I have three concerns about my new car. First and foremost is the window issue. I had the vx beetle for about two weeks when the automatic windows on both driver's and passenger's sides either do not go up or down all the way as they are supposed to. They stop intermittently and take several tries to either close or open. Safety issue. Dealer says vx knows and is working on fix. Vx says the same but I have had the car three months now and no fix (and no fix in sight it seems). Also, fuel gauge would not register as full. A part for this issue has been ordered and is in. It will be installed in a few days and hopefully addresses this problem although other consumers have posted that this doesn't always work. Lastly, my air conditioner blows warm air unless you turn the dial completely to max. Any adjustment backward feels like the heater is on. When I turn off the AC and put on the fan with vents open wanting to get fresh air (55 degrees out), air warmer than outside is blowing in. It's difficult to adjust the interior temperature when you have either ice cold or heat and are hesitant to mess with the windows!!!
Volkswagen Beetle fuel gauge problems
14 of the 2,588 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Beetle describe wrong fuel gauge reading, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical mileage
- 76,842
By model year
- 20122
- 20021
- 20018
- 20001
- 19992
Often reported together
Won't start 2Headlights 2Stalling 1Hesitation 1Door locks 1Check engine light 1Airbag light 1
What owners say
Cpsc#i1220269a. 2012 volkswagen beetle. Consumer stated that when the driver can not read the speed or fuel gauges that it is a safety issue.. *ln the consumer stated the problem was with the back lit marks and numerals on the dash cluster for the gas, tachometer and speedometer. The consumer stated they would not come on unless he turned the head light switch on or, if he were driving directly into the sun. The consumer stated 90% of the time, he was unable to read the gauges.
2001 vw beetle: 189944 miles. Sudden permanent failure of speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauges. Will investigate repair/replacement cost.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that when driving at high speeds or idling, the vehicle would suddenly hesitate and would attempt to stall. The digital clock would independently reset to midnight and the fuel level gauge needle would drop to zero. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the ignition switch was replaced. The failure recurred. The fuel level gauge had not moved back up so the contact was unaware of how much fuel was in the tank. The contact scheduled another appointment with the dealer at the time of the complaint. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
Sudden failure of all "pointer gauges" in the instrument cluster (speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauge. I have been given an estimate of $550 to replace the entire instrument cluster, but so far have not followed through.
Sudden permanent failure of speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauges.
I had just finished fueling my veh at a gas station and started it up. I then drove onto the street and noted my speedo/ tachometer/gas gauge,[instrument cluster ?] were not working. Only the speedo trip odometer works, I can not tell how fast I am going or the engine rpms or how much fuel I have. I have checked all the fuse and connections I could and they all check good.
Gas gauge inop since 10-05-05 at 58,683 miles. Instrument cluster $602.75 plus tax per merced volkswagen. Odometer and speedometer inop 08-17-07 at 80,951 miles. Claims denied by volkswagen of america70274186 and auto bbb vma0751644.
2002 vw beetle 2.0 gls w/ approx. 77,000 miles. Low fuel lights stays on / will not go off. The fuel gauge is working properly, the light just won't go off. We checked several web sites and contacted a couple of vw dealerships. We found out it is likely the instrument cluster and it's a fairly common problem. Vw wouldn't warranty the work.
These are secondary safety issues: 1) gas gauge requires $700 instrument cluster 2) headlights shipped from factory missing retainer band and require $650 fix just to align. Vw san jose, ca invoice [xxx] on 2001 vw beetle lemon [xxx]. *nm updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
- Risk
- A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑822‑8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V‑809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
Recall number 15V028000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 jetta, new beetle, new beetle convertible, model year 2009 jetta sportwagen and model year 2007-2009 rabbit vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines. The jetta, jetta sportwagen, and rabbit vehicles may have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The new beetle and the new beetle convertible vehicles may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that may be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel supply line.
- Risk
- If chafing occurs, there is the potential for a fuel leak to develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the underhood fuel line. Additionally, depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir, or inspect the position of the fastening clamp and adjust the related fastening clamp into the correct position. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 31, 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 10V621000 · Recall details
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the high pressure diesel pumps were produced with an improper fastener, which could allow diesel fuel to escape from the pump.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the diesel pump. The recall began on february 8, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 04V586000 · Recall details
Questions about the Volkswagen Beetle fuel gauge
Which Volkswagen Beetle years have wrong fuel gauge reading problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (8 complaints), 1999 (2 complaints) and 2012 (2 complaints).
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