 to replace the seat belt buckle, and $245 to replace the battery. i called vw customer service and they agreed to replace the buckle for no charge, but would do nothing about the battery. vw opened a case # 110006836 and regional manager lisa was the contact. we had aaa come to do a test on the battery. the battery and charging system both passed the test. they recommended that a trickle charge would bring the battery to a full charge. in addition, vw agreed to do a one time courtesy replacement of the convertible roof since the fabric had separated from the rear window. a clip recall had already been performed, but the headliner was hanging down and had separated from the rear window. we feared that the window could separate from the roof at highway speeds. statement indicates that vw performed 61.07-02 tech bulletin to perform modifications to the rear window. | |||
| 01/10/2011 | 34000 | ||
| The air bag warning light came on. this was the subject of an earlier recall due to sensors. we were told that this was due to a faulty seat belt buckle and not due to sensors. we were also originally told it was due to a faulty battery. however, the battery was checked by aaa and was not faulty. eventually vw agreed to replace the seat belt buckle on the drivers side. | |||
| 04/08/2007 | 96000 | ||
| 2oo4 new beetle conv turbo . allways in in shop. allways had problems. in the shop more than at home. elec issues,windows not working, air bag lights flashing, top staying down wont go up one repair after another. now tne transmission is gone. what a pice of shit. just hope some one reads this and talks their daughter or wife out of making a 20,000 dollar mistake | |||
| 05/28/2009 | 70000 | 1 | |
| Vw beetle convertible '04 (approx. 80k miles) - slipping and banging transmission. slams and bangs hard with each downshift (automatic) after about 15 miles or driving. slips or will not move when accelerating after slamming and banging begins. cannot drive car in traffic for fear or being rear ended or broadsided, therefore, cannot safely or dependably drive the car. expected thousands to repair if a mechanic who understands the problem can be found. many of the know issues with car have also occurred; broken plastic water pump, rear window seal broken, passenger side window will not go all the way down, passenger side seat belt light malfunction, headlights uneven brightness, short in dash, heated seat too hot to use (fear of fire) and incredible door rattles. *tr | |||
| 10/16/2008 | 36000 | 1 | |
| Air bag light wont go off. was told the seatbelt sensor came loose and needs to be replaced costing $350. *tr | |||
| 06/02/2009 | 27660 | 1 | |
| 2004 vw beetle 27,660 miles vw dealer - kelly motor, scranton, pa air bag light went on and i took car to vw. passenger seat occupied control module defective. told part will take 8 weeks to arrive. car side airbag now does not work. 2nd time airbag light has lighted and been in shop, this on top of recent recall for another airbag sensor fixed earlier this year. i am very concerned about being without an airbag for 8 weeks; vw has no reason for the delay. i called their headquarters in california with no success. second concern is general reliability for this airbag system due to repairs plus recall. vw won't respond in getting this part in earlier, can you help get this part to my vw dealer so they can make this car safe? thank you *tr | |||
| 02/13/2008 | 34000 | 1 | |
| Airbag system warning light on. *tr | |||
| 04/15/2008 | 30000 | 1 | |
| Air bag warning light illuminated and dealer found that front crash sensor failed and that there was a related computer problem at approximately 30,000 miles and this was replaced under warranty. i was told that the airbag would not deploy in a crash because of this failure. at 40,000 the airbag light came on again and the dealer found that the other side front crash sensor had failed also and that the airbags would not deploy in a crash. the warranty has expired and i was charged $505 to replace this. i was told by the service advisor that they see this all the time with the beetle, and that after one side fails the other side usually does too. *tr | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL | |||
| 04/10/2010 | 82000 | ||
| Problems with transmission/shifting problems. everytime the car shifts into a gear, its very rough and infact will jerk very hard. this started every once in a while and began happening more regular as a month or so went on. now it will stick in 3rd gear and just stay there. we can stop at a redlight, and it will remain in 3rd gear, then drive from the redlight with the car starting in 3rd gear! this is a safety issue, because the car will stick when shifting almost everytime and you could push the gas but only the rpms will go up..nothing else. this could cause me to be rear ended or hit from the side when turning left. i have had many close calls due to this issue! i have children, and the car is not safe to drive anymore. i have priced what would fix this, and its not only that i can not affort it, but the solution to the problem is only temporary! i have seen many, many people have the same issues with the same car, and they have spent countless dollars on a problem that still persists. this past saturday my family was driving and the car stuck in gear going 45 mph, which caused the car to desend in speed, giving the people behind us hardly no time to realize what was happening. we were very very close to an accident. to add to this problem i have had an airbag sensor come on the dash about 2 months ago and will not go off. i had this looked at because it was a safety recall, but the vw dealer told me that my car was no one of the vins, but looked as if it had the same problem! this is serious! they said they could fix it, for a very high amount, but if it was defective that i could be bringing it back in for repair! this is not acceptable!!! we are talking about life or death in a crash! | |||
| 11/11/2008 | 1 | ||
| After returning vehicle to the dealer several times for airbag light in which time the senor under the passenger seat was replaced, the airbag sensors reprogrammed, finally there was a recall of the airbag sensors and they were replaced. approximately 1 month after replacement, the airbag light came back on. now it is the airbag sensor in the drivers seat. it seems to me that there is an intrinsect problem with the entire airbag system. when i asked if we could just not have it repaired, i was told that not having it repaired could cause the seat belt to not work, and the airbag may not deploy. *tr | |||
| 10/09/2008 | 1 | ||
| Dealer states that the safety belt latch sensor has malfunctioned and needs replaced. rendering the airbag inoperative! *tr | |||
| 04/15/2008 | 30000 | 1 | |
| Air bag warning light illuminated and dealer found that front crash sensor failed and that there was a related computer problem at approximately 30,000 miles and this was replaced under warranty. i was told that the airbag would not deploy in a crash because of this failure. at 40,000 the airbag light came on again and the dealer found that the other side front crash sensor had failed also and that the airbags would not deploy in a crash. the warranty has expired and i was charged $505 to replace this. i was told by the service advisor that they see this all the time with the beetle, and that after one side fails the other side usually does too. *tr | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | |||
| 01/06/2009 | 50000 | 2 | 06/01/2004 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen new beetle convertible. the vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign id number 08v178000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module); updated 03-04-09 *bf the consumer stated around 50,000 miles the air bag light illuminated. the dealer stated the problem was a faulty air bag sensor on the passenger side which rendered the air bag inoperative. 6 months later, the air bag light illuminated again. vw stated the air bag sensor/module was faulty again. updated 03/05/09. *jb | |||