2000 Volkswagen Beetle engine problems

Filed Dec 2, 2018 · Driver assistance, Engine · 136,000 miles · CO

I bought a beetle (136k m) from an acquaintance for $1600 cash there were some issues I.e. The faulty trunk release didnt work, the driver side door had no power, (turns out the door motor is a common issue beetle has) sunroof was stuck part open, and the key fob to the beetle had been worn/broken. (fun fact: without the key fob, access to the trunk, and no power to the driver side door. The stock alarm is very difficult to disable.) we drove the beetle for about a week when the clutch went out. A transmission specialist quoted us $400 for the hydraulic line, after further examination the entire clutch was out (he charged me $1100) the very next day the oil light was blinking, we checked the oil level and it was full. We continued on our business the car started losing power, stalling and making a horrible tapping/knocking sound. The engine light started blinking. We werent able to pull codes because the odb was disconnected during the expensive clutch repair. At this point we have invested a great deal of money into this used vehicle, we are hesitant to to take it to the crusher. We bought a haynes repair manual and after some luck, common sense, and trouble shooting we were able to diagnose the car with a faulty camshaft timing chain tension guide. The repair seemed easy enough so we enlisted a our family mechanic to perform the repair. After another $575 we discovered that the tension guide was in fact the problem. We were able to get the vehicle all put back together with several new vital parts. It will not turn over. The manual indicates it may still be out of time or we may have a blown fuse. After I replace the fuses and reattempt installing the timing chain, I will have put 3 x as much money into this car than its worth. I feel like volkwagen is producing lemons and ripping off americans!!!

Filed Apr 18, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen beetle. While driving at a low speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. In addition, the brake warning light illuminated even though the emergency brake was disengaged. The check engine warning light also illuminated intermittently. The contact also stated that the low beam head lamps failed to fully illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 22, 2015 · Engine · 115,000 miles · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen beetle. While driving at 15 MPH, there was a loud abnormal noise and the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing belt and the motor mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed May 21, 2015 · Engine · 85,000 miles · OH · fire

While driving noticed white smoke behind the vehicle, then all electronics failed but car remained running, pulled to side of the road and engine compartment engulfed in flames. The car was quickly on fire from the dash forward. Tried calling vw costumer care and there are no recalls on the vehicle pertaining to fire. After searching online found dozens of similar if not exact incidents. This was my daughters car (17) and carried only liability. Only reason for writing is to educate so that others are not facing a life threatning event, as vw denies any wrong doing.

Filed May 24, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 40,000 miles · NY · fire

The fuse box atop the battery melted on 2/18/2009 causing a fire in the engine compartment. Repairs including new fuse box and other damaged parts cost me $1500.00. On 7/15/2011 the fuse box melted causing A/C to stop working. The outside temperature at the time was in the high 90's during a prolonged heat wave in the north east. Cost to repair $400.00. On 5/18/2014 once again the fuse box melted, cost to repair and replace $700. Two days later the repair (5/20/2014) the car went dead in traffic caused by a drained battery cost of towing $150.00 + new fuse box melted. In checking vw owners forums available on the internet, this is a common problem and complaint (fuse box melting) in the vw product line. Why hasn't vw been fined and ordered to recall their defective cars?

Filed May 13, 2013 · Engine · 89,000 miles · CO

Engine timing belt prematurely failed at 89,000 mile. Vw owners manual supplied with vehicle states that for the 1.8l turbocharged engine, the timing belt did not need to be replaced until 105,000 miles. The failure of the belt caused bent valves. Total service bill as a result came to about $4500. Loss of power when the belt failed also put my safety at risk as my car was stalled in heavy traffic.

Filed Feb 8, 2012 · Airbags, Electrical · VA

I purchased my vw beetle in 2005 with the carfax - no accidents or major repairs. Within months, the engine light and airbag light came on. The windows stopped working. I've probably spent more than what I paid for it. I just spent over $1800 at vw springfield in virginia and the engine light is back on again after only a few months. In addition, the transmission codes were discovered by other repair shops, but they told me I had to go to the dealership for the repair. Neither vw springfield or vw woodbridge ever checked the transmission. In fact, woodbridge told me to trade it in and purchase a new one from them.some kind of light or problem occurs in my car every time I've taken my car to this dealership and vw woodbridge in virginia. They continue to claim that it is a different problem every time with the same components. What is the purpose for diagnostics? Every time I take my car to any of the vw dealership, I will have to bring the car in multiple times within months. Something is not right. Hundreds of people are complaining about the same issues, and no one is investigating this. It appears that vw is being protected from selling us poorly made vehicles with hefty repair costs, because it doesn't make since that it's the same problem for hundreds, perhaps thousands of people. Is it that these repairs are major and brake lights aren't. A recall for these vehicles from 99 on should be processed. The fact that vw was in the news recently as selling people cars they knew had engine, airbag, ABS, transmission, electrical, and window major problems is astonishing, because nothing is being done. I'm disgusted with volkswagen and they should be held accountable for all this. I understand that the economic situation, but people are in just as much a situation as manufacturing companies. We don't have the money to keep giving away to vw. It's a moral shame.

Filed Jan 7, 2012 · Engine, Lights · PA

We own a 2000 volkswagen beetle...in 2008 the water pump went in it...had that replaced and 4 weeks later had to have it replaced again then the following year 2009 the window motors in both windows went..had to have those replaced... The headlights and tail lights are falling out have to constantly push them back in....now 2011 the water pump went in it again..now the car is sitting in the drive way acting as a paper weight..had I know that there were so many issues with this type of vehicle I would have never bought one..I hope that volkswagen is happy raking people over the coals by selling them nothing but junk and god forbid if you have to take it to a dealer they want everything up to and including your first born child...

Filed Dec 11, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 63,000 miles · NJ

Odbi came on was tested indicating cylinder misfire took it for repair was informed two wires were broken and spark plug was severely fouled now there's a compression problem which requires the engine to be torn apart. Cost of repairs exceeds amount vehicle's value and purchase price I have had this vehicle for five months when vehicle was purchased it had a little over 51000 miles on the odometer ran great and the vehicle body is in excellent shape.

Filed Sep 14, 2010 · Engine · 96,000 miles · CA

2.0 aeg motor uses excessive amounts of oil and exhibits piston slap on cold start. Engine uses a quart of oil every 500 miles. I have been told the piston rings have been installed upside down at the factory, which is the reasoning behind the poor oil control. Vw is aware of the problem. Car has been in the family for two out of the last three owners.