2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

I PURCHASED MY VW BEETLE IN 2005 WITH THE CARFAX - NO ACCIDENTS OR MAJOR REPAIRS. WITHIN MONTHS, THE ENGINE LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. I'VE PROBABLY SPENT MORE THAN WHAT I PAID FOR IT. I JUST SPENT OVER $1800 AT VW SPRINGFIELD IN VIRGINIA AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON AGAIN AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION CODES WERE DISCOVERED BY OTHER REPAIR SHOPS, BUT THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIR. NEITHER VW SPRINGFIELD OR VW WOODBRIDGE EVER CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION. IN FACT, WOODBRIDGE TOLD ME TO TRADE IT IN AND PURCHASE A NEW ONE FROM THEM.SOME KIND OF LIGHT OR PROBLEM OCCURS IN MY CAR EVERY TIME I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THIS DEALERSHIP AND VW WOODBRIDGE IN VIRGINIA. THEY CONTINUE TO CLAIM THAT IT IS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM EVERY TIME WITH THE SAME COMPONENTS. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE FOR DIAGNOSTICS? EVERY TIME I TAKE MY CAR TO ANY OF THE VW DEALERSHIP, I WILL HAVE TO BRING THE CAR IN MULTIPLE TIMES WITHIN MONTHS. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES, AND NO ONE IS INVESTIGATING THIS. IT APPEARS THAT VW IS BEING PROTECTED FROM SELLING US POORLY MADE VEHICLES WITH HEFTY REPAIR COSTS, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MAKE SINCE THAT IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM FOR HUNDREDS, PERHAPS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. IS IT THAT THESE REPAIRS ARE MAJOR AND BRAKE LIGHTS AREN'T. A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES FROM 99 ON SHOULD BE PROCESSED. THE FACT THAT VW WAS IN THE NEWS RECENTLY AS SELLING PEOPLE CARS THEY KNEW HAD ENGINE, AIRBAG, ABS, TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL, AND WINDOW MAJOR PROBLEMS IS ASTONISHING, BECAUSE NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I'M DISGUSTED WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THIS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ECONOMIC SITUATION, BUT PEOPLE ARE IN JUST AS MUCH A SITUATION AS MANUFACTURING COMPANIES. WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP GIVING AWAY TO VW. IT'S A MORAL SHAME. *TR

WE OWN A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE...IN 2008 THE WATER PUMP WENT IN IT...HAD THAT REPLACED AND 4 WEEKS LATER HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN THEN THE FOLLOWING YEAR 2009 THE WINDOW MOTORS IN BOTH WINDOWS WENT..HAD TO HAVE THOSE REPLACED... THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE FALLING OUT HAVE TO CONSTANTLY PUSH THEM BACK IN....NOW 2011 THE WATER PUMP WENT IN IT AGAIN..NOW THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY ACTING AS A PAPER WEIGHT..HAD I KNOW THAT THERE WERE SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT ONE..I HOPE THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS HAPPY RAKING PEOPLE OVER THE COALS BY SELLING THEM NOTHING BUT JUNK AND GOD FORBID IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER THEY WANT EVERYTHING UP TO AND INCLUDING YOUR FIRST BORN CHILD... *TR

ODBI CAME ON WAS TESTED INDICATING CYLINDER MISFIRE TOOK IT FOR REPAIR WAS INFORMED TWO WIRES WERE BROKEN AND SPARK PLUG WAS SEVERELY FOULED NOW THERE'S A COMPRESSION PROBLEM WHICH REQUIRES THE ENGINE TO BE TORN APART. COST OF REPAIRS EXCEEDS AMOUNT VEHICLE'S VALUE AND PURCHASE PRICE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR FIVE MONTHS WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT HAD A LITTLE OVER 51000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER RAN GREAT AND THE VEHICLE BODY IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. *TR

Mileage: 63,000

2.0 AEG MOTOR USES EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND EXHIBITS PISTON SLAP ON COLD START. ENGINE USES A QUART OF OIL EVERY 500 MILES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PISTON RINGS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED UPSIDE DOWN AT THE FACTORY, WHICH IS THE REASONING BEHIND THE POOR OIL CONTROL. VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE FAMILY FOR TWO OUT OF THE LAST THREE OWNERS. *TR

Mileage: 96,000

MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 VW BEETLE ON THE WESTBANK EXPRESSWAY IN NEW ORLEANS, HE HEARD A LOUD POP, AND THE CAR STARTED TO FILL WITH "WHITE SMOKE", HE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. WITHIN MINUTES, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THIS CAME WITHOUT WARNING, WE DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO YESTERDAY, 7-17-10. *TR

VW CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARRANTY EXTENSION. WAS 8 YEARS/80K MILES. EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS/120K MILES. I HAVE A 2000 VW NEW BEETLE GLS, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN 1999. MY MODEL IS CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR IS NOT PASSING SMOG - GROSS POLLUTER STATUS. ONLY HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT. THE ISSUE: BECAUSE THE CAT CONVERTER IS NOT FORMALLY LISTED AS A "RECALL" BY VW AMERICA, THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC (EVEN THOUGH I'M PROVIDING THE DETAILED PAPERWORK FROM MY SMOG STATION), AND WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THEY WANT ME TO REPAIR ANY AND ALL ISSUES THAT ARISE AT A COST TO ME, BEFORE THEY WILL REPLACE MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COVERS NUMEROUS ISSUES THE CAR MAY BE HAVING, INCLUDING SOME THAT MAY NOT BE RELATED TO THE CAR NOT PASSING SMOG. AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. DEALERSHIP TURNS IT OFF - COMES RIGHT BACK ON WITHIN DAYS. I WANT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED FIRST, THEN SEE IF IT PASSES SMOG, THEN I WILL REPAIR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. I DON'T WANT TO PUT MONEY INTO PROBLEMS POSSIBLY UNRELATED TO SMOG, IF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WON'T FIX THE ISSUE. BUT PER THE VW DEALERSHIP, I CANNOT PROCEED WITHOUT SPENDING MONEY ON SUPPOSED OTHER PROBLEMS, BECAUSE THE CAT CONVERTER WAS NOT TECHNICALLY LABELED A RECALL. I WROTE THE EPA - THE EMAIL I RECEIVED BACK FROM THEM SAID THEY CONSIDER IT A RECALL, BUT BECAUSE VW AMERICA DID NOT SEND OUT A FORMAL RECALL NOTICE ON THE CAT CONVERTER, AND INSTEAD JUST PROVIDED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THERE'S NOT MUCH THAT CAN BE DONE. DEALERSHIPS CAN REQUIRE A DIAGNOSTICS RUN AND ASK YOU TO PAY TO FIX OTHER PROBLEMS PRIOR TO FIXING THE CAT CONVERTER. VW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY, SO CLEARLY THEY ARE AWARE THERE IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD JUST CALL IT A FORMAL RECALL (SINCE THE EPA DOES), FIX THE PROBLEM THEY KNOW EXISTS. CURRENTLY, I'VE BROUGHT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. SAME ISSUE. DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER CHOICE. *TR

Mileage: 73,452

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH PRODUCED "ERROR CODE 5". A MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND RESET THE COMPUTER; HOWEVER, THE INDICATOR CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 126,000. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/26/09. *JB

Mileage: 126,000

ON APRIL 4, 2008, OUR 2000VW GLS BEETLE CAUGHT FIRE AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE INTERSTATE. CAR HAD BEEN HESITATING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, SO WE HAD IT SERVICED AT OUR LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP ON MARCH 28. DIAGNOSTICS DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WE WENT AHEAD AS ASKED FOR FUEL FILTER AND THE COOLANT SENSOR TO BE REPLACED. FOR THE NEXT WEEK, THE CAR CONTINUED TO HESITATE, ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR MORE THAT 20 MINUTES. WE MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO THIS APPOINTMENT SHE NOTICED THE HESITATION AGAIN, AND ABOUT 10 MILES LATER, NOTICED SMOKE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. SHE PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SMOKE STARTED POURING INSIDE THE CAR. ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CLICKED ON, THEN OFF. WITHIN 2 MINUTES, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND WAS NOT PHYSICALLY HARMED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Mileage: 72,500

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2000 VW NEW BEETLE ON OCTOBER 10, 2007. MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER DROVE THE CAR TO WORK. WHEN SHE GOT READY TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SHE CALLED A MECHANIC AND THEY CHECKED THE VEHICLE. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES ON IT. I WENT A RESEARCHED AND FOUND OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT LOW MILEAGE BEETLES OF THIS YEAR HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT SUCH AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR IS REQUIRED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE IN ORDER TO OWN THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE IT OPERATE PROPERLY. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER SO I REALIZE THAT THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED FOR ME. THERE SHOULD BE SOME FORM OF DISCLAIMER PLACED ON THIS YEAR OF BEETLE SO THAT PERSPECTIVE OWNERS WILL KNOW THAT THEY HAVE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR COMING UP (TIMING BELT) IF IT HASN'T BEEN CORRECTED ALREADY. *TR

Mileage: 89,985

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2000 VW NEW BEETLE ON OCTOBER 10, 2007. MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER DROVE THE CAR TO WORK. WHEN SHE GOT READY TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SHE CALLED A MECHANIC AND THEY CHECKED THE VEHICLE. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES ON IT. I WENT A RESEARCHED AND FOUND OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT LOW MILEAGE BEETLES OF THIS YEAR HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT SUCH AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR IS REQUIRED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE IN ORDER TO OWN THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE IT OPERATE PROPERLY. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER SO I REALIZE THAT THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED FOR ME. THERE SHOULD BE SOME FORM OF DISCLAIMER PLACED ON THIS YEAR OF BEETLE SO THAT PERSPECTIVE OWNERS WILL KNOW THAT THEY HAVE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR COMING UP (TIMING BELT) IF IT HASN'T BEEN CORRECTED ALREADY. *TR

Mileage: 89,985

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE BATTERY AND THE ECP WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE TIMING BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR FREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 38,000 MILES AND 49,000 MILES. THE TIMING BELT WAS REMOVED TO REPLACE THE PUMP. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

Mileage: 74,000

THE SERVICE REP AT UNIVERSITY VW REPORTED MY CAR NEEDED A NEW TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP - COST $1,500 (THE WORD WARRANTY WAS NEVER MENTIONED, SO I NEVER CONSIDERED THIS REPAIR MIGHT BE COVERED.) ANOTHER MECHANICS QUOTE FOR THE SAME JOB WAS $448. DURING REPAIR HE FOUND THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER WAS DEFECTIVE, SO MY TOTAL COST WAS $615 - STILL LESS THAN HALF OF THE QUOTE BY UNIVERSITY VW. (I ALSO HAD TO PAY UNIVERSITY $96 FOR THEIR RIP-OFF QUOTE.) I CONTACTED VW, WHO TOLD ME TO TAKE THE PART TO THE DEALER FOR CONFIRMATION OF DEFECT. DEFECT WAS CONFIRMED BY THEIR LEAD MECHANIC. (NOTE THAT HE CONFIRMED DEFECT AND NOT WORN OUT PART. I STILL HAVE ALL PARTS.) SERVICE MANAGER STATED HE WOULD FILE A CLAIM WITH VW FOR ME. HE CALLED ON 2/19 AND REPORTED MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. THE REQUEST WAS NOT MADE TO VW, BUT DECIDED BY HIS REGIONAL MANAGER. I CALLED VW ABOUT A CLAIM. ON 2/20 VW CLAIMS CALLED STATING MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. SHE STATED THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. SHE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY - IF I HAD NOT TAKEN IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC. I TOLD HER I WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, IF I HAD KNOWN IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY! (THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I LEARNED THE PROBLEM WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY!) I TOLD HER I WANTED TO APPEAL THIS DECISION, SO WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT? SHE STATED, "I AM EMPOWERED BY THE CEO OF VOLKSWAGEN, SO THERE ISN'T ANYONE HIGHER. YOUR CLAIM WILL NOT BE PAID." AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, THIS ENTIRE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A SERVICE CONSULTANT NOT TELLING ME THIS REPAIR WOULD BE (OR EVEN, MIGHT BE) COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AS A NON-MECHANICAL CUSTOMER, I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO EXPECT THAT SERVICE. IF I HAD BEEN TOLD THAT, I DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE LEFT MY CAR AT UNIVERSITY VW FOR THE REPAIRS, BUT I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE - EITHER PAY $1,500 OR $500. *NM

Mileage: 98,700

CAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AAA HAS SEEN THIS CAR MORE THAN I HAVE OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. CURRENTLY AT 51,000 MILES THE TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE. VW SAYS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED VEHICLE WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHOEVER HEARD OF A TIMING BELT BREAKING AT 51,000 MILES!!! *NM

Mileage: 51,000

2000 TURBO ENGINE BEETLE WITH 68,700 MILES WAS 'CHUGGING' LIKE A DIESEL IMMEDIATELY AFTER NON-RELATED WARRANTY REPAIR AT THE DEALER. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER WHO QUOTED $1500 TO REPLACE TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP. PAID $95 FOR THEIR DIAGNOSIS AND TOOK THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC WHO DID THE SAME REPAIR FOR $450! HOWEVER, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE "TIMING BELT TENSIONER" WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE BELT TO WEAR OUT. THIS WAS AN ADDITIONAL $150 COST FOR THAT PART. I HAVE ALL THE PARTS FROM THE REPAIR. *JB

Mileage: 68,700

AIRBAG SHORT TO GROUND COOLANT SYSTEM SHORT TO GROUND. *JB

THE A/C QUITE WORKING WHILE DRIVING, ONCE IT WAS PARKED IT TURNED COOL FOR A MINUTE OR TWO THEN WENT HOT AGAIN. WE TOOK IT FOR A/C CHECK, ALL WAS FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MILES THEN IT WENT HOT AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, JUST BEFORE WE GOT THERE THE TEMP GAUGE CAME ON. THE DEALER FOUND THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OVERHEATING. THE PROBLEM IS THE LIGHT DIDN'T COME UNTIL THE DAMAGE WAS ALREADY DONE. *NM

I HAVE A 2000 BEETLE. BOUGHT IT USED WITH A EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM STARTED FEW MONTHS AFTER THE BUYING IT. THE CONSUMPTION OF OIL IS OUTRAGEOUS. I HAVE TO CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 800 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER PERFORMED A CONSUMPTION OIL TEST, AND ACCORDING WITH THEIR TEST THE CONSUMPTION OF OIL WAS WITHIN THE STANDARDS OF A REGULAR CONSUMPTION. HAVING TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL EVERY 800 MILES IS STRESSFUL. FEW WEEK AGO I HAD TO CHANGE THE SPARK PLUG BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T START. *JB

I HAVE A 2000 VW BEETLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF BUYING THE CAR I STARTED HAVING ENGINE/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT IN........SEVERAL TIMES, SAME PROBLEM. AS I AM DRIVING THE CAR IT JUST DIES. I CAN BE GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY OR 1 MPH PULLING TO OR AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN. WITH NO WARNING THE CAR CUTS OFF. IT ALWAYS STARTS BACK UP, BUT IT WILL CONTINUALLY DIE. I LOSE ALL POWER TO THE CAR INCLUDING STEERING. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN AND HAS BEEN FOR TWO YEARS AND APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES IN THE VW SHOP. THE CAR DEFINITELY HAS A PROBLEM THAT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIX. I HAVE OR MY WARRANTY COMPANY HAS REPEATEDLY PAID FOR THE SAME AND THEN SOME REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. SOME PARTS (THE SAME PART) WERE REPLACED WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. MOSTLY THE SHOP DETERMINES IT IS THE O2 SENSORS THROUGHOUT THE CAR (APPARENTLY YOU HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT O2 SENSORS) OR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TURBO (WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED ONCE OR TWICE NOW). THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. SOME MORE THAN ONCE. THE CAR STILL DIES. IT GIVES NO WARNING IT JUST SHUTS OFF. LOSING POWER AT 70 MPH ON A CROWDED INTERSTATE CAN SHAKE ONE UP. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THE MANUFACTURER, AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN. NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE OR WANT TO HELP ME. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP!*JB

Mileage: 45,208

THE CAR OVERHEATED AND THE TEMPERATURE LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE AUTOMOBILE TO A SERVICE STATION. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE BLADES TO THE FAN LYING ON THE ENGINE. HE HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP WITH PARTS ORDERED FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THE MECHANIC WAS ASTONISHED AT THE PLASTIC PARTS USED BY VOLKSWAGEN. THERE WAS ONLY 60,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. *JB

Mileage: 60,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN MAKING A LOUD, HORRENDOUS NOISE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND LOOKED AT THE MUFFLER, IT APPEARED INTACT. I DROVE SLOWLY TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PIPE OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THAT LEADS TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD DETACHED. THEY TOLD ME THE PIPE WAS STAINLESS STEEL AND THEY WERE NOT EVEN SURE HOW IT HAD EVER ATTACHED. THEY CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TO ASK WHAT COULD BE DONE. THE PEOPLE AT VOLKSWAGEN WANTED TO KNOW WHAT YEAR THE CAR WAS AND THE MILEAGE, 61,000 MILES. AFTER A HESITATION THEY TOLD THE MAN AT THE SERVICE STATION THAT IT WOULD COST $800 - $900 FOR A NEW SYSTEM. THE MAN AT THE SERVICE STATION DID AN EMERGENCY WELD, ALTHOUGH HE DIDN'T THINK THAT IT WOULD HOLD. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE SAW NO DAMAGE UNDER THE CAR THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PIPE TO DETACH. HE ALSO SAID HE WAS SUSPICIOUS OF THE MANNER IN WHICH THE VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE HAD QUESTIONED HIM ABOUT THE YEAR AND MILEAGE AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN MYSELF. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON THAT MODEL HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO 80,000 MILES OR 8 YEARS. I EXPLAINED THAT I WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS THE CONVERTER BUT IT WAS THE PIPE LEADING TO IT, I WAS ASSURED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY COVERED. I TOOK MY CAR TO PITCAIRN VOLKSWAGEN IN LANGHORNE, PA. THE PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN DIRECTLY AND SHOWED THEM PICTURES OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY CAR. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I HAD CAUSED THE DAMAGE. WHEN I ARGUED THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE, I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE I HAD THE EMERGENCY WELD DONE. THEY AGREED TO REINFORCE THE WELD BUT THAT WAS ALL. *JB

Mileage: 61,000

COOLING SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING THE ORIGINAL OVERHEATING. THE CAR HAS CONTINUED TO PERIDODICALLY OVERHEAT SINCE. THE CAR WAS FULLY REPAIRED FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT AND HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR MANY TIMES SINCE. NOW THERE ARE SEVERAL FAILURES WITH THE CAR.

Mileage: 80,000

COOLING SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING THE ORIGINAL OVERHEATING. THE CAR HAS CONTINUED TO PERIDODICALLY OVERHEAT SINCE. THE CAR WAS FULLY REPAIRED FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT AND HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR MANY TIMES SINCE. NOW THERE ARE SEVERAL FAILURES WITH THE CAR.

Mileage: 80,000

DT: CONSUMER'S CAR STALLED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WITH MOSTLY DECELERATION AND DOWN SHIFTING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE LOST POWER. EVERY TIME IT STALLED AND STOPPED, BUT ALWAYS RESTARTED. WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE BEFORE, BUT CURRENTLY A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. YESTERDAY AT FULL SPEED WHILE PASSING A TRUCK WITH NO INDICATION THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND LOST POWER. WHEN TRYING TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER LANE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER, IS CURRENTLY AWAITING AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT MAKES THIS HAPPEN. *AK

Mileage: 101,000

VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE 2000 1.8 TURBO (ENGINE TYPE: APH) HAS ENGINE STALLING PROBLEM, WHICH HAVEN'T BEEN FIXED BY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER BY 7 OR 8 TIMES. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO THE DRIVER. MY BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY WOULD BE EXPIRED ON JUNE 30TH, 2005, WHICH IS ONE MONTH LEFT. BUT THE VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICAN STILL REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE FUTURE DIAGNOSE FEE FOR THE SAME ISSUE.

Mileage: 64,000

CONSUMER STATES: THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP KEPT 5 DAYS AND NEVER RECOGNIZED PROBLEM. *TT

TO MAKE THIS SHORT THIS LINK TELLS THE WHOLE STORY IN DETAIL ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH MY CAR. HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1941470 CURRENTLY MY CAR IS STALLING RANDOMLY ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. VW OF AMERICA TELLS ME TO TAKE IT UP WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. WHICH I HAVE BEEN FOR 2 YEARS. THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS GIVING IT BACK TO ME UNFIXED BUT STILL REPLACING PARTS! THE DANGEROUS PART OF THIS IS THE STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN THE CAR DIES AND I'TS STILL MOVING. I AM FEARFUL OF DRIVING IT AND I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANYWHERE WITH VW. IF YOU GO TO THE LINK ABOVE AND READ THE THREAD YOU WILL SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE AND THAT IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PARTICULAR YEAR AND ENGINE AS MINE IN MOST REPLIES. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF MORE DETAILS OR INFORMATION IS NEEDED. I WOULD LIKE TO HELP FIND A SOLUTION BEFORE ANY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS HAPPEN OR ANYONE IS HURT. THANK YOU, DAVE WERBECK

Mileage: 23,000

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING TURNS VEHICLE STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE STOPPED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASS AIR METER, DIVERTER VALVE, OXYGEN SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP RELAY BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST. THE LOWER ENGINE COVER WAS DAMAGED AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. *NM

DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD IN AN ISOLATED AREA, LIMITED SHOULDER; WITHOUT WARNING CAR STOPPED RUNNING. HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION & THEN TO A DEALER. IT TURNED OUT THE TIMING BELT HAD FAILED AND HAD DESTROYED THE VAVLES AND PISTONS REQUIRING A NEW ENGINE TO FIX. MY CAR HAD 99,000 MILES ON IT. WARRANTY ON TIMING BELT FOR FIRST OWNER IS TO 100,000 MILES. VW SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS SAY THE TIMING BELT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT 105,000 MILES FOR YEAR 2000 MODELS. I AM CONCERNED NOT ONLY ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY COST THAT IS INVOLVED IN REPAIRING THIS FAILURE BUT ALSO IN THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO WARNING AND IT CAUSED COMPLETE FAILURE OF MY ENGINE. I HAVE READ ABOUT OTHER TIMING BELT FAILURES ON THIS VEHICLE. DEALER ASKED FOR AND WAS SUPPLIED INVOICES FOR EVERY REPAIR AND OIL CHANGE BUT REPAIR UNDER THE WARRANTY WAS DENIED BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY A DEALER AT 60,000 & 80,000 MILES. I CALLED THE 800 NUMBER FOR VW BUT VOLKSWAGEN WAS COMPLETELY UNINTERESTED IN MY STORY. THE ONLY TIME THE ISSUE OF CHECKING THE TIMING BELT WAS MENTIONED TO ME WAS AFTER IT BROKE! EVEN WHEN I HAD OTHER SERVICE PERFORMED AT 88,000 MILES BY THE DEALER. MY FEELING IS THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WHICH IS SO SEVERE THAT IT REQUIRES A NEW ENGINE IS UNACCEPTBLE AND UNEXPECTED. I HAVE OWNED OTHER CARS OF A DIFFERENT MAKE THAT HAD WELL OVER 100,000 MILES WITH LITTLE OR NO PROBLEMS. WHY WOULD VW RECOMMEND REPLACING THE TIMING BELT AT 100,000 MILES IF THERE IS A PROBABILITY THAT IT MAY NOT EVEN MAKE IT THAT FAR? WHAT USE IS A 100,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY IF THERE ARE SO MANY LOOP HOLES THAT VW DOES NOT EXPECT TO HAVE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY? *AK

Mileage: 99,273

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN CONSTRUCTION ZONE WITH CLOSE CEMENT BARRIERS ON BOTH SIDES, NO SHOULDER; WITHOUT WARNING CAR STOPPED RUNNING. IT TURNED OUT THE TIMING BELT HAD FAILED AND HAD DESTROYED THE VAVLES AND PISTONS REQUIRING A NEW ENGINE AND TIMING BELT TO FIX. MY CAR HAD 68,000 MILES ON IT. WARRANTY ON TIMING BELT FOR FIRST OWNER IS TO 100,000 MILES, BUT ONLY 50,000 MILES FOR SECOND OWNER. I AM SECOND OWNER. I AM CONCERNED NOT ONLY ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY COST THAT IS INVOLVED IN REPAIRING THIS FAILURE BUT ALSO IN THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO WARNING AND IT CAUSED COMPLETE FAILURE OF MY ENGINE. IT WAS EXTREMEMY DANGEROUS. I HAVE READ ABOUT OTHER TIMING BELT FAILURES ON THIS VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN IS COMPLETELY UNINTERESTED IN MY STORY BECAUSE I AM A SECOND OWNER. MY FEELING IS THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WHICH IS SO SEVERE THAT IT REQUIRES A NEW ENGINE IS UNACCEPTBLE AND UNEXPECTED AND UNSAFE ON A CAR WITH ONLY 68,000 MILES. IT USED TO BE A TIMING BELT FAILURE MADE A CAR RUN POORLY NOT GET DESTROYED.*AK

Mileage: 68,000

AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, WITHIN 15 MINUTE OR LESS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON LOCATION TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS STILL UNDETERMINED. *JB

Mileage: 50,000

WHILE DRIVING AND AT A STOP VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WOULD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 57,000

2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE LEAKING COOLANT, DEFECTIVE AIRFLOW SENSOR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW SWITCH. *MR THE WINDOW HAD TO BE OPERATED A CERTAIN WAY IN ORDER TO OPERATE PROPERLY,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO A BAD AIRFLOW SENSOR IN WHICH THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE COOLANT LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO THE TUBE THAT HAD RUN FROM THE COOLANT CONTAINER TO THE ENGINE HAD CUT IN IT AND LEAKED COOLANT. *SCC *JB

Mileage: 25,000

2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE LEAKING COOLANT, DEFECTIVE AIRFLOW SENSOR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW SWITCH. *MR THE WINDOW HAD TO BE OPERATED A CERTAIN WAY IN ORDER TO OPERATE PROPERLY,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO A BAD AIRFLOW SENSOR IN WHICH THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE COOLANT LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO THE TUBE THAT HAD RUN FROM THE COOLANT CONTAINER TO THE ENGINE HAD CUT IN IT AND LEAKED COOLANT. *SCC *JB

Mileage: 25,000

CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT COMIMG ON/OFF WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND STATED THAT AIR SENSOR FAILED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH A QUARTER TANK OF GAS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. *AK *SCC *JB

THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. PREVIOUSLY THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE STALLING CONTINUED. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE AND STALL WITHOUT NO POWER AT ALL. *AK

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *PH *JB

Mileage: 41,232

THE VEHICLE HESITATES, SHUTS DOWN AND WILL NOT RESTART. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH

CONSUMER STATED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED.*JB

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION IN THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED FOR OIL LEAKS. VEHICLE RUNS LOW ON OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF ENGINE.*JG

BOLTS THAT HOLD ENGINE FRONT ON RIGHT HAND SIDE CRYSTALIZED, HEAT TREATMENT FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO COME LOOSE. *AK *YH

VEHICLE BURNS 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY THOUSAND MILES. THIS IS NORMAL. CONSUMER FEELS ENGINE IS BURNING THE OIL AND SHOULD NOT ALSO IT MAY BE AN EMISSION ISSUE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE BURNS 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY THOUSAND MILES. THIS IS NORMAL. CONSUMER FEELS ENGINE IS BURNING THE OIL AND SHOULD NOT ALSO IT MAY BE AN EMISSION ISSUE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE DASBOARD AND THE VEHICLE WILL SHUTDOWN. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK *YD CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE ENGINE WHICH WAS REBUILT.

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION (1 QUART OIL EVERY 250 MILES!) YET DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DON'T WANT TO FIX IT UNTIL WE SAID WE WOULD SUIT IF THEY DON'T ACT ON IT. *AK

VEHICLE HAS STALLED 7-8 TIMES AT SPEEDS OF 55-65 MPH. DEALER HAS REPLACED O2 SENSOR 3 TIMES, HOWEVER THAT HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. *AK

DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE ENGINE WILL JUMP OR "BUCK", INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH IN TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT IDENTIFY CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND FRONT AND REAR OXYGEN SENSORS.*JB

CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND FRONT AND REAR OXYGEN SENSORS.*JB

THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT.*JB

THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT.*JB

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHICH REQUIRED THAT TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. ALSO, DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HEAD GASKET AND CONTROL VALVE FOR THE ENGINE WERE DEFECTIVE. NOTE: DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS. *AK *JB

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHICH REQUIRED THAT TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. ALSO, DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HEAD GASKET AND CONTROL VALVE FOR THE ENGINE WERE DEFECTIVE. NOTE: DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS. *AK *JB

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON. CONSUMER MUST RESTART VEHICLE. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH AND RAN TEST, BUT DEFECT STILL OCCURS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE.*AK CONSUMER STATES DEALER HAS ALSO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL. *SLC

WHEN IT IS EXTREMELY COLD (MOST OF THE TIME THE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN BELOW ZERO) THE CAR WILL LOSE POWER AND DIE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. I WAS GOING APPROX. 75 ON THE INTERSTATE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER AND DIED. THE TEMP. WAS TEN BELOW ZERO. I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED 4 TIMES WITH THIS VEHICLE IN TEMPERATURES BELOW ZERO. THANK GOD FOR CELL PHONES!! I AM WORRIED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING ON RAILROAD CROSSINGS OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND VOLKSWAGEN FOR A REFUND- JUST WANTED YOU TO BE AWARE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE BEETLE.*AK

DRIVING ALONG AT HIGHWAY SPEED, DIESEL ENGINE DIES, WON'T RESTART, TOWED 5 TIMES. *AK

UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE WAS HARD CARDBOARD, WHEN GOING OVER A HIGH SPEED BUMP IT RIPPED UNDERCARRIAGE OFF. ALSO IN HEAVY RAIN, IT TEARS AND COMES OFF. HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES, REPLACED ONCE. DEALER SAID IT WAS POOR DESIGN.*AK THE UNDERCARRIAGE CAME OFF SEVERAL TIMES AFTER BEING REPLACED. THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE AND THE A/C HAD FAILED. *YH

WHILE DRIVING AT 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN REGARDLESS OF BRAKING BY THE DRIVER. OIL PAN FAILURE WAS FOUND OUT TO BE THE CAUSE. *YH

OIL PAN BROKE, AND DEALER REPLACED OIL PAN. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF OIL PUMP AT 13,000 MILES AND AT 14000 MILES. DEALER STATED ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

TEMPERATURE GAUGE WARNING LIGHT BROKE AND RESERVOIR TANK SENSOR FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. NLM

TEMPERATURE GAUGE WARNING LIGHT BROKE AND RESERVOIR TANK SENSOR FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR ANY TIME, VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH. ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. BEEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES, AND DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON. THEN SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO NEAREST VW DEALER. DEALER SAID THAT BOTH ELECTRIC FANS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A KINK IN THE WIRE OF ONE OF THE FANS THAT CAUSED IT TO FAIL. BOTH FANS BASICALLY MELTED AND BLEW APART. *AK *ML

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON. THEN SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO NEAREST VW DEALER. DEALER SAID THAT BOTH ELECTRIC FANS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A KINK IN THE WIRE OF ONE OF THE FANS THAT CAUSED IT TO FAIL. BOTH FANS BASICALLY MELTED AND BLEW APART. *AK *ML