1998 Volkswagen Beetle Tdi review from North America

A multitude of various electrical problems plagued the car from the moment I drove it from the dealership. The car left me stranded on several occasions. Battery dead. Starter malfunctions. Alternator failed at 7000 miles. During the first year of ownership the following was replaced.

Alarm system and associated electronics. Ignition switch. Alternator and starter. Rocker panels had to be repaired and painted after the dealer lifted the car under them.

The second year of ownership marked the deteriation of the coatings that are on the interior door handles and other surfaces on the dash. Very unattractive looking like a skin peeling off.

One of the glass fog lights shattered. $$$

The power window regulator on the driver side door failed and shattered the glass inside the door. I had to open the window because the air conditioning began to fail. Back to the dealer. Replaced the window and failed regulator part. Put additive in the Air Conditioning system to find the leak and was told to return once the freon drained down. Upon returning to the dealer at just over 36,000 miles I was told that the Air Conditioning would require $1500 in repairs that were not covered under the warranty that ended at 36,000 miles. As you can imagine I became furious and told them to keep the car. I was able to negotiate the price down to $750 but had decided that it was the last VW I would ever buy.

Loved the diesel engine. The handling and comfort of the car were lovely.

The reliability ruined what was my "dream car".

The three VW dealerships that I took the car to were awful to deal with. It was the worst experience with any type of purchase that I have ever had.