1998 Volkswagen Beetle: engine overheating

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 Sep 18, 2008 · Engine · 77,000 miles · NJ

My car began to over heat in july and I took it to the mechanic. I had to replace the water pump, thermostat and timing belt. @ months pass and again its overheating again now I'm told the head gasket is bad. I fix the head gasket and its overheating. They do not know what is causing it to overheat. $1500 later I'm still in the same boat.

Filed Apr 16, 2007 · Electrical · 7,815 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 volkswagen beetle. The vehicle had ex the same failure as indicated in recall # 98v100000. The contact stated that the vehicle began to overheat after the engine ran for five minutes. The vehicle was brought to the dealer, savage kia, and the cause was diagnosed as wiring failure. The dealer remedied the failure. On april 12, 2007, the contact drove the vehicle for three miles at 45 MPH and the vehicle overheated once more. The check engine indicator light also illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the dealer , who stated that the electrical wires were too close to the battery. This failure could cause the wires to heat and short out, preventing the fans from operating. The contact called the manufacturer, and was told that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 75,000. *ak updated 05/21/07.

Filed Dec 3, 2005 · Electrical, Lights · 60,000 miles · FL · crash

I"ve had multiple failures with my 1998 beetle. The car was overheating--found out that the engine fuses were melted over the battery terminal. My reverse lights stopped working--no one has been able to correct that yet, my daytime running lights don't usually work, but sometimes will come on all by themselves. Got locked in my car twice. The alarm sometimes goes off for no reason. The car periodically doesn't start. Had it towed to vw twice for this. They could find no problems. Also, something in the car's electrical components is drowning the battery--have to buy a new battery every six months. I have replaced both windows once . I had the brake light switch replaced three times and was rear -ended once before vw finally did a recall on that part. I'm sure I have left something out--there is so much it's hard to remember. Bottom line--this car is a hazard on the road for the person driving and other motorists.

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 May 7, 2001 · Engine, Locks · VA

Car overheats routinely. Initially in for repair on 1/25/01 when dealer claimed to have replaced the water pump and thermostat. Since then, car has overheated on three occasions, and water leakage has been observed. Dealer says they can not replicate the issue. Driver's side door does not lock and unlock reliably, forcing me to enter and exit car through passenger door. Reported to dealer three times (initially 5/31/00). One time dealer lubricated lock; currently they say they can not replicate the issue and will not fix. After water pump repair in 1/01, car exhibited a whining noise and power steering stiffness at low rpms -- likely due to improper workmanship during that repair. Dealer claims power steering fluid was low, and has been "topped off" to alleviate problem. However, I recently had rountine maintenance at another establishment just 4 days prior to taking into shop; during that service, power steering fluids were indicated as "ok." oil consumption is excessive. Despite repeated reports to vw (initially 5/00), have received no resoluion or investigation into this issue. Through research, I have learned that this is a common beetle problem, and some beetle owners are receiving new engines or valve stem repairs to remedy. Transmission jerks severly when shifting from reverse to drive. Initially reported 9/29/98 at 9596 miles and not addressed by dealer. Recurring problems with headlight sealant leakage and water getting into headlight assembly, causing headlights to be unreliable and potential electrical/fire hazard. Have researched vw and learned during initial beetle production in puebla, mexico, they experience an abominal 40% defect rate. From research into other consumer issues with 1998 beetles, I am certain that vw passed these defective vehicles on to consumers. Please contact me for further details. I have also experienced window reglator failures, dead battery, interior pieces falling apart and other issues. Thank you!

Filed Mar 7, 2001 · Engine · TX

Coolant loss on two occasions causing engine to blow, no warning until last minute, all fluids and maintenace done and under extended warranty, dealer refused to pay for new engine.

Filed Jun 8, 1999 · Engine · VA

Plastic clip in cooling system broke, causing all coolant to be discharged all over the engine and engine to overheat. Dealer replaced plastic clip with metal clip. Vw sent dealer 8 metal clips the week previous. They said other beetles probably had this problem, that's why vw sent them 8 metal clips ahead of time.