Volkswagen New Beetle headlights problems

Filed Nov 25, 2004 · Electrical · 155,000 miles · FL

Two wires on ignition switch module shorted. Caused failure of headlights, wipers, brake lights, air conditioning, interior lighting, etc. Ignition module was replaced. Problem remedied.*ak this is a known problem. Volkswagen, and volkswagen of america refuse to recognize this defect, or initiate a recall. Here is a link to an online forum with other consumers that have had the exact same safety issue as I have. Http://forums.newbeetle.org/showthread.php?s=0667e7e7a9388bfaaa8a71dcdd6574f2&postid=499275#post499275 this is a fire hazard, and could potentially hurt someone. Updated 07/24/2012.

Filed Aug 24, 2004 · Airbags, Brakes · 41,583 miles · NV

Seatbelt air bag sensor- air bag malfunction light came on 11/8/03 took the car to the dealership they ordered the part. Both headlights were not working by the time I got to the dealer, they replaced those, turn signals were going on and off along with the hazard lights, was told these needed to be ordered. Called in 2 weeks and was told the parts were on manufacture backorder and they would call me when they came in. I called every 2 weeks they part were not in. 3/3/04 smog test done to register my car- failed smog, took car to dealer cat converter out, they had to order part said they would reorder the sensor, 3/12/04 took car back in parts not in yet, called every day parts not in now my registration was late. Cat converter came in on 4/2/04 it was installed dealer was refusing to smog test for free the finally did but would not pay the fees for my registration being late. Called again every 2 weeks parts did not come in. 6/30/04 went in other parts on the car were braking off, emergency brake handle broken, display lights not working, cup holder broken, again they had to order parts, and they never came in. 8/18/04 air conditioning stoped blowing cold air, made appt online for 8/23/04 took car in, none of the parts ordered are in again. Service stated my air conditioning is not covered because of a hole in the condensor even though my warranty states it is covered they refused to fix it and tried to charge me $95.00 for finding the hole, I refused to pay after all I have been waiting since november for several parts including a saftey issue, the dealer service has been the worst I dealt with in 25 years of driving. I have sent emails, phone calls and faxes to the dealer regarding all my complaints and have not received a response.

Filed Aug 4, 2004 · Electrical · 59,992 miles · MD

The ignition switch on the car failed sometime between 8:00pm monday 8/02 and 5:30am on tuesday 8/03. I went out to my car and started it, only to notice, I had no fan, no A/C, no defroster, no rear defroster, no headlights, no foglights, no power to some of my gauges. I researched the problem and found it to be the ignition switch, which I called my dealer for and had to spend $90 to replace. Upon removing the old unit, I noticed a wire that connects to the 30 fuse on the unit was melted and corroded, the plastic housing that connects the wires to the switch it self had melted in a small portion and the old unit had visible burn marks on it. The failure has been fixed, but the potential safety hazard still exists in my opinion, just based on the numerous people I've read about with the same problem.

Filed May 31, 2004 · Lights · WA

From sept 03 through april 04, I had 5 right rear brake lights replaced and 2 left headlights replaced on my 2003 vw new beetle. No reason was ever given as to why they kept failing. The dealership just kept replacing them. My son was stopped by the state patrol once because a rear light was out - I had total strangers tell me that the lights were out and my neighbors and I are keeping track of how many vw new beetles have at least one light out  I count at least 4 each week. I want all vw new beetle owners to know that this is a malfunction of their car and it is a safety issue and the dealer must repair it for free  vw is not consistent with recording their recalls on the internet, so I did not know that this was a problem. I finally got sick and tired of this problem and took my car back to the dealer I purchased it from. The dealer finally acknowledged the problem by giving me a new car; however I am now having problems with the driver window going back down on its own. Refer to #odi 10074541 and #10074539. (I recorded the last incident as the incident date)

Filed May 31, 2004 · Lights, Visibility · WA

Purchased my third volkswagen new beetle - recognize that my second one, a 2003 was a lemon  5 right rear tail lights replaced and 2 headlights. Also had to have the intermittent wiper relay replaced - see odi #10074539.*ak dealer traded me for a 2004, on 4/6/04 and not even 2 weeks into my purchase, the drivers side window would not operate properly. Thought I was imagining things, especially after my last experience. I put the window down (electronically) and then put it up and it comes down by itself  certainly another safety fault of this car. It happened 2 more times before I called the dealer  they told me oh, we knew about that  bring it in and get it fixed. Oh, here we go again! I buy a new car about every 3-4 years, as I drive a lot and want a very dependable car, with no repairs needed. I will never feel safe in a vw new beetle again. No matter if I never have another problem&& incidient date noted is when the dealer took my car to fix it...............

Filed May 3, 2004 · Lights · 49,000 miles · OH

Headlights constantly go out while driving, have been pulled over by the police many times due to no lights or having to drive with high beams on. This past time had to park the car and have someone take us home, could not drive car until the next morning. Repair bills are becoming rediculous.

Filed Sep 23, 2003 · Lights · 48,210 miles · CA

Headlight malfunctions, burns out. Upon replacement, wiring harness melted. Car no longer under warranty.

Filed Sep 18, 2003 · Lights · 80,000 miles · SC

Low beam headlight on drivers side no longer functions. Dealer states cracked housing allowed water in which in turn burned out bulb. Judging by the number of new beetles I see with one head light out this appears to be a common problem.

Filed Jul 12, 2003 · Lights · 32,000 miles · NC

I have had the headlight bulbs (low beams) 3 times in my new beetle. The manufacturer suggested that I not run the lights while driving during the day. They said that excessive use of the headlights will cause the bulbs to burn out faster. Sorry, but the headlights come on automatically when the car is on and the parking brake is released. So the lights are on all the time the vehicle is available for motion. The driver has no control on the use of the headlights orther than engaging the parking brake while driving. Hmmm, does not sound like an alternative that is useful. The lay person can not change these bulbs, it takes a mechanic to remove/disassemble the entire lamp assembly to get to the bulb. And vw is not reasonable in their replacement cost (labor) of this part. Especially after the third time in 13 months.

Filed Apr 17, 2003 · Lights · 15,000 miles · CO

I have a 1998 vw beetle. I bought the beetle new. The headlights have been a problem since the car had 15,000 miles. The first time I took it to the dealership they said they could not get the light to remain out, however since I had reported it they would honor the warranty on it if it went out again. It did the month the warranty ran out. They refused to honor the warranty. I filed a complaint with vw and they said settled it with the dealer. After going back and forth I finally paid 80.00 to get it repaired. Two months after the first headlight went out the other headlight quit completely. I took it back with the same complaint. They told me they are aware of the problem with the headlights and vw would address the problem later. Being stubborn, I have not repaired the headlight. The car now has 52000 miles on it. I think they should pay me for the first repair and also repair the second headlight. Vw is very aware of the issue as I have spoken with numerous other owners with the same problem who own 98's and 99's.