Volkswagen Beetle won't start problems

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 Mar 21, 2018 · Engine · 40,158 miles · UT

Purchased the 2012 vw turbo beetle from cutrubus of layton utah 801‑544‑5878 with $3,200 of own money..golden west credit union loan $10,500.. Cutrubus has maintenance department that inspected and emessioned the vehicle.. Took the 2012 vehicle off the lot and car staled and engine light went on.. Took it to my parents home which aging veteran parents live.. 2012 beetle engine failed and car wouldn't start oil leaked on drive way and parents threatened housing..towed car to cutrubus with a 24 hour time period and alex care dealer refused to pay for towing..called cutrubus maintenance asked about 2012 beetled yelled at .golden west credit union loan officer stated could cancel check and called cutrubus financing and was yelled at stated he would cash the check because the contract was signed.. 2012 beetle turbo is on cutrubus lot 03/01 24 hours after purchased car had broken vacum pump ceramic seal and tubing that had come loose and oil was leaking engine light on which alex stated was minor repairs.. Christine is not insured for 2012 beetle..after all this the fiance department purchased state taxes and licensing even thought the car does not belong to christine 20 12 vw beetle remains on cutrubus of layton auto lot.. Motor vehicle enforcement division accepted tax and licencing money even thought 2012 vw remains on cutrubus car lot.. State tax was filed 03/18/2018.. Christine is not paying car loan.. Cutrubus finance department is refusing to refund the paper cashiers loan check.. Cutrubus is refusing to send documented repairs via email www.mved.utah.gov

Filed Jun 23, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · WV

Driving down the road on 3 different my occasions car overheated now it won't start.

Filed Sep 14, 2016 · Electrical, Transmission · 5 miles · TX

Takata recall on 8/13/16 while driving this vehicle without warning, the engine shuts off. I was traveling about 45 MPH on a city street and as I attempt to move over the engine shut off and I could not steer the vehicle. After coming to a complete stop I was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle did this several more times before I was to send it back to the car lot. I was told that the crank shaft was repaired on the vehicle. On 9/13/2016 (1month later) while traveling south on a busy city street at approximately 45 MPH, in front of an 18 wheeler this car shut of and immediately restarted on its very own. I moved over to a slower lane to prevent any accidents. I proceeded to my destination and without any warning the vehicle engine shut off again, only this time I had to manually restart the vehicle. I parked the car at an area restaurant for at least 2 hours. I went out to start the car and there was no power at all. I called tripe aaa, they checked the battery and the car still would not start. Finally a tow truck was dispatched and arrived about 15 mins after the battery check and all lights were own. In about 10 mins I attempted to start the vehicle and it started without any hesitation. I have not driven the vehicle since because I absolutely fear for my safety.

Filed Jul 4, 2016 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 13,000 miles · PA

Esp light will come on and critical error will flash when first starting vehicle. Vehicle will sutter and will not start. When vehicle is taken to have the error message read no record is found in the car's computer. This has happened several times. Most recently an error message flashed on the screen and the whole car went dead.

Filed Mar 7, 2016 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 67,000 miles · CO

First this is my 2nd complaint on this sme vehicle. I also posted last year on this site when this vehicle stalled in middle of freeway going 60 MPH. Now this car has trouble starting. Especially after sitting a few days. Was parked at airport parking for 4 days. Sputtered a few minutes before starting but finally started. Drove 30 miles in rain & stopped to get gas. Then the car would not start. All lights came on. Got several warnings like "key not in range" but it was in range. "stability control error" lots of clicking sounds but engine wouldn't start. Have to have towed and take back to delearship. I see lots of service bulletins on this site for this same issue. Not sure if it's the fuel pump, starter, or something else.

Filed Mar 4, 2016 · Electrical · 79,000 miles · SD

Just purchased this vehicle in november 2015, february 29, 2016 the vehicle wouldn't start, had my sons jump it and drove it to work, after turning vehicle off tried to start again right away, vehicle dead. Made an appointment march 4, 2016 with volkswagen dealership, they stated that the issue is a burnt alternator cable and melted fuse box. After reading numerous accounts online, it seems that is goes out between 70,000 - 80,000 miles, my vehicle had 79,000 miles when it happened. Volkswagen isn't doing anything about it even though it is a common complaint I've seen...wanting volkswagen to pay for repair...very frustrated, don't think I would own another volkswagen again!...if this is the way they treat customers. There wasn't a fire, but it could've happened, isn't volkswagen concerned about individuals safety, think they should resolve the issue by providing a different solution to how the vehicle is designed pertaining to the fuse box, etc.

Filed Oct 21, 2015 · Engine · 189,000 miles · WA

I was coming home from by ers appointment today and on the highway 2, toward home my car lost all power I had cars all over finally got off road. Would not start so had towed home. No reason for this. Date today october 20 2015 at 730 @ night. Cold by myself in car.....updated 01/13/16

Filed Sep 7, 2014 · Electrical · 30 miles · MD

The new 2014 beetle I purchased at heritage volkswagen of reisterstown, maryland has left me stranded 3 times since I brought it home. The first time was in front of my house. I put the key in the ignition with the brake pressed, seatbelt buckled, and all doors closed. The key would not turn in the ignition. I was unable to go anywhere. I was given a key and told that the second key had been misplaced and as soon as they found it they would send it to me. I just received it this week. The second time I was stranded was at the columbia mall. The same thing happened and after about 20 minutes, it started. The third time was at my school. It was week before last, one of the hottest days of the summer. I had an appointment after school and so I got out a few minutes early. I got into a 120 degree car and the same thing happened. The windows would not roll down and shutting the door, buckling up, and pressing the brake, the key would not turn in the ignition. I was sweating through all my clothes and feeling panicked. I am 63 and have owned a pt cruiser for over 12 years and wanted a new car for peace of mind that I would not be stranded one day if my pt didn't start. Now I am afraid to drive the beetle because I don't know if it will start or not. I have an appointment for the 30 day check tomorrow, which is the earliest I could take it in, but just got a bill for 115.00 for diagnostics. I was told that the first month check was a courtesy, to see if there are any concerns. The car is brand new!! Anything wrong with it should be covered with no charge. I am so disappointed and furious and feel that I have been sold a lemon. After reading several posts, by other owners, this appears to be a problem that many vw owners are having. I should have been made aware of this problem when I was looking at the beetle on the lot.

Filed Aug 26, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 2,000 miles · CA

The vehicle is equipped with manual transmission and keyless ignition. This is an unsafe combination should the car be stalled. When the start button is pushed and I have failed to get the clutch pedal all the way to the bottom the car won't start. Now the button must be pushed once to turn the ignition off, once more to turn the ignition on and yet a third time to engage the starter and hopefully the clutch pedal is fully engaged. All of this happening while in panic mode as you observe autos coming at you. A manual transmission vehicle should have a starter button separate from the ignition switch. For background I am 60 years old and have driven standard shift cars my entire life and have never encountered such a problem. I believe the clutch lockout feature should be disabled in a vehicle with this combination or a separate starter button be provided. I am convinced I will die in this car either as a result of a crash or heart attack.