2002 Volkswagen Beetle electrical problems

Filed Oct 1, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · IN

Unknown

Filed Apr 3, 2021 · Electrical · 128,000 miles · AZ · fire

I was driving on the highway with my daughter and girlfriend when suddenly the car caught an electrical fire out of nowhere. I pulled over and cloudy smoke was arising luckily the state trooper had a fire extinguisher to put it out before the car caught on heavy flames.

Filed Aug 5, 2016 · Electrical · 102,000 miles · CA

We purchase our 2002 vw beatle from a private 6 years ago. We have replaced the fuse box above the battery on 3 previous occasions as the box shorts out and melts causing the car to turn off and not restart. The first two times we had repair facilities fix the problem to the tune of $500 plus each time. The 3rd time this happened I ordered the part on line and did the repair myself. Well it just burned out again this week which now makes 4 times in a 6 year history this has occurred. I talked with vw concerning this and they said the cable was too small when vw first manufactured the car. So the 3rd time it went out I replaced the so called faulty cable as well. Well I guess that wasn't the problem as I said it now burned up again and that was replacing the cable and going to a larger gage size wire that vw suggested. Not what should I just expect it to happen again. Needless to say I have seen this same complaint several times when is vw going to stand up and take responsibility. I know have spent over $1500 fixing the same thing now for the 4th time. Very disappointing vw.

Filed Jul 14, 2016 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen beetle. While driving approximately 15 MPH, all the warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery died. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that the same failure occurred several other times. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000. ...updated 08/15/16 *bf the consumer stated the alternator was replaced and the battery was charged.

Filed Mar 9, 2016 · Electrical · 8,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen beetle. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2014 · Acceleration, Airbags · 122,000 miles · IN · 1 injury

Bought this vw beetle used. Had terrible smell, like burnt crayons. Cleaned it intensely, inside and outside. Thorough detail job. Still smells, causing headache. Air bag light and buzzer stayed on even after latching seat belt. Cruise control works erratically, lunging forward suddenly, then chugs, then lunges forward quickly again. Speed works consistently when cruise control is not engaged. Very unsafe with cruise control in use. Lighting issues. Interior lights would not work, unable to see interior gauges in the dark. Turn signals blinking erratically, and not in sync. Took vehicle in for repairs at an authorized vw dealer, paid $1,300.00. Still not working properly. Took it back in 4 days later because drivers side window almost fell out while driving, and interior lighting issues still did not work. Was charged another $600.00. Vehicle will not engage into drive position easily, and sometimes not at all unless the steering wheel is jerked on. Dealer said sensors were the problem, and that I will need to bring it back again to have the cruise control fixed at a cost of $250.00. I am scared to drive this vehicle now. There should be some recalls on the smell issue, and the air bag/seat belt issue. Also cruise control issue, because I have been told it is associated with the electrical problems.

Filed Jul 1, 2014 · Electrical · 88,900 miles · CA · fire

On june 13th I was driving my car and I went to turn off the AC and it made a loud clicking noise, after the noise the AC wouldn't turn off so I ended up driving 3 hours with the AC full blast. A few days after this I was able to turn off the AC, and left it like this for about 2 weeks. At this point the middle knob was stuck and the AC would randomly work and no longer would turn at all. On june 30th as I was leaving the parking lot of my apartment and went to turned on the AC, it made a weird noise but I continued driving anyways. The AC stopped working so I turned the knob again and I started getting a burning smell, I looked down and saw smoke coming out from behind the knob so I drove back to my apartment because I decided it wasn't safe to drive on the freeway. In a matter of a minute the smoke got worse and started coming out from the entire area under my radio. I parked my car once I got back home and stood outside as I allowed my car to air out, not long after this I saw flames coming out from the middle knob and growing bigger. I was luckily able to put it out with a cup of water and was forced to call 911 to make sure the fire was completely out. This is one of the worst experiences that has ever happened to me and it was terrifying, if I didn't have a cup of water at the time the fire could have easily burned up the rest of my car in a matter of seconds.

Filed May 16, 2012 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · IL

Vehicle stalled approaching an intersection. It would not restart, and none of the electronics functioned. The vehicle had to be pushed into a nearby parking lot. Upon repair, it was discovered that the battery fuse block had melted, and the in-line fuses were all damaged. The battery fuse block needed to be replaced.

Filed Sep 5, 2011 · Acceleration, Brakes · 157,000 miles · OH

My fiancee and I purchased this beetle in november of 2010 and have had nothing but problems with it. It has been in the shop a number of time (5-7) and we have spent hundreds in trying to fix it. Yet no luck. It is a danger to my fiancee and new born baby. On day it will run fine but then after driving for ten minutes the epc light come on and the brakes barely work if at all, and it wont speed up even if she has her foot to the floor. So now we have a $6000 dollar car that not even the vw dealership can fix. It sits on our road. I have seen so many complaints about people having the same problem and I believe its only a matter of time before some one gets seriously injured or even worse. Please do something about this monstrosity that vw refuses to admit.

Filed Jul 29, 2011 · Electrical · 73,000 miles · IN · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen beetle. The contact smelled a burning odor throughout the vehicle. The odor caused him to have a headache. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was 73,000 miles.