Air bag light never goes off, started at 33650 miles, right after my mom signed over the car to me.
2004 Volkswagen Beetle airbags problems
73 complaints (21% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 44,963. 5 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 73
- of this car's complaints
- 21%
- typical mileage
- 44,963
- crashes
- 5
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Frontal: sensor/control module16
- Frontal11
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Volkswagen Beetle airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling 76,900 my 2004-2005 new beetle and my 2003-2005 new beetle convertibles equipped with an advanced (dual-stage) air bag system. This system may have air bag frontal crash sensors that contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions. If this occurs, the air bag indicator light will illuminate and the fallback algorithm will ensure that the front air bags always deploy in a frontal crash in which the vehicle's deceleration is high enough to activate the frontal air bags.
- Risk
- In low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect each vehicle to determine that the specific defect crash sensor is present on one or both sides of the vehicle. All of the defect crash sensors will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before july 31, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 08V178000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Front air bag crash sensor failure
Certain subject vehicles, model year (my) 2003 convertible and my 2004 sedan and convertible vehicles are equipped with an advanced dual-stage air bag system.the air bag crash sensors (#1f0 909 606) contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions.if this occurs, the air bag indicator light will illuminate and the control module will enable a fallback algorithm that will ensure that the front air bag always deploys in a frontal crash in which the vehicle's deceleration is high enough to activate the frontal air bags.however, in low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants.volkswagen will inspect for the defective crash sensor and replace with an updated design.in addition, 16,177 early-my 2005 new beetle sedan and convertible vehicles (built through oct 31, 2004) are also included in the recall campaign.this preliminary evaluation is closed (see recall 08v‑178)
PE08012
What 2004 Volkswagen Beetle owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated for two months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air bag sensor which was a part of the driver's frontal seat belt system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the part needed for the repair was on back order. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
Air bag lights on and seems the dealer cannot get parts to fix ??
Vw check engine light on, obd sensor port not reading, battery light came on, and ABS light came on, now radio is going on and off. Started yesterday morning,while driving to work the ABS started after work on the way home.
Air bag light came on last year, resolved. Back on, I see old recall? What to do?
My transmission went out all at once my airbag/seatbeilt light on all the time
1. Air bag: the air bag indicator light is illuminating. 2. Sunroof drain system clogged: there is leakage through the sunroof of the passenger side. All rain water is coming in from the passenger door. After about 2 weeks of thunder storms the car has water all over the inside and the ceiling and smells bad. (as soon as I found out the sunroof leakage problem of this car, I found that he u.s. Court of appeals for the third circuit has approved a $69 million settlement stemming from a class-action lawsuit that started in 2007 over leaking sunroofs. Http://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2014/volkswagen-settles-lawsuit-leaking-sunroofs.shtml)
In 2008 I took my vw beetle to the vw dealership service department in murrieta, ca on date street and they have record that they fixed the air bag light/ and replace the switch which was lit up on my dash instrument panel. Well I took the same car 2004 vw beetle back on 08/17/2015 at 8:15 am so they could take care of my airbag light which came on again at 107,000 miles. I understand that there are several switches from the seatbelts to the frontend and also behind the cars dash that can cause the airbag light to come on but, being this is a life saving part on my car I do not feel I should have to pay for a recall service and part on my return visit. As I see it this is a defect and a safety hazard and I should not be charged a $126.00 to diagnose the issue and pay more for the part and service to fix a defective item. If I'm incorrect please advise me so I can understand how this is my fault. I thought if you fixed the problem then it should be on the company or persons who repaired the recall issue. Thank you very much and I would appreciate a response to my frustration with this issue.
I was driving 25 MPH and my front bumper hit a parked car, airbag deployed and rendered me unconscience it caused $12,000 to my teeth and possible head injury and 18 months at a specialist dental, had to have a bone graph and stint in my mouth, liver and abdominal contusion had to pay an attorney $9,000 to an attorney to represent me in court, I lost my job and am now on ssd
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. While driving at 40 MPH, the air bag and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v356000 (air bags), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 117,600.
Questions about the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle airbags
Does the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 73 complaints about the airbags of the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle, 21% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2004 Volkswagen Beetle airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 44,963 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 08V178000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volkswagen Beetle have bad airbags?
The Volkswagen Beetle model years with the most airbags complaints are 2004 (73 complaints), 2000 (64 complaints) and 2003 (60 complaints).
Other 2004 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Transmission 157Visibility 65Electrical 47Engine 33Body 16Lights 15Seat belts 14Fuel system 5Seats 5Brakes 4Acceleration 2Driver assistance 2Steering 2Locks 1Tires 1
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