1999 Volkswagen Beetle: check engine light

Filed May 27, 2015 · Engine · 235,403 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light and coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the timing belt was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14e007000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 235,403.

Filed Oct 7, 2008 · Fuel system · 47,000 miles · TX

We purchased a used 99 vw beetle; the previous owners were having the same problem as us the check engine light keeps coming on. We have it checked out (diagnostic) and they tell us it show rich fuel. We pay around $250.00 each time to have it fixed and reset and it last for about six months and it does it again. I was told that there was a recall back in 2004 about a octain sensor. I believe this may be the problem and want to know what I can do to have this fixed right with no charge. If there was a recall sent out regarding this the previous owners did not receive one because they purchased it as a used vehicle as well. Please help this is driving us crazy and this is my teenage daughters vehicle.

Filed Feb 1, 2008 · Acceleration, Engine · 100 miles · AL

I bought my 99 beetle in october of 2007 and the day that I got the car the oil light came on and I took it back they had it for one month they replaced the motor and wire cluster. When I finally got it back about two weeks passed and I was driving on the interstate and my speedometer went from 0 to 120 and then the care lost power on the middle lane of the road. I took it back and they replaced the transmission I have tried numerous times to get them to take the car back and they wont. After I got it back that time the heater stopped working and the speedometer will not go above 40 when I told them this they said they would not fix it that it was my problem. Yesterday my mileage, speedometer, and gas gage stopped working my check engine light came on. And I don't know what to do if you know any one who could help me with these problems please let me know.

Filed Jul 1, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 32,400 miles · OK

I own a 1999 new beetle with the 2.0 engine with 37,000 original miles. The car quit running approx. 2 1/2 yrs ago,approximately two months after I purchased it from a certified volkswagen dealer, used. A few days after delivery there was a rotten egg smell, check engine light on, engine sluggish. After one month the battery went dead completely. Replaced the battery, car would not run. Battery dead again after four days. I found info on the internet that security system must be set or the battery will last only four days. Inspected plugs, found heavy carbon buildup. Inspected pre o2 sensor, found same. Decided to overhaul eng. Found heavy carbon on tops of pistons and valves. Machine shop had to replace pistons, rings, all bearings, oil pump, plane the cylinder head, plane the head mating surface, replace seals, turn the flywheel. I had to also replace the water pump, timing belt, clutch, throwout bearing, o2 sensor, plug wires, and the dipstick holder. After considerable money spent, engine would start but not run. I found out from the dealer that if electrical power is lost, vehicle must be towed to a volkswagen dealer and be reprogrammed. It will not run until that is done. The reason given was that volkswagen did not want any owners to fix their own car. This could be a signifigant safety issue in a life threatening situation! There are reports on several internet forums of the original batteries blowing up and even after replacement of the battery the vehicle would not run until it was reprogrammed. Volkswagen should be required to fix this problem. I would like to see a full investigation on this model to see if it should be sold in the us. There are too many reported defects on this model to list here, some that apply to this car, that are much more dangerous than I described here. I hope that our government will straighten this company out and that owners will somehow be compensated.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 20,500 miles · CO

Engine light on, and car running rough, losing power and jerking upon acceleration. Diagnosis was plug wires and plugs are fouled, causing ignition coil to burn out. Warranty covers coil, but I have to pay for new plugs and wires because they are normal wear and tear service item.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 38,744 miles · CA

The water pump has a part that goes into the engine; it's made of plastic and called an impeller. It is part of the water pump. The plastic impeller disintegrated, causing the engine to overheat. The engine light on the dashboard came on just minutes before the engine ceased up. Other than that, there was no warning that the engine was running hot. Normally when a water pump goes out, the water leaks out. In this case, the water remained in and did not circulate. Repairer has asked owner for money to replace the engine entirely. Vw will not stand by its manufacturer's warranty, which the owner has. The plastic impeller is a common design defect which vw knows has a short life, but they keep designing their vws with a plastic impeller!

Filed May 21, 2003 · Electrical, Suspension · ME

#1 my check engine light came on and they replaced a sensor and it did no good, it came on again, and they could not fix it, I took it back four times and they still did not get it fixed properly. # after that there was a problem with a noise in the front end and I told them about it and they said it was ok, but I took it back after my step dad told me to and they look at it and told me it was my sway bar and told me they had to order a new part but it was ok I told them I have two kids and I was worried about the safety of the car and they told me to take it was ok to drive . This it the fifth time it has been in the shop and I am worried about the safety of the car and want some one to check it over and clear it to drive so I don't have to worry about getting in to a accident with a unsafe car would you please help me to take care of this so I have a safe car to take my children in and don't have to worry about it going off the road .

Filed Dec 13, 2002 · Acceleration, Airbags · 58,000 miles · OH

1)driver's side window had difficulty going up since vehicle purchase, have to push with hand to assist. 2) just a few months after purchase sensor behind brake pedal failed, vehicle would shift from park, replaced. 3) air bag came on and then engine light soon after, catalytic converter replaced. Both warning lights off and replaced. 4) headlights are constantly blowing out, evidence of a short when replaced. Burn marks, and exposed wiring because plastic on connectors got brittle and cracked off. 5) air bag light on again, two weeks later engine light on. Told two sensors on mass air flow and some others are malfunctioning and now been replaced. Told there is a broken clock spring in steering column along with bad wiring harness, both affecting air bags. Also, told air bag is now bad and needs to be replaced because other defective components have shorted igniter in air bag out. I am a college student and cannot continue to fund repairs to this vehicle. Cannot sell either because of these problems, and now reputation of beetle for problems. Vehicle has never been in an accident, even so much as bumped. Meticulously maintained. Dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis----------------770755. *ak

Filed Mar 25, 2002 · Airbags, Fuel system · NJ

While driving the car I noticed the speedometer & odometer weren't working (mileage froze at 26,139). The gas gauge was not working either. Then the check engine light came on and the airbag light. Brought into dealership and was told there were 19 failures when it was tested on their computer. Dealership claims the transmission needs parts replaced. (will be covered under powertrain warranty possibly). Still waiting on parts. They said after they replace parts of transmission they will let me know what else needs to be done and how much it will cost me. The standard warranty ended march 2001. The vehicle has low mileage (26,139). The battery had to be replaced last year. Many times the car wouldn't start and had to be jumped. The check engine light came on the first year I had the car and the dealership claimed it was a sensor problem.

Filed Aug 27, 2001 · Electrical, Transmission · NJ

At 1 1/2 months of ownership the check engine light came on "with no fault found" took 1 1/2 years and 6 service visits to fix. The car often goes forward while in reveres and has shifting problems, have had the transmission "adjusted" 3 times still has problems. Oil light doesnt go on when oil is low. Battery light doesnt go on when the batter is dying. Wiring to headlight keeps "loosening" causing the headlights to fail. Had rear and front brakes replaced due to low ground clearance and snow getting lodged in them and freezing.

Filed May 19, 2001 · Engine · PA

After driving car for an hour the engine light came on,. Dealer took car to check it out and in doing which damage the car further by denting passenger fender and bumper. Failed to tell me about this, however engine light was fixed (o2) sensor.