PLASTIC LENS ON HEADLIGHT FELL OFF THE SEALANT WAS STILL ATTACHED BUT EVERY TIME YOU PARK THE LENS WOULD FALL OFF WENT TO AUBURN VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID COULDN'T REPLACE SEALANT I HAD TO BUY A WHOLE ASSEMBLY WHICH COST ME $525.59 WHICH THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WHICH WE DID NOT RECEIVED AND I CAN'T GET AHOLD OF …
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PLASTIC LENS ON HEADLIGHT FELL OFF THE SEALANT WAS STILL ATTACHED BUT EVERY TIME YOU PARK THE LENS WOULD FALL OFF WENT TO AUBURN VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID COULDN'T REPLACE SEALANT I HAD TO BUY A WHOLE ASSEMBLY WHICH COST ME $525.59 WHICH THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WHICH WE DID NOT RECEIVED AND I CAN'T GET AHOLD OF SABERSPORTS WHO WAS THE CONTACT, IN 2009 WE PURCHASE THE CAR 2/16/09 AND ONLY HAVE 20,626 MILES ON IT, AND I FEEL THE LIGHT WAS ONE OF THE RECALLS AND MY OTHER HEADLIGHT LOOKS LIKE ITS STARTING WITH THE SAME SEALANT PROBLEM. I FEEL I SHOULD GET MY MONEY BACK AND MY LIGHTS REWORKED ON THE RECALL WHICH THE DEALER DIDN'T MENTION ANY THING ABOUT A RECALL,AND WE NEVER GOT NOTICE ABOUT RECALL. *TR
2005 VW BEETLE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WIRING PROBLEMS AND LIGHTING PROBLEMS. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS IN A LOT OF BEETLES THAT ARE ON THE ROAD. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 80,000 MILES... THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THE VW COMPANY SEEMS NOT TO CARE. SINCE CAR BOUGHT MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, WHICH VW HAS FIXED MOST OF THEM. THE LIGHTING …
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2005 VW BEETLE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WIRING PROBLEMS AND LIGHTING PROBLEMS. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS IN A LOT OF BEETLES THAT ARE ON THE ROAD. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 80,000 MILES... THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THE VW COMPANY SEEMS NOT TO CARE. SINCE CAR BOUGHT MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, WHICH VW HAS FIXED MOST OF THEM. THE LIGHTING HARNESS MELTED TOGETHER ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT SIDES, THIS WAS CONCERN OF MINE. WHY????, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED... WITHOUT WARNING.. TOOK IT IN FOR 80,000 MILE SERVICE PAID 600.00 AND THEN TRANSMISSION FAILS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. BUT I FEEL LIKE THERE NEEDS TO BE A PROPER INVESTIGATION INTO THE ONGOING PROBLEMS. .... MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO WORK IN REVERSE 3 TIMES NOW AND THIS IS SCARY.... I FINALLY GET STOPPED AND THEN HAVE TO PUMP BRAKES. NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM SO FAR WHEN TAKING INTO VW DEALER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349948
62,000 miles · Aug 8, 2010
Exterior Lighting
PLASTIC PART IN HEADLIGHTS (WHICH BULB SITS IN) GETS HOT MELTS CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO GO OUT. POTENTIAL FOR FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10347991
30,000 miles · May 15, 2010
Exterior LightingStructureVisibility
MY DAUGHTER DRIVES A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN CONVERTIBLE. IT HAS NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES: 1. THE TAIL LIGHTS CEASE WORKING ALTHOUGH THE BULBS ARE GOOD. THE BULB CONTACTS ARE INADEQUATE FOR BOTH TAIL LIGHTS. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES ON HER CAR IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. 2. THE CONVERTIBLE HEADLINER PULLS AWAY FROM THE REAR WINDOW A…
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MY DAUGHTER DRIVES A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN CONVERTIBLE. IT HAS NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES: 1. THE TAIL LIGHTS CEASE WORKING ALTHOUGH THE BULBS ARE GOOD. THE BULB CONTACTS ARE INADEQUATE FOR BOTH TAIL LIGHTS. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES ON HER CAR IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. 2. THE CONVERTIBLE HEADLINER PULLS AWAY FROM THE REAR WINDOW AND DROOPS IN FRONT OF THE REAR WINDOW BLOCKING THE VIEW IN THE REAR VIEW WINDOW. THIS HAS OCCURRED 5 TIMES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS AND SHE HAS STOPPED USING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP TO PREVENT HER FROM HAVING A ACCIDENT. 3. THE POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT COME UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THREE YEARS. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCED BY MANY VW OWNERS (DO A GOOGLE SEARCH). THEY ARE ALL SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10330569
12,000 miles · May 13, 2010
Exterior LightingCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE XENON LIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF AND ON AT ANY TIME. THE CONTACT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER 2006 BECAUSE THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF SUDDENLY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO RUN INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE LIGHTS WERE REPLAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE XENON LIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF AND ON AT ANY TIME. THE CONTACT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER 2006 BECAUSE THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF SUDDENLY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO RUN INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT DRIVE SAFELY AT NIGHTS. THE LIGHTS WOULD RESET AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,500.
NHTSA ODI #10330255
35,455 miles · Feb 28, 2010
Exterior Lighting
NEW VW BEETLE HEADLIGHT AND TAILLIGHT FAILURES. THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY DAUGHTERS 2005 BEETLE FAIL BUT CAN BE MADE TO WORK AGAIN BY HITTING THE HEADLIGHT WITH THE PALM OF YOUR HAND. HEADLIGHT/TAILLIGHT FAILURES ARE REPORTED AS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NEW BEETLE AND VERIFIED BY MY VW DEALER IN METAIRIE, LA. LAST NIGHT WHILE MY DAU…
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NEW VW BEETLE HEADLIGHT AND TAILLIGHT FAILURES. THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY DAUGHTERS 2005 BEETLE FAIL BUT CAN BE MADE TO WORK AGAIN BY HITTING THE HEADLIGHT WITH THE PALM OF YOUR HAND. HEADLIGHT/TAILLIGHT FAILURES ARE REPORTED AS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NEW BEETLE AND VERIFIED BY MY VW DEALER IN METAIRIE, LA. LAST NIGHT WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF EACH OTHER. TODAY I REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND INSPECTED THE CONNECTIONS AND WIRING. BOTH ASSEMBLIES HAVE HEAT AND CURRENT RELATED WIRING FAILURES. WHERE THE WIRE IS CRIMPED TO THE BULB FLAG TYPE CONNECTOR THE WIRE IS DISCOLORED AND IS CORRODED. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRE IS ALSO DISCOLORED AND CRACKING FROM HEAT OR OVERCURRENT OR BOTH. THIS APPLIES TO THE LOW BEAM CONNECTORS FOR BOTH LIGHTS. THE BULBS ARE THE ORIGINAL PHILLIPS 55W WHICH IS SPEC FOR THE LOW BEAM. MANY OWNERS THINK THEIR BULBS HAVE FAILED AND THIS IS NOT THE CASE. THERE ARE MANY BLOGS REGARDING EARLY BULB FAILURE IN THE NEW BEETLE AS MOST OWNERS SIMPLY ARE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE ASSEMBLY AS IT REQUIRES MECHANICAL SKILLS AND TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE. I'VE ALSO HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS REGARDING THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES BUT I HAVE NOT THOROUGHLY INSPECTED THEM AS I DID IN THIS CASE. AGAIN THE VW DEALER TOLD ME TAIL LIGHT FAILURES ARE COMMON AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHY VW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY PROBLEM AND NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314944
62,000 miles · Nov 25, 2009
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS NEED TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES A YEAR, CAN ONLY BE DONE AT A DEALER AND ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293597
26,000 miles · Sep 9, 2009
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. A HEADLIGHT BULB BLEW OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE HIGH INTENSITY DENSITY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE REPAIR COST THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SO THAT HE COULD PASS THE VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION. THE CONTACT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. A HEADLIGHT BULB BLEW OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE HIGH INTENSITY DENSITY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE REPAIR COST THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SO THAT HE COULD PASS THE VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SPECIFICALLY SINCE THE STATE OF VIRGINIA PROHIBITS DRIVING WITHOUT HEAD LAMPS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 26,000.
NHTSA ODI #10283437
45,000 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Exterior Lighting
I OWN A 2005 VW BEETLE AND HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE NEW. THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR ARE COMING APART AT THE SEAMS. VW SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. I DON'T THINK IT IS NORMAL AT ALL. SEEMS LIKE FAULTY PARTS TO ME. HEADLIGHTS SHOULD NOT BE COMING APART AT THE SEAMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251092
Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2008
Air BagsExterior LightingPower Train
PURCHASED 2005 VW BEETLE WITH 7,300 MILES ASSURED FULL WARRANTY....GUARANTEED PAINT ON FRONT BUMPER WOULD BE CORRECTED...DID IT TWICE STILL PEELING OFF....ELECTRIC WINDOWS REPAIRED TWICE....BEGAN MAKING NOISES WHEN WEATHER WAS DAMP...TOOK IT TO BE CHECKED OUT AND WAS ASSURED IT WOULD NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN BUT NORMAL...TOLD THEM TRAN…
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PURCHASED 2005 VW BEETLE WITH 7,300 MILES ASSURED FULL WARRANTY....GUARANTEED PAINT ON FRONT BUMPER WOULD BE CORRECTED...DID IT TWICE STILL PEELING OFF....ELECTRIC WINDOWS REPAIRED TWICE....BEGAN MAKING NOISES WHEN WEATHER WAS DAMP...TOOK IT TO BE CHECKED OUT AND WAS ASSURED IT WOULD NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN BUT NORMAL...TOLD THEM TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING....ONE HEADLIGHT HAD A SHORT, AND THEN RECALL ON BRAKELIGHT...THEY DID REPAIR THAT...BUT INFORMED ME THAT WAS ALL THEY HAD TIME TO DO THAT DO DUE TO RECALL...GAS CAP COVER WAS STICKING AS WELL...DIDN'T FIX IT EITHER....THEN MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON...TOOK IT IN FOR RECALL ON THAT ...AFTER IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED AIRBAG LIGHT DID NOT GO OFF, INSISTED IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH SENSOR THAT WAS RECALLED...NOISE IN FRONT END BEGAN AND FLOORBOARD FLOODED DURING HEAVY RAIN....WITH NO OBVIOUS ENTRY POINT....DID SEARCH FOR PROBLEMS WITH VW BEETLES AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS HAVING THE VERY SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING....NOW HEAT GAUGE LIGHT COMES OFF AND ON, ALARM RANDOMLY SOUNDS.....BUT NOISE IN FRONT END CONCERNS ME GREATLY...WOULD NOT EVEN DIAGNOSE CAR WITHOUT $98 BUCKS AN HOUR LABOR CHARGE TO FIND PROBLEMS.... THIS CAR ONLY HAS 34,952 MILES ON IT AND IT IS FALLING APART...NO WAY CAN ALL THESE PROBLEMS BE FIXED AND ME MAKE PAYMENTS....BUT THOUSANDS ARE HAVING THESE VERY SAME PROBLEMS...WHY HAS OUR GOVERNMENT NOT INSISTED ON A RECALL..... *TR
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 & remedy
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL PUMPS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPER FASTENER, WHICH COULD ALLOW DIESEL FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE PUMP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2005 Volkswagen Beetle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year