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2000 Volkswagen Beetle airbags complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 64, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2000 Volkswagen Beetle airbags problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Dec 29, 2009 · Airbags · 49,000 miles · IA

For the fifth time in 10 years, the airbag warning light has come on in my 2000 volkswagen new beetle (less than 50,000 miles and never in a crash). According to manufacturer when the airbag warning light is on the airbags are deactivated providing no protection in the event of a crash. Dealer has twice previously replaced driver side airbag harness and recommends doing so again.

Filed Jun 25, 2009 · Airbags · 135,000 miles · 00

2000 volkswagen new beetle recently my 2000 volkswagen new beetle had the airbag light come on. I scoured the internet to find possible causes and to my amazement, many people suffer from the same problem. It appears that the sensors and wire harnesses in the new beetles frequently fail triggering the airbag light to come on. I was told by an service tech. That when the airbag light is on, the airbags become deactivated, which seems to pose an extremely huge safety concern, seeing as the new beetle suffers many defects regarding the airbags. Thankfully, the problem in mine is the driver side airbag wire harness located under the driver seat. The wire length is not sufficient enough to with stand a lot of seat movement. Moving the seats forward too many times can actually cause these wires to break in half, which happened in my case, deactivating all the airbags and bringing up an error in the system. The dealership doesn't make the matter any better, by saying that I will have to pay $600.00 to replace not only the wire harness, but the side airbag as it comes as a complete package and the harness is not sold separately. In this economy, I cannot afford to replace an entire perfectly good airbag for a simple wire, so I am stuck having to drive around knowing that my airbags will not deploy if I get into an accident or possibly deploy prematurely without any cause. I believe that this issue should be looked at, since it not only affects the 2000 model, but all models up to 2006. Volkswagen should be held accountable for selling a product designed for occupant safety, that fails before the rest of the vehicle.

Filed Nov 24, 2008 · Airbags · 40,800 miles · MN

Problem: chronic failure of driver's air bag circuit purchased february 2000. Since july 2004 we have had repeated (eight) repairs done in response to the airbag light illuminating continuously, indicating the air bag circuit is faulty and the air bag won't fire should an accident occur. Despite repeated repairs, twice completely replacing the wiring harness, and once replacing the airbag itself, the airbag light has illuminated again this week and a ninth repair is needed. All repairs have been done and documented by our vw dealer. To date repair costs exceed $1500. The problem continues to occur.

Filed Oct 14, 2008 · Airbags · 111,370 miles · VA

Airbag system malfunction: airbag (SRS) system warning light illuminated in the instrumental panel, originally on 9/24/2001. Vw dealer stated driver's seat side airbag needed replacement due to an internal cause and was replaced on 10/2/2001 at 15365 miles. Airbag light illuminated again and system was serviced on 4/8/2003 where vw dealer repaired connection under driver's seat at 36405 miles. Recently, airbag light illuminated again and was serviced on 10/13/2008. The driver's seat was removed and dealer repaired connection to driver's seat side airbag at 111370 miles. If this problem were not repaired, the driver's seat side airbag would not have deployed in the event of a side collision. Vw dealer stated that numerous vw new beetles have had air bag connection repairs for the driver's seat side airbag. Vw dealer stated they put an "extension" on the connecting wire and this problem shouldn't occur again. Again, vw dealer stated the air bag system connection under the driver's side front seat appears to be a recurring problem. This concerns me because there is a recurring connection problem with the airbag system, which diminishes the air bag system?s safety and reliability during a collision. Vw should recall and repair new beetles with this airbag connection problem so that the airbag system will no longer malfunction due to a faulty wire connection. My local vw dealer stated the problem was remedied with a new ?extension? Part and the problem should no longer occur. If I had three malfunctions with my vehicle?s airbag system and my local dealer recognized this is a problem in my area, this may be a widespread, recurring problem among new beetles. Vw new beetle owners should be officially notified of this potential safety problem with the airbag system so that the proper repair can be made to the airbag system to ensure the safety of the driver in the event of a side collision.

Filed May 29, 2008 · Airbags · 22,000 miles · VA

2000 vw beetle has had 3 airbags installed since 2002. The vehicle has never been in an accident. The airbag light is illuminated again and therefore will not pass the virginia state inspection process.. Three letters sent to vw with no success. Vw customer care representative will not look into the airbag system on the 2000 vw beetle since the car is out of warranty. The first airbag issue started under warranty. The three airbags replaced to date has been 2 drivers and 1 passenger side airbag. The airbag light has been reset numerous times with no success without replacing an airbag.

Filed May 5, 2008 · Airbags · 12,000 miles · VA

I have a vw new beetle and the airbag light came on took my car to the dealer and they say it's not their problem and they want to charge 700 dollars to fix it but the car is expensive.

Filed Feb 21, 2008 · Airbags · 29,000 miles · MI

I got in my car one day and the air bag light was on for no apparent reason. No consequences other than it is probably the sensor rather than the air bag that is damaged. It has to be repaired or replaced. Not sure if that means the sensor or the air bag as well to be on the safe side. I am driving with the light on.

Filed Nov 6, 2007 · Airbags · MT

On the 2000 beetle, you can telescope the driver steering column. Well, the airbag spring coil uncoiled on my car when I telescoped the column and the only way I know this is because the airbag light came on. The dealer and other mechanics are saying the whole airbag needs to be replaced which will cost anywhere from $600 to $800. Now, I don?t feel as if this is a problem I should have to pay for. The vehicle was designed to have the steering column telescope so why would the coil uncoil when I use the feature? Also, they have told me that the airbag will not work if something where to happen. Is this something vw should look into and replace for me free of charge?

Filed Sep 11, 2007 · Airbags · FL

I turn on my car and suddenly the airbag sensor turn on without reason.

Filed Jul 20, 2007 · Airbags · MS

Air bag fault lights has been coming on and going off for over a year,,, everytime I get time to go by and get it fixed, it goes off, hooked the computer up and it shows no fault... Now it is on all the time, I was told that it needs to be repaired but at great expense to me,,, however it was not really hurting anything.. I was told that it does not affect the air bag deploying, but I wonder... The only way to find out is have an accident and I do not want to do that, so we , the owners are at the mercy of the vw corporation.

Filed Jun 21, 2007 · Acceleration, Airbags · MA · crash · 1 injury

While driving on a highway at 65 miles per hour, I attempted to turn the cruise control off. It did not go off. Then I applied the brakes and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor with no tension. There was no braking action at all. I drove along some grassy areas on the side of the highway to slow the car, turned off the ignition because the car was no decelerating, and hit a tree at about 50 MPH. The airbags did not go off. The car was totalled. The car was sold to a junk yard because the repair costs were too high and because the repair facility said they could not determine why the cruise control and brakes failed.

Filed Apr 16, 2007 · Airbags · 30,000 miles · GA

Airbag system defective, requiring repairs and replacements, including airbag replacements, 11 different times. Since system does not work and airbags do not deploy when sensors are on, this is clearly a safety issue.

Filed Mar 15, 2007 · Airbags · 20,013 miles · CT

I am the original owner of this 2000 volkswagen beetle. On july 30, 2001 (mileage 20013) I complained to my dealership that the air bag light was on all the time while driving. They reconnected the wire under the drivers seat stating it was loose, poor fit. On november 15, 2002 (mileage 33164) I complained again that the air bag light was on all the time. They inspected and found two misc. Codes reset and tested, said all is ok at this time. On september 3, 2003 (mileage 41463)I complained that the air bag light was on all the time, again. Dealership tested and said I needed d/d air bag, harness and seat belt replaced at a cost of $675.00. I declined repair and called volkswagen. On november 5, 2003 vw said they would repair this problem free of charge for customer "goodwill". On july 19, 2005 (mileage 61130) I complained that the air bag light was once again on all the time. Dealership repositioned connector for drivers side air bag and stated if it comes on again will need new air bag. On november 20, 2006 (mileage 73661) once again I complained that the air bag light was on all the time while driving. I was told I needed a new drivers seat air bag, harness with rewire to control at a cost of $1040. Once again I called volkswagen and this time I was told sorry, there is nothing they can do to help me. This has been an on going problem with my vehicle and specifically a huge safety issue. Please advise if there is any help you are able to offer.

Filed Feb 13, 2007 · Airbags · VA

The airbag light came on in 2005. The dealer said the driver's airbag had to be replaced. Approximately 1 year later, the light came on again. This time the dealer said they "fixed" it. I don't know what they did. In january 2007, the airbag light came on again. I don't know what to do now. I'm worried that my airbags won't work in a collision because I don't know what the dealer is doing and they can't tell me what the continuing problem is.

Filed Dec 7, 2006 · Airbags · 54,241 miles · OH

Dt*: the contact stated the air bag light on the dashboard illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer, who determined that the air bag driver inflator module failed.

Filed Dec 1, 2006 · Airbags, Electrical · MI

Airbag short to ground coolant system short to ground.

Filed Nov 6, 2006 · Airbags · 35,500 miles · VA

Air bag dashboard light lit at 24,635 miles. Repair made by dealer 2/9/05 for $308 labor and $44.76 part (small cable under driver's seat). Text on dealer work order: "found the d/s airbag assm. To have a fault in the connector of harness. Removed seat assm and replaced harness. Seat airbag codes. T/drive to confirm repair." at 35,500 air bag dashboard light has lit again.

Filed Apr 12, 2006 · Airbags · 31,000 miles · CA

Why would I have so much trouble trying to get my volkswagen airbag light for safer driving. Cannot order the correct parts.

Filed Jan 3, 2006 · Airbags · NC

2000 vw beetle airbag light. My wife's 2000 beetle's air bag light keeps coming on. It has been back to vw service four times to correct the problem. It started well before the warranty ran out. Each time they replace either the driver seat wiring harness or driver seat airbag or both. One time they replaced the controller. It has happened again and again and most recently they replaced the airbag and wiring harness for the fourth time. This took care of the problem for a week and then again the light comes on. Vw has been good to cover these repairs even though the car is now out of warranty but as we see it, the problem has never really been fixed correctly in the first place so it's only right that they keep spending their dollar to get it right. It has been explained to us by vw service that if the light is on, the airbags system will not function in a crash and this causes us great concern. The vw service manager contacted vwoa tech support and they suggested bypassing a wiring connector by running a wire from the controller to the airbag. (sounds like they are grasping at straws). Problem is they want us to pay the $550 to perform this. Vwoa has refused to pay for this procedure. Www.newbeetle.org is littered with air bag problems so it is not just our car that this affects. Please look into these problems and make vw accountable for their air bag systems. Sooner or later someone is going to be killed by their airbag failing to inflate. Thank you.

Filed Nov 7, 2005 · Airbags · 71,500 miles · PA

Air bag fault light on.

Filed Jul 22, 2005 · Airbags · FL

Dt: consumer states that the indicator light for air bags kept coming on. The vehicle was taken to the dealership to be fixed but light came back on in a couple of days. The consumer stated this problem started soon after he bought the vehicle in 2000 and that it has been happening off and on ever since. *ak the consumer has heard other beetle owners complain of this problem. The consumer believes that the connection under the seat can be disconnected easily or is too easily damaged.

Filed Jul 4, 2005 · Airbags, Engine · 80,000 miles · NJ

Cooling system failed causing the original overheating. The car has continued to peridodically overheat since. The car was fully repaired from the first incident and has been in for repair many times since. Now there are several failures with the car.

Filed Sep 13, 2004 · Airbags · 61,990 miles · NC

I just traded for a 2000 volkswagen beetle diesel for use at my dealership due to the excellent fuel mileage. The air bag light was illuminated when I purchased the vehicle. The previous owner stated the vehicle had been at the local vw dealer and the dealership personell did not mention the light as being a problem. I carried the vehicle to a local service facility for routine service and asked them to determine the reason for the air bag light being on. They reported that the sensor on the passenger side was defective. I carried the vehicle to the dealer in asheville. They reported that the air bag in the passengers side was defective. I authorized them to replace it at a cost of $566.28. I called vw and the lady stated that they could not reimburse me for the repair since I was not a customer of vw. My company is the customer and it purchased the vehicle for company use. The air bag was defective. Why should my company have to pay for a defective safety product?

Filed Mar 31, 2004 · Airbags · 30,000 miles · MN

I have a 2000 volkswagen bettle and since the car has had about 30000 miles I have had problems with the air bag system. According to volkswagen the problem is the wiring for the air bags is located under the seats and because of this I have had the air bag light reset 2or 3 times finally they said I would need a wire harness installed so I paid a couple hundred dollars for that to be done in aug 2003 now the air bag light is on again every time the light comes on it causes the air bag systme to shutdown this is a big saftey issue since 2/3 rds of the time the car has been on the road the airbag light is on I found out this is a problem with the beetle and they installed the harness on the new ones to fix this well I had that installed and it is broken again I called vw and they want me to pay another 95 for a diognostic plus and then they will decide if they will repair it at no cost this should be a recalled item it plagues the beetle and it is a saftey issue and I cant keep paying for the same repair please help me.

Filed Jan 16, 2004 · Airbags · 26,000 miles · MN

While driving at any speed air bag light stayed on. At times the air bag light blinked, but it never went off. The dealer repaired the problem, and informed the consumer that the sensor unit shorted out. *ak

Filed Oct 17, 2003 · Airbags · 41,092 miles · NJ

Air bag sensor light continues to illuminate. Dealer states "problem is not a safety issue; " however, consumer was concerned that air bag would not deploy in case of collision.

Filed Oct 10, 2003 · Airbags · 29,179 miles · OK

The air bag warning light appeared on the dashboard while driving about 55 MPH on the highway. Cause was undetermined. The light continued to stay on while the vehicle was running. *ak the dealer fixed the vehicle differently each time. (airbag, air bag harness, air bag connector and the instrument cluster) were all replaced. *scc

Filed Sep 30, 2003 · Airbags, Engine · IN

Consistent problem with air bag light and engine light comimg on/off while driving vehicle at any speed. Dealer inspected vehicle, and stated that air sensor failed.

Filed Sep 22, 2003 · Airbags · NY

When driving at various speeds without warning the air bag warning light would illuminate and would stay lit for the reminder of the time that vehicle was being operated. Dealer has been notified. *ak vehicle stalled, bucked, all lights on instrument panel lit up. Failure of window switches.

Filed Sep 10, 2003 · Airbags · NV

While driving , the air bag light illuminated on the dashboard.

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