2003 Volkswagen Beetle: power window failure

Filed Jan 14, 2013 · Visibility · TX

The window regulator has failed. When I roll the window up it starts going slowly when it's almost all the way up and then it makes a squealing noise and then once it reaches the top it rolls back down by itself without me touching anything. This is a safety hazard because if there is inclement weather, I cannot get my window to stay rolled up. My car is not safe left with the window rolled all the way down. This is not just an issue that I am having. There a forums filled with people experiencing the same problems all with 2003 vw beetles. It is a cheaply made part that has to be replaced professionally. It is not fair that everyone has to pay $300+ for repair that shouldn't happen this often in the first place.

Filed Sep 9, 2012 · Airbags, Visibility · 36,000 miles · FL

I have had to replace all four power window regulators. I am now having to replace one of the replacements. This vehicle only has 83000 miles on it. The parts to repair this window are extremely expensive - over $500. I've already invested well over $1500 replacing the regulators already. Volkswagen is making defective parts and will not stand behind their product. I filed a complaint earlier on this vehicle for a defective airbag. This car has not been abused. I've taken good care of it. The airbag was never deployed or damaged in any way. If the airbag is defective it is because vw puts defective airbags in their vehicles.

Filed Oct 23, 2011 · Airbags, Electrical · 55,000 miles · FL

Three years ago when the car had only 55,000 miles on it, the air bag light came on. There was never any deployment of the air bags and I take good care of my car. Vw said it was a defective air bag, but refused to stand behind it. They want $750 to fix it. In the past four years I have had to replace each window motor. They cost $400 to replace. The driver side motor needs to be replaced for the second time. That means the first replacement lasted less than four years. The car has only 77,000 miles on it. This is outrageous.

Filed Jun 23, 2011 · Visibility · 70,000 miles · PA

I have a 2003 vw new beetle convertible and both rear window regulators continually break. I was told that there is an active campaign going on with your agency to get this item covered as a recall by volkswagen. The item or complaint number that was given me is 10282664. These window regulators are of a defective design and should be covered by vw. I don't feel that they should prosper by selling the regulator kits that are necessary due to their faulty design. This will be the second time that I am replacing these items in a 7 year old car.

Filed Mar 15, 2011 · Body, Visibility · 47,000 miles · VA

2003 new vw beetle convertible passenger side rear quarter window. Window fails to fully raise and will automatically open when it reaches 2/3 raised position. Faulty window regulator. A very expensive repair.

Filed Dec 29, 2010 · Electrical, Visibility · CO

2003 beetle convertible window regulators.

Filed Nov 9, 2010 · Airbags, Locks · 75,347 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen new beetle convertible. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked when she changed gears. The failure progressed over time. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced which was done at that time. The contact also stated that both the front window regulator motors failed; the vehicle was repaired at a local repair shop. The door lock actuators failed and were repaired at a repair shop. The air bag light illuminated and the contact was informed that the air bag sensor had failed. The vehicle was being repaired. The rear windshield was beginning to detach from the structure of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 75,347 and the current mileage was 93,800.

Filed Sep 30, 2010 · Visibility · 32,990 miles · IN

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen new beetle gls (n/a). The contact stated that the driver side rear window regulator was broken. The contact stated that the regulators on the different windows had been replaced five times. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the repairs would have to be performed at her expense. The current and failure mileages were 32,990.

Filed Sep 22, 2010 · Transmission · 75,066 miles · NC

2003 vw beetle convertible. Automatic transmission began showing signs of trouble well over a year ago. Problem starts after 15 minutes of driving. Downshifts hard around 30-25 MPH. Also shows hesitation coming out of 2nd to 3rd gear. Car has 75,000 miles. Had transmission fluid changed/flushed twice in past 6 months hoping that would help. Took to dealership today, quoted me $1900 to replace valve body. Are you kidding me? Not to mention the fact that this car has had the rear window regulator go out -cost $300 to repair. The glue affixing the rear glass window to convertible top is breaking down. The check engine light comes on and appears to be some sort of malfunction with the gas cap...no matter how often I tighten it. Then it mysteriously goes off. Oh, and should you ever need a replacement key, good luck. Why couldn't vw use normal sized/type keys? Vw is making crappy products. The federal safety agency please do something. This manufacturer should not be permitted to release another vehicle off its assembly line unless it fixes the many problems affecting innocent, unfortunate vw owners like myself. Yield your power and enforce some action. Vw needs to be responsible for the junk they produce. Maybe then they'll think twice before turning out anymore crappy products. I will never own another vw product.

Filed Aug 17, 2010 · Visibility · 5,000 miles · CA

2003 vw beetle rear window issues. 3 times this has happened where the rear window wont roll up. 3 times vw dealership charged us close to a thousand dollars to fix because of there design flaw. So many people have had this problem its time to investigate...please! I have put the latest date this occurred, but as I say this has happened 3 times.

Filed Aug 12, 2010 · Visibility · 99,500 miles · NJ

I have a 2003 vw new beetle convertible and both rear window regulators continually break. I was told that there is an active campaign going on with your agency to get this item covered as a recall by volkswagen. The item or complaint number that was given me is 10282664. These window regulators are of a defective design and should be covered by vw. I don't feel that they should prosper by selling the regulator kits that are necessary due to their faulty design. This will be the second time that I am replacing these items in a 7 year old car.

Filed Aug 7, 2010 · Visibility · 52,000 miles · OR

Rear window will not come up. Other rear window is locked in up position as it broke 8 mo. Ago. There seems to be alot of this problem on the new beatle all years. Time for a recall?