1999 Volkswagen Beetle: won't start

6 of the 174 complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle describe won't start.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 20 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

2015
1
2014
2
2013
2
2012
1
2010
2
2005
2
2004
3
2003
4
2002
2
2001
3
2000
5
1999
6
1998
3

What owners say

Filed Jan 22, 2014 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · LA

Had to have fuse panel on battery replaced for 2nd time in 2-3 yrs and also a fuse box under dash. Cost was very expensive. Car would not start all of a sudden after shopping at a store. Had to push start the car to a independent mechanic. Still don't know why it went bad/appeared melted. In first episode the alternator had to be replaced also as there were battery drain problems. This an indirect safety issue as my daughter drives car and she could have be stranded at any place when this happened.

Filed Nov 4, 2002 · Body, Electrical · VA

Eighteen months after purchase, the vehicle would not start when consumer tried to turn it on. After the third time, consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Consumer was informed it was a computer malfunction.

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 Feb 28, 2001 · Body, Locks · VA

All of the electrical problems occur periodicaly. One day the gas gauge will show empty when the tank is full. The electric window went down and never came back up, they had to replace a switch in side the door. The right side door handle has to be pulled on twice to open from the outside. The rear hatch will not always open when released, you must push the buttom again to open it. And the reason I am filling out this questionnaire is because the car tonight would not start. The lights would come on, then off, then dim, then go bright. (the radio shows on its small window the word safe) the ignition switch does not seem to be working. So I decided to check out your web site for any recalls or service bulletins. The car will be heading to the dealership in the morning. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Filed Jan 27, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · PA

While driving about 30 MPH vehicle will stall without a warning, and when consumer tried to start the engine again, it won't start. Failure due to relay part which was replaced by dealer. *ak

Filed Dec 17, 1999 · Engine, Seats · CA

On 2 occasions when my car has been facing down on a slope it will not start and I have to put it in neutral and roll to level ground to get it to start. On one other occation my car did have a problem when I pulled into my parents driveway and I put my car in reverse , it did not go into gear and I rolled over my mom's flowers. The deal has checked in their database and with volkswagen of america and noone has reported a problem similar to mine. They tried to recreate what I described, but to no avail. To date I have not had any incident repeat and I have gone to my parents house to try to recreate it myself, but again to no avail. The dealer has been very helpful with any problem I have encounted with my new car.