Volkswagen Beetle knocking problems

Filed Jul 12, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · OH

Component or System Failure: The specific component that failed or malfunctioned in my 2015 VW Beetle 1.8T Classic PZEV is the timing belt, which caused bent valves resulting in the engine seizing up, rendering it inoperable. It is available for inspection upon request. Safety Implications: The failure of the engine posed a significant risk to my safety and the safety of others. When the engine failed while I was driving on the freeway, it resulted in a sudden loss of power and alarming knocking sounds. This sudden loss of power on a busy highway endangered my life and the lives of other drivers around me. Confirmation by Dealer or Service Center: The problem has been confirmed by a Volkswagen dealership. I had the vehicle towed to Bill marines Volkswagen dealership for diagnosis, and they assessed that the engine had "jumped time" and the valves were bent, rendering the car undrivable. Inspections by Manufacturer, Authorities, or Others: The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer or any other relevant authorities at this point. However, I have sought assistance and evaluation from a Volkswagen dealership, which is an authorized service center for the brand. They were the first to diagnose the catastrophic engine failure. Warning Lamps, Messages, or Symptoms: Prior to the engine failure, there were no warning lamps or messages indicating a problem. There were no noticeable symptoms or signs of an impending failure. The failure occurred suddenly while driving on the freeway, without any prior indication of trouble. Please let me know if there is any additional information or documentation required to assist with the investigation. I am committed to providing accurate and reliable information to support the resolution of this matter.

Filed Dec 2, 2018 · Driver assistance, Engine · 136,000 miles · CO

I bought a beetle (136k m) from an acquaintance for $1600 cash there were some issues I.e. The faulty trunk release didnt work, the driver side door had no power, (turns out the door motor is a common issue beetle has) sunroof was stuck part open, and the key fob to the beetle had been worn/broken. (fun fact: without the key fob, access to the trunk, and no power to the driver side door. The stock alarm is very difficult to disable.) we drove the beetle for about a week when the clutch went out. A transmission specialist quoted us $400 for the hydraulic line, after further examination the entire clutch was out (he charged me $1100) the very next day the oil light was blinking, we checked the oil level and it was full. We continued on our business the car started losing power, stalling and making a horrible tapping/knocking sound. The engine light started blinking. We werent able to pull codes because the odb was disconnected during the expensive clutch repair. At this point we have invested a great deal of money into this used vehicle, we are hesitant to to take it to the crusher. We bought a haynes repair manual and after some luck, common sense, and trouble shooting we were able to diagnose the car with a faulty camshaft timing chain tension guide. The repair seemed easy enough so we enlisted a our family mechanic to perform the repair. After another $575 we discovered that the tension guide was in fact the problem. We were able to get the vehicle all put back together with several new vital parts. It will not turn over. The manual indicates it may still be out of time or we may have a blown fuse. After I replace the fuses and reattempt installing the timing chain, I will have put 3 x as much money into this car than its worth. I feel like volkwagen is producing lemons and ripping off americans!!!

Filed May 3, 2018 · Electrical · 90,832 miles · AR

Alternator gets extremely hot, untouchable. Appears to be direct short with heavy load. Melts fuse box on top of battery. Fire hazard. Online search for other events reveal that is common occurrence even resulting in class action suit but still vw will not admit fault. All volkswagon beetles should be removed from the roads, it is a ticking time bomb. I was sitting in my car in my shop checking out systems and saw and smelled smoke coming from front of engine. Vehicle not safe to be on road with engine running. Please require grounding all these vehicles until vw does a permanent fix, even on the ones that have been repaired up until now.

Filed Feb 1, 2015 · Electrical · 61,220 miles · IN · fire

Car was in shop 2 times for coils going bad drove car to hammond indiana from crown point came back to crown point parked car went in to go to bed was asleep for an hour next thing we hear knocking on door go out side and car is on fire fire department was out side putting car out fire department said something in engine compartment caught on fire right where the coils are.

Filed Apr 16, 2014 · Transmission · 58,405 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the contact heard a knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the triptronic sensors had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 58,405.

Filed Oct 12, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 114,385 miles · FL

I own a 2003 vw new beetle convertible with an automatic tiptronic transmission. Recently , at random times, when shifting between 3rd and 4th gear the engine would rev up past 4000 RPM and jump into gear. Essentially a very hard shift. With plans to keep this vehicle for many years to come, I immediately took the vehicle to a trusted mechanic. After test driving and experiencing the "hard shift", I was informed that it was most definitely transmission related, however, only vw can access the transmission due to the fact that it is completely sealed. The vehicle was taken to a david maus volkswagen of orlando for the diagnostic. I was informed that the transmission was "coming apart from the inside" and that it was a "ticking time bomb". Because the vehicle is over 100000 miles , it does not fall under the transmission valve body recall. The repair cost for a new transmission is $6000.00. I feel that this is gross negligence on the part of volkswagen of america, to knowingly place this vehicle with such a major defect on the marketplace. I now have an unusable hunk of scrap metal sitting in my garage for fear of the time bomb under the hood. I refuse to drive this car and potentially put others lives at risk. Volkswagen needs to be held responsible for knowingly putting a car with such a major defect on the road.

Filed Jul 3, 2011 · Electrical · 108,700 miles · MA

I purchased a 98' vw new beetle 3 days ago from a dealer and everything seemed fine w/ it until today. The car started over heating and come to find out the engine fuse had melted over the battery terminal that runs the coolant fan. After the fuse was replaced the temp. Light went out the engine light came on. I had the codes read and it sad it was a p0332 knock sensor 2 circuit low. I've read alot of sights and alot of people have said they have had this problem too, but I haven't had a chance to fix yet. I also have had the same problem I have read in other posts about not being able to get your car started. I turn the key everything comes on it cranks it sounds like it just about to start but it just won't turn over. I would like to know more about that too. It's a good idea about sights like this, but there's alot of people out there that have alot of complaints that have no idea about these sights. There should be a way to advertise somewhere to get to more people on how they could make complaints on this sight or sights like these and maybe eventually something could be done and we could get some help to get these cars fixed instead of fixing all the same exact problems ourselves.

Filed Jan 18, 2011 · Transmission · 72,500 miles · MN

This is on a car with a 1.9l bew engine and 6 speed dsg gearbox. Problem emerged as a rough idle (like a cylinder was missing) and knocking sounds while at idle and during engine shutdown as engine comes to a stop. Car was taken to dealer and dealer diagnosed as failing dual mass flywheel, $1398 to fix. I got lucky and mine didn't explode/disintegrate as some others have, although I don't know yet if it has caused other damage to engine or transmission. Car has 73,000 miles on it and is out of warranty, spent extra money on extended warranty when I bought the car new to hopefully avoid situations like this - the longest warranty I was offered was 7 years or 70,000 miles. Vw has re-designed the dual mass flywheel to improve it and they have recalled the cars in other country's because of this failure but not here in the u.s. They obviously know there is a problem, otherwise why the re-designed part or recall? The failing flywheel could also cause sever damage to the transmission and engine.

Filed Dec 11, 2004 · Visibility · 60,000 miles · MA

I own a 1998 beetle and I am making you aware of a safety concern that can possibly lead to an accident or even cause a death. I have complained before and nothing has been done. The external mirrors on the early new beetles are dangerously oversized thus causing a significant blind-spot(s) when driving. These blind spots, (especially drivers side) prevent visibility to the front sides of the vehicle. Ex. If there is someone in the crosswalk in front left of you, you cannot see them or it!!! On too many occasions to count I and others have almost hit a pedestrian and another oncoming vehicle due to this failure!!! I don't know how many more times I will be so lucky, but I feel as if I am driving a ticking time bomb. Vw has come up with the solution by redesigning newer beetles with smaller and relocating the external mirrors thus eliminating the problem. But, those of us who have theses older versions are stuck with this very critical safety concern...please help!

Filed Jul 27, 2004 · Brakes · 62,000 miles · MS

While applying the brakes the consumer heard a loud knocking noise from the rear. The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for an inspection and the mechanic determined that the rear brakes and rotors needed to be replaced due to corrosion. *ak the rear brakes needed to be replaced along with the rotors. The front brake pads showed no sign of wear and the rear brake pads wore to the extent that the brake rotor was damaged beyond repair. The dash indicator light did not illuminate. *sc