1998 Volkswagen Beetle: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 30, 2010 · Engine · 136,000 miles · IL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the temperature light began beeping, then suddenly stopped beeping and a red light began flashing. The contact noticed a thump under the accelerator pedal so she stopped the vehicle on the left side of the highway. She attempted to drive the vehicle to the right side, but the vehicle would not start, so she coasted over to the right side of the highway. When the hood was opened, there were flames erupting and the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. The vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was called but no report was filed. The manufacturer had not been notified. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were approximately 136,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2009 · Electrical · 98,220 miles · OH · fire

Volkswagen overheat with fuse block electrical fire. Fire was contained to the fuse block of 1998 volkswagen new beetle. The fuse block on top of the battery caught fire.

Filed Jul 9, 2007 · Electrical · VA · fire

I own a volkswagen beetle, 98. I was driving my car to work around 9:00 am. The air conditioner would not turn past 2. I could not get it to turn off either. Smoke then began to come out from around the vents of the AC. I pulled off of the road, called my work, and my fiance. The smoke then got worse, then were flames. I then called 911. Police and fire trucks arrived. My car was totaled. The inside was completely destroyed, and most of the outside.

Filed Jan 2, 2007 · Acceleration · 140,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* - the contact stated that on 12-28-06 vehicle which was parked caught on fire. The contact stated that the fire department came to extinguish the fire and made a report. The fireman said that the battery was completely melted, and could have been the possible reason for the fire. That 15 minutes before the fire she heard whistling noise from under the hood, and saw dark gray smoke coming out. The contact said that the car was in idle at the time she heard the noise and saw the smoke. The contact found recall 98v100000 which the contact felt could be the possible reason for the fire.

Filed Apr 6, 2005 · Electrical · 58,650 miles · AL · fire

I own a 1998 volkswagen beetle. About a year ago the electrical system malfunctioned and I was locked in my car. Fortunately I was able to get out using a new remote I had just purchased.*ak secondly, two days ago I was driving on an interstate, it was warm, and I turned on the fan. It immediately started blowing 'high' and wouldn't turn off. Within a minute the dashboard began smoking and there was a distinct eletrical smell. I stopped, raised the hood and there was no fire. The fan stuck in the 'high' position and caused a fire which 'totalled' the car. The dash and seats melted and the front windshield broke out from the flames.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · CA · crash · fire

I bought a 1998 volkswagen beetle from torrance nissan on 5 january, 2003: since the date of purchase, this car had been overheating off and on. I returned it to the dealership but was informed that it was nothing to worry about.? They went as far as taking it to a vw service rep on 5 and 6 january, 2003 for confirmation. I found out later that vw has no record of ever servicing or even seeing the vw until 1 april, 2003! During the months of february and march, 2003 I still experienced the vehicle overheating and each time I called amir, I would follow up with a visit to torrance nissan. Their replies were always the same, they could not find a problem for the overheating? There were many times I told the dealership that I no longer wanted this car and even submitted it in writing on 15 april, 2003. On 1 april, 2003 I took the beetle to volkswagen myself and had it fixed, but the water pump broke again and was replaced on 4-9-03. Three days later, the car was getting hot. I told both volkswagen and torrance nissan that I no longer want this car! I have proof of all the repairs performed and still it overheats! On 12 april, 2003 I took the car once more to volkswagen to thoroughly check it out and they called their technical support. A few days later they found a cracked head on the engine block. To top it off, I had a car accident on 28 april, 2003 on my way to work and had to be towed to the long beach honda body shop. Later that night the car caught fire and was burned down with 3 other cars in the body shop. Before the car caught fire, I was in process of a valid claim under the lemon law & magnuson-moss warranty act with the adam krohn of the consume law center. Issues: rental car $1,607.78 (my insurance only covered $600.00, my insurance covered only actual value of $10,788.31; leaving me with a balance of $1,043.00 out-of-pocket. Which my insurance informs me make a claim against the body shop for difference on balance and $ 1007.78 of the car rental.

Filed Sep 25, 2002 · Body, Brakes · NJ · fire

Vehicle caught on fire, possible engine failure, while driving the vehicles brake system failed and the driver had to use the emergency brake to stop vehicle. *mr the head light malfunctioned and the vehicles is flling apart after one month of ownership. The dealer refused to fix it.

Filed Nov 12, 1998 · Electrical · IL · fire

The vehicle was parked and vehicle caught on fire for no apparent reason. Dealer claimed the cause to be a faulty wiring in the motor. Please provide further information and VIN#.