I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH, WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND MY CAR WENT UP ON THE CENTER DIVIDER. I COULD NOT STEER MY CAR OFF THE DIVIDER, AND THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING AS WELL EITHER. I IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE ENGINE STOPPED AND MY CAR POWERED OFF WITHOUT WARNING (THE CAR HAS A HISTOR…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH, WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND MY CAR WENT UP ON THE CENTER DIVIDER. I COULD NOT STEER MY CAR OFF THE DIVIDER, AND THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING AS WELL EITHER. I IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE ENGINE STOPPED AND MY CAR POWERED OFF WITHOUT WARNING (THE CAR HAS A HISTORY OF FAILED WARNING LIGHTS OR WARNING LIGHTS GOING ON FOR NO REASON, HAVING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED ONCE, BUT NOT SOLVING THE PROBLEM). MY CAR ENDED UP SPINNING OUT ACROSS THE ROAD AND SLAMMING INTO A TREE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IF THE TIMING WAS DIFFERENT BY A SPLIT-SECOND, I WOULD HAVE PROBABLY HIT THE TREE WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE, OR SLAMMED HEAD-ON INTO A LIGHT POLE. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND I SPLIT MY HEAD OPEN AND HAD TO GET STITCHES. I AM VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, AND ANOTHER ONE OF IT'S STUPID FAILURES ALMOST KILLED ME. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10021316
68,319 miles · Mar 19, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10010761
55,287 miles · Feb 28, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
NAR 02/28/2003 MR THE CONSUMER HAS HAD ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM. *CB
NHTSA ODI #10014749
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE 1999 NEW BEETLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE (LEMON). ITS RELIABILITY / SAFETY / ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT IS POOR. PLEASE ASSIST NEW BETTLE OWNERS. VW ASSISTANCE / KNOWLEDGEMENT HAS BEEN NON EXISTENT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765686
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2000
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
AT VARIOUS SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS REPAIRED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND FUEL TANK. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS VEHICLE EXPERIENCES OIL LEAKS. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, DEALER SECURED LOOSE CONNECTOR CLEAR CODES. PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. TRUNK VERY HARD TO CLOSE, DEALER A…
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AT VARIOUS SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS REPAIRED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND FUEL TANK. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS VEHICLE EXPERIENCES OIL LEAKS. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, DEALER SECURED LOOSE CONNECTOR CLEAR CODES. PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. TRUNK VERY HARD TO CLOSE, DEALER ADJUSTED UPPER AND LOWER TRUNK LOCK ASSEMBLY. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #875140
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE ENTERS A SAFE MODE, RESTRICTING ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN TO 10-15 MPH ,CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #844956
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING BECAUSE OF OIL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE FROM A FAULTY HOSE. DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS. *AK
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
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.
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
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