2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE Exterior Lighting Problems

BRAKE LIGHT. *TR

Mileage: 19,000

THE FRONT LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I CHANGE OUT THE BULBS AND THEY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. AS I WAS DRIVING OVER COLIMA ROAD TOWARD WHITTIER, CA ON THE WAY HOME, ONE LIGHT WENT OUT AND THEN THE OTHER. COLIMA RD IS AN UNLIT ROAD. I DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT. I HAVE SPENT OVER 150.00 ON MECHANICS TRYING TO GET IT FIXED. I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, AND IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURE.

Mileage: 55,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS DISENGAGED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FAILED TO FULLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS. *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

TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHERS QUIT WORKING, THIS IS A 2000 GLS MODEL BUT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2000 GTI MODEL FOR THE EXACT SAME THING. ACCORDING TO VW THE GLS MODEL IS NOT COVERED. THE NHTSA NUMBER FOR THE GTI MODEL IS 04V584000. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

2000 BEETLE CUSTOMER CAN'T GET AN APPOINTMENT TO FIXING A SAFETY RECALL N-4**CC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. RECALL# 06V183000. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE CONTACT HAD ALREADY HAD THE REPAIR DONE WHEN THE RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED. THE CONTACT WENT THROUGH THE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND RECEIVED A CHECK FOR $67.59. THE CONTACT PAID A TOTAL OF $224.46. THE CONTACT CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TO SEE WHY HE RECEIVED THIS AMOUNT, AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS ALL THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY.*AK

Mileage: 119,366

2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FELL OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY. UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC DETERMINED THE PLASTIC PIECE HOLDING THE HEADLIGHT BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. *KB *JB

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN 2003 THAT MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH INCLUDING THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON INDEFINITELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO BILL JACOBS VOLKSWAGEN NAPERVILLE, IL AND HAD IT INSPECTED. IN JUNE 2005 MY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO BILL JACOBS AND AFTER SOME DISAGREEMENT OVER THE RECALL BEING CLOSED THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FOR FREE. IN JUNE 2006, JUST UNDER A YEAR, MY BRAKE LIGHTS AGAIN CAME ON AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ONCE AGAIN. VOLKSWAGEN IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSE THE INVOICE TO DATE SINCE THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE PART WAS NOT QUITE A YEAR OLD. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY ISSUE THAT THIS BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION RAISES. MY LIGHTS COULD STOP WORKING OR STAY ON WITH NO NOTICE AND I DRIVE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA. I NOTICED ON YOUR WEB SITE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 9 OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED SINCE THE RECALL THAT IDENTIFY THIS PROBLEM. *NM

RECENTLY I BROUGHT MY NIECE'S VW 2000 NEW BEETLE TO THE VW DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED. IT WAS CLEARLY EVIDENT FROM INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AND THE RECALL NOTICE BELOW THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER THE DEALER INDICATED THE VIN FOR MY NIECE'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED BY VW. WE HAD IT FIXED ANYWAY AT OUR COST AND IT WAS EXACTLY WHAT IS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. LATER I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE IN THE US AND THEY DISCUSSED THE MATTER WITH THE DEALER AND CONFIRMED THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE SERVICE COST FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE SWITCH. SURPRISINGLY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AT VW KNEW VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE RECALL AND COULD NOT ACCESS READILY AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON THE WEB TO UNDERSTAND IT. THE VIN FOR OUR VEHICLE IS [XXX]... VW SHOULD BE FORCED TO EXPAND THE RECALL TO ALL VEHICLES, SINCE IT IS CLEAR THE PROBLEM EXIST WTH MANY OTHER VEHICLES BEYOND THOSE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL AND THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. * MAKE : VOLKSWAGEN MODEL : NEW BEETLE YEAR : 2000 MANUFACTURER : VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V265000 MFG'S REPORT DATE : JUL 25, 2003 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED : 295136 SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION. CONSEQUENCE: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE; OR THE LAMPS COULD COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 26, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987. NOTES: VW RECALL NO. WT. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATIONS AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 27,200

SINCE NEW, IN THE PAST (4) YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLAMP BULB (5) TIMES AND THE PASS. SIDE HEADLAMP BULB (4) TIMES (DAYTIME RUNNING AND LOW BEAM). NOW, THE DAYTIME RUNNING AND LOW BEAM LIGHTS DO NO FUNCTION AT ALL!*AK I CANNOT FIND ANY BLOWN FUSES OR CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND AFTER REVIEWING SEVERAL VW OWNER SUPPORT SITES, I'M TOLD IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS DO TO CORROSION FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE SPILLAGE. THE ONLY WAY TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT OR DUSK IS BY USING THE HIGH BEAM LAMPS. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THIS CAR, 2000 VW BEETLE WITH THE 1.8 TURBO ENGINE.

Mileage: 85,200

I HAVE A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE AND ITS RIGHT HEAD LIGHT HAS GONE OUT AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT A LOT OF VOLKSWAGENS RIGHT HEADLIGHT IS OUT AS WELL NOT JUST ON BETTLES BUT ALSO ITS OTHER MODELS. JUST WONDERING IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN THERE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. *JB

03V265000/EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICE WORK DONE. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES OR THE BRAKE LIGHT. NOW, CONSUMER HAS DIFFICULTY CHANGING GEARS WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE CONSUMER STRANDED. THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND AFTER SEVERAL MOMENTS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE HIM THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE WAS THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DURING THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE WAS 27 DAYS PAST THE 12 MONTH 12,000 MILES REPLACEMENT PARTS WARRANTY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Mileage: 30,000

WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS A PROBLEM/RECALL WITH THE NEW VW BEATLE. I HAVE A 2000 AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS 4-5 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR OR SO. ALSO I SEE ALOT OF THEM ON THGE HIGHWAY WITH ONE HEADLIGHT OUT. DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION INREFERENCE TO THIS ISSUE. *AK

Mileage: 37,000

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE EPC INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER STATED THE SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND A NEW BRAKE SWITCH WAS INSTALLED, HOWEVER WHEN CONSUMER RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE, SHE NOTICED THAT IT FELT DIFFERENT, IT FELT TIGHT, CONSUMER SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES HAD FROZE AND WOULD NOT MOVE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE NEW BRAKE SWITCH THAT WAS INSTALLED HAD CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*JB

CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB FAILED, ALSO THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS LOCATED IN PLACE THAT IS HARD TO GET TO, THE DEALER STATED IT TOOK 45 MINUTES TO REMOVE THE INSIDE PANELLING AND 2 SECONDS TO CHANGE THE BULB.*JB

FAILED HEADLIGHT CANNOT BE REPLACED BY OWNER BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY OF REMOVING FRONT CAR PANEL. THE ONLY DEALER WITHIN 30 MINUTE DRIVE CANNOT WORK ON THE CAR WITHIN THE NEXT 5 DAYS, RESULTING IN CAR HAVING TO BE DRIVEN WITHOUT HEADLIGHT. SUGGEST DEALERS MAKE EXCEPTIONS FOR WORKING ON CARS IN NEED OF A HEADLIGHT, SINCE IT'S A CORE PIECE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND THAT CONSUMERS BE MADE AWARE OF THE DESIGN PROBLEM BEFORE BUYING THIS CAR BECAUSE OF BOTH THE TIME AND EXPENSE INVOLVED IN A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO FAILURE AT ANY TIME. *AK