Current problem: manual transmission stick shift mechanism completely broke during shifting at highway speeds (during rush hour). It went to neutral, but I was able to find 3rd gear and get the car off of the road.
1999 Volkswagen Beetle visibility complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 26 of 26, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
The consumer stated that 18 months after the purchase of the vehicle, the vehicle needed to be jump started. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer and was told that it was a computer malfunction. The consumer had taken the vehicle in for an inoperative speedometer but it ended up being the instrument cluster. The low beam lights wouldn't work because of an error with the electronics.
Shortly after I bought the vehicle, engine"check light came on and stayed on. Also, cd player was not operating correctly and temperature display (by rear view mirror) did not work. Took in to dealer's svc dept. Many times, but problems persited . Dealer svc. Dept. Claimed everything working fine. Recently, the window on the driver side failed and it would not go up. Took car in to dealer svc. Dept. And got repaired. Shortly after that, car died. It was not the battery, so car was towed to dealer service dept. On 8-14-02. Dealer examined car and said it was the tri-lock system and didn't know how to fix it. Tri-lock system removed by dealer but car still not working. Problem: power windows did not work, push window button and trunk would pop open, air bag light stayed on, etc. Etc. Etc. The car has been at dealeship for over a week and dealer keeps telling me it's fixed, but when I go pick it up (3 times), the car is still doing the same thing, and the air bag light is still on all the time. Very frustrated and disappointed.
Windows on passenger side and driver side will continuously fall whenever consumer is driving vehicle. Contacted dealer . Dealer was not willing to do anything.
Vehicle was parked when consumer noticed flames 1 foot high coming from dashboard. At dealer at this time, heater switch caused fire.
Consumer has been having alot of problems with electrical features. Consumer has replaced 2 batteries/ 1 cd changer/ 4 headlight bulbs, and air conditioner outlet didn't work. Dealer stated vehicle had too many miles. Problems existed since day 1.
Battery cable has burned out twice since date of purchase. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further details.*ak rear hatch intermittently will not open with the remote due to it being out of adjustment, the left window switch is loose. Nlm
I purchased this vehicle because I was looking for a reliable and economical car. I have been very disappointed. This car burns oil at an unbelievable rate. I cannot rely on it and do not want to drive it out of town. I am now keeping jumper cables in the hatch because of constant battery problems. The radio is not working. I have already replaced a regulator (window) on the driver's side and it has broken again. Less than a year after it was replaced. Several dealerships told me that they couldn't get me in to fix the problem for 2 weeks - my window was stuck down inside of the door and would not roll up. The waiting time for an appt at a dealer should be an indication that the are not producing quality vehicles. The warranty period is too short. The problems seem to all happen after the warranty is up. Is that how long they expected to last - 2 years?I have been very disapointed.
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.
While driving at 35 MPH vehicle began to stall, and shake, showed a sign of vehicle losing power.engine check light illuminated on the dash panel, and vehicle shut off. Dealer has been contacted. *ak engine also hesitates when accelerating from the start. Vehicle has had complaints regarding trunk and fuel release actuator cable. Steering rods came loose and had to be resecured and mounting bolt.. Window motor failed.
Express function of drivers side power window switch failed. Cause was apparent broken internal spring. Replaced by owner.
Battery was cracked causing acid to leak onto power steering reservoir.
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.
When driving during the daytime their is a glare on the glass that appears as a checker board on the side and on rear windshield glass that obstructs the consumer's vision. Dealer has been contacted.
While driving with sun roof fully open vehicle shakes and shutters. Also there is something wrong with the engine.
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