1999 Volkswagen Beetle TDI review from North America
"Poor reliability and poor Volkswagen customer support make this a poor choice."
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The car would not start at 18,000 miles, diagnosed as a fuel filter blockage.
The car would not start at 19,900 miles, diagnosed as carbon buildup.
The car died on the road at 35,500 miles, diagnosed as carbon buildup again.
The turbocharger needed to be repaired at 35,400 miles.
The taillights have blown out twice, the headlights have blown out once.
The rear defroster had to be repaired at 26,500 miles.
The engine light came on repeatedly, with "no concrete problem."
The mirror control knob had to be replaced three times.
The fuel filler door repeatedly jammed and finally required replacement of the actuator cable.
General comments?
Although the car was fun when it was running, the repeated need for repairs made it exceedingly unreliable.
Safety became a concern when the car began dying in the middle of major highways.
Volkswagen has refused our request for assistance, because we are not the original owner, despite the fact that the car has less than 36000 miles on it.
Recommended reviews
| A wondrous car, fun, full of pep, and a joy to drive |
|
| A very safe, modern and cute alternative to eco-cars |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.9 turbo diesel Manual |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 0 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 4 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 8149 miles |
| Most recent distance | 35500 miles |
| Previous car | Honda Odyssey |
| Date of Entry | 20th December, 2002 |