The sunroof gets stuck.
My headlights have blown twice.
The driver's window button broke.
The passenger's window fell off the track.
"Check engine" comes on once in a while, then turns off.
The trunk light will turn on in the display and the alarm will go off.
A button on the radio dial is stuck.
I have nicks and dents all over the car.
The paint has tiny rust spots that have been there since I bought the car in May 2000.
The hand-rest has a lock to open and store items. That lock is broken.
The rear view mirrors have a major blind spot.
The car has good performance.
However the manufacturer should really look into the smaller things that need improvement, especially the window buttons.
As the owner of a 2000 Beetle since October of 1999, I must say, the negative aspects of this review are not the norm. I've been involved with VW Clubs for many years and know a couple of New Beetle owners. I love my Beetle, and just wanted share that not all are like this. The scratches in the paint? C'mon, all cars scratch. Rust spots on the paint? The majority of the car is plastic, buy some rubbing compound.
I love driving my 98 new Beetle. Mileage is about 54000 miles. However, the cost is becoming too much. I too regret that I did not take the extended warranty and that's the first time for that thought. The window latches had to be replaced. The computer had to be replaced. The trunk lock had to be replaced and then still didn't work until sprayed with WD40. The gas cover latch had to be replaced and now the cover doesn't close flush with rest of car. The check engine light has come on twice in 3 weeks resulting in $950.00 in repairs for a secondary hose replacement and a master air something or other is being replaced as I write this. The shield under the car had to be replaced. The seats stain if only water gets on them. I've had the same headlight replaced twice.
Bought my 2000 beetle in august 99. Since then- the passenger window switch broke, engine light came on three times, regulator in the driver window broke, grinding brakes needed to be replaced. and I only have 20000 miles on it. I do both city and long distance driving on it.
If it weren't for the high dollar amount I seem to be spending on this car (warranty only 2 years), I love it. It's cute, it's got character and it's fun. But I just can't afford to have something or other break every couple of months. And the dealership I go to doesn't provide loaner cars.
I purchased my 2000 beetle last month and since then I have only minor problems, but seem to be common ones as well. driver side window switch broke and the storage compartment near the rear view mirror has broken as well.
Other than these few items so far it is a well running nice looking car.
I love my 98 Beetle, but it, too, suffers from the various fates listed above. I bought it used and -- over the past two years -- it has blown two lights, four tires, a trunk latch, diesel hatch, two automatic windows and tomorrow it goes in for grinding brakes. Moreover, the roof lining dips and sags; the seats stain with water dribbles; and a vandal scratched triangles across the blue paint. And the battery blew up, gushing green goo all over the street. Lovely. Most annoying: Nearly every repair must go to the dealer, where usury seems to be part of the owner's manual. In retrospect, I should have looked beyond the stellar engine. The rest of the auto is pure trash.
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