I own a 1998 beetle and I am making you aware of a safety concern that can possibly lead to an accident or even cause a death. I have complained before and nothing has been done. The external mirrors on the early new beetles are dangerously oversized thus causing a significant blind-spot(s) when driving. These blind spots, (especially drivers side) prevent visibility to the front sides of the vehicle. Ex. If there is someone in the crosswalk in front left of you, you cannot see them or it!!! On too many occasions to count I and others have almost hit a pedestrian and another oncoming vehicle due to this failure!!! I don't know how many more times I will be so lucky, but I feel as if I am driving a ticking time bomb. Vw has come up with the solution by redesigning newer beetles with smaller and relocating the external mirrors thus eliminating the problem. But, those of us who have theses older versions are stuck with this very critical safety concern...please help!
1998 Volkswagen Beetle visibility complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 37 of 37, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The electric window would not move in the consumers vehicle. The manufactured issued a recall for the same problem , however they refused to pay for the repair since the vehicle was originally registered in canada. The (the owner bought the parts and repaired the vehicle.
Headlights will go out while in use without warning. When vehicle is in cruise control mode it will either surge or continue to accelerate. Dealership stated they need to separate the engine and transmission in order to fix the problem. *ak the windshield wiper works intermittently. The dealership replaced the motor but the problem recurred. Consumer noted he has seen a lot of one headlight beetles and that the problem is widespread. *ph
The power windows rolled down by themselves without warning. Please provide additional information.
1998 vw beetle, passenger power window switch defective. The driver side broke for the same reason last yr. And was reported to the federal safety agency on this web site. I have been told by vw part that these break all the time.
Power window regulator failed. Passenger side window now stuck in down position. Same failure happened on driver's side window one year ago. Obviously outside of 24,000 mile warranty. Mr
Power window switch on passenger's side is broken. Can't get window down. Dealer contacted.
This car drinks oil, the engine knocks, vw has done nothing to even aknowledge the problem. The window regulators are defective and one broke completely with the window falling out. The passenger side door can not be opend with a key and has been corode
The vw is not as reliable as the old ones. Nosafety defect.
The outside rear view mirrors on the doors of the car are placed exactly in the line of vision and in order to see when turnng a corner the consumer has to put his head down and look under hthe mirror, the consumer feels this design is unsafe. Nlm
Passenger and driver's window failed.
Driver's side window switches replaced twice, window regulator failed as well.
Vehicle has an electrical problem, headlights and power windows do not work.
There is an electrical problem, such as the headlights and the power windows malfunctioning.
June 19, 2000 - driving at 40 MPH and heard a loud noise that sounded like a rock had hit the passenger side. No damage found upon inspection. Shortly after, put passenger window down and it sounded bad, power window failed to close.
Vehicle has had continued problems with transmission operation and shifting, replacement of the speed sensor,throttle cable and TCM wiring rectified problems.
Electical wiring located in the engine compartment was too close to the battery tray causing the wire to damage (recall-98v‑100), owner is not satisfied with vehicle with this defect. Yh
Consumer rolled down the passenger's power window for the first time and the inside mechanism for the window broke, causing the window to be inoperative.the cable and regulator for the power window is on backorder. Dealer cannot determine when part will be available.
Driver side window switch out of order. Yh
Rear left window will not go down. Yh
Window glass malfunctioned. Yh
Motor for electrical mirror failed. Yh
Power window switch failed.
Passenger chair adjusting knob came off. Yh
Radio failed. Yh
The rear window or rear hatch glass is severlydefected such that viewing through the rear view mirror or directly through the glass is substantially impaired. The defect creates a terrible danger on rainy nights when it is impossible to view through the window trafic as it approaches because the glass is deformed in such a way that it blurrs the headlights and or environment lights such as; street lights. You are unable to judge whether the other car is going to pass or will be able to stop in time to prevent a collision.
Center console replaced due to blistering.
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