Volkswagen Beetle battery drain problems

Filed Sep 3, 2021 · Electrical · AZ · crash

My 2019 VW Beetle, AT, keyless entry was parked in a store parking lot. When I left the vehicle it wouldn't lock. I thought my fob battery died. I came out of the store about 30 minutes later and my car had rolled away. It came to rest about 50 feet away, up against a fixed object light pole. I was shocked! My rear bumper sustained damage. I got in my car and saw it was in D. I guess I left it in D, turned off the push button start/stop and it rolled away after I left it. I then did some checking and found that when push button start/stop tech is installed in many cars with the added safety features of audible sounds or transmissions ratcheting into park when stopped with transmission in Drive, which are standard safety features on most newer cars, but were not standard on my car. The car did not alert me to anything being wrong. This is a safety hazard. I noted that VW recalled their keyed entry Beetles for Rollaway Risks, but did not include key-less entry vehicles. A call to VW ensued and a case number was assigned, #04874410. Regional personnel Cathy was coordinating the case which she said caused an internal report to be filed. On Sept 3 at approximately noon, she called me to say that the accident was my fault, for parking incorrectly, VW would not pay to have my rear bumper fixed, nor would they take any responsibility. This Rollaway Risk could have been deadly, it could have been worse. I would hate to see someone killed for being in similar circumstances. VW is negligent in their response, these cars should be recalled for being a safety hazard to the general public. I am deeply concerned with the nonchalant attitude of VW. My husband's Lincoln ratchets into Park when he stops the car using the button if left in Drive. Ford does the same thing. Nissan makes an audible noise alerting the driver to something being amiss. VW is not even on the ballpark on this, what a shame!

Filed Aug 16, 2019 · 45,000 miles · FL

Door lock have quit working properly, what make me think this might be a bigger problem than the 600$ I have had to pay separately for each door is an experience I had last week...upon entering the vehicle and closing the door, my battery died, and I was unable to exit the vehicle, as the beetle requires the window to lower approx. 1 inch for the door to open. I do not know if these 2 problems are connected, but having anything wrong with door locks should be a safety hazard that is fixed by the company. The doors are supposed to lock upon acceleration, with the double clicking I have experienced, I'm actually not sure if they are. I have a video that I could send, but it is not attachable to this form (.mov)I have attached the customer (don't) care messages from vw. I have decided to fie this complaint because the passenger door first went out a year or so ago and I paid for that one and now the drivers door has failed.

Filed Nov 2, 2016 · Electrical · 44,000 miles · FL · fire

Alternator malfunction caused sever burning of the battery top mounted fuse box assembly. Replaced alternator and fuse box assembly and car still does not operate properly. Battery drains out continuously even with no key in the ignition. Dealership has given up of repairing the car even after spending 500$ in diagnostics, they could not identify a corrective course of action. I have all bills and repair lists on file if needed. The car has only 44,000 miles and was in mint condition. I have also had to replace 3 of the 4 window components on the electric windows.

Filed Jul 14, 2016 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen beetle. While driving approximately 15 MPH, all the warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery died. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that the same failure occurred several other times. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000. ...updated 08/15/16 *bf the consumer stated the alternator was replaced and the battery was charged.

Filed Feb 15, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 65,551 miles · IN

Vehicle engine stopped while driving. Battery dead, no power in vehicle at all. Found melted battery fuse box under hood. Root cause determined to be corrosion on alternator power supply cable that created heat enough to melt plastic (~450f) and burn the protective cover off the alternator supply wire back 2 inches. Poor contact due to corrosion caused battery to drain, which eventually could no longer sustain engine ignition. No warning lights prior to engine stopping. No battery power also means no power steering, no power brakes, no airbags during collision. Online forums indicate this is happening to a lot of people. It would appear to be as deadly as the gm ignition switch issue, but it is not being taken seriously by vw.

Filed Jan 22, 2014 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · LA

Had to have fuse panel on battery replaced for 2nd time in 2-3 yrs and also a fuse box under dash. Cost was very expensive. Car would not start all of a sudden after shopping at a store. Had to push start the car to a independent mechanic. Still don't know why it went bad/appeared melted. In first episode the alternator had to be replaced also as there were battery drain problems. This an indirect safety issue as my daughter drives car and she could have be stranded at any place when this happened.

Filed Feb 2, 2011 · Electrical · 102,000 miles · MD

Bought used 2000 volkswagen new beetle for daughter. 102k miles. After having it one week, went to start it, battery dead (new battery). Noticed that the cosmetic mirror light in driver's side visor would go on even though mirror closed and visor not in use. In looking further, it appears that something in the movement of the car jiggles some loose wiring in the visor, and light remains on without our knowledge. We bought new battery, and have taped visor into secure position when parked.

Filed Jan 9, 2009 · Airbags, Engine · 86,273 miles · NC

Car bough used from vs dealership on 7/31/2006. Been in for check engine light 4times, airbag light 3 times, A/C broke once, windows would not roll up once, needed new rotors once, rattling under hood once, battery died two days after I bought it and I had to tow it back to vw. Car jerks when going out of first gear-I told vw this repeatedly and they only tried to fix it after the warranty was up. They told me it would be $700 to fix. On 12/9/2008 my car would not go out of first gear while I was driving it. It had to be towed to my house and has not been driven since. I have had nothing but problems out of this car. I can not put anymore money into it. When the warranty went up, all of the sudden everything started going wrong. I requested prior information from the vw dealership about the other owner before me. I feel that this car was doctored so that I would buy it and then it started falling apart.

Filed Jul 25, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 75,000 miles · FL · fire

I have a 2001 vw new beetle. I have replaced brake light, which was drains the battery, serpentine belt, remoteless key which is still broken- basically 6 days after buying this car- I spent $1200 on repairs- now the check engine light is on, the transmission is acting funny, and basically- my vw dealership has a field day with me. To top it off- my battery died a month ago- and caught on fire when I tried to jump it. I am afraid that this car will blow up on me at any time. Please help me!

Filed Nov 16, 2007 · Electrical · WI

We have a 2000 vw beetle with automatic transmission that has some sort of electrical problem that drains the battery if no one drives the car for a few days. We didn't really notice the problem until our daughters both went off to school and no one was driving the car on a regular basis. We are at the point where aaa and amoco motor club will no longer jump the car. We have purchased several batteries in the last 3-4 years or replaced them under warranty to the point where sears told us today to not come back. The vw dealer told us to go someplace else because they couldn't help us and vw itself has nothing to say other than go to the local dealer who told us to call vw. This car has been a problem from the beginning and we have done everything asked of us, expended funds and an inordinate amount of time to no avail. Today the vw dealer did say that there was a problem with vw's of this vintage because they had problems with cars sitting on the lot and dying. We now need to our daughter to use in chicago, but we can't risk giving it to her and having her come out to the car late at night after work and find that the car is dead.