NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
11 reportsClear category filter9,800 miles · Sep 18, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE A 99 VW BEETLE, 2.0 L 4 CYLINDER 5 SPD MANUAL GTI. I HAVE HAD CONTINUAL ABS LIGHT PROBLEMS SINCE 10000 MILES. THE LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES. THE VW DEALER IN HI AT 16 K SAYS IT THE CONTROL MODULE AFTER REPLACING THE SENSOR AND WIRE HARNESS. NOW AT 28000 MILES THE ABS LIGHT IS ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 99 VW BEETLE, 2.0 L 4 CYLINDER 5 SPD MANUAL GTI. I HAVE HAD CONTINUAL ABS LIGHT PROBLEMS SINCE 10000 MILES. THE LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES. THE VW DEALER IN HI AT 16 K SAYS IT THE CONTROL MODULE AFTER REPLACING THE SENSOR AND WIRE HARNESS. NOW AT 28000 MILES THE ABS LIGHT IS ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES AND ALARMS. I SEEMS THIS IS A CLASS ENGINEERING PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES A RECALL TO FIX. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10203288
78,000 miles · Sep 14, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME. WHENEVER I DRIVE IN WET CONDITIONS THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FLASHES AND A BUZZER SOUNDS. VW DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF ABS CONTROL MODULE AT A COST OF $1,680. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10203006
87,522 miles · Apr 12, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringVisibility
1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TIE ROD EQUIPMENT.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND NOISY ON TURNS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION GEAR AND TIE ROD ENDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BAKE TO THE DEALER FOR FRONT END VIBRATION AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE ROD ENDS WERE WORN. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT CLOSE…
Read full complaint
1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TIE ROD EQUIPMENT.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND NOISY ON TURNS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION GEAR AND TIE ROD ENDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BAKE TO THE DEALER FOR FRONT END VIBRATION AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE ROD ENDS WERE WORN. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT CLOSE DUE TO DEFECTIVE REGULATORS. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR AND REST THE READINESS CODES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10117848
Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKE SENSOR WENT OUT. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WAS NOT ON. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10048729
42,000 miles · Aug 15, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD INTO A PARKED VEHICLE IN A NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHEN SHE TRIED TO APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONSUMER STATED WAS GOING TO HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER CHECKED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10031231
58,000 miles · Dec 13, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
1)DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAD DIFFICULTY GOING UP SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE, HAVE TO PUSH WITH HAND TO ASSIST. 2) JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE SENSOR BEHIND BRAKE PEDAL FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM PARK, REPLACED. 3) AIR BAG CAME ON AND THEN ENGINE LIGHT SOON AFTER, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. BOTH WARNING LIGHTS OFF AND REP…
Read full complaint
1)DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAD DIFFICULTY GOING UP SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE, HAVE TO PUSH WITH HAND TO ASSIST. 2) JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE SENSOR BEHIND BRAKE PEDAL FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM PARK, REPLACED. 3) AIR BAG CAME ON AND THEN ENGINE LIGHT SOON AFTER, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. BOTH WARNING LIGHTS OFF AND REPLACED. 4) HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING OUT, EVIDENCE OF A SHORT WHEN REPLACED. BURN MARKS, AND EXPOSED WIRING BECAUSE PLASTIC ON CONNECTORS GOT BRITTLE AND CRACKED OFF. 5) AIR BAG LIGHT ON AGAIN, TWO WEEKS LATER ENGINE LIGHT ON. TOLD TWO SENSORS ON MASS AIR FLOW AND SOME OTHERS ARE MALFUNCTIONING AND NOW BEEN REPLACED. TOLD THERE IS A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING IN STEERING COLUMN ALONG WITH BAD WIRING HARNESS, BOTH AFFECTING AIR BAGS. ALSO, TOLD AIR BAG IS NOW BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OTHER DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS HAVE SHORTED IGNITER IN AIR BAG OUT. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND CANNOT CONTINUE TO FUND REPAIRS TO THIS VEHICLE. CANNOT SELL EITHER BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND NOW REPUTATION OF BEETLE FOR PROBLEMS. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, EVEN SO MUCH AS BUMPED. METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS----------------770755. *AK *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10006532
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AS YOU DRIVE THE ABS LIGHT DISPLAYS ON THE DASH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES VERY SOFT AND LONG. IT COMPROMISED BRAKING DISTANCE. THIS HAS HAPPEN 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME AFTER ONLY 19 044 MILES. WE TALKED WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SHARED . *AK
NHTSA ODI #764335
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
BATTERY WAS CRACKED CAUSING ACID TO LEAK ONTO POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #553633
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE TRAVELING 50MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, WENT TO APPLY BRAKES TO RELEASE CRUISE CONTROL & FAILED TO RELEASE OR TO SLOW DOWN VEHICLE. INSTEAD, VEHICLE STARTED TO INCREASE IN SPEED & HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER. ALSO HAD HIT OR CLIPPED 2 OTHER VHEICLES. THEN THE VEHICLE SLID SIDEWAYS & CAME TO A STOP. NO INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853074
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN A PANTIC SITUATION ONE OF THE REAR WHEELS WILL LOCK UP ALONG WITH ONE OF THE FRONT WHEELS, THROWING THE VEHICLE INTO A SPIN . THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851644
NHTSA investigations
3RQ06004 · Brake Light Switch Failure
Opened Feb 28, 2006 · Closed Aug 7, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
EA03002 · Brake Light Switch
Opened Apr 8, 2003 · Closed Aug 20, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
PE02084 · Brake Light Switch Operation
Opened Nov 18, 2002 · Closed Apr 8, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Exterior Lighting
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Illustration