NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Visibility complaints
12 reportsClear category filter11,000 miles · Feb 23, 2012
StructureVisibility
CURRENTLY HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE(NOW UNDER 20000) 2002 VW NEW BEETLE PURCHASED NEW. AFTER TIME WARRANTY EXPIRED BOTH POWER WINDOW(PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES) REGULATORS FAILED (AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND MILEAGES) SPONTANEOUSLY NOT DUE TO ANY EXTERNAL EVENT.. BOTH REGULATORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT CONSIDERABLE COST. THIS IS VERY UN…
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CURRENTLY HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE(NOW UNDER 20000) 2002 VW NEW BEETLE PURCHASED NEW. AFTER TIME WARRANTY EXPIRED BOTH POWER WINDOW(PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES) REGULATORS FAILED (AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND MILEAGES) SPONTANEOUSLY NOT DUE TO ANY EXTERNAL EVENT.. BOTH REGULATORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT CONSIDERABLE COST. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL BECAUSE AUTO WINDOW REGULATORS USUALLY ARE VERY DURABLE WHEN NOT DAMAGED BY EXTERNAL CRASH OR THE LIKE. I REPORTED THIS TO VOLKSWAGEN BUT GOT NO SATISFACTION. ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TO THEIR DISMAY AND WITHOUT SATISFACTION FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE PARTS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10449083
65,000 miles · Apr 6, 2011
Electrical SystemVisibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE POWER WINDOWS, TURN SIGNALS, HEADLIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONER AND DEFROSTER WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE BRAKE AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT STATED THA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE POWER WINDOWS, TURN SIGNALS, HEADLIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONER AND DEFROSTER WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE BRAKE AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10394438
39,000 miles · Jan 18, 2009
Electrical SystemVisibility
I HAVE HAD MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED TWICE, AND THE LAST TIME WAS AT A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING DURING A TWO-DAY 18 HOUR ROAD TRIP IN VARYING HEAVINESS OF RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A DOWNPOUR ON A HIGHWAY. THEY FROZE MID WIPE CAUSING A TEMPORARY LACK OF VISIBILITY AND POTENTIALLY A FATA…
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I HAVE HAD MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED TWICE, AND THE LAST TIME WAS AT A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING DURING A TWO-DAY 18 HOUR ROAD TRIP IN VARYING HEAVINESS OF RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A DOWNPOUR ON A HIGHWAY. THEY FROZE MID WIPE CAUSING A TEMPORARY LACK OF VISIBILITY AND POTENTIALLY A FATAL CRASH. AFTER TURNING THEM OFF FOR A MINUTE THEY STARTED WORKING AGAIN. HAD THIS PROBABLY SEVERAL HOURS LATER AND AGAIN THE NEXT MORNING AFTER THEY HAD BEEN OFF FOR OVER 12 HOURS. THIS EXACT PROBLEM (STOPPED WINDSHIELD WIPERS) DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN. HOWEVER ON JANUARY 17TH, 2009, AFTER USING WIPERS CONTINUOUSLY DURING A CALM RAIN STORM FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. WHEN THE WIPERS WERE PLACED IN THE OFF POSITION THEY CONTINUE TO WIPE BACK AND FORTH RATHER QUICKLY. THE OTHER SPEED SETTINGS WORK FINE. THEN, AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVING THE KEY AND STARTING THE CAR UP AGAIN, THE WIPERS WOULD NOT CONTINUE WHILE IN THE OFF POSITION, BUT AFTER TURNING THEM ON ONCE THEY WILL NOT GO OFF. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED AND A VOLKSWAGEN SPECIALIST IN AUSTIN, TX (WHERE I ENDED UP AFTER MY TRIP) HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255497
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2008
Visibility
THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECT IN THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO EASILY GET CLOGGED, WHICH CAUSES WATER LEAKS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THIS CAN CAUSE MOLD AND OTHER DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249733
52,000 miles · Oct 3, 2008
Visibility
I OWN A 2002 VW BEETLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE SINCE CHANGED IT OUT. NOW THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HAVE NOTICED SURFING THE WEB THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN SO FREQUENTLY AND IS THERE A RECALL O…
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I OWN A 2002 VW BEETLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE SINCE CHANGED IT OUT. NOW THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HAVE NOTICED SURFING THE WEB THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN SO FREQUENTLY AND IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM? IF NOT THERE SHOULD BE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244314
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2006
Visibility
WINDOW CABLE BROKEN. HAD PASS. SIDE REPLACED 2 MONTHS AGO, NOW DRIVERS SIDE BROKEN. WINDOW FELL INTO DOOR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10168703
61,102 miles · Jul 15, 2006
Unknown Or OtherVisibility
ANY TIME I TURN ON MY AIR CONDITIONER IT SOUNDS LIKE MY CAR IS GOING TO BLOW UP. COLD AIR COMES OUT, BUT THE NOISE AND THE SHAKING OF MY CAR SCARES ME. IT STARTED ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO. I WOULD HAVE THE AC ON AND IF MY CAR WAS IDLING THE NOISE WOULD START UP AND MY CAR WOULD VIBRATE, IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS IDLING VERY HEAVILY. …
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ANY TIME I TURN ON MY AIR CONDITIONER IT SOUNDS LIKE MY CAR IS GOING TO BLOW UP. COLD AIR COMES OUT, BUT THE NOISE AND THE SHAKING OF MY CAR SCARES ME. IT STARTED ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO. I WOULD HAVE THE AC ON AND IF MY CAR WAS IDLING THE NOISE WOULD START UP AND MY CAR WOULD VIBRATE, IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS IDLING VERY HEAVILY. IT SOUNDED LIKE A JACK HAMMER. NOW, IT HAPPENS JUST WHEN I TURN THE AIR ON, BUT IT'S EVEN LOUDER THAN BEFORE. ALSO I HEAR THE JACK HAMMER SOUND WHEN THE AIR IS NOT ON AND HASN'T BEEN TURNED ON AT ALL WHEN MY CAR IS AT A STOP OR WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT SO I HAVEN'T EVEN BOTHERED TO TAKE IT IN ANYWHERE TO GET IT FIXED. ON TOP OF IT ALL, I CAN'T PUT MY WINDOWS DOWN BECAUSE IN NOV '05 MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DISCONNECTED FROM THE TRACK. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS I STARTED TO GET THE FEELING THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS NOT TOO FAR BEHIND WITH IT DOING THE SAME. SURE ENOUGH, THIS PAST APRIL, IT DID THE DEED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS TO SEE IF FIXING IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT BECAUSE MY WARRANTY WAS EITHER 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES AND MY CAR BEING ABOUT 62,000 MILES WAS TOLD IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS CAR, I'VE BEEN HAVING A TOUGH TIME JUST PAYING FOR THE CAR ITSELF AND FIGHTING WITH VOLKSWAGEN CREDIT ABOUT THIS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10162489
21,057 miles · Mar 29, 2006
Air BagsEquipmentExterior Lighting
TRANSMISSION REPLACED THREE TIMES, STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY, LUNGES INTO FORWARD AND REVERSE, AND WILL DROP INTO AND OUT OF HIGH AND LOW GEAR WHEN DRIVING. SUNROOF LEAKED BECAUSE THE DRAINAGE TUBING WAS NOT CONNECTED AT FACTORY CAUSING WATER DAMAGE TO LEATHER SEATS AND NOW MOLD IS GROWING INSIDE OF VEHICLE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT…
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TRANSMISSION REPLACED THREE TIMES, STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY, LUNGES INTO FORWARD AND REVERSE, AND WILL DROP INTO AND OUT OF HIGH AND LOW GEAR WHEN DRIVING. SUNROOF LEAKED BECAUSE THE DRAINAGE TUBING WAS NOT CONNECTED AT FACTORY CAUSING WATER DAMAGE TO LEATHER SEATS AND NOW MOLD IS GROWING INSIDE OF VEHICLE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO BE INSIDE AND HAVE HAD ONE SINUS INFECTION ALREADY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10153996
19,900 miles · Dec 18, 2005
Visibility
SUNROOF CLOGS CONSTANTLY CAUSING WATER LEAKS INTO THE CAR FROM THE HEADLINER OR DOWN THE SIDE ALONG THE WINDSHIELD TO DOOR FRAME PILLAR. APPARENTLY, THERE ARE MANY VW BEETLE OWNERS OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. I HAD VW FIX IT AND IT WAS CLOGGED AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10145566
38,000 miles · Dec 1, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VW NEW BEETLE - IN SHOP FOR 3 MONTHS OUT OF 24 MONTHS OWNED. ENGINE TROUBLE, WINDOW TROUBLE, STARTER TROUBLE AND NOW CLUTCH PROBLEMS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10144108
NHTSA investigations
2RQ06004 · 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.