Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-48
I have 2000 New Beetle GLS that I bought new from a dealer. It is 5 speed and I had one incident in a parking lot when it slammed, and I mean really slammed, into gear and then stalled. I thought that it must have damaged something and that was the end of my car, but it started up. Soon after, I started hearing a thunking noise from under the car. The dealer claimed it had been hit from underneath and I had to replace the subframe and something else that was bent. $800 repair. I believe it was from the incident with the transmission because the noise started just a few days later and now they are telling me there is a crack in the transmission which needs to be replaced for $1,800. This should be covered under the 100,000 mile warranty as I only have 46, 000 miles on the car. I have had the following problems similar to the others who have posted here:
Exterior paint chips all over car.
Paint on the inside handles wearing off.
Cup holder broke when I took it off to clean it.
Check engine light, approx. $250 to repair
Air Bag Lights - claimed I had a front collision and they had to replace the passenger seat belt because the air bag connection is hooked up to it How could I have had a front end collision when there is no damage to the front end of the car and the air bag didn't deploy? That cost me close to $300.
Headlight burned out at 45,000 miles ($64.00) and the dealer claimed the latch to the headlight was broken. I have never had the light replaced, so I don't know how it got broken unless the dealer broke it when he replaced the bulb.
Oil pan, my pan has a crack in it and the dealer claims I hit it on something. I never hit it on anything except maybe when going over a speed bump, but never hard enough that it should break anything on the underside of the car. I will never buy another VW car.
I "inherited" a 2000 VW new beetle when I got married. What a piece of crap! it has been to the dealer 6 to 8 times in the 2 years I have had it.
1. Rear Brakes failed, replaced, partially, under warranty. There seems to be some service bulletins regarding the premature wearing of the rear pads. The wear caused damage to the rotors that needed repair, on my bill.
2. Recall on the Brake light Switch.
3. Few months later the brake lights all burnt out, it was very expensive to have replaced at the dealer and to top it all off, I could not change the bulbs myself! it is impossible!
4. Window Recall, fixed the windows which stopped working, However they screwed up the locking mechanism which now takes 2 or 3 tugs on the outside handle to release the latch and open the door! One problem fixed, another created.
5. Engine running rough, find out a hose (vacuum line) had been dried out and burnt up causing a vacuum leak. Dealer wanter 200.00 to fix, not warrantied. A hose that I still have original on car that are 20 years old. a hose that costs no more than 2 or 3 bucks! A hose that could have easily been replaced in minutes when they diagnosed it! This was a major ordeal with the dealer. I said to them no don't fix it, I'll fix it show me which hose. They refuse to show me which hose! even though I paid for the diagnostic!!!
6. Car consumes oil. dealer can't figure out where it goes. about 2 quarts of oil magically disappear every 3 months!
7. Even oil changes are a pain! they get the car all filthy, don't wash it and then want twice as much cash a jiffy lube!
8. The Battery failed. no real reason, one of the plates cracked inside. 3 years on the battery. Would not have been a big issue if someone would have just checked the battery and said it was bad! however the dealer claimed it was the alternator belt. they changed the serpentine belt and it worked for 4hrs! We then had the battery changed at Pep Boys. This experience made me very angry!
9. The latest: Car gets stuck in park, we cannot get the car out of park, auto transmission, Dealer cannot replicate the issue though there is a service bulletin for the ill fated brake light switch that causes this problem in many other Beetles nation wide. It was not covered under warranty because they did it once already. Since they can't replicate the problem they say nothing is wrong. They want 95.00 because some schmuck mechanic who makes 25.00 an hour took a look at it!
Top that with a repeat of the rear brakes problem which they will not cover under warranty again. And even better they want to change the serpentine belt which they replace a few months back AGAIN!
Every time it is something. The dealer is rude and greedy. they want money and the car is never fixed correctly. We are still paying for the car and it is now costing us money in maintenece. Even cheap Chevy's last longer and cause less problems! Don't buy these garbage cars!
I purchased a used 1998 New Beetle Turbo Diesel with 72,000 miles. I've owned it for six months. Paid $7700. Diesel mileage is only 39 mpg. Anyone who says different needs a new calculator. And then I found this WEB Site. Arrggghhh! It is amazing the amount of crap people have been put through while owning the New Beetle.
Here's mine so far:
1.) Glow Plugs - Serviced myself. On-line $17/ea.
2.) Headlight bulb - no bid deal. $5
3.) New fuel lines because they hang too low and got dragged off - Serviced myself. $65 for parts
4.) Oil changes are a snap. Oil filter is cartridge type and on top for easy access.
5.) CD changer in trunk is junk. Skips on all bumps. Living with it.
6.) Window in passenger door fell down. I pulled the door apart to find the window mechanism for lifting the window must have been designed late on a Friday evening by a bunch of drunks gulping warm beer. Can't wait to find out what the parts will cost on this one, but seems to be a very common problem among owners.
7.) Wheel trim falls off while driving down the road.
8.) Visors in front window are useless unless you are 6'5" tall.
9.) A choke, unless your sipping tea from a 3" tall and skinny cup.
10.) Very hard to start when it is cold.
I TRULY WISHED I HAD NEVER PURCHASED THE NEW BEETLE AND AM SELLING IT TO SOME SCHMUCK AS SOON AS I NAIL THE WINDOW IN PLACE.
This is the story of my BABY that I completely pamper! Since I got my "baby" she has been sick SEVERAL times which makes me very sad... and it makes my bank account sad too! The check engine light has been on ohh about 4 times for 2 times fuel injection, 1 time O2 sensor, and I think when it was on last week it was just the injectors I ran fuel injection cleaner threw 2 times and its gone now :) ALL of my window switches are loose or "jacked up" as I call it the auto up/down doesn't work also. the back seat has a tear infront of the release. the dash lights for the ac/heat controls are out this happened shortly after the recall check up that they supposedly replaced the switch. the vanity light I discovered on one side last night doesn't work, but it worked last week grrr! The trunk for about a week said it was open, but no I shut it 500 times, but my baby still said her rear was open. the car after you shift somewhat "stalls" then it lunjes and then drives normal this is at low speeds.. this car was my dream car I collect EVERYTHING vw from models to clothes I am 18 and I pay for everything on this car I can't do it anymore I can't make a car payment then a fix it payment every other payment makes me sad to think that she has to go, but its time this car has been my absolute pride and joy I have taken EXTREMELY GREAT care of it and now everything seems to try to go at once... this car is very fun to drive and has NEVER let me down it ALWAYS starts its just the electrical problems along with emissions that are getting to frequent to tolerate.. I will own another one some day it WILL have a warranty maybe even an extended one. T.R.- IOWA.
I have a 2000 New Beetle. I have had the usual repairs - the window switches (changed out twice), Window regulator (fixed on both windows) and some not so usual, but expensive repairs the sun roof ($600+) and now the A/C is out. OK, you are thinking this shouldn't be a big problem. The estimate is $1862. YES, that number is correct. The big ticket item of this repair is the compressor with clutch. I have been told by both dealers and an outside mechanic that this RARELY goes out. Most cars "last a life time with their original compressor". A call customer service resulted in them saying "sorry, we can't help you." OK, now I went to an outside mechanic who fixes Volkswagen's. Guess what they are charging me $574. YES, Volkswagen wanted $1862 and this mechanic who specializes in Volkswagen's is charging $574. Be careful...
I own a 2002 Turbo S Beetle and I have had a few problems. They weren't major, but after owning several new Toyotas and Hondas, I did not expect to be in the service department as often as I have been in the last 2 years. In the first year, I had 2 recalls--one for the window raising/lowering mechanism and the other for the ignition coils. The EPC light came on and was blamed on the replaced ignition coils, thus they were replaced again. My latest problem is that during a thunderstorm, the alarm went off. The next time the car was started, the trunk open indicator light wouldn't go out--even when the trunk was closed and secure. I am taking it in to the dealership today to have that problem assessed. My rear cup holder is being held on with 2 tabs, as the other 2 have broken. I am on a first name basis with most of the service/parts staff.
I had an offer by VW in the mail a while back to buy back my beetle, as it was one of the resale models in demand, but I didn't take them up on their offer. After reading the reviews, I may be sorry that I didn't! I think this will be the last VW I own (sad to say, as I love driving the Turbo S). I will definately consider the tried and true Toyota or Honda.
My VW Nightmare: A Repetition of all of Yours.
Last Year I purchased a 99 GL 2.0 liter, 50K miles. Within 300 miles, the check engine light went on. This lasted four months (and apparently I am lucky it did not last longer) and cost around $700, including pointless dealership diagnostics, to fix. I am praying daily it does not go on again.
The power mirrors which never worked cost 150 to diagnose that they needed a new part, for 400. I skipped that, but replaced the serpentine belt at 53K.
Discovered after a month that I consume 1 quart of oil per thousand miles.
I have had a score of other issues (totaling about 1.5K), but the final straw was the collapse of my manual transmission at 67K, from internal failure. The mechanic said something broke off and there was a bunch of metal in the oil. The cost, as I also replaced a very worn clutch, was 4K. After that, I mean, when I collected the car, the lock system was malfunctioning, which cost another 250.
I always wanted a VW. Now I plan on handing out fliers to other VW owners urging them to make their complaints public and loud. The vehicles are faulty; the word lemon is a compliment to them. Needless to say, my car is for sale and I daily pray that my engine light does not come on; my windows do not collapse; my fuel door and boot open ; and my oil consuming engine does not die (it's the only big part I haven't replaced yet).
I wouldn't buy a VW again if they gave it to me for $1.00.
I know these stories all too well. I bought a 2001 VW beetle Sport off the show room floor in June of '01. The first week I had it the air bag light went on. I took it to the dealer (the first time ever) and I was told that I had taken it (a car with 600 miles) to an unapproved mechanic for repairs and they had messed up my air flow. I was shocked! The car was brand new. They fixed the so-called air flow problem. I have always had problems with the rear fin, but the dealer can't ever duplicate it, or tells me that I am just confused about the fin's normal operation (like a crunching sound and dash lights that won't go off are normal operation.) I have had the rear brakes replaced, a burned out headlight replaced within a couple months of purchase, engine coils, window supports and a number of other recalls. Plastic pieces have broken off of the seat belts and sun roof. The interior peels. Dash light for temperature went out, but I smacked the dash and they came back on. VWOA says since they aren't the same problems, it's not a lemon. Dealer refused to give me a rental, for some made up reason. Trunk got stuck closed, I had to get the latch replaced $$$. Car worked great for about a year and last week the check engine light went on... I hope that it gets stolen so that I can get my money from the insurance company. I would NEVER be able to sell this car!!!
I drove my 2000 Beetle GLX-Turbo off the lot brand new and have had each and every problem described on this website (engine light on, headlights keep burning out, engine stalls, cable to fuel cover, automatic window replacements, etc, so many rental vehicles during maintenance) BUT, for the past year (knock on wood) my GLX has been running in tip-top shape (30-32 in town MPG). The exception to all this is the dealer offered a TotalCare Warranty at purchase time and I accepted. This has been the ONLY TIME I purchased a warranty and really used it, and used it and used it. The TotalCare warranty has paid for itself several times over in 4 1/2 years. Yes, the inside handles no longer have the protection (peeled off within a year) but overall the condition of the car is good. But, I will not purchase another VW, I will remain with Toyota's or Honda's.
2000 VW Beetle GLS... fully loaded.
Like many of you, I have had problems with this car since day one. I will never be able to sell this car, because I couldn't honestly let someone buy it, knowing what a piece of junk it is.
As of right now, my alarm continually goes off during heavy rain (even though it is parked in a garage) and continually my trunk light is on (even though it isn't open.) I am taking it in for repairs.. and thanks to this website, I realize I am not alone with this problem.
Also, within the last week my temperature light started beeping at me and blinking "red". (NOTE: The blue temp light as blinked since having only a month in Sept.99, even after bringing it in several times to repair.)
Other problems through the years:
1) Like many of you said... It would not go out of PARK unless I slammed on the break as hard as I could... once my boyfriend had to get in my car and slam it because I wasn't strong enough. (I brought it in for repair, only to have it happen AGAIN, exactly one year later.)... eventually the brake switch was recalled...
2) The windows on both sides fell in (THREE TIMES)... all of this repair was paid for before it was FINALLY recalled, and now, the window works, but when I try to close it (push up), first it goes down and then I can close it (by pushing the up button again)... strange...
3) The locks would not respond to my remote, nor work when I inserted the key. Once, I had to climb through the trunk of my car to get in the drivers seat... seriously... (Hilariously enough, when I went to pick it up after they fixed this problem, I went to drive away... and I couldn't get it out of park... AGAIN!)... this was before the recall.
4) Out of the blue it started making a clunking noise, initially only when I turned corners... then whenever I drove slowly... and then all the time. This was so bizarre to me, I don't even remember exactly what they said the source of the problem was.
I wouldn't recommend this car to ANYONE. On a sidenote, I have a good friend who finally sold his 2000 Jetta due to many of the same problems that I had.
I have owned 10 Volkswagens over the past 32 years, and have been pleased for the most part with all of them.
Some I only had for a year or two, others I kept for as much as ten ten years.
I am thankful I have not experienced the problems so many VW owners have reported. Perhaps my good fortune is due to the fact that other than a 1988 Jetta, all of my other VW's were manufatured in Germany. (5 in Wolfsburg and 4 in Osnabruck).
In reading these reviews, I will always try to buy German built VWs.
I have a 2000 Beetle. I live in WI and this car has been pampered... no winter driving, no salt. Back in 1999 I looked so forward to buying my first Volkswagen. Today, with only 29,000 miles on the car I can express the following disappointments:
1) I have had to replace both window rocker switches;
2) Twice the window has become stuck in the down position requiring work from the dealership;
3) The gas hinge sticks (I have to use a credit card to wedge it open;
4) The back trunk door usually requires 2-3 clicks on the remote to totally release.
Signed, frustrated in Wisconsin.
I recently acquired a 1998 New Beetle, and as I knew the previous owner and drove the car a lot myself when he owned it, it was in pretty good shape and rarely had any problems. It had a little over 65,000 miles on it when I got it, but now, due to the 80 miles a day I have been putting on it to go to and from work, it has just over 82,000 miles on it. I have not really had many problems with it, except the check engine light (one time for grounding problems, the only time this ever happened in this car, the last time it went out after I opened the gas cap and heard a slight whoosh. It's back on now, but it could be anything. I tried the gas cap again and it did not work this time). But this car is a '98 and has over 80,000 miles on it, so even though it has been well taken care of (I know, I was the one who always took it in for checkups or service, even when my friend owned it) and has not needed to be in the shop that often, I think I can start to expect a few problems unless I have everything rebuilt that needs rebuilding on it soon. It sounds like a lot of the frequent problems seem to happen on the New Beetles newer than October 1998, which is when my car was originally purchased. I have also notice there is a huge difference in the way repair service is handled at various VW dealers. The place the car was purchased had a superb service department, and did regular checkups under the warranty, and we continued to take the care there after the warranty expired. That may have been why the car has rarely had any problems until it became higher mileage, and even now that it is higher mileage, it still doesn't seem to have too many problems, although the check engine light is worrisome. We moved to the New York City area two years after the car was purchased, and it continued to be a great car. But some of the dealers in the area that did the regular checkups did not seem to be as attentive to detail as the one in Western New York State. I finally found a mechanic who did repairs to Volkswagens and was authorized to do so. He did the 60,000 mile tune up, and the car has had few problems except those I mentioned. I also found a Volkswagen dealer near where I work on Long Island who seems good as well. Other problems I have now, well, I need to have the driver side window control replaced, but only after six years of use caused one of the switches to break off (it is being held in with the spring and plastic push activator inside it by a piece of scotch tape that has to be periodically replaced across the top of the switch, and it is usable). I am going to either have the car rebuilt back to like new condition (it's not bad now, especially for 80,000 miles) or get a new one, depending on price. That's how much I like this car, and shows how reliable it has been over the years. And this car was originally subjected to two Niagara Falls NY winters to boot! I had read in several car magazines and on-line a year or two ago that the newer Beetles after 1998 seemed to have a lot more problems right out of the showroom. This may also hold true of the 1998 models as well, but the previous owner and I haven't had a whole lot of trouble with this one.
I have a 1999 Left Hand Drive Beetle, and live in the UK, sadly we do not have the "lemon law" here!
My Beetle is a 1.9l manual drive.
I bought it in 2003 from a dealer, within days the air con stopped working and needed re-gassing, and I thought that would be my only problem, what a laugh!
My car boot will not open by the remote, only by hand.
I have to press the fuel door button several times, and sometimes have to force the door open.
My passenger window has a mind of its own, when you open it, it might re close, open or just move of its own accord, this is a strange thing!
Like many of you the interior plastic is losing its covering, and looks dirty, (this can't be hand cream, as me and my husband don't use it, and the car was owned by a man before, there are not many men in the UK who use hand cream!) my steering wheel is also turning black!
The boot door key cover is chipped.
BUT the biggest problem I have is this. The imobilizor light comes on so many times, meaning the non start of my car it is unbelievable.
It has been back to two V W garages, neither whom could find the problem, but did do work such as new ignition, new wiring (taken out of my warranty, meaning although the work didn't solve the problem they made some cash out of it) This problem makes my car so unreliable I can no longer guarantee I'll be at work on time, and I WILL NOT arrange a driving holiday in it, as every time I have it just will not start!
They also tried to charge me £85 for a new key, and later told me this might not necessarily solve the problem, and it was a case of elimination!!! So they want me to pay for their mistakes!
I finally complained to VW head office, whom like the garages can't help me, just fob me off with yet more and more appointments at the garage, and less and less time with a car for me!
However they are not helping me, and seem pretty reluctant to say, well hey you know this is a problem, we'll fix it or give you a new car, life would be a lot simpler if this was the case!!
Anyway my final addition to this is some info I found on a UK new beetle site, it seems that other people are suffering how we all seem to be, and although I have passed this info to V W they are still pretending I am the only person ever to make such a complaint.
The info we all need to know is this: If your key has a "W" printed on it, alone, then this can be a reason for the starting problems, later cars did not have this "W" on the key and it seems these cars have no problems, so how many of us complaint-ants can say they have a "W" on their key?
I will be willing to add the info if needed, just say so!
Why can't the UK have the lemon law???
From a frustrated Uk Beetle owner!
I own a 2000 Beetle Turbo GLS and am very happy with it. The car has 35,000 miles and is rarely at the dealer. I'm not stupid; I bought a 7 year bumper-bumper warranty and purchased the car at a reputable dealership. These Beetles have a ton of electronics, all of which I enjoy. In reading a lot of the reviews listed here it seems many people blame the car for their bad experiences, not their decision to not protect themselves with an extended warranty or the dealership they did business with. I just added an upgraded ECU to the 1.8T engine. My little red Beetle now has 183hp and 220lb-ft of torque to play with. For the $21,600 I paid for the car I'm overjoyed with what I got.