2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE Air Bags Problems

AIR BAG LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF, STARTED AT 33650 MILES, RIGHT AFTER MY MOM SIGNED OVER THE CAR TO ME.

Mileage: 33,640

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WHICH WAS A PART OF THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL SEAT BELT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

Mileage: 94,000

AIR BAG LIGHTS ON AND SEEMS THE DEALER CANNOT GET PARTS TO FIX ??

Mileage: 32,000

VW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, OBD SENSOR PORT NOT READING, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON, NOW RADIO IS GOING ON AND OFF. STARTED YESTERDAY MORNING,WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE ABS STARTED AFTER WORK ON THE WAY HOME.

Mileage: 5

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON LAST YEAR, RESOLVED. BACK ON, I SEE OLD RECALL? WHAT TO DO?

Mileage: 60,000

MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ALL AT ONCE MY AIRBAG/SEATBEILT LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME

Mileage: 118,000

1. AIR BAG: THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATING. 2. SUNROOF DRAIN SYSTEM CLOGGED: THERE IS LEAKAGE THROUGH THE SUNROOF OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALL RAIN WATER IS COMING IN FROM THE PASSENGER DOOR. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS OF THUNDER STORMS THE CAR HAS WATER ALL OVER THE INSIDE AND THE CEILING AND SMELLS BAD. (AS SOON AS I FOUND OUT THE SUNROOF LEAKAGE PROBLEM OF THIS CAR, I FOUND THAT HE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT HAS APPROVED A $69 MILLION SETTLEMENT STEMMING FROM A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT THAT STARTED IN 2007 OVER LEAKING SUNROOFS. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2014/VOLKSWAGEN-SETTLES-LAWSUIT-LEAKING-SUNROOFS.SHTML)

Mileage: 122,000

IN 2008 I TOOK MY VW BEETLE TO THE VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN MURRIETA, CA ON DATE STREET AND THEY HAVE RECORD THAT THEY FIXED THE AIR BAG LIGHT/ AND REPLACE THE SWITCH WHICH WAS LIT UP ON MY DASH INSTRUMENT PANEL. WELL I TOOK THE SAME CAR 2004 VW BEETLE BACK ON 08/17/2015 AT 8:15 AM SO THEY COULD TAKE CARE OF MY AIRBAG LIGHT WHICH CAME ON AGAIN AT 107,000 MILES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL SWITCHES FROM THE SEATBELTS TO THE FRONTEND AND ALSO BEHIND THE CARS DASH THAT CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON BUT, BEING THIS IS A LIFE SAVING PART ON MY CAR I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A RECALL SERVICE AND PART ON MY RETURN VISIT. AS I SEE IT THIS IS A DEFECT AND A SAFETY HAZARD AND I SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED A $126.00 TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND PAY MORE FOR THE PART AND SERVICE TO FIX A DEFECTIVE ITEM. IF I'M INCORRECT PLEASE ADVISE ME SO I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS MY FAULT. I THOUGHT IF YOU FIXED THE PROBLEM THEN IT SHOULD BE ON THE COMPANY OR PERSONS WHO REPAIRED THE RECALL ISSUE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE TO MY FRUSTRATION WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 2,500

I WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND MY FRONT BUMPER HIT A PARKED CAR, AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND RENDERED ME UNCONSCIENCE IT CAUSED $12,000 TO MY TEETH AND POSSIBLE HEAD INJURY AND 18 MONTHS AT A SPECIALIST DENTAL, HAD TO HAVE A BONE GRAPH AND STINT IN MY MOUTH, LIVER AND ABDOMINAL CONTUSION HAD TO PAY AN ATTORNEY $9,000 TO AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT ME IN COURT, I LOST MY JOB AND AM NOW ON SSD

Mileage: 45,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V356000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,600.

Mileage: 117,600

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WIRING HAS FAILED THUS ILLUMINATING THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE SEAT BELT WIRING IS OF MINUTE DIAMETER WITH LITTLE SHIELDING AND POOR CONDUIT. BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT MUST FLEX WHEN MOVING THE SEAT FORWARD, THE STRAIN ON THE WIRING IN THE SEAT BELT RIPS THE WIRING FROM IT'S SOLDERED JOINT. THIS CAUSES THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND CAUSES THE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO REVERT TO A BACKUP ALGORITHM THAT PUTS THE DRIVER IN A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT. THIS "BACKUP" ALGORITHM WILL NOT MONITOR VEHICLE SPEED AND WILL AUTOMATICALLY DEPLOY THE AIRBAG AT A DEFAULT AMOUNT OF FORCE REGARDLESS OF IMPACT FORCE. THIS MEANS THAT A MINOR FENDER BENDER THAT REACHES THE AIRBAG FORCE THRESHOLD COULD DEPLOY THE AIRBAG AT A FORCE TOO GREAT AND CONVERSELY A HIGH SPEED IMPACT MAY DEPLOY THE AIRBAG WITH INSUFFICIENT FORCE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH WILL ALERT YOU AS TO HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS. AFTER CALLING MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME "WE REPLACE A TON OF THOSE SEATBELTS." VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS EGREGIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART BEFORE FATAL CONSEQUENCES FURTHER PROVE THIS IS A DEADLY AND EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON. THIS MEANS THE AIRBAGS WERE DISABLED. DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THE SEAT BELT CLASP ON THE DRIVER SEAT AS THE PROBLEM. THE ELECTRONICS IN THE CLASP WERE NOT COMMUNICATING CORRECTLY CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO BE DISABLED. THE SEATBELT AS A SAFETY MECHANISM ITSELF WAS NOT COMPROMISED. THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN AND COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL AND THAT THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE SEATBELT CLASP AT A COST OF ABOUT $300.00. THE CAUSE OF THE SEATBELT CLASP TO FAIL WAS THE MOTION OF MOVING THE SEAT BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS. TO ACCESS THE REAR SEATS OF THE CAR THE SEAT MUST BE MOVED BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS AS IT IS A TWO DOOR CAR. OVERTIME, THIS ACTIVITY WORE OUT SOME ELECTRONICS IN THE CLASP CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO BE DISABLED. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM THAT IS CUSTOMARILY REPLACED SUCH AS TIRES, BRAKE PADS OR WIPER BLADES. THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD RECOGNIZE THIS CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE AND OFFER TO VOLUNTARILY RECALL THE VEHICLES AND/OR OFFER TO PAY FOR A FIX IN OUR CASE. *TR

MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON YET AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST AND WAS FIXED BY A VW DEALER BY CHANGING THE INFREQUENTLY USED PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR WAS $360. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER. IT WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER AND SCANNED AND FOUND TO BE A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. THE ESTIMATE FOR THE FIX WAS ABOUT $800 WITH THE ADVISORY THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE FIXED WITH THAT PART REPLACEMENT. THE SERVICE REPORT READS, "AIRBAG CRASH SENSORS MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL IF SOFTWARE IS DIFFERENT FROM NEW MODULE." IT SOUNDS LIKE THE VW TECHNICIANS THEMSELVES ARE GUESSING ABOUT THE REPAIR. THERE IS REPORTEDLY A VW RECALL ON THE 2003-2005 BEETLE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE BUT THE VW DEALER AS WELL AS VW CUSTOMER SERVICE (800-374-8389) BOTH TELL ME THAT IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. THE INTERNET VW BEETLE FORUMS ARE REPLETE WITH REPORTS OF AIRBAG SYSTEM PROBLEMS. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT TO ADD TO THE CURRENT LIST OF SUCH COMPLAINTS WITH THE HOPES THAT VW WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT IN THEIR DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE 2004 VW BEETLE. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 05/28/14*LJ UPDATED 8/17/17*CN

Mileage: 59,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V178000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

AIR BAG MODULE LITE STAYS ON. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 800 TO REPLACE MODULE. THIS VEHICLE AT THIS HAS ONLY 71802 MILES AS OF JUNE 26,2013. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A VW DEALERSHIP FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

CAR WOULDN'T EXCEL WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY 1 MILE FROM TOWN SUDDENLY TRAFFIC SLOWED FROM SNOW STORM IN TOWN,THE VEHICLE SMELL WAS FUNNY BLACK SMOKED SLOWLY LEAKED INSIDE THE CAR WINDOWS UP HEARD A MISFIRE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON BLINKED THEN I HEARD LOUD BLAST LIKE I THOUGHT IT WAS A PLOW TRUCKS MUFFLER LOUDNESS REALIZED IR WAS MY VEHICLE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY LESS 1/3 MILE AT BANK. SHUT OFF MOTOR M NOW SEEING SMOKE SLOWLY ENTERED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 2 FRONT SEATSAND CONSOLE. FEELING HOT UNDER BELLY OF FLOORS. ORANGE GLOW THROUGH ELECTRICAL OUTLET IN BACK OF CONSOLE APPEARED TO BE HOTWITH PLASTIC CASING IN AND UNDER FLOORS HOT SIZZLING CRACKLING UNDER CENTER CASING/I TRY TO CALL 911 MISUSED THE CELL WOULDN'T OPERATE EFFECTIVELY FLAGGED DOWN A MAN N WOMAN AT THE CORNER LIGHT OF BANK THEY DECLINED TO HELP SO I WENT TO CAR PUT SNOW ON COMPARTMENT AND WET IT DOWN AND AIRED OUT SMOKE WITH PASSENGER DOOR OPEN .I WENT IN BANK FOR ASSISTANCE .THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR SAFETY ISSUES BY MANUFACTURER IN THE PAST .WERE SAID TO BE CORRECTED BY REPAIRMAN ALSO SAID SEATBELT HARNESS WAS A ISSUE HEATED SEATS WERE A ISSUE AND AIRBAGS TRANNY ALSO RECALLED FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND OR TRANSMISSION AND AIR BAGS ON SOME 2004 VW VEHICLE BEETLES RECALLS SO FAR OCCURRED TO THIS VW WERE AIRBAG SENSORS/ ALSO THE SEATBELT HARNESS CASES WERE BREAKING REPEATEDLY ONCE PURCHASED DUE TO PUTTING THE SEATS UP AND BACK TO GET IN THE VEHICLE. NOW THIS MYSTERIOUS FIRE AND HEADLAMP ISSUE.. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VW BEETLE IN MAY OF 2010, FOR MY BIRTHDAY FROM HOLLYWOOD AUTO BROKERS IN LOS ANGELES, CA. THE CAR RAN SMOOTH FOR ABOUT A COURSE OF FIVE TO SIX MONTHS, I HAD TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP EARLY ON BECAUSE MY HEAD LIGHTS WERE OUT WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR, A JERKING AND EXTREMELY WEIRD DECELERATION OF THE CAR WOULD BEGIN, BUT IT WOULD "POP BACK TO NORMAL" AFTER A WHILE, MAYBE THREE TO TEN SECONDS. THIS HAD GONE ON AND HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE FIVE MONTHS AFTER I BROUGHT IT. I FINALLY MADE IT BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND HE RODE WITH ME ON A TEST DRIVE AROUND THE CORNER AND OF COURSE IT DIDN'T REPEAT THE PREVIOUS SHOW OF DEFECTS. HE ASSURED ME THE CAR IS JUST BEING BROKEN IN. A YEAR GOES BY AND I DECIDED I WANT TO TRADE IN MY CAR FOR ANOTHER CAR, SO I HEAD TO NISSAN. I TEST DRIVE A CAR AND LOVE IT AND THEN GO IN FOR THE PAPER WORK. THE GUY RUNS MY VIN TO SEE MY CAR VALUE AND COME BACKS AND TELL ME MY CAR TITLE IS SALVAGED. TO MY DISBELIEF AND DISGUST, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY FINANCIAL COMPANY, AL FINANCIAL OF GLENDALE, CA THAT I AM LEASING THE CAR FROM. THEY GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND AND ASSURE ME THAT THE TITLE IS CLEAN AND NOT A SALVAGE. I CONTINUE ON MY INVESTIGATION AND COME TO A CARFAX WEBSITE TO GET THE REAL FACTS ON MY DEFECTED VEHICLE. THE INFORMATION REVEALS THAT NOT ONLY IS THE TITLE SALVAGE BUT IT HAD BODILY DAMAGE AND HAD BEEN TOTALED OUT FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY FROM IT'S PREVIOUS OWNER. THE CAR HAD BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM MEXICO AND REGISTERED IN THE STATES AGAIN AS A NEW CAR I BELIEVE. I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS SITUATION ASAP AND GET SOME CLOSURE ON A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT IS MESSING WITH MY INCOME AS I AM A TRAVEL NURSE FOR HOSPICE PATIENTS. RECENTLY THE WATER PUMP HAS GONE OUT AND I'M NOT SURE YET IF I NEED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS. I HOPE I CAN HEAR AN RESPONSE IN A GOOD ENOUGH AMOUNT OF TIME SO I CAN WORK OUT AN REIMBURSEMENT OF SOME KIND WITH PAYMENT ON EITHER BEHALF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,631.

Mileage: 27,000

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAY ON(CONCERNED ABOUT NOT WORKING PROPERLY IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT) TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP FOR CODE READ: AIRBAG MODULE SHORTED. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND CARPET NEED TO BE REMOVED FOR REPLACEMENT OF AIRBAG BECAUSE WIRE UNDER THE SEAT IS TOO SHORT THAT IT TORN WHEN THE SEAT WAS MOVED FORWARD TO ALLOW ACCESS TO REAR SEAT. THIS SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURED FAULT. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

THIS VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG SENSORS. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD THE SENSORS REPLACED (THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY BASED ON TIME). VW REFUSED ULTIMATELY REIMBURSED US FOR THE REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSORS. IN JANUARY OF 2011 THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER CHARGED A FEE TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE LIGHT WAS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, AND THE FACT THAT THE BATTERY WAS DISCHARGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THEY WANTED APPROXIMATELY $480 TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, AND $245 TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. I CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE BUCKLE FOR NO CHARGE, BUT WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THE BATTERY. VW OPENED A CASE # 110006836 AND REGIONAL MANAGER LISA WAS THE CONTACT. WE HAD AAA COME TO DO A TEST ON THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM BOTH PASSED THE TEST. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT A TRICKLE CHARGE WOULD BRING THE BATTERY TO A FULL CHARGE. IN ADDITION, VW AGREED TO DO A ONE TIME COURTESY REPLACEMENT OF THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF SINCE THE FABRIC HAD SEPARATED FROM THE REAR WINDOW. A CLIP RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED, BUT THE HEADLINER WAS HANGING DOWN AND HAD SEPARATED FROM THE REAR WINDOW. WE FEARED THAT THE WINDOW COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. STATEMENT INDICATES THAT VW PERFORMED 61.07-02 TECH BULLETIN TO PERFORM MODIFICATIONS TO THE REAR WINDOW.

Mileage: 34,000

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS THE SUBJECT OF AN EARLIER RECALL DUE TO SENSORS. WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND NOT DUE TO SENSORS. WE WERE ALSO ORIGINALLY TOLD IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY BATTERY. HOWEVER, THE BATTERY WAS CHECKED BY AAA AND WAS NOT FAULTY. EVENTUALLY VW AGREED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 34,000

2004 NEW BEETLE CONV TURBO . ALWAYS IN SHOP. ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS. IN THE SHOP MORE THAN AT HOME. ELEC ISSUES,WINDOWS NOT WORKING, AIR BAG LIGHTS FLASHING, TOP STAYING DOWN WONT GO UP ONE REPAIR AFTER ANOTHER. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE. WHAT A PIECE OF [XXX]. JUST HOPE SOME ONE READS THIS AND TALKS THEIR DAUGHTER OR WIFE OUT OF MAKING A 20,000 DOLLAR MISTAKE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 96,000

2004 VW CONVERTIBLE BEETLE NEEDS THE VALVE BODY REPLACED. CAR ONLY HAS 61,900 MILES ON IT. REAR WINDOWS BOTH HAVE BROKEN AIR BAG SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 61,900

AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ON SINCE CAR WAS NEW DESPITE NUMEROUS REPAIRS *TR

Mileage: 10

2004 VW NEW BEETLE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINS ON. SENSOR WAS REPLACED IN NOV. 2004, SEPT. 2006 AND MARCH 2007. VW SAYS THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL # 08V178000. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL VW APPROVES IT AND DEALERSHIP WANTS US TO PAY FOR *ANOTHER* EVALUATION. LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 1 YEAR, HAD IT EVALUATED JULY 2009. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,000. MILEAGE WHEN LIGHT CAME ON WAS 71,000. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

2004 VW NEW BEETLE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINS ON. SENSOR WAS REPLACED IN NOV. 2004, SEPT. 2006 AND MARCH 2007. VW SAYS THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL # 08V178000. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL VW APPROVES IT AND DEALERSHIP WANTS US TO PAY FOR *ANOTHER* EVALUATION. LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 1 YEAR, HAD IT EVALUATED JULY 2009. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,000. MILEAGE WHEN LIGHT CAME ON WAS 71,000. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

VW BEETLE, AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION FOR MY 2004 MODEL. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR FOR REPAIR FOR AT LEAST 4-TIMES IN THE PAST 4-YEARS. I BELIEVE THE INITIAL RECALL # 03V3S6000 WAS NEVER CORRECTED AND COMPANY IS NOT CONCERNED IN FIXING IT EVER. *TR

Mileage: 74,620

PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION/SHIFTING PROBLEMS. EVERYTIME THE CAR SHIFTS INTO A GEAR, ITS VERY ROUGH AND INFACT WILL JERK VERY HARD. THIS STARTED EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE AND BEGAN HAPPENING MORE REGULAR AS A MONTH OR SO WENT ON. NOW IT WILL STICK IN 3RD GEAR AND JUST STAY THERE. WE CAN STOP AT A REDLIGHT, AND IT WILL REMAIN IN 3RD GEAR, THEN DRIVE FROM THE REDLIGHT WITH THE CAR STARTING IN 3RD GEAR! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE THE CAR WILL STICK WHEN SHIFTING ALMOST EVERYTIME AND YOU COULD PUSH THE GAS BUT ONLY THE RPMS WILL GO UP..NOTHING ELSE. THIS COULD CAUSE ME TO BE REAR ENDED OR HIT FROM THE SIDE WHEN TURNING LEFT. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS DUE TO THIS ISSUE! I HAVE CHILDREN, AND THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ANYMORE. I HAVE PRICED WHAT WOULD FIX THIS, AND ITS NOT ONLY THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD IT, BUT THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IS ONLY TEMPORARY! I HAVE SEEN MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE SAME CAR, AND THEY HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS DOLLARS ON A PROBLEM THAT STILL PERSISTS. THIS PAST SATURDAY MY FAMILY WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR STUCK IN GEAR GOING 45 MPH, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO DESCEND IN SPEED, GIVING THE PEOPLE BEHIND US HARDLY NO TIME TO REALIZE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. WE WERE VERY VERY CLOSE TO AN ACCIDENT. TO ADD TO THIS PROBLEM I HAVE HAD AN AIRBAG SENSOR COME ON THE DASH ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I HAD THIS LOOKED AT BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY RECALL, BUT THE VW DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS NO ONE OF THE VINS, BUT LOOKED AS IF IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM! THIS IS SERIOUS! THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX IT, FOR A VERY HIGH AMOUNT, BUT IF IT WAS DEFECTIVE THAT I COULD BE BRINGING IT BACK IN FOR REPAIR! THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!!! WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LIFE OR DEATH IN A CRASH! *TR

Mileage: 82,000

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE [XXX] AIR BAG LIGHT HAS CAME ON TWICE AND VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISES ANYTIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVE & PASSENGER SEAT BELT LATCH TO MAKE THE AIR BAG LIGHT GO OFF AT A COST OF $600.32. IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL? *TR

Mileage: 89,177

MY 2004 VW BEETLE SHOWED AN AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. I TOOK IT TO VW UNDER A RECALL AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR FREE. 3 MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. VW SAID THE CAR HAD A BAD DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE. COST WOULD BE $ 331.07 PLUS TAX. I STILL HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. IT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT A BAD SEAT BELT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CAR COMPANY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHENEVER HE STARTED HIS VEHICLE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AND THEN REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A MONTH AND A HALF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

Mileage: 13,000

2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE TURBO...2.0 LITER ENGINE...THE TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING DOWN OR UP....FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS REARENED IT IN THE BACK....HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP AND COUPLE OF OTHER TRANSMISSION PLACES...THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY...NOW THAT IT HAS 94000 MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY DECIDE IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION.....WE HAVE HAD IT SERVICED JUST LIKE WE SHOULD...IT DOESN'T MATTER...WE DON'T HAVE 6000.00 TO GET IT FIXED...SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE...I'VE TALKED WITH MANY, MANY VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM..HOW MANY DOES IT TAKE BEFORE YOU GUYS DO A RECALL? *TR

Mileage: 75,000

VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE '04 (APPROX. 80K MILES) - SLIPPING AND BANGING TRANSMISSION. SLAMS AND BANGS HARD WITH EACH DOWNSHIFT (AUTOMATIC) AFTER ABOUT 15 MILES OR DRIVING. SLIPS OR WILL NOT MOVE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLAMMING AND BANGING BEGINS. CANNOT DRIVE CAR IN TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OR BEING REAR ENDED OR BROADSIDED, THEREFORE, CANNOT SAFELY OR DEPENDABLY DRIVE THE CAR. EXPECTED THOUSANDS TO REPAIR IF A MECHANIC WHO UNDERSTANDS THE PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND. MANY OF THE KNOW ISSUES WITH CAR HAVE ALSO OCCURRED; BROKEN PLASTIC WATER PUMP, REAR WINDOW SEAL BROKEN, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN, PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LIGHT MALFUNCTION, HEADLIGHTS UNEVEN BRIGHTNESS, SHORT IN DASH, HEATED SEAT TOO HOT TO USE (FEAR OF FIRE) AND INCREDIBLE DOOR RATTLES. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

AIR BAG LIGHT WONT GO OFF. WAS TOLD THE SEATBELT SENSOR CAME LOOSE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED COSTING $350. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, DOES NOT TURN OFF. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES. PLEASE REFER TO COMPLAIN ODI 10279199. CALLED VW RECALL CENTER 800.822.8987, THERE IS A RECALL #08V178000 FOR EXACT SAME ISSUE. VW SAID MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED FOR THAT ISSUE. ASKED IF THEY WOULD TAKE MY CAR FOR INSPECTION, REQUEST DENIED UNLESS I PAID FOR THE INSPECTION. MY CONCERN IS THAT AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT TO MY FAMILY, BESIDES THE ACTUAL ISSUE OF NOT DEPLOYING PROPERLY. EVEN IF MY VEHICLE HAS NO DUAL STAGE AIRBAG, THE ISSUE OF AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON MAY BE CAUSED BY THE SAME QUALITY/POOR DESIGN ROOT CAUSE. BELOW IS THE ACTUAL RECALL DESCRIPTION AND REMEDY: "VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 76,900 MY 2004-2005 NEW BEETLE AND MY 2003-2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED (DUAL-STAGE) AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM MAY HAVE AIR BAG FRONTAL CRASH SENSORS THAT CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE FALLBACK ALGORITHM WILL ENSURE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS ALWAYS DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE'S DECELERATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS. CONSEQUENCE: IN LOW-SEVERITY FRONTAL IMPACTS, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY MORE FORCEFULLY THAN DESIGNED, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO OUT-OF-POSITION FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSPECT EACH VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE SPECIFIC DEFECT CRASH SENSOR IS PRESENT ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE DEFECT CRASH SENSORS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987". *TR

Mileage: 62,000

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES. PLEASE REFER TO COMPLAIN ODI 10279199. CALLED VW RECALL CENTER 800.822.8987, THERE IS A RECALL #08V178000 FOR EXACT SAME ISSUE. VW SAID MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED FOR THAT ISSUE. ASKED IF THEY WOULD TAKE MY CAR FOR INSPECTION, REQUEST DENIED UNLESS I PAID FOR THE INSPECTION. MY CONCERN IS THAT AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT TO MY FAMILY, BESIDES THE ACTUAL ISSUE OF NOT DEPLOYING PROPERLY. EVEN IF MY VEHICLE HAS NO DUAL STAGE AIRBAG, THE ISSUE OF AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON MAY BE CAUSED BY THE SAME QUALITY/POOR DESIGN ROOT CAUSE. BELOW IS THE ACTUAL RECALL DESCRIPTION AND REMEDY: "VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 76,900 MY 2004-2005 NEW BEETLE AND MY 2003-2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED (DUAL-STAGE) AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM MAY HAVE AIR BAG FRONTAL CRASH SENSORS THAT CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE FALLBACK ALGORITHM WILL ENSURE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS ALWAYS DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE'S DECELERATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS. CONSEQUENCE: IN LOW-SEVERITY FRONTAL IMPACTS, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY MORE FORCEFULLY THAN DESIGNED, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO OUT-OF-POSITION FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSPECT EACH VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE SPECIFIC DEFECT CRASH SENSOR IS PRESENT ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE DEFECT CRASH SENSORS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987". *TR

Mileage: 62,000

2004 VW BEETLE 27,660 MILES VW DEALER - KELLY MOTOR, SCRANTON, PA AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK CAR TO VW. PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED CONTROL MODULE DEFECTIVE. TOLD PART WILL TAKE 8 WEEKS TO ARRIVE. CAR SIDE AIRBAG NOW DOES NOT WORK. 2ND TIME AIRBAG LIGHT HAS LIGHTED AND BEEN IN SHOP, THIS ON TOP OF RECENT RECALL FOR ANOTHER AIRBAG SENSOR FIXED EARLIER THIS YEAR. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT BEING WITHOUT AN AIRBAG FOR 8 WEEKS; VW HAS NO REASON FOR THE DELAY. I CALLED THEIR HEADQUARTERS IN CALIFORNIA WITH NO SUCCESS. SECOND CONCERN IS GENERAL RELIABILITY FOR THIS AIRBAG SYSTEM DUE TO REPAIRS PLUS RECALL. VW WON'T RESPOND IN GETTING THIS PART IN EARLIER, CAN YOU HELP GET THIS PART TO MY VW DEALER SO THEY CAN MAKE THIS CAR SAFE? THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 27,660

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON WITHOUT APPARENT REASONS. NO COLLISION OR BUMPS. *TR

Mileage: 13,000

AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON (CONCERNED ABOUT NOT WORKING PROPERLY IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT) POSSIBLE WIRE THAT IS TOO SHORT UNDER THE SEAT BREAKING WHEN IT IS MOVED FORWARD TO ALLOW ACCESS TO REAR SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 82,400

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR DID NOT DIM ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT LATCH FOR THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A FAILED WIRE BY THE LATCH OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,888 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,858.

Mileage: 27,858

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONTAL AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR AND REPROGRAMMED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN, THE AIR BAG MODULE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 08V178000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE OR RECALL) AND 03V3560000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 06/23/09. *LJ A DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED FAILURE OF THE DRIER SEAT BUCKLE WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/24/09.*JB

Mileage: 33,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V178000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE); UPDATED 03-04-09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AROUND 50,000 MILES THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH RENDERED THE AIR BAG INOPERATIVE. 6 MONTHS LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. VW STATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR/MODULE WAS FAULTY AGAIN. UPDATED 03/05/09. *JB

Mileage: 50,000

AFTER RETURNING VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR AIRBAG LIGHT IN WHICH TIME THE SENOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS REPLACED, THE AIRBAG SENSORS REPROGRAMMED, FINALLY THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE AIRBAG SENSORS AND THEY WERE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AFTER REPLACEMENT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON. NOW IT IS THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE IS AN INTRINSECT PROBLEM WITH THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM. WHEN I ASKED IF WE COULD JUST NOT HAVE IT REPAIRED, I WAS TOLD THAT NOT HAVING IT REPAIRED COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO NOT WORK, AND THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. *TR

DEALER STATES THAT THE SAFETY BELT LATCH SENSOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDS REPLACED. RENDERING THE AIRBAG INOPERATIVE! *TR

DEALER PERFORMED RECALL ON CRASH TEST SENSORS ON 2004 NEW BEETLE TDI, ON THE WAY HOME AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, VW WANTS US TO PAY OVER $1000.00 TO REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 47,000

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH IN LATE JULY. VW DEALER CONTACTED TO SEE IF SAFETY HAZARD, TOLD NO. RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FROM VW ONE MONTH LATER FOR AIRBAG SENSOR. CALLED DEALER TO SEE IF URGENT SAFETY MATTER. TOLD NO, COME IN AT OUR LEISURE. ONE WEEK LATER, AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN HIT MINOR BUMP IN THE ROAD. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ON. *TR

Mileage: 34,000

RE: ILLUMINATION OF AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. CAME ON AGAIN 1 WEEK LATER AND A CRASH SENSOR WAS REPLACED, AGAIN UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. CAME ON AGAIN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER AND WAS CHARGED DUE TO EXPIRATION OF FACTORY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MANUFACTURER. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

AIR BAG SENSOR ON MY 2004 VW BEETLE DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE BY VW DEALER. DEFECT IDENTIFIED ONLY 20 DAYS PAST THE EXPIRATION OF NEW CAR WARRANTY. DEALER AND VW - AMERICA DECLINED TO REPAIR VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. I ADVISED VW AMERICA THAT THE NHTSA WEBSITE INFORMS THAT A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BEGINS ON 7/31/08. THEY STILL REFUSED TO OFFSET OR PARTIALLY OFFSET THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 24,600

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND DEALER FOUND THAT FRONT CRASH SENSOR FAILED AND THAT THERE WAS A RELATED COMPUTER PROBLEM AT APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES AND THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. AT 40,000 THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE OTHER SIDE FRONT CRASH SENSOR HAD FAILED ALSO AND THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I WAS CHARGED $505 TO REPLACE THIS. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THEY "SEE THIS ALL THE TIME WITH THE BEETLE", AND THAT "AFTER ONE SIDE FAILS THE OTHER SIDE USUALLY DOES TOO". *TR

Mileage: 30,000

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND DEALER FOUND THAT FRONT CRASH SENSOR FAILED AND THAT THERE WAS A RELATED COMPUTER PROBLEM AT APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES AND THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. AT 40,000 THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE OTHER SIDE FRONT CRASH SENSOR HAD FAILED ALSO AND THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I WAS CHARGED $505 TO REPLACE THIS. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THEY "SEE THIS ALL THE TIME WITH THE BEETLE", AND THAT "AFTER ONE SIDE FAILS THE OTHER SIDE USUALLY DOES TOO". *TR

Mileage: 30,000

PURCHASED THE CAR NEW ON JAN 2, 2004. THE AIR BAG LIGHT 1ST CAME ON IN SEPT 2004 AND WAS REPAIRED. SINCE THAT POINT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED NEARLY EVERY 6 MONTHS, AND REPAIRED. EVERY, TIME, THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP, IT HAS BEEN A CRASH SENSOR OR SEAT MODULE REPLACEMENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT VW SEVEN TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. IN NOVEMBER 2007, OUR CAR WAS AT 54,000 MILES, THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AT 50,000 MILES, THE LIGHT ONCE AGAIN ILLUMINATED. AFTER A PROTRACTED BATTLE WITH THE DEALER AND VW REGIONAL, THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE CONTROL MODULE. AND AGAIN, WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER, "THIS SHOULD DO IT". JUST THIS PAST WEEK, THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED. ONLY THIS TIME, THE DEALER CLOSED THEIR DEALERSHIP AT THE START OF THE YEAR AND WE'RE STARING AT A $1200 REPAIR BILL. CERTAINLY, TO DRIVE AROUND WITHOUT AN AIR BAG ISN'T EXACTLY A SMART THING TO DO, BUT I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE THIS WON'T COME BACK ON 6 MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, BASED ON THE HISTORY ABOVE. IN MY EYES, THERE IS A SYSTEMIC DEFECT IN THE SYSTEMS THAT CONTROL THE AIR BAG. *TR CRASH SENSOR.*PCO

Mileage: 54,115

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. REPAIRED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY, RIGHT FRONT CRASH SIDE SENSOR REPLACED ON 11 SEP 2007, DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE FIRST INCIDENT. NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. *TR CRASH SENSOR.PCO

Mileage: 39,000

2004 VW NEW BEETLE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ON. *TR CRASH SENSOR.PCO

Mileage: 80,000

THE AIRBAG LIGHT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, IN OUR 2004 NEW BEETLE HAS COME ON APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES IN THREE YEARS. EACH TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED, BUT WITHOUT FAIL, THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON EACH TIME. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE WAS CHANGED, CONNECTIONS WERE SECURED, THEY SAID IT WAS SHORTED (GUIDED FAULT FINDINGS, BUMPER COVER REMOVED, SEAT REMOVED), AND OTHERS. I HAVE ALL COPIES OF SERVICE RECORDS. AFTER ALL THESE SERVICE VISITS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ON AND WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE AND MAY NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY DURING AN ACCIDENT. I HEARD THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCT ON THE 2004 NEW BEETLES AND WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW OF OUR EXPERIENCE. *TR CRASH SENSOR.PCO

Mileage: 8,000

OUR AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT CRASH SENSORS WERE NOT OPERATIONAL. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER SENSOR. THEY BOTH HAD JUST FAILED. THERE IS A CONCERN THAT THE BAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 22,925 ORIGINAL MILES. IT SEEMS ODD THAT BOTH SENSORS WOULD FAIL AT THE SAME TIME. *TR SRS.PCO

Mileage: 22,925

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON +/- 52,000 MILES AND IS A CONSTANT LIGHT (ORIGINAL CAR WARRANTY EXPIRED 50,000 MILES) I WAS INFORMED BY NEW COUNTRY VOLKSWAGEN OF GREENWICH CT (VW SERVICE) AND FIDELITY WARRANTY SERVICES THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WON'T COVER REPAIR OR DIAGNOSTIC COSTS (ESTIMATED AT $750 PLUS TAX). TECH FOUND "PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR NO SIGNAL." THIS CAR IS BARELY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AT ALL. VW CUSTOMER CARE DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE DESPITE THE FACT THAT ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE IT APPEARS THAT AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE A NOTED ISSUE ON THE 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS, JUST NOT MY VIN NUMBER YET. VW SHOULD CONTACT ME AND PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR SRS.PCO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED HER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO INFORMED HER TO CALL THEM BACK AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT HAS ALL OF THE REPAIR ORDERS FOR EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000.

Mileage: 41,000

BOTH FRONTAL CRASH SENSORS FAILED IN A SIX MONTH PERIOD. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, ONE OF THE REPLACED SENSORS FAILED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS ALERTED BY AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATING PROBLEM. *AK SRS.PCO

Mileage: 55,000

I HAVE TWO CRASH SENSORS THAT HAVE FAILED WITHIN 6 MONTHS ON MY 2004 VW BEETLE. THIS A MAJOR SAFETY DEVICE THAT VW US HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IS A MANUFACTUE DEFECT. *JB SRS.PCO

Mileage: 55,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED. IN ADDITION, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS WOULD SHUT OFF, BUT THE DEALER REPLACED THE BULBS. THE CONTACT HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 35851. *AK

Mileage: 35,851

OUR 2004 VW NEW BEETLE HAS HAD TWO AIR BAG SWITCH FAILURES. THE FIRST ONE WAS WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE THOUSAND MILES AND WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND ONE JUST HAPPENED AND WAS NOT COVERED BY OUR ORIGINAL WARRANTY, OR OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY. IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WE DID NOTHING TO PROMOTE THE FAILURE, IS THE $535 REPAIR OUR RESPONSIBILITY? *JB SRS.PCO

Mileage: 51,574

PURCHASED BRAND NEW. PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR: 1. REAR POWER WINDOWS HAVE BOTH TAKEN TURNS FALLING DOWN INTO THE BODY. WILL NOT POWER UP. ONE HAS BEEN REPLACED. DEALER NOW WON'T FIX SECOND ONE BECAUSE THEY 'DON'T SEE IT AS A KNOWN PROBLEM.' 2. HEADLINER AROUND REAR WINDOW HAS COME UNDONE. 3. HEADLIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED CONSTANTLY. FOR EXAMPLE; A LIGHT BULB WAS INSTALLED ON A SATURDAY, AND HAD STOPPED WORKING BY THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY. 4. RUBBER COATING ON GLOVE BOX AND ON INTERIOR DOORS IS PEELING OFF. DEALER WOULD NOT EVEN CONDSIDER FIXING OR ADDRESSING. 5. KEY ASSEMBLY FOR ARM CONSOLE BROKE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 8 MONTHS, AND SEVERAL REMINDERS, TO GET DEALER TO REPLACE. 6. SOMETIMES RADIO STAYS ON AFTER KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM IGNITION. 7. AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. WON'T GO OFF. 8. HAND RELEASE ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OFTEN GETS 'STUCK' AND WILL NOT WORK. 9. CUP HOLDER HAS COME OFF TRACK. I ONLY DRIVE THIS CAR TO-AND-FROM WORK. NO KIDS/PASSENGERS RIDE IN IT. IT HAS NOT HAD ANY OWNER ABUSE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCT. *JB

I PURCHASED A USED 2004 VW NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE FROM TOYOTA OF ORANGE, ORANGE, CA THIS YEAR, JANUARY, 2006. WITHIN A WEEK OF THE PURCHASE, THE AIRBAG WARNING CAME ON. I TALKED TO THE SALES MANAGER, BILL ABOUT THIS IN PERSON...(CONCERNED THAT THE SAFETY CHECK WAS NOT THOROUGH), AND HE WAS NOT THE LEAST BIT CONCERNED AND TOLD ME THAT SINCE THE MILEAGE WAS ONLY ABOUT 25,000 THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I TOOK IT TO MCKENNA VW IN HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA FOR THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF SENSOR. THE LIGHT WAS OFF WHEN I PICKED IT UP BUT THEN CAME ON AGAIN ONLY ONE MONTH LATER. THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO FLADEBOE VW, IRVINE CA. A PART HAD TO BE ORDERED FOR ANOTHER SENSOR, SO I RETURNED AFTER THE PART WAS IN AND HAD IT PLACED MID-MARCH, 2006. IT IS NOW APRIL 2006 AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON FOR THE 3RD TIME SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 3 MONTHS AGO!! HELP!! *NM

Mileage: 25,276

2ND MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SINCE CAR PURCHASE. SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING SEAT OCCUPIED LIGHT MODULE AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON/MALFUNCTIONED. LEFT BRAKE LIGHT BURNT OUT. *AK

Mileage: 32,785

3RD ELECTRICAL FAILURE, 2ND AIRBAG LIGHT/MALFUNCTION. CONTINUED ISSUE WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ON/MALFUNCTIONING SPONTANEOUSLY. *AK

Mileage: 44,963

4TH ELECTRICAL FAILURE, 3RD AIRBAG LIGHT/MALFUCTION. 5 DAYS AFTER SERVICING CAR FOR AIRBAG SAFETY ISSUE, SAME REPEATED PROBLEM. (SEE COMPLAINT 10148516, 10148511). *AK

Mileage: 44,959

AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME WHILE CAR WAS ON AND IN IDLE AND REMAINS ON. *JB

Mileage: 20,500

AIR BAG LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED FIRST ON 2/2005 , WAS BROUGHT IN 4 TIMES TO BE FIXED AND WAS NOT FIXED UNTIL SEPT. LET ME DRIVE AROUND WITH AIR BAG LITE ON.

IN APRIL 2005, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER/SHOP. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A PART, BUT THAT ALL WAS FINE. IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS I CALLED MANY TIMES AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD COME BACK ON. BY AUGUST 2005 THEY FINALLY RECEIVED THE PART (PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSORS UNDER/IN THE SEAT). THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT EVEN WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE PART (THREE MORE ERRORS CAME UP AND THE WIRES DID NOT CONNECT PROPERLY) AND THEY SENT THE INFORMATION TO THE MANUFACTURE FOR ASSISTANCE. ON 12 SEPTEMBER 2005, THEY HAD ME BRING THE CAR BACK IN BECAUSE THEY HAD RECEIVED REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE MANUFACTURE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS FIXED AND WOULD HAVE NO FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH IT. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, I WILL ASK. ON 17 SEPTEMBER 2005 (FIVE DAYS LATER), THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON. *NM

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS; THE SPEAKERS DIDN'T WORK/WINDOWS KEPT GOING UP AND DOWN, AND TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN A ONE YEAR OLD. *AK THE REPLACED TRANSMISSION STILL PERFORMS POORLY. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES. *TT *NM

Mileage: 18,000

THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ON ONE OCCASION WE NEVER EVEN LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. THE LAST TIME WE PICKED IT UP THE VEHICLE THEY TOLD US IT WAS A SOFTWARE ISSUE, AND THE SOLUTION SHOULD BE IN TWO WEEKS, AND IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST FIVE MONTHS AND STILL NO SOLUTION AS OF YET. THEY WERE STILL SAYING TWO WEEKS.*AK

Mileage: 12,240

BOUGHT NEW 2004 VW BEETLE IN 9/04, 2 WEEKS LATER, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK TO DEALER. THEY HAD THE CAR OVER 8 WEEKS TRYING TO FIX. FINALLY AGREED TO REPLACE WITH IDENTICAL NEW ONE. LESS THAN 2500 MILES LATER, AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. THEY RESET BUT DID NOT DO ANY REPAIRS. DON'T KNOW IF THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM AS SHORTLY AFTER, STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN OFF ROAD AND HIT GUARD RAIL. VW HAS NOW, WAITING TO SEE IF THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, IT DOESN'T APPEAR AS THEY WILL FROM WHAT I AM HEARING FROM SERVICE MANAGER. FINAL VERDICT NOT IN YET.*AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS LIGHTS. CONSUMER WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO GET VEHICLE SERVICED, BUT DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK