Volkswagen Beetle fire or smoke problems

Filed Aug 16, 2025 · Electrical · GA · fire

My entire dashboard caught fire due to my a/c controls going out. My a/c dial started smoking before it finally caught fire. My dashboard is now melted where the a/c controls belong.

Filed Jul 9, 2025 · Airbags, Fuel system · 78,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and an alarm sounded. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road with assistance. The towing agent informed the contact that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a major fuel leak. The mechanic replaced an unknown part with a part purchased from a Volkswagen dealer. The contact stated that the fuel leak was corrected; however, an unknown repair needed to be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The Kia dealer the vehicle was purchased from, was notified of the failure, and informed the contact to tow the vehicle to their location for diagnostic testing and repair. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

Filed Mar 30, 2023 · Electrical, Seats · OH · fire

I was driving with my child sitting in the passenger seat and we had the heated seats turned on the setting of 2. After a few minutes she yelled out “My butt is on fire!” She sat up off the seat to reveal a large black charred burnt hole in the leather seat!

Filed Jan 3, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · SC · fire

Car caught on fire 2 times it was electrical and fuel problem the fire department was present. I reported this once already and the company acted like they didnt care

Filed Apr 3, 2021 · Electrical · 128,000 miles · AZ · fire

I was driving on the highway with my daughter and girlfriend when suddenly the car caught an electrical fire out of nowhere. I pulled over and cloudy smoke was arising luckily the state trooper had a fire extinguisher to put it out before the car caught on heavy flames.

Filed Jul 8, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 50,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. While driving at a slow rate of speed, the contact smelled burning rubber and the vehicle's radio stopped working. As the contact proceeded driving, several unknown warning indicators began flashing. The contact stated that the vehicle shut completely off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and took it to an independent mechanic. The mechanic was able to diagnose the vehicle and had the fuse box replaced, yet the failure still persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Jun 13, 2018 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen beetle. While driving 55 MPH, smoke appeared from the rear of the vehicle and the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact noticed smoke coming from the rear driver's side area by the tire along with an abnormal odor. The contact stated that the odor smelled like coolant. The contact waited a few minutes and was able to drive the vehicle; however, the failure recurred when the vehicle accelerated between 40 and 60 MPH. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

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 Apr 23, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 70,000 miles · VA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volkswagen beetle. While the vehicle was idling at a stop sign, the driver's side air bag spontaneously deployed without warning or impact. The contact stated that smoke emerged from the center console and the vehicle caught fire. The details of how the fire was extinguished were not provided. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified, opened case number: 180380670, and requested to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2018 · 137,000 miles · GA · fire

The car was sitting stationary in the on position. Noticed a burning smell. Looked under front of car and saw flames. Turned car off and went to safety. In minutes the front of the car was engulfed. The whole car burned and is a total loss.