Tl*the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. Ever since the vehicle was purchased, it has been taken to the dealer several times for the air bag indicator illuminating. The dealer replaced the frontal air bag crash sensor and reprogrammed the air bag system; however, the failure was not corrected. The dealer stated that if the indicator illuminated again, the air bag module will need to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id numbers 08v178000 (air bags: frontal: sensor/control module or recall) and 03v3560000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 33,000 and current mileage was 36,000. Updated 06/23/09. *lj a diagnostic indicated failure of the drier seat buckle which had to be replaced. Updated 06/24/09.
2004 Volkswagen Beetle airbags complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 73, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen new beetle convertible. The VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 08v178000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module); updated 03-04-09 *bf the consumer stated around 50,000 miles the air bag light illuminated. The dealer stated the problem was a faulty air bag sensor on the passenger side which rendered the air bag inoperative. 6 months later, the air bag light illuminated again. Vw stated the air bag sensor/module was faulty again. Updated 03/05/09.
After returning vehicle to the dealer several times for airbag light in which time the senor under the passenger seat was replaced, the airbag sensors reprogrammed, finally there was a recall of the airbag sensors and they were replaced. Approximately 1 month after replacement, the airbag light came back on. Now it is the airbag sensor in the drivers seat. It seems to me that there is an intrinsect problem with the entire airbag system. When I asked if we could just not have it repaired, I was told that not having it repaired could cause the seat belt to not work, and the airbag may not deploy.
Dealer states that the safety belt latch sensor has malfunctioned and needs replaced. Rendering the airbag inoperative!
Dealer performed recall on crash test sensors on 2004 new beetle tdi, on the way home airbag warning light comes on, vw wants us to pay over $1000.00 to repair.
Airbag light came on dash in late july. Vw dealer contacted to see if safety hazard, told no. Received recall letter from vw one month later for airbag sensor. Called dealer to see if urgent safety matter. Told no, come in at our leisure. One week later, airbag deployed while driving on the highway in rush hour traffic when hit minor bump in the road.
Airbag system warning light on.
Re: illumination of air bag warning light was repaired under factory warranty. Came on again 1 week later and a crash sensor was replaced, again under factory warranty. Came on again about 3 weeks later and was charged due to expiration of factory warranty even though it has been an ongoing issue with this manufacturer.
Air bag sensor on my 2004 vw beetle diagnosed as defective by vw dealer. Defect identified only 20 days past the expiration of new car warranty. Dealer and vw - america declined to repair vehicle under warranty. I advised vw america that the federal safety agency website informs that a safety recall for this issue begins on 7/31/08. They still refused to offset or partially offset the cost of the repair.
Air bag warning light illuminated and dealer found that front crash sensor failed and that there was a related computer problem at approximately 30,000 miles and this was replaced under warranty. I was told that the airbag would not deploy in a crash because of this failure. At 40,000 the airbag light came on again and the dealer found that the other side front crash sensor had failed also and that the airbags would not deploy in a crash. The warranty has expired and I was charged $505 to replace this. I was told by the service advisor that they "see this all the time with the beetle", and that "after one side fails the other side usually does too".
Purchased the car new on jan 2, 2004. The air bag light 1st came on in sept 2004 and was repaired. Since that point, the air bag light has illuminated nearly every 6 months, and repaired. Every, time, the car has been in the shop, it has been a crash sensor or seat module replacement. The car has been at vw seven times for this problem. In november 2007, our car was at 54,000 miles, the warranty had expired at 50,000 miles, the light once again illuminated. After a protracted battle with the dealer and vw regional, they agreed to replace the control module. And again, we were told by the dealer, "this should do it". Just this past week, the air bag light has illuminated. Only this time, the dealer closed their dealership at the start of the year and we're staring at a $1200 repair bill. Certainly, to drive around without an air bag isn't exactly a smart thing to do, but I don't have a lot of confidence this won't come back on 6 months after the repair, based on the history above. In my eyes, there is a systemic defect in the systems that control the air bag. *tr crash sensor.
Air bag warning light comes on. Repaired twice under warranty, right front crash side sensor replaced on 11 sep 2007, don't know about the first incident. Now out of warranty and air bag light is on again. *tr crash sensor.pco
2004 vw new beetle air bag sensor light on. *tr crash sensor.pco
The airbag light, among other things, in our 2004 new beetle has come on approximately 10 times in three years. Each time, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer and supposedly fixed, but without fail, the light came back on each time. The seatbelt buckle was changed, connections were secured, they said it was shorted (guided fault findings, bumper cover removed, seat removed), and others. I have all copies of service records. After all these service visits, the airbag light is still on and we are very concerned that the airbag system is not working correctly and could cause serious damage and may not deploy correctly during an accident. I heard there was an investigation being conduct on the 2004 new beetles and wanted to let you know of our experience. *tr crash sensor.pco
Our air bag light came on. Upon taking the vehicle to the dealership it was discovered that the front crash sensors were not operational. There was no damage to either sensor. They both had just failed. There is a concern that the bags would not have deployed in an accident. The vehicle has only 22,925 original miles. It seems odd that both sensors would fail at the same time. *tr SRS.pco
Airbag light came on +/- 52,000 miles and is a constant light (original car warranty expired 50,000 miles) I was informed by new country volkswagen of greenwich ct (vw service) and fidelity warranty services that my extended warranty won't cover repair or diagnostic costs (estimated at $750 plus tax). Tech found "passenger front air bag crash sensor no signal." this car is barely 3 years old and has not been in any accidents at all. Vw customer care did not provide assistance despite the fact that on the federal safety agency website it appears that air bag lights are a noted issue on the 2004 volkswagen new beetle and there have been recalls, just not my VIN number yet. Vw should contact me and pay for this repair. *tr SRS.pco
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that the air bag warning light has remained illuminated since the vehicle was purchased. The contact has taken the vehicle to the dealer several times. Repairs were made, but the failure still persists. The contact called the manufacturer and they advised her to schedule an appointment with the dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The manufacturer also informed her to call them back after the diagnosis was performed. The contact has all of the repair orders for each time the vehicle was serviced. The current and failure mileages were 41,000.
Both frontal crash sensors failed in a six month period. Several months later, one of the replaced sensors failed. There was no accident involved. The diagnosis was alerted by air bag light indicating problem. *ak SRS.pco
I have two crash sensors that have failed within 6 months on my 2004 vw beetle. This a major safety device that vw us has failed to acknowledge that is a manufactue defect. *jb SRS.pco
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag indicator constantly illuminated. Also, the seat belt indicator illuminated intermittently even when the vehicle was unoccupied. In addition, the daytime running lamps would shut off, but the dealer replaced the bulbs. The contact had an appointment to have the air bag indicator diagnosed. The current and failure mileage were 35851.
Our 2004 vw new beetle has had two air bag switch failures. The first one was within the first couple thousand miles and was covered under warranty. The second one just happened and was not covered by our original warranty, or our extended warranty. If this is a safety issue and we did nothing to promote the failure, is the $535 repair our responsibility? *jb SRS.pco
Purchased brand new. Problems I have had with this car: 1. Rear power windows have both taken turns falling down into the body. Will not power up. One has been replaced. Dealer now won't fix second one because they 'don't see it as a known problem.' 2. Headliner around rear window has come undone. 3. Headlights have to be replaced constantly. For example; a light bulb was installed on a saturday, and had stopped working by the following wednesday. 4. Rubber coating on glove box and on interior doors is peeling off. Dealer would not even condsider fixing or addressing. 5. Key assembly for arm console broke almost immediately. It took approximately 8 months, and several reminders, to get dealer to replace. 6. Sometimes radio stays on after key has been removed from ignition. 7. Air bag light stays on. Won't go off. 8. Hand release on front passenger seat often gets 'stuck' and will not work. 9. Cup holder has come off track. I only drive this car to-and-from work. No kids/passengers ride in it. It has not had any owner abuse. I will never buy another volkswagen product.
I purchased a used 2004 vw new beetle convertible from toyota of orange, orange, ca this year, january, 2006. Within a week of the purchase, the airbag warning came on. I talked to the sales manager, bill about this in person...(concerned that the safety check was not thorough), and he was not the least bit concerned and told me that since the mileage was only about 25,000 that it was covered under warranty. I took it to mckenna vw in huntington beach, ca for the repair/replacement of sensor. The light was off when I picked it up but then came on again only one month later. This time I took it to fladeboe vw, irvine ca. A part had to be ordered for another sensor, so I returned after the part was in and had it placed mid-march, 2006. It is now april 2006 and the airbag warning light is on for the 3rd time since the car was purchased 3 months ago!! Help!!
4th electrical failure, 3rd airbag light/malfuction. 5 days after servicing car for airbag safety issue, same repeated problem. (see complaint 10148516, 10148511).
3rd electrical failure, 2nd airbag light/malfunction. Continued issue with airbag light on/malfunctioning spontaneously.
2nd major electrical problem since car purchase. Safety issue regarding seat occupied light module and airbag light on/malfunctioned. Left brake light burnt out.
Airbag malfunction light came while car was on and in idle and remains on.
Air bag light malfunctioned first on 2/2005 , was brought in 4 times to be fixed and was not fixed until sept. Let me drive around with air bag lite on.
In april 2005, the airbag light came on. I immediately brought it to the nearest vw dealer/shop. I was told that they needed to order a part, but that all was fine. In the next few months I called many times and the airbag light had come back on. By august 2005 they finally received the part (passenger airbag sensors under/in the seat). They were unable to fix it even when they received the part (three more errors came up and the wires did not connect properly) and they sent the information to the manufacture for assistance. On 12 september 2005, they had me bring the car back in because they had received repair instructions from the manufacture. I was told that the airbag system was fixed and would have no further problems with it. I do not know if the old parts are available, I will ask. On 17 september 2005 (five days later), the airbag light came back on.
Dt: consumer complained about electrical problems; the speakers didn't work/windows kept going up and down, and transmission failed. The car was not even a one year old. *ak the replaced transmission still performs poorly. The air bag light came on at least 3-4 times. *tt
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