Volkswagen Beetle grinding brakes problems

Filed Feb 18, 2020 · Fuel system, Suspension · 66,000 miles · AZ

When going over speed bumps or bumps in roads, the suspension is squeaky. In motion on city streets the gas cap became defective and the check engine light is on. Service department at vw states the gas cap needs replaced. There is now a noise on the back right panel behind the gas cap after turning off car.

Filed May 6, 2015 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · VA

April 2014, the mechatronic unit for my 2004 vw new beetle tdi failed. It would surge in and out gear. This part was recalled overseas but not in the USA. This january 2015 what I had a turbo failure and a dual mass clutch flywheel failure. This is the dsg 6 speed automatic transmission. The special flywheel has failed, it has a hole in the out casing and the internal springs inside are slowing breaking up and were shooting out the assembly. These pieces then somehow managed to machine the transmission bellhousing creating at least 3 holes in the transmission case. The car seriously vibrates at idle but when under power the car runs normal. There is a grinding sounds also when at idle. I am amazed that the transmission hasn't catastrophically failed yet. This would be a potential crash if not repaired. Are there any other cases similar to the aforementioned problems. Please help!

Filed Nov 10, 2013 · Visibility · 48,227 miles · TX

2005 vw beetle convertible, pushed the button for all windows to open at the same time and the back drivers side window would not go back up. Made a grinding sound like scratching noise on glass. It just stuck there about half way opened. I have since taped it up with cardboard and duct tape for security reasons and not to get rain inside. Asked mechanic at vw and he said it is $600 if it's just the regulator much more if it is the motor. Also said they may have to replace the entire window. Really? I have read many, many reviews on this very same issue, too many to count actually. Something is obviously wrong, (like the manufacturer defect issue). I worry every day while at work someone will break in to my car, I've cleaned out the inside of everything and now resort to locking my compartments which I never have ever done before. A recall is necessary for all of us who love our beetles, have taken such good care of them only to be subject to such events. Safety issues for this female beetle owner has been compromised and this is not acceptable and should not be by those with the power to correct this for the safety of those of us suffering from the neglect of the vw manufacturer. I pray this falls on the eyes of someone with a conscious who puts people and their safety above profit. A recall for this very issue is needed and to return those of us to a safer driving experience and lifestyle.

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 Oct 7, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 69,000 miles · DE

Car was shifting very hard, tires would squeal as shifting between 1-2 and 2-3rd gears. To replace the transmission it will be between 2-5000.00 dollars we have had to replace window regulators, thermometer.

Filed May 15, 2012 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · CO

My automatic 2004 vw beetle convertible jerks so hard from 1st to 2nd gear, it fells like I have been rear ended, or popped the clutch. I have almost been in 2 accidents due to the severity of the jerking, and have had the wheels actually squeal. The car works fine for the first 20-30 minutes, but then gets so bad I fear I may get whiplash. It is now beginning to rev to 6000 RPM when it shifts into 6th gear, or hesitates and I lose power. Have been told I will need to replace transmission, but that will cost almost as much as the car is worth.

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 Dec 7, 2011 · Visibility · IN

All the windows appear to have major problems, the back right makes a horrible grinding noise and won't budge, the driver's side window makes a weird noise but moves, and the overall placement of the windows is odd and leaks air.

Filed Oct 28, 2011 · Electrical, Visibility · 70,650 miles · IN

Have had issues with the front automatic windows in this car since august 2008. In may 2010 the rear windows would go up part way and then go back down. I had repairs done (reinstalled window seal at a cost of $96.00) then in september of 2011 the other rear window would not go up and the dealer said that I needed a "kit" to correct the problem of the cables binding up and keeping the window from going up. This repair cost $800. Today the other rear window will not go up and is making the familiar grinding sound. I suspect that I will need to go to the dealer and get a "kit" for this window which is the one that had the seal replaced on it. Another $800.00 or so for something that will only temporarily fix this issue. I have only had the back windows down on this vehicle maybe a dozen times since I've owned it. This is clearly a cheap and faulty design by the manufacturer. If I do not continue to make these repairs I cannot properly secure my vehicle and risk damage or theft.

Filed Oct 11, 2011 · Visibility · 38,404 miles · AR

Window regulators come apart and make a grinding noise. Windows fall into the door and will not go back up. Parts take at least a week to come in. Quite a problem in a convertible, the windows go up and down every time you open the doors. This has happened twice in the last 9 months. Volkswagen has no recall or defect reported. Volkswagen makes the part and gives it a 12 month or 12,000 mile manufacturers warranty but offers no guarantee the window regulators will not fail again and does not offer to cover the cost of repair when they do, outside 12 mos/12k miles. At $250 a door on a 3 year old car, I'm not looking forward to replacing these when they fail again.