The front seat belt buckle becomes defective and sets an airbag code making the air bag light turn on and possibly not work. This is the third time I have had to replace the buckle on this vehicle in 187,000 miles. I have checked a number of vw club forums and have found this is a very common issue on these vehicles. I feel this is a safety issue that the federal safety agency should look into.
2002 Volkswagen Beetle: seat belt won't latch or retract
13 of the 165 complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle describe seat belt won't latch or retract.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical repair cost reported
- $386
- typical mileage
- 95,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
Seat belt won't latch or retract by model year
What owners say
Drivers side seat belt latch sensor failure causes airbag error light on the dash to come on. Dealer states that when the light is on the airbags are disabled. Seems like an unnecessary sensor...when the car is in use wouldn't that mean that someone is in the drivers seat? $500 to fix.
Airbag light came on. Took it to the dealer to diagnose. Dealer stated that the drivers side (seat) side impact airbag (the one built into the side of the seat nearest the door) was not communicating with the airbag system and stated that it would cost $680 to fix. Less than a year ago I spent $500 on the drivers seat belt latch replacement to cure the airbag light.
Serious electrical long term quality issues, starting with under hood wiring for glow plugs melted away, air bag/seat belt wiring broke/failed, seat heater failed, passenger door switch failed, turn signal bulb holder failed, repeated head lamp and tail light failures, alternator pulley clutch failed(exploded) factory alarm problems - just sets off, air back light on dash on, service engine light on.
Vw dealer advises that airbag light indicates airbags are disabled and caused by a malfunction in the seatbelt latch assembly costing $386 to repair. Vw dealer says this happens a lot. Vw dealer said that airbags would not have deployed. Vw dealer said that wiring inside the latch "just breaks" eventually. Failure of safety equipment should be an automatic recall and manufacturers should be required to repair defects at their costs and not cost to the consumer.
I'm in the process of replacing my second driver's side seat belt latch (the female end that the belt attaches to) on my 2002 vw new beetle. This failure triggers the air bag light on the instrument panel. The first seat belt latch was replaced in april of 2007; now, three years later, the air bag light is on again and the error code indicates the same issue, so I'm forced to replace the same part again. From my reading vw new beetle forums, this is a chronic problem for this model year. At the very least you'd think vw would re-design the part to eliminate the issue so it only has to be replaced one time.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen beetle. The driver's side air bag light has remained illuminated in the vehicle for over 1 1/2 years. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer numerous times and they stated that the driver's side seat belt and sensor caused the failure. Through research, the contact discovered that a newer model might have a recall for this same issue. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 95,000 and current mileage was 107,000. Updated 09/11/09 *bf updated 09/14/09.
2002 vw beetle. The airbag warning light is on. The diagnosis is that a wire to the driver's side seat belt latch is broken therefore relaying that the seat belt is not latched (false positive). When the air bag light is on the air bag function is disabled. The repair is not of a wire, but of the entire seat belt at $250+. At any time this is a lot but when out of a job may be impossible. As my college-age daughter is the one in the seat, I am left without much choice, but to pay for the repair. This is the third time the air bag light has gone on, all with different diagnosis. Why is this not considered a safety issue? The topic is frequent on the web.
I am an owner of a 2002 volkswagen beetle. My seatbelt light came on. I brought car into greenbrier volkswagen dealership located in chesapeake, va in feb 2009. I was informed that the latch (buckle) on driver's side seat was defective. I had dealership replace. One month later seatbelt light came on again. I brought car back to dealership. I was told by dealership that passenger seatbelt latch (buckle) was defective. I called dealership and spoke with my service rep brent from greenbrier volkswagen and he stated "this is a known problem with beetles" I asked him if it is a known problem on a importation safety device of a seatbelt was is there no recall on vehicle to replace defective seatbelt latches. He was unable to provide me an answer. I now have concerns with not only my vehicle safety, but all who drive beetles. I would like to know if this is a known problem if will there be a mandatory recall.
Rear collision accident in 2004, now seatbelt latch mechanism not working, struts and wheel bearings damaged and need replacement along with subframe and emergency brake system.
Airbag light came on. I took it in and they said it is caused by a bad wiring harness in the drivers seat, something to do with the seatbelt latch. It is my understanding that the airbags will not work if the light is on. There should be a recall. Consumers should not have to pay for a manufacturer defect! There have been numerous complaints, yet vw has yet to recall this part. Are they waiting until someone dies?
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen new beetle. When the vehicle is turned on the air bag indicator light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The dealer stated that the air bag was deactivated and the seat belt latch system needed to be repaired in order for the air bag system to function properly. The contact would have to pay for the repair because air bag was not covered under warranty. The vehicle needs to be repaired. The failure mileage was 51,000 and current mileage was 52,000. Updated 02/14/08. *lj the brake light bulb and right rear tail light was inoperative. Updated.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle seat belt
Is seat belt won't latch or retract a common problem on the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle?
13 of 165 owner complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle (8%) mention seat belt won't latch or retract. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
How much does it cost to fix seat belt won't latch or retract on the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $386 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle?
There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.
Other symptoms on the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle
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