Volkswagen Beetle check engine light comes on

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · Acceleration, Airbags · FL

ABS module is defective. This results in numerous warning lights, including abs, traction control, airbags, tire pressure warning, check engine light, epc light, and speed control usability. I have no working abs, seat belt, or traction control, which is a safety issue. There was a previous safety recall for VW with defective abs control modules, 45F2. The problem has been confirmed through an authorized VW repair shop. The part will be made available.

Filed Dec 17, 2024 · Engine, Locks · 70,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal exhaust odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor was abnormally strong. The contact stated that exhaust fumes were entering the vehicle through the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear latch for the hatchback was not locking securely and was also allowing exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Manufacturer Emissions Recall Circular Code: WA000 Reprograming of Engine Control Module and Replacement of Oxygen Sensor (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Jan 16, 2022 · Engine · GA

While driving on the interstate my 2013 VW Beetle showed a stability malfunction warning then lost power and would not accelerate. I coasted to the shoulder and shut the vehicle off. It crank back up and I drove it home. Two months ago, I had the same issue with the vehicle losing power after the engine light illuminated several times before I could get the car into the VW dealership for repair. After a costly emmission valve and hose replacement the engine light didn’t come back on and the care hasn’t lost power until yesterday. My safety was at risk due to a lack of power and had not been able to coast to the shoulder safely, I could have been plowed into the rear of my car by a semi that was fast approaching. This is a vehicle that I purchased for my teenaged daughter and I shudder to think of an inexperienced driver in this situation. I have read lots of post from others who have had this problem with VW. Taking the car back to the dealership tomorrow and praying that I won’t be told that the lose of power is a safety feature that VW has like I was told previously. Safety feature is suppose to prevent an accident not put drivers in a sitution that is potentially fatal.

Filed Nov 19, 2021 · Engine · AZ

Engine stalled and made jerking movements when coming to a stop and continued. Per mechanic, engine had metal contaminants and cannot be repaired. Needs new engine. Check engine light did not come on until after malfunction. Could have occurred on roadway which would have been hazard to driver and others. Second opinion from another mechanic obtained and confirmed. Not inspected by manufacturer. Oil was changed at VW dealership week before malfunction. No dealership available where malfunction occurred.

Filed Sep 12, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

2018 Beetle with 2.0 TSI. Vehicle is extremely well maintained and all work has been done by VW dealers. This is not our primary vehicle and, as a result, it only has about 8600 miles. Stopped at a store for a few minutes. Vehicle would not restart. Many fault lights appeared on the dash (e.g., battery, check engine, EPC). Pushed vehicle into another area of the parking lot where there was more room in case it needed to be towed. Waited a few minutes and tried to restart. Vehicle sputtered and seemed to be running on only 1 or 2 cylinders for a few seconds. Gave it a little gas, all lights went off, full engine power resumed. Sat there a few minutes evaluating engine performance, everything seemed fine. Decided to head to the dealership instead of going home. After about 2 miles engine stopped running. Many fault lights appeared including battery, EPC, check engine, and so many others I can’t even recall. Had almost no steering. Struggled to coast vehicle to shoulder. Weather was very hot and traffic was heavy, not a pleasant situation or place to get stranded. Waited a minute or two. Tried to restart. Vehicle coughed, sputtered, and shook like it was only running on 1 cylinder. Shut vehicle off and sat. Tried to restart 2 or 3 more times without success. On next attempt vehicle sputtered to life, lights went off, and full power resumed. Tested engine performance and it seemed fine. EPC light came on. Still heading to the dealership. Got another 1.5 miles or so. EPC and check engine light came on. Another engine failure. Super heavy traffic on a 6-lane highway. Luckily I had enough speed to coast off the road and into a dirt parking lot. Many fault lights on the dash. Waited a few minutes. Tried to restart vehicle, no luck. Vehicle was towed to closest VW dealership. Absolutely terrifying and horrific 3 hours.

Filed May 4, 2021 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 160,000 miles · MI

Driving my 2004 volkswagen beetle is dangerous. The tiptronic transmission in the 2004 vw beetle is known by volkswagen to be defective. At any point the valve body can fail, which causes delayed shifting, and hard jerking between gears. My 2004 beetle fails to shift when accelerating between 2nd and 3rd gear. This causes the vehicle to coast for several seconds, sometimes requiring pulling off the road because of traffic. When downshifting it jerks extremely hard. You get in, start the engine, and receive no warnings that anything is wrong with the vehicle. No check-engine light provides any indication that the vehicle is dangerous. You drive down some city streets and hop onto the freeway to go to your favorite grocery store. After getting off the freeway the car is fully warmed up, and as it downshifts from 4th to 3rd gear it lurches. It feels like the engine is trying to jump out of the car! No engine light comes on. Then you stop at the end of the off-ramp, and wait for a traffic light to turn. After turning the car shifts from 1st to 2nd gear. Then it fails to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. The gear doesn't engage, and the car coasts down the road without any power. Drivers passing by are staring. The SUV behind you is right on your butt; they begin honking. There's nothing you can do. Finally, after 20 seconds of coasting the car enters 3rd gear with a giant lurch. It feels like it's going to explode! You pull into the grocery store parking lot, heart racing, knowing that the car you're driving almost caused an accident that could kill a half a dozen people. And you know to get home it's going to happen all over again. This problem is reported by hundreds of owners. This is an extreme safety hazard. Volkswagen needs to recall the affected vehicles and pay damages for those whose transmissions were destroyed by this defective valve body and transmission.

Filed Nov 11, 2020 · Engine · 71,200 miles · AZ

Engine light for evap purge flow incorrect. I've spent over $700.00 at the dealership and my engine light still comes on with the same error code.p0441. Thankfully I have fixed plugged in and I can turn off the engine light only to have it come on again every 25 to 50 miles of driving. ???? The purge solenoid, air pump, purge valve have been replaced. No change.

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 Sep 28, 2019 · Fuel system · TX

Engine light is on and every time I put gas in the car it does not turn on on first try I have to keep turning ignition key 3-4 time before it start. The car is turned off.

Filed Jun 14, 2019 · Engine · 148,000 miles · AZ

When driving the car shuts off in traffic in town and on the highway. 2 times no check engine light came on. One time light came on. Mechanic is not sure why. I have read several similar occurances online by other owners. Sounds like a risk for fatality to me. My daughter just bought this car from another party.