2005 Volkswagen Beetle: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Apr 7, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 145,000 miles · WA

I bought used. One headlight was working. The other one went out shortly after I got it. We replaced the hid lights with brand new halogen lights. Was working great! Then I was driving to town late one night and my headlights went out. The low beams, I still had the high beams. Then I got pulled over cause my tail lights were not working. So I had to drive with my flashers on. Then the check airbag light came on and I need a new seat belt, cause it is not working right. The drivers door window would not roll down a little when I opened the door and the door would not lock. The lights and tail lights are making me mad cause no matter what we have done they never work. Help!!! I want it fixed!! I love my little convertible. I don't want to have to get rid of it.

Filed Oct 7, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · OR

My VIN number on car is different from the VIN number on motor. I just found this out about one month ago. I wasn't told this when I bought the vehicle.. So, I don't know if this is a big problem or not. Its a 2005 vw, with a 2004 engine from a slavage yard, bandb, or b and r?? This caused me great alarm. The wiring since had to be done about 2 weeks ago. Also, the belly pan had been missing. I had it fixed. And the headlights had to be repaired too. This car has cost me thousands in repairs since purchase. And I don't have more thousands to put in it. Please help I hope the car in excellent shape now. Also, I noticed the dip stick broke to oil check and hadn't been prior to my acknowledgement. Also, the car has a soft top and I was told was newly replaced in 5/2018. But it seems to have a different look inside then a tight shape regarding top, and I don't know if this should be or not.

Filed Aug 16, 2018 · Lights · 80,000 miles · FL

Headlights do not light properly when turned on to drive at night. Lights only stay in daytime mode. Too dark to drive at night. Have taken it to dealership and they refuse to see it.

Filed Apr 8, 2017 · Lights · 33,000 miles · IL

Driver side headlamp - was inspected by ek automotive in chicago. Headlamp assembly is not connecting to power supply therefore, this is a big safety concern! . Every time I hit a bump, the low beam headlight goes out !! Vw needs to fix this at their expense!! I've seen so many new beetles with one headlight out...make it right!!!

Filed Jul 6, 2015 · Airbags, Lights · NC

I took my 2005 convertible beetle to the service provider because my r headlight was out. They refused to work on it because it was a fire hazard. All the wires to the headlight were exposed. The protective part over the wires were brittle and appeared to have just rotted off. Each wire will need to be repaired before any one will work on it due to the hazard. I looked at the left headlight and someone had repaired the wires already on that side. Lots of electrical tape and wire nuts. I still have no r headlight. The airbag light has been on as well since I purchased the vehicle used last year. I own another beetle. It is a 2000 and the airbag light has been on for several years as well. I have read about wiring problems with the airbags and feel that it is also a safety issue I felt that needed to be reported. Please feel free to contact me for further details.

Filed Nov 21, 2013 · Lights · 130,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that the passenger's side headlight failed to illuminate. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the headlight wiring harness was faulty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Feb 19, 2012 · Body, Electrical · 40,000 miles · OK

The light sockets on the car are loose and will allow the bulb to come loose and not make contact with the connector and the light has to be re-inserted, this constant removal and fixing of the lights has caused several of the components to break and now make it impossible to fix. The effected lights are: tail lights, brake lights, turn signal lights, head light, reverse lights... Mainly the rear lights, but the head lights are having the same issue.

Filed Feb 14, 2012 · Lights, Visibility · 56,243 miles · ID

Rear quarter windows on new beetle convertible (nbc): failure to properly raise/lower, grinding noise from inside panel behind speakers, disassembly found broken cable retainer component, component made of cheap plastic, known problem among nbc owners, $600+ repair for each side, simple correction would be to make this component out of aircraft grade aluminum, both sides have failed on my daughter's car------------ lighting: frequent replacement of headlight low beam bulbs (driver's and passenger's side), consistently failing, have replaced five bulbs in last 1.5 years, no fault codes thrown, mechanic hypothesized it may be due to a voltage surge, problem not associated with touching the bulb (causing them to fail due to oils on fingers) as I use nitrile gloves when handling and installing the bulbs.

Filed Nov 6, 2011 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · CA

While driving the car stop and go-when I stepped on the gas, the transmission would not shift to the next gear-the rpms would rev and finally the next gear would "catch" really slam into gear and the car would shift. I had many near miss accidents due to my car failing to move forward in traffic. I took it to the dealer several times and each time they could not duplicate the problem. No repairs were made. I finally drove it directly to the dealer while the problem happened and the mechanic was able to "witness" the problem, the repair was made-replaced transmission parts at 62,000 miles. Now at 80,000 miles, the car does 2 things-while driving on the freeway, the car feels as if it has lost power-the car stays on, but there is no power to the engine-step on the gas and nothing happens-no rpms, nothing, the car slows down immediately, but because it happens so suddenly, cars that are following me don't always react in time and I have almost been rear ended-after a few seconds all of a sudden the car will regain power. The 2nd problem happens randomly-as I am driving, the car just shuts off. All of the dash lights flash on and the car dies-no power steering, nothing, just a dead car. I have to put the car in gear, turn everything off (radio, air etc), and turn the car back on. This has happened during a left turn, at a stop sign, while driving on the street. Again vw mechanic finds nothing on the computer. This car is a lemon-I have had to replace 2 batteries, several headlights, tail and turn lights, air bag sensors, all 4 window regulators, plus 2 of the same window regulators twice, trunk latch, rear ashtray holder, convertible straps, rear convertible window clips, and now whenever it rains my car leaks. I am terrified to drive the car in it's current condition, afraid to cause or be involved in an accident. This car is not safe, please help.

Filed Jul 18, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · OK

Vw 2005 convertible bug both rear window problems, will not roll up or down. Passenger side window is making a horrible squeaking noise, seems to be the next one to go. Along with head light shortages. The last 5 years I have at least replaced the headlights at least 8 times. Recently both headlights have turned themselves off/out. This is ridiculous! This is unacceptable and vw should be ashamed of themselves to not fix the problems that are obviously flawed! I understand putting out a product will have some flaws, but not standing behind their brand name and not making things right is a slap in the face. I was a proud owner of my first car I bought myself. And all I have to show and get out of the deal is an empty wallet and embarrassment when I drive down the road because features don't work right. Do what's right vw and man up to your mistake. I would buy 10 more cars like the one I have if only they took pride in their product and honored the average loyal customer. I'm a 25 year old girl who supports myself on my own dollar. I was raised knowing you fix what problems you create. Be accountable and do what's right! It's your turn vw please do what's right.

Filed Apr 12, 2011 · Lights · 20,601 miles · WA

Plastic lens on headlight fell off the sealant was still attached but every time you park the lens would fall off went to auburn volkswagen and they said couldn't replace sealant I had to buy a whole assembly which cost me $525.59 which there was a recall on the exterior lights which we did not received and I can't get ahold of sabersports who was the contact, in 2009 we purchase the car 2/16/09 and only have 20,626 miles on it, and I feel the light was one of the recalls and my other headlight looks like its starting with the same sealant problem. I feel I should get my money back and my lights reworked on the recall which the dealer didn't mention any thing about a recall,and we never got notice about recall.

Filed Aug 8, 2010 · Lights · 62,000 miles · MI

Plastic part in headlights (which bulb sits in) gets hot melts causing headlight to go out. Potential for fire.