1999 Volkswagen Beetle TDI from North America - Comments

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.

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.

These are horrible cars, I remember my '64,I couldn't even reverse it out of a 45 degree driveway.

The motor blew up after 4 days of having it, overheating

suspected.

It would be interesting to hear what members of the German

army had to say about these cars, as they were used extensively (in Military form) in all theatres of war, from the North African desert, to the freezing Russian Steppes. (Kubelwagen, Schwimmwagen, and even some Beetles in

late 1944).

I have a 1999 TDI Beetle, and my problems sound similar too many here. My biggest issue has been with poor service diagnosis of problems. I had an issue with my TDI dying on the hiway... and they initially diagnosed it as a clogged (coked-up) intake venturi. (whatever it is called) It cost $400 as a part, and I was told it cold NOT be cleaned and this is why it was replaced. I had ased for the old part, and upon examination... found it was not as restricted as they said. When I asked what happened, they said it must have been cleaned... something they said was not possible!

Anyways, it died the same way the next two days, ab\nd I told them to keep the car until it was fixed. A few days later they figured out that it was REALLY the fuel pump relay overheating and opening! This was only a $40 fix... but did they do anything for me to rectify the $400 repair that was NOT needed...nothing, but argue with me.

I love the car and mileage, but the reliability and service stinks to high heaven. (IMHO)

What an oddball comment (the first one). What are you smoking? Yeah a '64 Beetle has so much in common with a 1999 TDI. And thanks for the WWII history lesson -- just what we're all looking for in an automotive forum.

Unfortunately I don't think there's any merit in comparing a 1964 Beetle and a 1999 Beetle.

They're made by the same company, but they are two totally different cars. From my experience, they also don't usually appeal to the same types of driver.

I too have had similar problems with my '99 Beetle. The dealership was nothing, but a part changing schemer. They told me that before they could fix my a/c they would have to replace the throttle body ($700.00). Then they called and said that my control panel was bad and that it would have to be replaced because they couldn't get it to come on. Now the kicker, they said that my compressor was bad and it would have to be replaced as well! I asked how he checked the compressor if the panel was bad and he became a mute! I will never buy another vw, not because of the driving experience, but because of the bs I've had to deal with keeping it on the road!