{"count":254,"message":"Results returned successfully","results":[{"odiNumber":11671792,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/07/2025","dateComplaintFiled":"07/07/2025","vin":"3VWDC21C91M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 71,854, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 74,036.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":11631272,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/17/2024","dateComplaintFiled":"12/17/2024","vin":"3VWCS21C71M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES","summary":"The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal exhaust odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor was abnormally strong. The contact stated that exhaust fumes were entering the vehicle through the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear latch for the hatchback was not locking securely and was also allowing exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Manufacturer Emissions Recall Circular Code: WA000 Reprograming of Engine Control Module and Replacement of Oxygen Sensor (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":11499979,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":true,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/28/2022","dateComplaintFiled":"01/03/2023","vin":"3VWCT21C01M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM","summary":"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","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":11091934,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/27/2018","dateComplaintFiled":"05/04/2018","vin":"","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM","summary":"A HUGE AMOUNT OF 2.0L ENGINES (1998-2006)  SEEM TO STALL  WHEN DRIVING OR STATIONARY AFTER 20 MIN FROM COLD START IN HIGH TEMPS (+75F) . LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER ASSIST BRAKES. IT HAPPENED TO ME 2X WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. SCARY. DEALERS AND MECHANICS CAN'T LOCATE ISSUES BECAUSE ITS INTERMITTENT. CARS OPERATE NORMAL AGAIN AFTER 10-20 MINS.       SEE HTTP://NEWBEETLE.ORG/FORUMS/2-0-LITER-GAS/139065-HOT-WEATHER-STOP-GO-CAR-STALLS-DANGEROUS-2.HTML#POST1508562 FOR A LIST OF DIFFERENT SITES ALL LISTING SIMILAR ISSUES. APPARENTLY, AND ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, THE ISSUE STOPPED ON MODEL YR 2007 AND HIGHER.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":11083099,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/01/2014","dateComplaintFiled":"04/03/2018","vin":"3VWCB21C91M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"LEFT TURN INDICATOR RAPID BLINKS EVEN WITH ALL NEW BULBS","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":11022212,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/01/2009","dateComplaintFiled":"09/07/2017","vin":"3VWDD21C61M","components":"ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM","summary":"I READ THE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PAPER (NHTSA 17V-509, VW 20AE) REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP CUT OUT.  I HAVE COMPLAINED TO VW A NUMBER OF TIMES OVER THE YEARS THAT MY VW ENGINE STOPS WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH.  THE SERVICE WRITERS RESPONSE WAS THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED - A $1000 ITEM.  OTHER MECHANICS THAT I'VE ASKED HAVE SAID THAT IF THAT WAS THE CASE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GET FUEL AND NOT WORK AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING ELSE.  WHEN I READ THE SYMPTOMS REPORTED IN 20AE, THEY WERE EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY TIMES, BUT NOT CONSISTENTLY.  AT 65 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS OUT, THE DECELERATION IS ALMOST IMMEDIATE TO 50 MPH.  THE SYMPTOMS STARTED ABOUT 8-10 YEARS AGO.  I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY SINCE BECAUSE I WAS NEARLY RUN OVER BY A CEMENT TRUCK.  THE ARTICLE I READ SAID THAT NO KNOWN CRASHES OR INJURIES WERE CAUSED BY THE PROBLEM.  PLEASE CONSIDER EXPANDING THE INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE THE 2001 NEW BEETLE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY SERIOUS INJURIES DUE TO THIS ISSUE.  I BELIEVE MY ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ISSUE REPORTED IN THE PRESS.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":11000801,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/16/2017","dateComplaintFiled":"06/23/2017","vin":"3VWCS21C81M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM","summary":"DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON 3 DIFFERENT MY OCCASIONS CAR OVERHEATED NOW IT WON'T START.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10940189,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/12/2016","dateComplaintFiled":"01/06/2017","vin":"3VWCP21C91M","components":"UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE","summary":"CAR WAS ILLEGALLY REPOSSESSED (I OWN THE VEHICLE BUT USED IT AS COLLATERAL IN A SMALL LOAN) NOVEMBER 29, 2016 WHILE I WAS IN ANOTHER STATE. I THEN RECEIVED A EMAIL FROM CARFAX THAT THE ODOMETER WAS CHANGED AND GAVE ME THE NEW MILEAGE. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2015 AND THE MILEAGE WAS OVER 155,000 MILES BUT NOW IT REPORTS 124, 685 MILES WHICH IS NOT AN ERROR BUT INTENTIONAL AND OBVIOUS ODOMETER FRAUD!  I HAVE ATTACHED SEVERAL PHOTOS SHOWING THE DEALERSHIP WEBSITE'S LOG OF MILEAGE WHEN I BOUGHT IT, THE PICTURE OF MY ODOMETER AS OF OCTOBER 2015 (WHEN IT WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO OIL LEAK FROM VALVE COVER), AND THE EMAIL SCREENSHOT FROM CARFAX SHOWING THE ODOMETER FRAUD. THE NEW OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE ARE PETER LANDRY OF FOR FINANCIAL IN DONALDSONVILLE, LOUISIANA 225 473 7652","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10910238,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/19/2016","dateComplaintFiled":"09/28/2016","vin":"3VWCK21C91M","components":"AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS","summary":"AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. CAR SHOP SAID THE SEAT BELT SWITCH ASSEMBLY FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IF THERE WAS A CRASH, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE DRIVER WOULD BE THROWN INTO THE AIR BAG.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10897304,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/29/2016","dateComplaintFiled":"08/20/2016","vin":"3VWCS21C11M","components":"UNKNOWN OR OTHER","summary":"COOLANT SYSTEM CAN NOT BE FIXED. WHEN DRIVING, SOMETIMES THE COOLANT WILL BE BOILING. SOMETIMES THE COOLANT LEVEL IS LOW LEAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM LIGHT ON. WHEN ADD MORE COOLANT TO THE WATER TANK, AFTER SEVERAL MILES DRIVING, THE COOLANT LEVEL WILL BE HIGHER THAN NORMAL.   IT RUNS WELL THEN THE COOLANT SYSTEM/OVERHEATING LIGHT WILL BE ON. KEEP DRIVING THEN THE LIGHT WILL BE OFF. THEN IT WILL BE OFF.   MECHANICS TRIED TO CLEAN AND REPLACE THE WHOLE COOLANT SYSTEM. BUT THE OVERHEATING ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN. THEN AFTER THEY TRIED FOUR TIMES, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO GET RID OF THE CAR CAUSE THEY CANNOT FIX IT. AND THEY KNEW OTHER PEOPLE'S VW NEW BEETLE(2000) HAS THE SAME ISSUE. SEEMS LIKE NOT ONLY MY BEETLE BUG'S PROBLEM.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10873257,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/03/2016","dateComplaintFiled":"06/08/2016","vin":"3VWCP21C61M","components":"FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM","summary":"I THINK THERE ARE AIR BUBBLES IN THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP. I HAVE NO MONEY TO REPAIR IT. I NEED IT TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO WORK.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10764279,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/16/2015","dateComplaintFiled":"09/16/2015","vin":"3VWBS21C61M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE","summary":"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ALL THE GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO AND FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE TEMPERATURE AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED, BUT THE OIL WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10746792,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/31/2015","dateComplaintFiled":"08/06/2015","vin":"3VWED21C51M","components":"FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM","summary":"FORUMS CONCERNING THIS VW MODEL, AND OTHER MODELS BOTH OLDER AND NEWER, ARE REPLETE WITH REPORTS OF THE CARS STALLING WITH SYMPTOMS OF STARVED FUEL, USUALLY ARISING WHEN THE TANK IS LESS THAN HALF FULL. SEE, E.G., HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4971876-CAR-STALLING-WHILE-AT-SPEED-IS-LOW-FUEL-THE-PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS. OTHER OWNERS ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BY (1) CLEANING THE FUEL TANK; (2) REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP; (3) REPLACING THE SPEED SENSOR; (4) REPLACING THE CRANK SENSOR; (5) REPLACING THE FUEL FILTER; (6) REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP RELAY; AND (7) CLEANING THE FUEL TANK. IN MOST CASES, BASED ON REVIEW FROM THESE FORUMS, THE PROBLEM IS NOT PERMANENTLY SOLVED AND RECURS WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL AND CREATING A THREAT TO LIFE SAFETY. I CANNOT BELIEVE VW IS UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BASED ON THE MULTITUDE OF REPORTS. YET, I HAVE SEEN NOTHING FROM VW THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. IF NO INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED ON THIS ISSUE, NHTSA SHOULD LAUNCH ONE.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10735160,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/07/2012","dateComplaintFiled":"07/20/2015","vin":"3VWCP21C31M","components":"ENGINE","summary":"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPROCKET FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE TIMING BELT TO FRACTURE. IN ADDITION, THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10726975,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":true,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/23/2015","dateComplaintFiled":"06/23/2015","vin":"3VWCD21C01M","components":"ENGINE","summary":"TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD, THE WINDSHIELD, AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED BY FLAMES. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR WHO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10711922,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/16/2015","dateComplaintFiled":"04/21/2015","vin":"3VWCS21CX1M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES","summary":"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT AND OTHER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER CHECKED WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V031000 (SERVICE BRAKES); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10690293,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/10/2015","dateComplaintFiled":"02/24/2015","vin":"3VWDD21C41M","components":"POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE","summary":"I AM THE 2ND OR 3RD THIRD OWNER, AND I SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THIS CAR OUT FURTHER, SINCE WHOMEVER ('S) SOLD IT TO ME DIDN'T TELL ME A [XXX] THING  WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR.   I AM SO DISGUSTED ABOUT THIS INCIDENT OF BUYING BASICALLY A LEMON FROM DISHONEST CREEPS.  I ONLY DROVE IT ONCE BEFORE I HANDED OVER EVERY HARD EARNED PENNY I HAD SAVED OVER SUCH A LENGTHY TIME DUE TO THE FACT I AM A STRUGGLING SINGLE MOTHER.  I DON'T GET CHILD SUPPORT NOR WELFARE, THANK YOU!  I PAID ALL I HAD LITERALLY EVER SAVED UP EVER IN MY WHOLE LIFE. (YES I AM THAT POOR TO BE QUITE FRANK)   I PAID $4500 FOR A 2001 VW NEW BEETLE.  I HAVE ALWAYS ONLY EVER HEARD EXCELLENT THINGS OF VW'S, THERE FOR I JUST PRAY AND WISH THAT VW WOULD HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!    NOW I AM WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO AND FROM WORK, AS WELL AS MY CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL.   I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE TO GET GROCERIES OR ANYTHING!  HELP!!   WHY CAN'T VW AT LEAST PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED?  I AM JUST TO POOR.  I AM LOOKING INTO A LAW SUIT.   DISHONEST VW, WHY CAN'T YOU JUST BE HONEST AND FIX YOUR ERROR AND WRONG DOING? THEY SELL THESE BEETLES KNOWINGLY TO INNOCENT TRUSTING FAMILIES, SINGLE MOMS, ETC: ETC;, AND THAT ALONE I BELIEVE SHOULD BE GROUNDS ENOUGH FOR A HELL OF A LAW SUIT.  THEY KNOWINGLY PUT WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND INNOCENT PEOPLE'S LIVES IN SERIOUS DANGER WITH NO CONSCIENCE WHAT SO EVER.  BUYING A VW IS LIKE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE.  FOR YOU, YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR FAMILY, LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS.  [XXX] EVEN INNOCENT BY STANDERS AND PASSER BYES.  FIX MY BEETLE EVIL CREEPS. MAY GOD DEAL WITH YOU EVENTUALLY EITHER WAY AMEN!        INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)*JS","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10680555,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":true,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/10/2014","dateComplaintFiled":"02/02/2015","vin":"3VWDC21C41M","components":"ENGINE","summary":"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10680413,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":true,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/28/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"02/01/2015","vin":"3VWDD21C31M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"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.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10663677,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/10/2014","dateComplaintFiled":"12/11/2014","vin":"3VWDD21CX1M","components":"SEATS","summary":"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS AUTOMATICALLY SLID TO THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT LOOP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,205.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10631697,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/27/2014","dateComplaintFiled":"09/08/2014","vin":"","components":"SEAT BELTS","summary":"I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 BEETLE WITH 11,8450 MILES. ON AUG 27, 2014, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT SUDDENLY LOSS TENSION AND WENT LIMP WHILE I WAS DRIVING!  THE SEAT BELT CAN NOT BE RETRACTED. THE VW SERVICE     THE WAY THE SEAT BELT BECAME LOOSE IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, AND IT SHOULD BE ON OFFICIAL RECORD. VW DENIED RESPONSIBILITY AND MY REQUEST FOR THE REPAIR COST.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10622277,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/27/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"08/14/2014","vin":"","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENT","summary":"THE LIGHT ON MY DASH CAME ON FOR THE DRIVERS AIRBAG AND HAD IT CHECKED BY THE DEALER MARCH, 2010 FOR MY 2001 VW BEETLE 1.9 DIESEL.  I WAS TOLD THE CHIP IN THE SEAT BELT HAD GONE BAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. APPROX. $175.00 THE SERVICE DEPT. CALLED VW AND  THEY COULD NOT  TELL ME IF MY DEFECTIVE CHIP IN THE SEATBELT WILL DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.  50% CHANCE IT MIGHT.  I HAVE NOTICED ALL THE $ I HAVE PUT INTO THIS CAR VW GENERALLY IS NOT ON THE RECALL LISTS FOR ANYTHING.    ALSO, THE HEADLIGHT BULBS GENERALLY BURN OUT EVERY YEAR AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. VW DOESN'T TELL HOW TO CHANGE THE BULBS IN THE MANUAL. HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER TO SHOW HOW TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB WHICH I FEEL IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VW BECAUSE THEY DO NOT BACK UP THEIR PRODUCT. ALSO I KNOW THIS MY BE OLD INFORMATION BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE I COULD REPORT THIS UNTIL I SAW SOMETHING IN THE PAPER.  I DON'T KNOW MANY OTHER VW'S OUT THERE ARE WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BUT I HAVE TALKED TO VW COMPLAINT DEPT. AND ALL THEY TOLD ME IS THAT THEY GO OFF OF DEALERS RECORDS.  I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE IT BECAUSE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD EITHER DOES N'T CHANGE FOR FIXING  OR VW FIXES SOME OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE NEXT MODELS COMING OUT OF WHICH I AM STUCK WITH THE PROBLEM.  NO HELP FROM VW.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."},{"type":"Equipment","productYear":"9999","productMake":"SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY","productModel":"SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY","manufacturer":"Lotus Cars Limited"}]},{"odiNumber":10549694,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/11/2013","dateComplaintFiled":"10/27/2013","vin":"3VWDD21C61M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS,ENGINE","summary":"CONTINUE  OVER HEATING BLOWING HEAD TWICE ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON  BRAKE LIGHTS ON LEFT  SIDE DON'T WORK ALARM WONT LOCK LEFT SIDE DOESN'T WORK  AND BACK  SEAT   IS TOTALLY  UNSAFE FOR KIDS. FRONT IS VARY UNSTABLE IT FEEL LIKE IT GOING TO FALL  OFF TO LOW  TO THE GROUND  , ETC......IT GOES ON AND ON.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10535932,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/16/2013","dateComplaintFiled":"08/18/2013","vin":"3VWCP21C81M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES","summary":"PULLED OVER FOR RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT BEING OUT.. HAD REPLACED THE BULB THE MONTH BEFORE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. REPLACED THE BULB AGAIN AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS STILL DO NOT COME ON...  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10535217,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/09/2012","dateComplaintFiled":"08/13/2013","vin":"3VWDD21C41M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN STARTING IT UP IN THE MORNING.ROUGH AND STALLING WHEN PUTTING IT IN REVERSE. NEVER DID THAT BEFORE. IT HAS TO WARM UP BEFORE I CAN DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT WILL EITHER STALL IN REVERSE, OR IN DRIVE THE CAR WILL SHUDDER AND TAKE OFF, IT WILL NOT IDLE.WHEN IN PARK IT IS FINE WHEN IN DRIVE AT STOPLIGHTS IT WILL SURGE FORWARD. I HAVE TO EITHER PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I CAN AND THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK,OR PUT IT IN PARK OR NEUTRAL!!!! THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF MY TROUBLES.IT GRADUALLY OVER TIME STOPPED SHIFTING EITHER BEFORE IT REACHES 3RD GEAR OR AFTER. I ONLY HAVE 60,000 PLUS MILES ON IT AND IT STILL SHOULD BE IN THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THAT IT IS 2013 IT IS 12 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED IT !! THAT'S AN AVERAGE OF 5,000 MILES A YEAR DRIVING! AND IT STILL HAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION!! I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS! THEY SAY IT IS THE VALVE BODY THAT IS THE CULPRIT! THEN VW BETTER ISSUE ME A FREE REPLACEMENT! I CANNOT BELIEVE I HAVE TO SHELL OUT MY HARD EARNED MONEY FOR THEIR SCREW UP! IF THIS VALVE BODY HAS DONE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO MY TRANNY THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION AS WELL!  LESS THAN 65,000 MILES AND HAVING A DEFECTIVE PART THEY KNOW ABOUT THEY HAVE TO HONOR THAT POWERTRAIN WARRANTY!  I WILL NEED SAFERCAR.GOV AND OR NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER!  [XXX]    INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10521130,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"05/22/2013","dateComplaintFiled":"06/21/2013","vin":"3VWCD21C51M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES","summary":"THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE, REMAIN OFF. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.  PREVIOUS RECALL 06V183000: BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH DEFECT MAKE/MODELS: MODEL/BUILD YEARS:VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA 1999-2002VOLKSWAGEN/NEW BEETLE 1998-2002MANUFACTURER: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC.NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V183000 MFG'S REPORT DATE: MAY 24, 2006COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH.  VW IS NOT INTERESTED TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM SAYING THAT HAVE COMPLETED THE RECALL AND THIS IS MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS EVEN THOUGH BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM IS BACK.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10507304,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/05/2013","dateComplaintFiled":"04/05/2013","vin":"3VWDC21C11M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"FIRST OF ALL< YOUR FORM WON\"T LET ME SELECT TRANSMISSION< THAT IS WHY I SELECTED ENGINE>  THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION>>>>> I WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, SUDDENLY TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL.  PRESSING ACCELERATOR DID NOT HELP. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. MOVED TRANSMISSION SELECTOR THRU GEARS INCLUDING REVERSE.  CAR DID NOT MOVE, THEN SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION JUMPED INTO GEAR AND LURCHED FORWARD. VERY SCARY! I WAS POINTING TOWARDS THE ROAD WHEN THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD FROM A STOP, MY QUICK RESPONSE AVOIDED ME LURCHING INTO PASSING TRAFFIC. I KEPT MOVING,ALONG THE SHOULDER,  BUT THE CAR WASN'T UPSHIFTING UNTIL I REACHED APPROX 45 MPH, THEN IT SLAMMED INTO THE NEXT GEAR. JUMPED BACK INTO NEUTRAL, THEN SLAMMED INTO NEXT GEAR.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10463442,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/01/2011","dateComplaintFiled":"06/28/2012","vin":"3VWCK21C01M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"THE HAZARD LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR DO NOT WORK.  I'VE TAKEN IT IN TO AN AUTO SHOP AND THEY CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR.  HOPING MAYBE THERE IS A RECALL THAT I HAVE MISSED.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10456289,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/07/2012","dateComplaintFiled":"04/24/2012","vin":"3VWDD21C21M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"AFTER ONLY HAVING THIS CAR FOR ONE YEAR, THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE.  THE CAR IS RUNNING FINE, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS AND JERKS TERRIBLY.  ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THIS HAS HAPPENED IN INTERSECTIONS AND I WAS ALMOST T BONED IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR THE LAST TIME.  I HAVE CONTACTED VW AND AM TOLD \"WE HAVE HAD NO COMPLAINTS OR ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION ON THESE CARS\". YET, A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH FINDS HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE \"NEW\" VW BEETLE TRANSMISSION ISSUES.  MORE PEOPLE END UP GETTING KILLED IF VW IS NOT HELD RESPONSIBLE.  CORRECTIVE ACTIONS THAT INCLUDE ACKNOWLEDGING THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND PUBLICLY ISSUING A FIX AND CONTACTING ALL OWNERS SHOULD BE AT A MINIMUM.  I CAN TELL YOU THAT MY CAR IS NOW WORTHLESS, NO REPAIR SHOPS WILL WORK ON IT, AND VW WONT' ADMIT TO A PROBLEM.  I AM THINKING OF CONTACTING A LAWYER.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10456377,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/24/2012","dateComplaintFiled":"04/24/2012","vin":"3VWCS21C71M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN","summary":"AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEM AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING DOES NOT ADVANCES, THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10435729,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/14/2009","dateComplaintFiled":"11/07/2011","vin":"3VWCD21C41M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL","summary":"THROTTLE BODY GOES OUT (02-03-2009)  CV AXEL GOES OUT (03-31-2009  BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT (02-18-2010)  CV AXEL GOES OUT AGAIN (4-31-2010)  ALTERNATOR GOES OUT (06-21-2010)  IGNITION COILS FAIL (09-13-2010)  IGNITION COILS FAIL AGAIN(01-21-2011)  BRAKE SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN (01-21-2011)  AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILS (01-21-2011)  AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILS AGAIN (07-26-2011)  TIMING BELT REPLACED (06-15-2011)  THERMOSTAT REPLACED (06-15-2011)  WATER PUMP REPLACED (06-15-2011)  NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE BODY/ THROTTLE BODY SENSOR/ ELECTRICAL ISSUE. DEALER IS NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEMS IS AND WANTS TO THROW MONEY AT IT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEMS IS. THIS CAR IS JUST ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER AFTER ANOTHER.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10434421,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/01/2011","dateComplaintFiled":"11/06/2011","vin":"3VWDD21C71M","components":"POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL","summary":"APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AGO I NOTED THAT WHEN I PUT MY 2001 BEETLE INTO DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT CATCH. AS I PUSHED THE GAS PEDDLE DOWN, IT WAS NECESSARY TO REV THE ENGINE AND THEN IT WOULD FINALLY CATCH. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEK AND WILL GO INTO THE SHOP THIS WEEK. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO REV THE ENGINE TO GET IT INTO GEAR. I HAVE ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ON 2 OCCASIONS, BUT WAS ABLE TO HIT THE BRAKE IN TIME. I NOW PUSH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME TO AVOID THIS POSSIBILITY. I HAVE READ OF SIMILAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON THE NEW BEETLE AND WANT TO ADD MY EXPERIENCE AT A PALTRY 41,000 MILES TO THE LIST. I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN OTHER POSTINGS SUCH AS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND OR 2ND TO 3RD. I ALSO HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR DOWNSHIFT OR SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AS OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED. THE MAJOR REASON FOR POSTING THIS IS THE TWO EPISODES OF ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10421604,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/01/2009","dateComplaintFiled":"08/26/2011","vin":"3VWCP21C11M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BETTLE.  THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWNSHIFT ABNORMALLY BETWEEN GEARS AND HE WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY SHIFT FROM FOURTH INTO THIRD. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN ROAR LOUDLY AND LOSE ALL POWER.  THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY.  THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE.  THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.  NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED.  THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.  THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10416360,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/20/2011","dateComplaintFiled":"07/30/2011","vin":"","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT","summary":"I BOUGHT MY 2001 VW  BEETLE AND I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS THE DAY I BROUGHT IT HOME. WITHIN 45 MIN MY EPC LIGHT CAME ON, MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR STALLED. I LOST POWER STEERING, BREAKS, AND CAR WOULD NOT IDLE. CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE THROTTLE BODY HAD WENT OUT. THEY REPLACED IT WITH NO CHARGE, BECAUSE I THREATENED TO RETURN THE CAR UNDER THE LEMON LAW, EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS.  STARTING IN NOV. OF 2010 I HAD A LOT OF MISS FIRE. TOOK IT TO THE VW DEALER THEY SAID THAT THE COILS WERE RECALLED AND THEY REPLACED THEM FOR FREE. SINCE THEN MY COILS AND SPARK PLUGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING. ABOUT TWO WEEKS (JULY 2011) I WENT OUT AND STARTED MY CAR, ONCE AGAIN MY EPC LIGHT, MY ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ONCE AGAIN I LOST MY POWER STEERING, BRAKES, CAR WOULDN?T IDLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. CHANGED IT CAR RAN FINE FOR ONE DAY. THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT?S THE COILS AND SPARKS PLUGS. HAD THEM CHANGED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO (JUNE 2001) WHEN I HAD THE TIMING BELT CHANGED. TOOK IT BACK AGAIN NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT?S THE THROTTLE BODY AGAIN. LAST TIME I CHECKED A THROTTLE BODY SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 2  YEAR. I WAS LOOKING FOR A USED THROTTLE BODY AND WAS AT A PARTS STORE THE GUY SAID THAT THERE HAS BEEN A HUGE ISSUE WITH THE WIRING HARNESS AND IT COST ABOUT $2000 HOPING THIS IS NOT MY PROBLEM?. WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS I HAVE SUNK 3500 IN TO THIS CRAP CAR.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."},{"type":"Equipment","productYear":"9999","productMake":"BOSCH","productModel":"0204012617","manufacturer":"Robert Bosch, LLC"}]},{"odiNumber":10410496,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/23/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"07/05/2011","vin":"3VWCB21C61M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE GLS . WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND HEARD A CLICKING SOUND BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START WHEN IT WAS JUMP STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,500.  UPDATED 08/24/11*LJ         UPDATED 3/05/2012 *LN","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10410335,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/01/2011","dateComplaintFiled":"07/03/2011","vin":"3VWCD21C71M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"2001 VW BEETLE.   FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS.  FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, FREE OF CHARGE REPAIRS.  I HAVE LOW MILEAGE SO I THOUGHT THAT BY THE TIME THESE ITEMS WERE REPAIRED IT WOULD BE FINE WHEN THE WARRANTY EXPIRED.  THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND IN PARTICULAR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.  THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS GOING OFF.  THE SAFETY ISSUE COMES IN WITH ITS CURRENT PROBLEM.  I HAD A FUEL INJECTION FLUSH WHICH INCLUDED THE CARBON DEPOSITS REMOVAL KNOWN AS INDUCTION, AIR FILTER REPLACED, ENGINE FUEL FILTER REPLACED, AND A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH PLUS 4 NEW SPARK PLUGS.  PRIOR TO THIS SERVICE, MY CAR WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING WITH MAJOR SHAKING.  I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET IT GOING WHILE STARTING.  NOW AFTER THE SERVICE IT RUNS MUCH BETTER BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT NOW STALLS WHEN I COME TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STOP FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.  THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.  THE OTHER MALFUNCTIONS THAT HAVE HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS ARE AN EXPENSE BUT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I COULD SOMEHOW MANAGE.  THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS.  I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND THE GENERATOR COMES ON WHEN I STOP, IT IS WORSE WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGES FAST AND THEN I HAVE TO STOP EVEN MORE SUDDENLY.  IMAGINE IF I AM ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT STOPS.  THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE, A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THE CLEANING SERVICE.  NOW, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THAT VEHICLE.  I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AT MESSAGE BOARDS FROM OTHER VW BEETLE OWNERS AND HAD READ SIMILAR STORIES OF SUCH DISSATISFACTION, INCREDIBLE FINANCIAL EXPENSE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF CARS.  I HAVE EVEN READ THAT THESE CARS CAN BECOME INFLAMED , NECESSITATING THE FIRE DEPT. TO PUT IT OUT.  THIS IS A LEMON AND SO MANY OTHER VW OWNERS HAVE WRITTEN SIMILAR ACCOUNT MESSAGE BOARDS.    THE CONSUMER STATED THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED IVOQ 07/07/11. *JB  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10410277,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/28/2011","dateComplaintFiled":"07/01/2011","vin":"3VWDD21C31M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"CAR IS STALLING, SPUTTERING, BUT NOT DYING COMPLETELY. COIL PACKS HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO BE THE ISSUE. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE COIL PACKS, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE.  THE COIL PACKS ON THIS CAR NEED TO BE REPLACED, FREE OF CHARGE, FREE LABOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES. PLEASE SEND DETAILS ON HOW TO ACCOMPLISH THIS FOR MY 2001 VW NEW BEETLE GLX 1.8T.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10394013,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/04/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"04/02/2011","vin":"3VWCK21C91M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"I HAVE A 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS FAILING, LURCHING, SKIDDING, & THE DEALER & MECHANICS HAVE DONE/FOUND OUT NOTHING ABOUT IT. I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH NO REPLY FROM VW. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING ABOUT THE RECALLS THEY ORDER. MY CAR IS TOTALLY UNSAFE & I HAVE PUT $5,500 IN IT TO BE TOLD I NEED MORE WORK. THEY ARE TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY & WE THAT OWN THESE CARS ARE FORCED TO DRIVE THEM UNSAFELY. MY CAR JUMPS & SKIDS FORWARD FROM A STOP. IT GOES SO SLOW BEFORE THE SKIDDING THAT CARS ALMOST REAR END ME. THE CAR CANNOT BE TRADED IN BROKEN & VW REFUSES TO ADDRESS ANY PROBLEMS WE ALL HAVE. MY MOM HAS A 2005 NEW BEETLE THAT IS BEGINNING TO LURCH AND STALL OUT ON THE FREEWAY & DURING REGULAR DRIVING. WE OWN 2 OF THESE CARS AND NEVER RECEIVE ANY RECALL INFO AND WE ARE FORCED TO PAY $5,700 EACH TO FIX THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION, $900 EACH FOR SENSORS, WHO KNOW WHAT FOR COMPUTERS THAT ALL FAIL AND CAUSE OUR VEHICLES TO BE EXTREMELY UNSAFE. MY CAR RIGHT NOW WILL NOT REVERSE, IT ONLY DRIVES FORWARD. VW NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO RECALL THERE FAULTY UNSAFE CARS FOR NOT ONLY THOSE THAT DRIVE THEM BUT FOR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS AND ANYONE ON THE ROAD. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FEAR FOR MY LIFE WHEN DRIVING A VEHICLE I HAVE MAINTAINED AND THE MAKER WILL NOT RECALL THE PROBLEMS IT KNOWS THESE VEHICLES HAVE. THEY ARE NOT SAFE AND ALL OF US THAT OWN THEM ARE STUCK PAYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX A PROBLEM VW IS AWARE OF AND WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT. IT IS SCARY AND DANGEROUS TO BE A VW NEW BEETLE OWNER. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10394504,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/20/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"03/28/2011","vin":"3VWCS21C81M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"THE HEADLAMPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. ACCORDING TO A VW DEALERSHIP WHO SERVICED THE VEHICLE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE WIREING HARNESS PROBLEM, BUT ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY SERVICE RECALLS.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10392829,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/07/2011","dateComplaintFiled":"03/24/2011","vin":"3VWCC21C31M","components":"POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE","summary":"I PURCHASED A 2001 NEW BEETLE GLS TURBO WITH 42K MILES ON IT IN 2008 FOR MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER.  I HAVE HAD THIS CAR GARAGED, OIL CHANGED, AND HAVE ONLY PUT 8K MILES ON IT IN THE THREE YEARS I'VE OWNED IT.  AT MY MOST RECENT OIL CHANGE, I EXPLAINED TO THE VW DEALERSHIP OF THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE WHICH THEY BRUSHED OFF AS BEING THE WAY VW TRANSMISSION'S DO IN AND THAT THEY ARE NOT SMOOTH RUNNING TRANSMISSIONS. DURING THIS 8K MILES, I HAVE WENT THROUGH TWO NEW BATTERIES UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP MADE ME AWARE OF THE NEED FOR A NEW ALTERNATOR.  AFTER GETTING THE NEW ALTERNATOR FIXED THIS WEEK AT THE TUNE OF $500, THE TECH INFORMED ME THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING AT A COST BETWEEN $4K-$6K.  I HAD BEEN NOTICING WHEN I STOP AND THEN ACCELERATE AGAIN, THE ENGINE HESITATES AND THEN SLINGS FORWARD SO FAST THE TIRES WILL BARK.  IT'S HESITATION ALMOST COST ME A REAR-END ACCIDENT NOT LONG AGO.  THANKFULLY, EVERYONE WAS JUST SHAKEN UP A BIT.  I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE CABIN AIR FILTER WHEN IT DISINTEGRATED AND STARTED BLOWING FILTER IN HER FACE AS SHE WAS DRIVING.  ALL THESE REPAIRS IN THE 8K MILES I'VE PUT ON IT.  THE CAR AT THIS MOMENT NOW HAS ONLY 50K MILES AND SITS IN MY GARAGE AS I AM AFRAID FOR MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF IT'S UNRELIABILITY AND SAFETY ISSUES.  ALSO, THE CONSOLE HAS BROKEN, THE CLEAR COAT IS PEALING OFF THE INTERIOR DOORS, HANDLES AND DASH.  PLEASE HELP US BECAUSE THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT DEPEND ON THE VW'S AND CANNOT AFFORD NEW, SAFER CARS.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10382734,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/15/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"02/15/2011","vin":"","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE DROVE 35 MPH OR MORE AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THEY ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE; YET,  THE ONE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS AIMED LOWER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS AIMED HIGHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY WHO ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10378034,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/12/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"01/20/2011","vin":"3VWDD21C41M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO A FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLE. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10371024,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/12/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"12/17/2010","vin":"3VWED21C01M","components":"TIRES,WHEELS","summary":"SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN TIRE(S) ON 2001 NEW BEETLE WITH 17 INCH ALUMINUM WHEELS.  CAUSED BY CORROSION ON THE BEAD AREA OF THE RIM.  CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO TIRE, HAD TO REPLACE ONE EXPENSIVE TIRE BECAUSE OF DAMAGE TO SIDEWALL.  3 TOTAL OCCURRENCES ON 2 DIFFERENT RIMS.  TIRE DEALER \"CLEANED UP\" THE BEAD AREA AND REMOUNTED THE TIRE.  LUCKILY ALL FAILURES EITHER OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS OR NOTICED WITH CAR PARKED.  COULD NOT REINFLATE TIRE AS RIM WOULD NOT RESEAL WITHOUT REMOUNTING. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10370822,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/15/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"12/15/2010","vin":"3VWCP21C91M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"2001 VW BEETLE: 189944 MILES. SUDDEN PERMANENT FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES. WILL INVESTIGATE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COST. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10369964,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/07/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"12/11/2010","vin":"3VWCD21C81M","components":"AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS","summary":"THE STATE OF VIRGINIA REQUIRES VEHICLE INSPECTIONS, ONE ITEM REQUIRES THAT DASH WARNING LIGHTS FOR SEAT BELT AND AIRBAGS OPERATE CORRECTLY.  OUR 2001 VW BEETLE HAS AN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THAT WOULD NOT GO OUT.  THE VW DEALER CHARGED $100 TO DIAGNOSE THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT (MICRO CHIP) WAS THE CULPRIT AND FOR ANOTHER $500 THE PROBLEM COULD BE CORRECTED.  FEELING THIS DEALER WAS TRYING TO \"RIP ME OFF\" I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM.  THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF COMMENTS FROM OWNERS OF VW CARS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT.  I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, CUSTOMER CARE ADVOCATE, FOR INFORMATION ON THIS SAFETY ITEM AND INQUIRED WHY THE EXCESSIVE CHARGE FROM THEIR DEALERS.  A SIMPLE REPLY WAS RETURNED SAYING THEY DID NOT SEE A NEED FOR A RECALL TO CORRECT A RECURRING PROBLEM.   THE PROBLEM IS THAT IF THE SENSOR DOES NOT BELIEVE THE SEAT BELT IS FASTENED, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH.    I WISH TO ADD MY VOICE TO THE MANY COMPLAINTS I FOUND IN THE NHTSA WEB SITE REGARDING VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA'S DISREGARD FOR THE LIVES OF THEIR CUSTOMERS, SO THEIR DEALERS CAN MAKE MONEY FROM A REPEATED CORRECTION TO THIS PROBLEM.  AT YOUR REQUEST I WILL PROVIDE FACTS, DOCUMENTS, AND EVIDENCE CONCERNING MY COMPLAINT.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10363786,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/01/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"11/02/2010","vin":"","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE HAS MANY ISSUES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ACCELERATING, HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS, AND NOT GOING INTO THE CORRECT GEAR CAUSING SLOW TO NO ACCELERATION WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT ANY GIVEN TIME. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10361444,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/18/2009","dateComplaintFiled":"10/20/2010","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"WHILE BEETLE DRIVEN BY MY WIFE IT WILL JUST SHUT DOWN!!!  IT WILL ONLY CRANK BACK ON ABOUT 30  MINUTES LATER!  THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT WILL SHUT DOWN WHEREVER!!!  I ALREADY SPEND 1350.00 DOLLARS. AND NOT YET FIXED!   THE CAR HAS BEING PARK OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE FOR LAS YEAR! AND STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT!!!!  DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING! *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10351447,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/07/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"08/24/2010","vin":"","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"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.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10351261,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/20/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"08/23/2010","vin":"3VWCP21C71M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"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. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10342447,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/08/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"07/10/2010","vin":"3VWDC21C61M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"EPC LIGHT ON,CAR LOOSING POWER. I HAVE CHANGE EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT COULD BE CHANGE TO FIX IT AND NOTHING. NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT, NOBODY WANTS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.VW CORPORATION DON'T HAVE RECALLS FOR IT, AND NO DEALER OR MECHANIC KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10342095,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/26/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"07/08/2010","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SEAT BELTS","summary":"WHY DON'T YOU HAVE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM FOR THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE.  THE COMPANY IS REPLACING THEM. I JUST HAD ONE INSTALLED AFTER HAVING THE ENGINE LIGHT INDICATE I HAD A PROBLEM. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10335615,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/08/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"06/10/2010","vin":"3VWCB21C81M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IN WHICH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10332194,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/24/2009","dateComplaintFiled":"05/25/2010","vin":"3VWCB21C91M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT  STATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DOWN SHIFTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK EXCESSIVELY AND WOULD ALSO HESITATE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10329233,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/26/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"05/06/2010","vin":"3VWCC21C21M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"SUDDEN PERMANENT FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10326016,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/19/2009","dateComplaintFiled":"04/16/2010","vin":"3VWCP21C41M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"I HAVE A 2001 VW BEETLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND TOOK TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10319699,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/15/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"03/15/2010","vin":"3VWTG69M41M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"2001 VW BORA VR6.  VIN [XXX] , 79,999 MILES.   THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JUMPS INTO GEAR GOING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS FROM  A STOP. THE GEARS JUMP FROM ONE TO THE OTHER CAUSING CAN TO PUSH YOU BACK IN THE SEAT. IF IT WERE NOT FOR HEAD RESTS YOU WOULD HAVE WHIP LASH. BEEN TO VW OF ORANGE PARK, FL 32073 TWICE. I HAVE NO MORE MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS.    INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"VOLKSWAGEN","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10307345,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/06/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"02/08/2010","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER","summary":"ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING JUST A TERRIBLE CAR. WAX MATERIAL INTERIOR REMOVES EASILY WITH NAILS CHILDREN CAN EAT IT HAS CRAYOLA SMELL.SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OF PLASTIC OR VINYL. THIS WHOLE CAR SHOULD BE RECALL.  EPC BRAKE SWITCH ALWAYS ON HAD IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. BAD ELECTRICAL. INTERIOR AC LIGHT IS ALWAYS OFF. IN AND OUT OF MECHANIC.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10300077,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/19/2009","dateComplaintFiled":"01/17/2010","vin":"3VWCD31Y94M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS","summary":"I PURCHASED A 2001 VW BEETLE NEW AND I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES DUE TO SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT.  THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON-GOING PROBLEM EVEN AFTER VW MADE A RECALL AND SUPPOSEDLY \"FIX\" THE SEAT BELT PROBLEM.  THIS VERY FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CAR HAD LESS 1500 MILES ON IT. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10300096,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/17/2010","dateComplaintFiled":"01/17/2010","vin":"3VWCS21CX1M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS!!!!!! *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10299637,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/18/2009","dateComplaintFiled":"01/13/2010","vin":"3VWCP21C71M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"1. NORMAL DRIVING.  2. EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATING (EGR) COOLER CONNECTING PIPE FRACTURES. THIS CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30,000 AND 120,000 MILES. THIS FRACTURE ALLOWS EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER CABIN. AS OF NOW THE PART HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED, $178 DEALER ITEM.  OLD PART WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10284921,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/04/2009","dateComplaintFiled":"09/22/2009","vin":"","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"SAB DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10261036,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/06/2009","dateComplaintFiled":"03/07/2009","vin":"3VWCK21C71M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"THE CHECKERED FLAG VABEACH VA DEALERSHIP ACTUALLY TOLD ME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION OF AN AIRBAG FUSE. IF THIS IS TRUE, THE AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT WORK ON 2001 NEW BEETLES. I SUGGEST YOU FOLLOW UP ON THIS DEALERSHIP FOR FAULTY INFORMATION AND CONSUMER NEGLIGENCE . ALL THEY DID WAS RESET THE CODE IN THE COMPUTER. T. FORGEY, CUSTOMER *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10258182,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":4,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/08/2009","dateComplaintFiled":"02/10/2009","vin":"WVWZZZ6NX1Y","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"DEAR SIR/MADAM,    I HAD AN ACCIDENT A FEW DAYS AGO WHERE I CRASHED INTO A CAR INFRONT OF ME.  I HAD MY MOTHER ON IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT , AND MY SISTER AND BROTHER IN THE REAR SEATS. MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE PASSENGERS AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY , NOTE THAT THE CRASH WAS MAINLY ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE.  I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES WHILE MY MOTHER WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND IS STILL IN HOSPITAL. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"VOLKSWAGEN","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10255576,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/18/2009","dateComplaintFiled":"01/19/2009","vin":"3VWED21C11M","components":"TIRES","summary":"MY GIRL FRIEND HAD A LOW TIRE (KUMHO ECSTA AST 225/R17 94HXL).  I WAS PUTTING AIR IN THE TIRE WHICH IS RATED FOR 50PSI MAX.  I WANTED 32PSI AND OVER INFLATED TO 40PSI.  AS I WAS LETTING AIR OUT THE TIRE RUPTURED IN MY FACE CAUSING LOTS OF FACIAL ABRASIONS, EYE DAMAGE (TEMPORARY I HOPE) AND HEARING LOSS (ALSO TEMPORARY I HOPE).  I DO NOT OVERINFLATE TIRE AS AFTER ACCIDENT THE AAA TECH CHECKED THE OTHER TIRES AND ONE WAS AT 45 PSI. *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."},{"type":"Tire","productYear":"9999","productMake":"KUMHO","productModel":"UNKNOWN","size":null,"manufacturer":"Kumho Tire Co., Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10253247,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/20/2008","dateComplaintFiled":"12/30/2008","vin":"3VWCK21C91M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE.  EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4  TIMES.  WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED INTO FIRST GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER, STALL, AND THEN FAIL.  A LOCAL TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS FAILING AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $350.  THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.  THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER.  THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,900.  UPDATED 02/05/09 *BF  UPDATED 02/06/09. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10247560,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/20/2008","dateComplaintFiled":"11/03/2008","vin":"3VWCK21C61M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE.  THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRAIN PLUG IN THE OIL PAN LEAKS OIL.  THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE PLUG IS HARD STEEL AND THE PAN THAT HOLDS THE OIL IS ALUMINUM.  IF THE TECHNICIAN TIGHTENS THE NUTS TOO TIGHTLY ON THE DRAIN PAN, ALL OF THE OIL WILL LEAK OUT.  THE DEALER PERFORMED A TEMPORARY REPAIR, BUT IT DID NOT WORK.  THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE OIL PAN AND PLUG AT THE COST OF $360.78; THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,049.   UPDATED 11-19-08 *BF  UPDATED 11/20/08. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10237717,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/01/2008","dateComplaintFiled":"08/11/2008","vin":"","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT - THE LIGHT WENT ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER I ADJUSTED MY SEAT. I DO NOT KNOW IF I HAVE FUNCTIONING AIR BAGS OR AN IDIOT LIGHT MALFUNCTION.     I OWN 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS ISSUE HAPPENS A LOT WITH VW JETTAS AND NEW BEETLES 2000- 2004.  THERE IS A FORUM NAMED FREDS TDI WHERE YOU WILL NOTE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES. APPARENTLY YOU CANNOT JUST CLEAR THE FAULTY CODE. VW SHOULD MAKE SURE THESE DEVICES ARE NOT MALFUNCTIONING.  IF THE CODE WAS ERRONEOUSLY CLEARED THE DRIVER/PASSENGERS WOULD BE UNAWARE IF AIR BAG IS OPERATIONAL.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10237207,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/23/2008","dateComplaintFiled":"08/06/2008","vin":"3VWCD21CX1M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"DEFECTIVE PART.  CATALYST FAILED ON OUR 2001 NEW BEETLE TURBO.  THIS VEHICLE, FOR SOME REASON, WAS NOT OF WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS ISSUE FROM 80,000 TO 120,000.  WE DID NOT GET ANY NOTICE, AND, AS A RESULT, VW REFUSES TO REPLACE OUR CATALYST AS WE HAVE 85,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10235807,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":true,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/05/2008","dateComplaintFiled":"07/25/2008","vin":"3VWDD21C11M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,EQUIPMENT","summary":"I HAVE A 2001  VW NEW BEETLE. I HAVE REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT, WHICH WAS DRAINS THE BATTERY, SERPENTINE BELT, REMOTELESS KEY WHICH IS STILL BROKEN- BASICALLY 6 DAYS AFTER BUYING THIS CAR- I SPENT $1200 ON REPAIRS- NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTING FUNNY, AND BASICALLY- MY VW DEALERSHIP HAS A FIELD DAY WITH ME. TO TOP IT OFF- MY BATTERY DIED A MONTH AGO- AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN I TRIED TO JUMP IT. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS CAR WILL BLOW UP ON ME AT ANY TIME. PLEASE HELP ME!  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."},{"type":"Equipment","productYear":"9999","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"SEAT BELTS","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10223500,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/01/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"04/06/2008","vin":"3VWCP21C81M","components":"AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS","summary":"I WAS REMOVING MY SEAT BELT AND IT SLIPPED FROM MY HAND.  AFTER THAT THE AIR BAG DEFAULT LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON.    TWO DEALERSHIPS HAVE TOLD ME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT LATCH, BUT THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL STILL DEPLOY. THE DEALERS ARE AUTOBARN VW IN EVANSTON, IL AND JENNIGS VW IN GLENVIEW, IL.  HOWEVER CITY VW TELLS ME THE AIR BAGS WON'T DEPLOY DUE TO THE FAILURE LIGHT BEING ON AND THAT THE BUCKLE HAS TO BE REPLACED.    I HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THE VW BLOGS ON THE WEB.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10223100,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/15/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"04/02/2008","vin":"3VWBB21C31M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW, EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE VW DEALER ONLY TO GET SCREWED ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON CAR STARTS MISFIRING HAS NO POWER USES LOTS OF GAS STALLS RUNS RUFF .  I  AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR ON THE FREEWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OF IT STALLING AND GETTING RAN INTO BY ANOTHER CAR ITS A PUBLIC ENDANGERMENT THESE CARS ARE. IN APRIL OF 2007 I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY GAVE IT  A QUICK FIX COSTING 450.00 THE LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME I HAD A BAD FUEL INJECTOR THEY REPLACE IT . IT RAN FINE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS THEN IN NOV 15 2007 THE CAR STALLED AGAIN DAUGHTER LIMPED IT HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON THE CAR WAS MISSING BAD IT WAS NIGHT AND GETTING CLOSE TO ZERO OUTSIDE . WE PARKED IT THIS TIME BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THE CAR IT HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT. I REFUSE TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER VW DEALER , AND ALL VW OF AMERICA WILL SAY IS WE ARE SORRY FOR YOU TROUBLE BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT THE FIRST BUYER OF THE CAR AND ARE THE SECOND BUYER OF THIS CAR THAT WAS A LEASE RETURN YOU ARE NOT ENTITLE TO THE 10 YEARS 100.000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY THAT COME WITH THE CAR. IF YOU ARE THE FIRST BUYER OF THE CAR.  THEN THESE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED . THE WEEK OF JAN 15 2008 WE TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC SHOP . I  TOOK THEM 2 DAYS TO FIND THE PROBLEM THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS BAD AND THE TPS SENSOR IS BAD IN ALL IT WILL TAKE 1,400.00 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS CAR. WE PAID FOR THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR  TO BE REPLACED AND THE COST TO FIND THE PROBLEMS. THEN WE TOOK THE CAR HOME AND PARKED IT . IT STILL NEEDS THE TPS SENSOR REPLACED THAT WILL COST 1,000.00 AND THE CAR WILL BE DRIVABLE .  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10220332,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/01/2008","dateComplaintFiled":"03/06/2008","vin":"3VWCP21C11M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE ON ALL THE TIME,  THERE HAS BEEN NO REASON FOR THE LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.  APPARENTLY THIS AIRBAG REQUIRES REPLACEMENT AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.  IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WHILE THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS IN A CRASH.  I HAVE TALKED WITH SEVERAL OWNERS OF VW BEATLES AND ALL HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM.  THE LAST THING THAT SHOULD FAIL IN A VEHICLE SHOULD BE THE AIRBAG, AND REPLACEMENT IS VERY EXPENSIVE AT $300 ONCE A YEAR.  REPLACEMENT OF A RELAY SEEMS TO REPAIR THE ISSUE FOR A FEW MONTHS BUT IS NOT A PERMANENT REPAIR AS THE SYMPTOMS RETURN.  DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE ODBC COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL NOT DISPLAY CODES THIS CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY NON-MANUFACTURER AUTOSHOPS.  VW OWNERS COULD REALLY USE SOME HELP HERE PLEASE LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING SITE HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=205721&HIGHLIGHT=AIRBAG FOR A LISTING OF SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10219372,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/19/2008","dateComplaintFiled":"02/28/2008","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"THE CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON VARIABLY, LOCAL MECHANIC CLAIMS AN OXYGEN SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING, AND ABLE TO CLEAR THE COMPUTER WARNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VW SERVICE STATION CLAIMS CAN'T DIAGNOSE PROBLEM IF LIGHT IS OUT, HAVE TO WAIT TIL LIGHT IS ON AGAIN.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10216286,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/23/2008","dateComplaintFiled":"01/28/2008","vin":"3VWCC21C91M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE.  WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS, THE TIMING BELT FAILED.  THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER.  THE OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISES THAT THE TIMING BELT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT 105,000 MILES.  THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIMING BELT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 500 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY.  THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND IS BELOW THE REPLACEMENT MILEAGE.  THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,575.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10208211,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/10/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"11/07/2007","vin":"3VWCB21C01M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SEATS","summary":"2001 BRAND NEW BEETLE STARTED DEVELOPING STAINS ON THE SEAT FROM DAY ONE.  BLUE JEANS AND DARK SWEATERS STAIN THE INTERIORS TO THAT COLOR EVERYTIME SOMEONE SITS DOWN IN THE CAR.  THE THROTTLE BODY HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES, COSTING ME OVER COUNTLESS DOLLARS IN REPAIR FEES AND IS NOW OUT FOR THE FOURTH TIME.  CROWN VOLKSWAGEN IN TYLER, TX HAS REPAIRED IT EACH TIME, THE LONGEST REPAIR LASTING ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.  THEY'VE PAID FOR THE REPAIR ONCE, BUT DO NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A REPLACEMENT RENTAL VEHICLE, REFUSE TO PICK UP THE PHONE DURING THE DAY OR RETURN PHONE CALLS, AND HAS COST ME TONS OF TIME AND MONEY TRAVELING FROM DALLAS TO TYLER TO CHECK ON THE CAR AND PICK IT UP.  ONCE, I DROVE TWO HOURS FROM NACOGDOCHES, TX TO TYLER, TX  ON THE SCHEDULED PICK UP DAY, HAVING TRIED TO CALL BEFORE LEAVING TOWN TO MAKE SURE IT WAS READY, ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY HADN'T GOTTEN TO THE CAR WHEN I ARRIVED.  THIS HAPPENED TWICE DURING THE SAME REPAIR WHICH LASTED A COUPLE OF WEEKS.  THEY HAVE BEEN UNCOOPERATIVE, AND THE CAR IS HORRIBLE.  THE ARM REST  BROKE ONE DAY AS I LIFTED  IT, IT JUST FELL APART IN MY HANDS, THE INTERIOR COVERING ON THE DOORS AND DASHBOARD FLAKES OFF, THE SUNROOF BROKE NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK TO GET TO WORK EVERYDAY.  IT FINALLY JAMMED THE VISOR SO THAT IT NO LONGER WORKS.  THE SEAT MOVING MECHANISMS NO LONGER WORK.  THE AIRBAG IS IN CONSTANT MALFUNCTION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND EPS LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON.  I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO PULL MY CAR OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT LOSES POWER AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN, ALTHOUGH IT NEVER HAS A LOT OF POWER.  THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE HAS NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL WRECKS.  I AM INCREDIBLY LUCKY.  THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKS, AND IT TAKES ABOUT 200 DOLLARS A MONTH TO FILL IT UP WITH GAS BECAUSE THE ENGINE PROBLEMS EFFECT THE FUEL EFFICIENCY.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10207377,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/08/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"10/29/2007","vin":"3VWCK21C71M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"THE TOP OF THE OIL DIPSTICK ON MY 2001 VW BEETLE IS APPARENTLY VERY FRAGILE AND COULD COME OFF BY ITSELF, POSSIBLY LODGING ITSELF INTO ANOTHER PART OF THE MOTOR AND CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT DISAPPEARED DURING PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AT DOVER VOLKSWAGEN, INC. IN DOVER, DELAWARE. THEY CLAIMED THEY DID NOT BREAK IT.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10206330,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/01/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"10/19/2007","vin":"3VWCT21C11M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"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.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10203398,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/13/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"09/19/2007","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"EPC LIGHT CAME ON NUMEROUS TIMES, CAUSING THE ENGINE POWER TO BE REDUCED GREATLY. THE LIGHT WAS NEVER CONSTANT IT WOULD COME ON AT RANDOM TIMES. BROUGHT TO DEALER 6/13-6/15. ENGINE FAILED ON 6/16 DUE TO A COOLANT COMPONENT FAILURE. NEW ENGINE PUT IN, I HAD TO PAY $1,360 EVEN THOUGHT STILL UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP 7/9. EPC LIGHT ON AGAIN THE NEXT WEEK, BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER, WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS BARELY RUNNING, IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WOULD STALL OUT AT ANY MINUTE. CAR WAS PICKED UP A FEW DAYS LATER. EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN ON 9/11 BEFORE BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER I HAD MY BROTHER LOOK AT IT, HE STATES ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE, THE SAME PROBLEM AS ALL THE OTHER TIMES. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER ON 9/13 AND STILL WAITING FOR REPAIRS.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10202975,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/13/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"09/14/2007","vin":"3VWDD21C71M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE.  THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.  THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SWITCH WAS CONNECTED TO THE SEAT BELT, WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.  THE AIR BAG WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.  THE REPAIR COSTS WERE OVER $500.  THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN.  THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,540.      * UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF  UPDATED 12/12/07  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10203764,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/01/1901","dateComplaintFiled":"09/13/2007","vin":"","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL /HAZARD WARNING SWITCH RELAY. CUSTOMER STATES THAT HIS TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. HE ALSO STATES HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE TO SEND THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH TO FOR ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.  *KB  THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ON HIS VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO A RECALL, HOWEVER THE RECALL PERTAINS TO OTHER 2001 VOLKSWAGENS.  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10202405,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/21/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"09/10/2007","vin":"3VWCB21C81M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"ON 8/21/07 TOOK MY VW TO DEALER DUE TO A RECOGNIZABLE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE AND THE MIL LIGHT CAME ON.  PAID $126.94 TO \"REMOVE AND REPLACE OIL PAN SHIELD\". EIGHTEEN DAYS LATTER, 9/8/07, I RECEIVED A \"CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARRANTY EXTENSION\" WARNING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DEGRADED PERFORMANCE. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE OWNER ME HEAR A READILY RECOGNIZABLE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER YOUR VEHICLE IN THE AREA OF THE CONVERTER AND/OR THE MIL MAY ILLUMINATE DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF SPECIFIC FAULT CODES CAUSED BY FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER.  THIS I A REAL COINCIDENCE. THE DEALER CLAIMED I HAD A \"CRACKED OIL PAN SHIELD\" AND 18 DAYS LATER THE FACTORY STATES THE SAME SYMPTOMS ARE CAUSED BY A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER!!! I DON'T BELIEVE THIS.  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10201672,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/17/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"09/01/2007","vin":"3VWDD21C21M","components":"FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"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.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10199181,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/01/1901","dateComplaintFiled":"08/07/2007","vin":"3VWCB21C71M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WITH TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH RENDERED THE TURN SIGNALS INOPERATIVE OR INTERMITTENT**CC  THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED.  THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO HIGH CURRENT LOADS FROM THE BULBS USED THAT WERE OVERHEATING THE RELAY. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10196382,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"05/15/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"07/15/2007","vin":"3VWCB21C71M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH, P/N 1CO 953 235 FAILED CAUSING TURN SIGNALS TO WORK ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. REPLACEMENT OF SWITCH WITH P/N 1CO 953 235 B RESTORED PROPER OPERATION.   COMMUNICATIONS/LETTER DATED JUNE 25, 2007 WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION) TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA SETTING FORTH THIS CONDITION AS AN EXPANSION OF THE CURRENT RECALL OF JETTAS AND GOLF MODELS , RECALL  04V584000) WITH SAME SYMPTONS AND CURE, WITH REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT, HAS BEEN IGNORED.   FAILED SWITCH  WA SRETAINED, AND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THIRD PARTIES FOR ENGINEERING ANALYSIS. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10195504,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/02/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"07/06/2007","vin":"3VWDC21C71M","components":"VISIBILITY","summary":"PASSENGER WINDOW NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. FALLS INTO DOOR. I HEARD A CRACK AND THEN THE WINDOW NO LONGER WORKED.  I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE VW DEALER FOR THE RECALL ON THE WINDOW REGULATORS. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE WINDOW CLIPS ON MY CAR WERE NOT BROKEN SO THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY WINDOW REGULATOR. STATING THAT ONLY THE WINDOW CLIPS ARE UNDER WARRANTY.  I HAVE TWO LETTERS FROM VWOFA STATING THERE IS\" A LIMITED WARRANTY COVERING THE REPAIR OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE FRONT DOOR WINDOW MECHANISMS IN YOUR CAR.\" AFTER CONTACTING VWOFA  THEY STILL SAY THEY WILL NOT FIX MY WINDOW SINCE THE WINDOW CLIPS ARE NOT BROKEN.  THE TECH AT THE VW DEALERSHIP REPORTS THAT \"THE CABLES TO THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR BINDING.\" SO NOW I HAVE MY WINDOW HELD IN PLACE BY THREE PIECES OF TAPE THAT THE DEALERSHIP PUT THERE TO KEEP THE WINDOW FROM FALLING INTO THE DOOR AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE WINDOW REGULATOR.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10195387,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/03/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"07/05/2007","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"WHILE DRIVING 2001 PASSAT 1.8 TURBO ON INTERSTATE WHEN STOPPING  ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.  TURNED CAR OFF, AND HAD  IT  TOWED TO DEALER, WHO  INFORMED ME  THAT THERE  WAS  A SUBSTANTIAL SLUDGE PROBLEM, AND ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE TORN DOWN AND REBUILT.  PURCHASED CAR IN MARCH 2005 ,AND HAD OIL CHANGED BY DEALER, WHO NEVER INFORMED ME OF LETTER ISSUED BY VOLKSWAGEN, MODIFYING  INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUAL ABOUT DECREASING TIME BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND TYPE OF OIL TO USE.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"VOLKSWAGEN","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10194027,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/20/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"06/22/2007","vin":"3VWCP21C31M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"I HAVE TWO VOLKSWAGEN BEETLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.  LAST YEAR BEFORE WE WERE AWARE OF THIS RECALL, THE CAR LEFT ME ABANDONED AT THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM PARKING LOT.  I WAITED FOR HALF AN HOUR AND THEN IT WENT OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET HOME.  THE PROBLEM CORRECTED ITSELF AND YESTERDAY WHEN I GOT OUT OF WORK IT DID THE SAME BUT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME AFTER.  NOW THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN ALLOW ME TO PUT THE GEAR  IN REVERSE TO GET IT TO THE DEALER FOR THIS RECALL AND VOLKSWAGEN, EMPLOYEE BY THE NAME OF AMY AT 1-800-822-8987, SAYS I NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED AT MY EXPENSE IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE FIXED.  THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE CAR TO BE TOWED TO GET FIXED. VOLKSWAGEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE IS REFUSING TO TOW IT TO GET IT FIXED.  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10193691,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":true,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"05/01/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"06/19/2007","vin":"3VWCP21C31M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE.  THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED.  THE DEALER REPLACED THE # 5 AND # 9 FUSES.  THE FUSES BLEW THE SAME DAY AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN.  THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED.  THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE MORE WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP.  THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING MELTED WIRING.  THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH SOME WIRES.  THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL # 02V031000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK).  THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.  THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN.  THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 92,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10187768,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/20/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"04/13/2007","vin":"3VWCB21C71M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"TURN SIGNALS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR CEASE WORKING AFTER A FEW FLASHES.  THE IMMEDIATE FAILURE MODE\"VIOLATES THE FMVSS, AND SUBJECTS THE DRIVER TO CITATIONS FOR FAILING TO PROPERLY SIGNAL A TURN AND/OR DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. SAFETY HAZARD FOR SURROUNDING TRAFFIC PUTTING VEHICLE AT GREATER RISK. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10184318,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/06/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"03/06/2007","vin":"3VWCB21C81M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST OIL.  THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,775.  THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PISTON RINGS WERE INSTALLED UPSIDE DOWN WHICH CAUSED THE OIL LEAK.  THE CURENT MILEAGE WAS 23,800. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10184113,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/01/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"03/03/2007","vin":"3VWDD21CX1M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH. FIRST IT WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP, AFTER 2 MORE DAY IS NOT WORKING AT ALL.  THIS CASE IS SIMILAR TO RECALL #04V584000, BUT THE CAR TYPE IS VW NEW BEETLE 2001. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10183604,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/14/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"02/27/2007","vin":"3VWCB21C01M","components":"WHEELS","summary":"2001 NEW BEETLE GL  PROBLEM:  DURING HEAVY SNOW FALLS  GREATER THAN 6 INCHES, SNOW WILL ACCUMULATE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEELS (STEEL APPLICATION ONLY, NO COMMENT ON ALUMINUM WHEELS).  WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE TIRES BECOME UNBALANCED WHICH CAUSES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WITH TREMENDOUS FORCE.  MY LATEST EXPERIENCE WAS  2/14/06.  THE VEHICLE SHAKE WAS SO BAD I COULD NOT DRIVE SAFELY OVER 40 MPH.  THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER.  ALL HE DID WAS PUT THE VEHICLE IN A HEATED GARAGE TO MELT THE ICE AND SNOW.  APPARENTLY THIS WAS HAPPENING TO NUMEROUS NEW BEETLE OWNERS.   THIS SITUATION WILL LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.  THUS A SAFETY ISSUE.   PLS DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10183607,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/14/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"02/27/2007","vin":"3VWCB21C81M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"2001 VW BEETLE - GASKET FOR HEADLIGHTS AND HEADLIGHT LENSES DETERIORATED. HAD TO HAVE REPLACED. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10181555,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/30/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"02/05/2007","vin":"","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY VEHICLE 2001 VW BEETLE, I HAVE HAD A CONTINUOUS BEEPING AND ILLUMINATION OF VARIOUS CRAZY LIGHTS IN MY DASHBOARD.  I HAVE CONTINUALLY TAKEN MY CAR TO VW, AT THE RATE OF $350+ EACH TIME, I AM AT MY WITS END...THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES CANNOT BE FOUND OR FIXED BY A VW REP, AND ARE A DANGER TO MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS, AND SURROUNDING CARS.  I HAVE CONTACTED VW AMERICA, AND HAVE BEEN TREATED LIKE I WAS BOTHERING THEM.  I HAD ONE SHOP IN SPRINGFIELD, MO FIX THE CONSTANT MIND BOGGLING BEEP THAT I'VE HAD TO LISTEN TO FOR YEARS NOW...THIS REPAIR OF THE BEEP LASTED THE LONGEST OF ALL...(1YEAR)...BUT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT MADE THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATE CONTINUALLY, SO THAT I NEVER COULD TELL IF I HAD BRAKE ISSUES OR NOT.  THEN WHEN MY VEHICLE NEEDED TO HAVE A SMOG TEST FOR REGISTRATION BACK IN CA...THE VW SHOP IN CA SAID THEY WOULD NOT SMOG THE VEHICLE UNLESS OF COURSE I PAID ANOTHER $350 TO FIX THE BRAKE LIGHT, AND WHILE THEY FIXED IT, THEY BROUGHT BACK THE BEEP AND THE VARIOUS OTHER DASHBOARD ILLUMINATIONS...I AM SICK OF THIS COMPANY (VW AMERICA)...I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THEIR SERVICE, AND LACK OF CONSUMER WELFARE.  I REQUEST THAT YOU HAVE THEM REPLENISH OUR DRAINED SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND RETURN ALL MONIES SPENT ON THESE TYPES OF FLAWS.  WE AS CONSUMERS THOUGHT WE WERE GETTING A GOOD LITTLE GAS SAVING CAR...IT'S A NIGHTMARE!!!  THERE ARE 110 COMPLAINTS SO FAR...ON THIS SITE...HOW MANY DOES IT TAKE FOR US ALL TO GET OUR MONEY BACK, AND THE REPAIR MONEYS AS WELL.  I'M WILLING TO TRY A CLASS ACTION SUIT AT THIS POINT...ANYONE WITH ME CAN REACH ME AT WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DIAMONDBLUE777  PLEASE LET ME KNOW...PLEASE HELP US ALL, THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE A HAZARD TO MYSELF, MY SON, MY PASSENGERS, AND THE PEOPLE DRIVING NEXT TO ME.  PLEASE ORDER VOLKSWAGEN TO REFUND OUR MONEYS FOR REPAIRS.  I HAVE READ OVER 500 COMPLAINTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS...THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR YOU TO ORDER IT TO STOP. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10181513,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/03/2007","dateComplaintFiled":"02/03/2007","vin":"3VWBB21C31M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD SOME TIMES WORK , OR THEY JUST STOP WORKING FOR DAYS AT A TIME AM GOING TO TAKE CAR IN TO DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND HAVE IT FIXED.  NOW THEY HAVE FAILED ALL TOGETHER AND AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO GET IN TO A ACCIDENT IF I DON'T GET THEM FIXED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR.  *NM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10176914,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/14/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"12/25/2006","vin":"3VWCT21C71M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"AIR BAG LIGHT ON FOR 2ND TIME SINCE AUG 2006 WHEN CAR WAS BOUGHT USED.   NEWBEETLE.ORG MEMBERS ALL HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND I KEEP GETTING CHARGED TO READ CODE AND TURN OFF THE LIGHT BECAUSE IT'S AN \"INTERMITTENT\" CODE.   I'M TIRED OF DRIVING AROUND A VEHICLE KNOWING THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.  *NM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10176597,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/15/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"12/19/2006","vin":"3VWBS21C61M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS REPLACED. FOR $780 THEY REPLACED THE AIRBAG AND WIRING HARNESS.   THIS AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN IS RESPONSIBLE! *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10176600,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/15/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"12/19/2006","vin":"3VWBS21C61M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS REPLACED. FOR $780 THEY REPLACED THE AIRBAG AND WIRING HARNESS. THIS AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN IS RESPONSIBLE!  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10176612,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/10/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"12/19/2006","vin":"3VWDD21C21M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 07/10/06 A REPAIR WAS DONE ON HIS VOLKSWAGEN BUG IN WHICH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED.  THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKING WHILE IN PARK.  THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HIM TO BRING IN VEHICLE FOR A BRAKE SWITCH REPLACEMENT.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10171929,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/26/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"10/26/2006","vin":"3VWCD21C51M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING.  THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENTIRE ABS UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.  THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #02V031000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES.  THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.  THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.   THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT HER CAR WAS COVERED FOR THIS TYPE OF REPAIR HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE CAR WAS NOT COVERED. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE RECALL LETTER. UPDATED 08/06/07  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10170901,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/12/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"10/16/2006","vin":"3VWCP21C21M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"EMERGENCY LIGHT SWITCH (HAZARD SWITCH)  THERE WAS A VW RECALL ISSUED TO REPLACE THIS SWITCH THAT NOT ONLY CONTROLS THE HAZARD FLASHERS BUT ALSO THE TURN SIGNALS, IN THE JETTA, GOLF, & GTI. MY BEETLE USES THE SAME SWITCH I AM WONDERING WHY IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL (VW RECALL VX).  MY SWITCH HAS THE SAME INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE MARCH 2005 RECALL LETTER, I WILL BE REPLACING THE SWITCH ON MY OWN ACCORD, BUT THIS BULLETIN SHOULD INCLUDE THE VW NEW BEETLE MODEL IN MY OPINION.  *NM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10169681,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/26/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"10/01/2006","vin":"3VWDD21C11M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"THIS IS MY SECOND VW BEETLE TURBO THAT HAS AN ENGINE THAT HAS DIED BELOW THE RECOMMENDED MILEAGE FOR MAINTENANCE. BOTH VEHICLES DID THE SAME THING AND DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 75 MILES PER HOUR. I LOST POWER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO USE MY BREAKS TO PULL OVER FOR SAFETY. AFTER CONTACTING VW CUSTOMER SERVICE (800 882 8987  REF# 60353557 9-29-06) I WAS INFORMED, \"THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE DAMAGE OCCURRED BELOW THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE\". MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS 73K AND MY CURRENT MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE USUAL MILEAGE FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM IS 105K. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN IS MORE THAN AWARE OF THIS DEFECT. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT THEY THINK THEY SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10168618,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/14/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"09/19/2006","vin":"3VWSG29M51M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILURE AT 82,000  REPLACED CONVERTOR.  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"VOLKSWAGEN","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10167578,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/05/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"09/07/2006","vin":"3VWBK21C11M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE IN FEB 2003. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE TURNPIKE SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST POWER AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A CERTIFIED VW GARAGE WHERE I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I HAD NO WARNING THAT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING UNTIL IT STOPPED AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 56,000 MILES ON IT. THE MECHANIC IS GOING TO GIVE ME A REBUILT ENGINE BECAUSE HE IS TRYING TO SAVE ME SOME MONEY.  SO FAR MY CAR IS IN THE GARAGE FOR OVER A MONTH BECAUSE IT SEEMS IT IS NOT EASY TO GET A REPAIRABLE USED MOTOR. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. ALSO I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR ONE MONTH ALREADY WHICH OF COURSE CAUSES A HARDSHIP AND A LOT OF STRESS. I DON'T FEEL THAT A MOTOR SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES ON IT. I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A RELIABLE CAR. BOY WAS I WRONG!!  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10167623,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/07/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"09/07/2006","vin":"3VWDD21C31M","components":"SUSPENSION,WHEELS","summary":"WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT ABOUT 12 AM IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE ON HIGHWAY 217 IN TIGARD OREGON, JUST PASSED EXIT 4 MY STEERING STARTED PULLING ME TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, TOWARDS THE GUARD RAIL.  (WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 55 MPH)  I TRIED TO CORRECT BY PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND.  I THEN HEAR A VERY LOUD SNAPPING/BREAKING NOISE UNDER MY LEFT FOOT AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY CAR SLIDES TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, INTO THE GUARD RAIL.  I THEN BOUNCED OFF OF THE GUARD RAIL AND THE CAR CONTINUED SLIDING/SPINNING UNTIL COMING TO REST IN THE LEFT HAND LANE.  TIGARD POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND STATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE \"SUSPENSION BROKE AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF\", CAUSING THE WRECK.  THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END (LEFT SIDE) AND MARKS ON THE REAR BUMPER.  WITNESS FOLLOWING BEHIND ME STATED THAT THEY SAW ME DRIVING IN FRONT OF THEM AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SPINNING, APPARENTLY FOR NO REASON SINCE THERE WAS NO IMPACT.  *NM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10164853,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/03/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"08/07/2006","vin":"3VWCB21CX1M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS NOT WORKING AND EXPRESSED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE.  UPDATED 08/25/06. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10164318,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/09/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"08/03/2006","vin":"3VWCK21CX1M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"ALMOST TOO MANY TO LIST  O2 SENSOR AT 20K MILES - TWICE  TEMP SENSOR FOR COOLING FAN ($5 PART - $200  TO INSTALL) AT 30K MILES  IGNITION COILS AT 50K MILES.  VW HAD INITIATED A \"CUSTOMER ACTION\" ON ALL 1.8L ENGINES FOR DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS ON VW AND AUDI MODELS.  CUSTOMER SERVICE ACTION MEANS NOTHING, COST ME $600 WITHOUT RENTAL CAR ADDED. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PRESS RELEASE WHEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY.  WATER PUMP WENT SOUTH AT 61K MILES  ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WENT SOUTH AT 61K MILES ALSO.  WARRANTY COVERED STILL COST ME $300 FOR RENTAL CAR FOR 5 DAYS.  TIMING BELT DAMAGED WHEN WATER PUMP WENT. VOA WILL TELL YOU TO \"CHECK\" IT AT 50K BUT IT SHOULD LAST TO 108K.  PAID FULL LABOR EVEN THOUGH ENGINE WAS APART FOR PUMP WORK.  VW SHOULD BE FORCED TO HONOR THE QUALITY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND FORCE A RECALL ON THE COILS, POTENTIALLY THE O2 SENSOR AND DEFINITELY THE ECM.  THE REPAIR COSTS ARE INSANE.  ECM ON THIS CAR IS $1300 NO LABOR.  CURRENT WARRANTY ON NEW IS 60K.  MINE WENT AT 61K.  2001 WARRANTY WAS 10/100 AND 8/80.  THEY KNOW THEY HAVE PROBLEMS.  CAR IS A LEMON, CONTACT LAWYER TOO MUCH HASSLE - THEY WIN AGAIN.   *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10163912,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/28/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"07/30/2006","vin":"3VWCD21C11M","components":"POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"MY 2001 VW BEETLE  TURBO WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. IT IS STUCK THERE. I WAS PARKED ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE WITHOUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON.  I T WAS 95 DEGREES F.  I CALLED VW AND THEY TOLD ME TO DO THE FOLLOWING.           * 1. I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF      * 2. PUMP THE  BRAKE 5 TIMES AND HOLD IT FOR THE 5TH TIME ALL THE WAY DOWN      * 3. TURN THE CAR ON COMPLETELY      * 4. WAIT 5 SECONDS      * 5. THEN TURN IT OFF      * 6. TURN IT 1/4 TURN (NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE CAR)      * 7. THEN I CAN TURN THE SHIFT IN BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE      * 8. THEN TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY ON TO TURN IT COMPLETELY ON TO SHIFT IT INTO DRIVE.  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10162433,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":true,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/11/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"07/14/2006","vin":"3VWCD21C41M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE SETTING OFF AND FREEZING THE ALARM.  THE FIRE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT INTERIOR.  THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE ON THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.  THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN.  THE CLOSEST DEALERS WERE CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE WILLING TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERS FOR A FEE.  PRIOR TO THE DASH BOARD CATCHING ON FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BECAUSE OF A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE.  THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE DETAILER SPRAY WAS CAUSING THE SMELL BUT THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10162649,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/25/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"07/14/2006","vin":"3VWCK21C11M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED. *KB  THE DEALER DETERMINED THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10162190,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/10/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"07/12/2006","vin":"3VWCK21C81M","components":"LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES","summary":"LOCK ON GAS LID WAS LOOSE. I DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL I RAN THE CAR THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE AIR FROM THE DRYER POPPED THE LID OPEN AND IT WENT FLYING THROUGH THE AIR. LID IS FIBER GLASS AND IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH TO BREAK IT. I SAW ANOTHER BUG LAST WEEK WITH THE GAS LID GONE TOO!  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10160995,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/14/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"06/28/2006","vin":"3VWCD21C81M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5O MPH THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE HIT AGAINST A TREE. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HOWEVER ONLY THE DRIVER WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE END OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HIT THE DRIVER'S FACE CAUSING PERMANENT FACIAL DAMAGE (ACUTE RECESSION GLAUCOMA). THE CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10157873,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/05/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"05/19/2006","vin":"3VWDD21C71M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING THE BRAKE LAMPS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.  AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE GETS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION.  AN NHTSA RECALL, # 03V265000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH HOWEVER; THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.  THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10152677,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/14/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"03/14/2006","vin":"3VWCP21C51M","components":"POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"DT*:  THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTERMITTENTLY.  THERE IS  RECALL, #03V265000, CONCERNING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.  THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.  THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN.  THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED.  FOUR  BRAKE SWITCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR ALL OF THEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED   EXTENDED  WARRANTY, BUT IT DID NOT HELP. IT COST THE CONTACT OVER $3,000 IN REPAIRS.    UPDATED ON 05/16/2006.  *AK  *NM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10151568,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/28/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"03/01/2006","vin":"3VWDD21C21M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"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)","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10151232,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/16/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"02/26/2006","vin":"","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"I HAVE  NO HEADLIGHTS OR WIPERS ON THIS 2001 EUROVAN. IT SEEMS TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAD NOTICED THE 1996 PASSAT WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH IS UNSAFE SINCE YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS OR WIPERS. WHY HASN'T THIS PROBLEM BEEN RECALLED FOR ALL OF THE SAME TYPE OF IGNITION SWITCHES???? BY VW.??? PLEASE INFORM ME IF THERE ARE ANY INVESTIGATIONS ON THIS PROBLEM.  *NM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"VOLKSWAGEN","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10150740,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/20/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"02/21/2006","vin":"3VWCB21CX1M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"DT*:  THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM SOLENOID.  THE REPLACEMENT ONLY REMEDIED THE PROBLEM FOR A TWO YEAR PERIOD AND IT HAS NOW RETURNED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.   THE SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID, THE SAFETY FEATURE THAT REQUIRES THE BRAKE TO BE DEPRESSED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK FAILED TWICE. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10150602,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/17/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"02/18/2006","vin":"3VWCK21C11M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"AT THE END OF MY WORKDAY MY CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK.  I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT HE WOULD RATHER SOMEONE WITH MORE VW EXPERIENCE LOOK AT IT.  WHEN I CALLED THE VW DEALER THE SERVICE PERSON SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH AND THAT THERE WERE RECALLS THAT IT MAY BE COVERED UNDER.  THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE NEXT DAY THE FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPAIRED.  HOWEVER, AFTER SEARCHING MY VIN# THE DEALER SAID MY CAR WAS NOT ON ANY RECALL.  AFTER SEARCHING THE NHTSA WEBSITE, I FOUND A RECALL FOR MY MAKE/MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10150529,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/17/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"02/17/2006","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"I OWN A 2001 BEETLE. IT HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE OTHER DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I JUST TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO REPLACE A COIL AND AN O2 SENSOR. ALL THIS IS GOING TO COST ME CLOSE TO $1000! AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT FOR VW BEETLES. VW NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL SINCE THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR SO MANY PEOPLE. I READ OF PEOPLE HAVING THE CAR STOP RUNNING WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING. THIS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *NM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10148738,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/02/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"01/26/2006","vin":"","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON. ONLY A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER HAS THE EQUIPMENT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND TELL ME WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. THE DEALER WILL NOT LOOK AT MY CAR UNLESS I GIVE THEM $100. IS THIS NOT PRICE GOUGING? NO AUTOMOBILE DIAGNOSIS WITH THAT EXPENSIVE. IT WILL NOT TAKE BUT A FEW MINUTES TO HOOK THE COMPUTER UP TO THE CAR AND SPIT OUT A REASON FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT. SO, I CAN PAY THEM $100 TO TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR I CAN RIDE AROUND WITHOUT AIRBAGS. THIS TYPE OF EXTORTION SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10147986,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/12/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"01/18/2006","vin":"3VWCP21C11M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER ON 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE FAILED IN SAME WAY AS DESCRIBED IN YOUR RECALL #04V584000-WHICH APPLIES TO OTHER MODELS BUT NOT NEW BEETLE. OCCURRENCE DATE: 12 JANUARY 2006, MILEAGE 64,200 APPROX. THIS IS SAME BEHAVIOR ALREADY IDENTIFIED BY YOU. I REQUEST THAT INVESTIGATION BE OPENED TO BROADEN THE RECALL TO THIS MODEL. I AM TRYING TO FIND REPLACEMENT PART. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10147126,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/04/2006","dateComplaintFiled":"01/06/2006","vin":"3VWCT21C31M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"DAUGHTER'S 2001 VW NEW BEETLE, PURCHASED PRE-OWNED ODOMETER READING 34908 WITH HIGHEST LEVEL EXTENDED WARRANTY AVAILABLE. ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY (IGNITER OF AIR BAG) HAD SPORADIC VOLTAGE READING. PRE-EMPTYING WARNINGS OF AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY, HOWEVER SINCE THE BOTTOM LINE TO CORRECTING THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY WOULD RELY ON REPLACING THE AIR BAG, THE WARRANTY REFUSES TO COVER THE CHARGE. SERVICE TECHNICIAN INSISTS IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, WHICH WARRANTY DOES COVER...WARRANTY INSISTS THE CORRECTING OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT RESULTS IN AIR BAG REPLACEMENT...WARRANTY DOES NOT STATE AIR BAG COVERAGE-THEREFORE WE WILL NOT COVER EXPENSE.    *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10146992,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/29/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"01/05/2006","vin":"3VWBK21C71M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO PARK THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE LAMPS ILLUMINATED, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10143270,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/08/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"11/19/2005","vin":"3VWCD21C61M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT","summary":"THE POWER SHUTS DOWN IN MY 2001 BEETLE TURBO WHILE I AM DRIVING.  I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, KILL THE CAR, AND THEN START IT BACK UP. AFTER THAT, IT SEEMS FINE.  *NM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."},{"type":"Equipment","productYear":"9999","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"SEAT BELTS","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10143271,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/19/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"11/19/2005","vin":"3VWCD21C61M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"2001 BEETLE GETS STUCK IN PARK.  WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, IT WILL MOVE FREELY INTO ANY OTHER GEAR.  WHEN I START THE CAR, THE GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK.  *NM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10136406,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/01/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"10/06/2005","vin":"3VWCP21C61M","components":"SUSPENSION","summary":"DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE DIESEL. THE VEHICLE WILL SWAY BACK AND FOURTH AND THIS WAS HARD FAST SWAYS. THIS OCCURRED A LOT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE SWAYING  WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINTS.   THE CONTACT  HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS FROM THIS BECAUSE IT WAS  UNSAFE. THE VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA. THIS HAS  OCCURRED  FOR AT LEAST TWO MONTHS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO  THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WHEELS ALIGNED AND THIS DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT PROGRESSIVELY WAS GETTING WORSE.  IT OCCURRED AT ALL SPEEDS AND PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE THE FASTER THAT THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING.   *AK *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10136922,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/15/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"09/19/2005","vin":"3VWDD21C61M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"I OWN A NEW VW BEETLE AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS BEEN GIVING DISPLAYS THAT COME ON AND OFF CONCERNING THE ABS SYSTEM, AIR BAG AND ENGINE.  I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS CORROSION OF THE TERMINAL STRIP FROM THE COOLANT TANK THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM.  I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT AND GIVEN A FIELD SERVICE TECHNICAL BULLETIN THAT OUTLINED THE PROBLEM DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW.  THIS CAN BE A PROBLEM AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS UNRELIABLE AND THE SAFETY SYSTEMS CANNOT BE SURE TO BE WORKING.    I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN TO NO AVAIL.    I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT RECOURSE I HAVE TO HAVE A DESIGN FLAW CORRECTED?  *NM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10134413,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/22/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"08/28/2005","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"LOSS OF POWER ON 2001 VW NEW BEETLE TDI.  AIR INTAKE CLOGS UP DUE TO WATER LIKE SUBSTANCE CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL POWER LOSS.  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10130782,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/26/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"08/01/2005","vin":"3VWBK21C61M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"DT: HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE RECALL.  EPC LIGHT CAME  ON AND OFF, CAME ON AGAIN.  CURRENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OFF. TRIED TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, JUST TURNING THE KEY HAVE WAY , BUT THEY STILL WILL NOT COME ON. IT CAME ON ONCE BEFORE ABOUT 4 OR 5 MONTHS, BUT IT WENT BACK OFF. CONTACTED DEALER ,THEY HAD CHECKED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10129919,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/22/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"07/25/2005","vin":"","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"2001 VW BEETLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. RESEARCED ON LINE TO FIND THERE WAS A RECALL CONCERNING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHS IN 2001 BEETLE. TOOK CAR TO BUTLER VW TO HAVE FIXED AND WAS CHARGED FOR REPAIR KNOWING THEY HAVE A HISTORY WITH THESE SWITCHS BEING  DEFFECTIVE. DEALER WOULD NOT PAY BASED ON VEHICLE NOT FALLING INTO VIN'S THAT WERE RECALLED.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10129973,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/18/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"07/25/2005","vin":"3VWDD21CX1M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"2001 NEW BETLE. IN SHOP 7 TIMES SINCE PURCAHSE ON MARCH 15, 2005. WAS TOLD IT WAS 02 SENSORS. REPLACED SENSORS, RE WIRED, AND PLACED NEW COMPUTER IN AUTOMOBILE.  PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED. SEVERAL OHTERS HAVE EXPREINCED THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE SEE HTTP://WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM/UBB/FORUM3/HTML/000059.HTML","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10129783,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":true,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/20/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"07/23/2005","vin":"3VWCP21C01M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"1. ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE;  2. ENGINE THEN \"EXPLODED\" RESULTING IN ENGINE FIRE AND DESTRUCTION OF ENGINE AND ALL UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10129758,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/22/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"07/22/2005","vin":"3VWBK21C31M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT","summary":"PURCHED A USED 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE FOR MY DAUGHTERS 16TH BIRTHDAY. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FIRST. AFTER 3 TRIPS TO THE DEALER( WHICH IS 50 MILES AWAY) THAT WAS FINALLY FIXED. THEN IS WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PARK. SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY PUT IN A NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. WELL NOW IT IS STUCK IN PARK AGAIN AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR TOWING AGAIN TO HAV THE SAME PART REPLACED AGAIN. THE TOW BILL ALONE IS WELL OVER 100.00. I CALLED VW AND THEY TELL ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALLL THAT IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THIS CAR IS COSTING ME A FORTUNE AND SHE HAS HAD IT ONLY 1 YEAR AND IT HAS ONLY 48,000 MILES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE TIMES THEN OUT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW. THEY ARE TOTALLY JUNK.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."},{"type":"Equipment","productYear":"9999","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"SEAT BELTS","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10128388,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/11/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"07/11/2005","vin":"3VWCK21C01M","components":"LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES","summary":"DRIVER DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTION.  NO PRIOR EVENT.  DRIVER DOOR LATCH (DIODE/ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED) FAILED -CAR DOOR DOES NOT SHUT/STAY LATCHED.  WHILE DRIVING CAR DOOR OPENS ON ITS OWN ACCORD.  DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT DOOR LATCH WILL NOT OPERATE/CLOSE WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONS.  SUGGESTED I USE TAPE TO HOLD DOOR SHUT-WHILE WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT LATCH. PART # 3B1-837-015-AK LOCK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10127207,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/26/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"06/30/2005","vin":"3VWCT21C71M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, AIR","summary":"I HAVE A 2001 NEW BEETLE. I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN JULY 2000. MY COMPLAIT IS THAT I HAD MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON AND DIABLED MY STOPPING ABILITY OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED REPLACING THE ELECTRONIC CONTOL UNIT OF MY ABS SYSTEM. THIS COST ME 1300.00 TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL CAR UNDER THE SAME MANUFATURER DATES OF SEPT 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 2001. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS #02V031000. MY VEHICLES VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SEQUENCE OF RECALLED VEHICLES. I AM APPAULED THAT MY CAR HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MANUFATURE DATE IS NOT COVERED ON THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED AND DEMAND AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT IS OK FOR ME TO RISK MY FAMILY'S LIVES WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY IDENTIFIED AS A MAJOR PROBLEM. NOT TO MENTION A BIG EXPENSE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10126361,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/26/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"06/23/2005","vin":"3VWCS21C81M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,PARKING BRAKE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER","summary":"MY ABS DASH INDICATOR CAME ON STEADY, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE INTERIOR CHIME STARTED SOUNDING CONTINUOUSLY. I PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. A PUFF OF SMOKE/STEAM CAME UP FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEELWELL AND THERE WAS A HORRIBLE HISS AND WHINE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE SAME SIDE AND A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL.   THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ABS MODULE (WHICH THEY CHANGED FOR $950!!!) AND THAT ONLY FIXED THE ABS LIGHT. NO CLUE ON THE FLASHING BRAKE IDIOT LIGHT AND NOW THEY SAY THE AC DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. NO REFRIGERANT, SO OBVIOUSLY A LEAK. IT SEEMS WAY TOO COINCIDENTAL.   I HEARD ABOUT AN ABS MODULE RECALL BACK IN '03 WHICH COULD SHORT CIRCUIT AND CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GEOGRAPHY AND I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR (BOUGHT USED) FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF.  IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. SEE ATTACHED LINK: HTTP://FORUMS.NEWBEETLE.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=50457","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10125911,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/21/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"06/20/2005","vin":"3VWSG69M31M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"DT: CONSUMER STATED AT 51000 MILES TRANSMISSION  BUSTED. CONSUMER SOME TIMES  VEHICLE DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AND E BACK FIRED. ALSO,  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SOMETIMES HESITATED OR BOGGED DOWN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN ACTING THIS WAY SINCE APRIL. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON.  VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN FLORENCE, KENTUCKY. . VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OUT BY DEALER, BUT TRANSMISSION  WAS REPAIRED BY ANOTHER  GARAGE. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"VOLKSWAGEN","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10117457,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/15/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"04/05/2005","vin":"","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH.  VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED THAT THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE,  AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10115567,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/01/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"03/09/2005","vin":"3VWCT21C71M","components":"SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,SEATS","summary":"THE CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, BEARINGS, AXLE, COOLING SYSTEM, SEAT TRACKS AND BOLTS AND WINDOW TRACK IN HER 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE.   *NM   THE CONSUMER ALSO NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE FRONT AXLE.   *SC","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10112360,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/25/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"03/01/2005","vin":"3VWCP21C91M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"2001 VW BEETLE, REAR BRAKE CALIPERS LOCKED CLOSED CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS.  VW MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROBLEM.  I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.  ALL SERVICE AND INSPECTIONS DONE BY VW DEALER AS REQUIRED.  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10111251,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"05/10/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"02/09/2005","vin":"","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"CONSUMER CLIPPED THE CURB WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER ESTIMATED A CHARGE OF  $1,400 TO MAKE THE REPAIRS.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10108493,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/02/2005","dateComplaintFiled":"02/03/2005","vin":"","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"MY 2001 GLX BEETLE NEEDS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE REPLACE WHICH THE DEALER TELLS ME WILL COST $900.  MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 39,000 MILES.  THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE 2001 GLX BEETLE FOR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE BUT IT APPARENTLY ONLY AFFECTS VEHICLES WHERE THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF THE VIN ARE 475001 OR HIGHER.  MY VEHICLE'S VIN IS IN THE 457XXX RANGE.  I CAN'T BELIEVE MY PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL YET BECAUSE MY VIN IS TO LOW, THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT.  I WOULD LIKE TO SEE VOLKSWAGEN EXTEND THE RECALL TO COVER VEHICLES IN MY VIN RANGE.  THERE IS RISK OF FIRE IF THE UNIT IS NOT REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE SO NOW I MUST INCUR A LARGE EXPENSE TO REPLACE A PART I BELIEVE WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10103013,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/14/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"12/15/2004","vin":"","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"MULTIPLE REQUESTS TO HAVE OUR 2001 NEW BEETLE TDI HEADLIGHTS ADJUSTED PROPERLY HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH BY GURLEY-LEEP VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SINCE THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, 2001 WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW.*AK    SPECIFICALLY: LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SET FAR, FAR TOO LOW; I ESTIMATE THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE ABOUT 60 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, LIMITING TRAVEL AT NIGHT TO ~35 MPH; THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY HAZARD FOR TWO REASONS: 1) WE CAN'T SEE HAZARDS SOON ENOUGH, AND 2) OUR LOWER SPEEDS PRESENT A HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES TRAVELING AT HIGHER (NORMAL) SPEEDS.    WHEN I ASK WHY THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SET TOO LOW, I'M TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL THAT \"THEY'RE SET TO SPEC\".    LATEST, 12/14/04:    SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN TOLD US THEY SET THE HEADLIGHTS \"TO SPEC\", BUT THE RIGHT LIGHT ASSEMBLY DOESN'T STAY IN ADJUSTMENT, I.E., IT \"DROPS\", AND WE NEED TO BUY A NEW ASSEMBLY AT ABOUT $330.00.    THIS IS A STRANGE SITUATION BECAUSE THE LEFT HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATES THE ROAD AT THE SAME DISTANCE AS THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT, AND THE GURLEY LEEP SERVICE DEPARTMENT PEOPLE DID NOT TELL US THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT.    BOTTOM LINE: THIS IS APPARENTLY EITHER A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OR A POORLY MANAGED  MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT; EITHER WAY IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND MUST BE CORRECTED BY VW AT NO CHARGE.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10102400,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/12/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"12/08/2004","vin":"WVWHC63B01E","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. ENGINE FAILURE, VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT REPAIR EVEN THOUGH IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED 13 TIMES IN 14 MONTHS. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"VOLKSWAGEN","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10098477,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/15/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"11/08/2004","vin":"3VWCD21C41M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, NEEDED TO REPLACE CALIPERS, ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS AT 16,455MILES.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10098301,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/23/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"11/05/2004","vin":"","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"IT COULD POTENTIALLY EFFECT YOUR ABS SYSTEM AND COULD START A FIRE. THE 3 GREEN FUSES ON TOP OF THE BATTERY. THERE IN A SMALL COVER. OPEN THE COVER AND CHECK THE FUSE LOCATED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS THE FUSE FOR THE AC COMPRESSOR AND FANS. I SAW 3 CARS WITH SEVERELY MELTED AND BURNED CONNECTORS. THE FUSES DON'T BLOW, OR THEY MELT INTO THE CONNECTOR ALLOWING CURRENT TO CONTINUE TO FLOW. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD AND I WANT TO VOICE MY CONCERNS BEFORE ANYONE LOOSES A CAR TO THIS. THE CARS THAT I CHECKED WERE ALL 1999-2001 CARS AND ALL USE THE AC PRETTY FREQUENTLY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE PART SINCE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.  SEE HERE FOR MORE CASES OVER 26 DOCUMENTED.  HTTP://FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=26315&PERPAGE=40&PAGENUMBER=1.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10088988,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/01/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"09/02/2004","vin":"","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGON BEETLE AND WAS VERY FRUSTRATED WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING.  I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS CHARGED $100!!!! AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS! I WAS SO UPSET! THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT CAME ON AGIAN AND I WAS FURIOUS! I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $100 AGIAN.  I COPMPLAINED AND GOT THE 2ND FEE WAVED.  I'M NOT AN EXPERT BUT IT IS VERY RARE FOR AN IGNITION COIL TO FAIL???*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10088927,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/30/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"09/01/2004","vin":"3VWBK21C61M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, NO DRIVABILITY PROBLEMS THOUGH.  DEALER SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY; 2001 VW BEETLE WITH 7,600 MILES.  CHECKED AND CHARGED $142.00 TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, REPLACED CTS, COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR.  IT APPEARS THAT IT IS HARD TO FIND ANY SHOPS WITH EQUIPMENT TO ACCESS VW'S ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM; ONLY WAY IS AT VW OR IF A SHOP HAS A PC BASED SYSTEM CALLED MORPHUS?  WAS THIS DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY SINCE IT IS PART OF THE OVERALL ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, CONTROLLING EMISSIONS?  THANK YOU, [XXX].*AK    INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10088518,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"05/23/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"08/25/2004","vin":"3VWCA21C0YM","components":"AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,EQUIPMENT","summary":"WIRE BROKEN ON SEAT BELT LIGHT AND AIR BAG.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."},{"type":"Equipment","productYear":"9999","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"SEAT BELTS","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10088226,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/11/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"08/19/2004","vin":"3VWCD21C11M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"2001 VW TURBO BEETLE (22,770 MILEAGE) LOW OIL PRESSURE. SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP. OIL SLUDGE CLEANED FROM PAN AND PICKUP TUBE REPLACE, COST $457.53. SYNTHETIC OIL USE VICE NORMAL OIL TO AVOID SLUDGE BUILDUP. VW MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ENGINE DESIGN PROBLEM THAT CAUSED NORMAL OIL TO BREAK DOWN. OWNER'S MANUAL SHOULD STATE ONLY USE SYNTHETIC OIL. ALL PREVIOUS OIL CHANGES AND SERVICING WERE PERFORMED AT SPECIFIED MILEAGES AT THE VW DEALERSHIP. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10089258,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/20/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"08/09/2004","vin":"","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE.   *MR   THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING.  THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR.   *SC   *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10075791,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"05/01/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"07/27/2004","vin":"3VWBB21C91M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"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   *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10080357,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/20/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"07/05/2004","vin":"3VWCK21C21M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"2001 VW BEETLE, 10,000, WELL MAINTAINED MECHANICALLY/GARAGE PARKING - ALTERNATOR SHUT DOWN ON I-66 IN VIRGINIA WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING; NUMBER OF LIGHTS ON THE PANEL LITE UP ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 20, 2004 ON A TRIP TO TENNESSEE AND CAR JUST SHUT DOWN, LOST POWER.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10079103,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/29/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"06/30/2004","vin":"3VWCB21C31M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"THE REAR DISC BRAKE PADS (BOTH SIDES) COMPLETELY WORN OFF/OUT AT 25,000 MILES ON 2001 VW NEW BEETLE. THE WORN OUT PADS ALSO DAMAGED BOTH REAR HUB/ROTOR ASSEMBLIES, WHICH ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED BY THE CONSUMER, AT THE CONSUMERS COST. THIS CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR ITS 20,000 MILE CHECK UP TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE FEMALE OWNER HAD ASKED ABOUT REAR BRAKE NOISES THAT CONCERNED HER. THE DEALERSHIP ASSURED HER THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK, BUT SOMETIMES IT WOULD JUST NORMALLY MAKE SOME NOISES.  A FEW THOUSAND  MILES LATER THE PADS AND ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY SHOT AND WE HAVE TO PICK UP THE TAB AS THE CAR IS NOW NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. VW HAS HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN(TSB#4602-01 DATED 04-02), I RECENTLY FOUND OUT, CONCERNING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WE EXPERIENCED:BRAKE PADS(REAR) APPARENT PREMATURE WEAR. I MENTIONED THIS FACT TO BOTH THE DEALERSHIP IN RACINE, WI AND VW AT THEIR 1-800-822-8987 \"CUSTOMER CARE\" CARE NUMBER WHEN SPEAKING TO MR KEN PARROTT. IT WAS TO NO AVAIL.  THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT PERSON FELT THIS WAS \"NORMAL\" THOUGH I CONTESTED THAT OPINION.  THE VW PERSON, MR PERROTT, SAID HE COULDN'T EVEN LOOK INTO THE MATTER AS THE WORK WAS PERFORMED AT A NON VW DEALERSHIP, THOUGH IT WAS A CERTIFIED NAPA AUTOCARE SERVICE CENTER THAT DID THE REPAIR WORK. HE, MR PARROTT, ALSO STATED IF I HAD TAKEN IT IN TO A VW GARAGE WAS NO GUARANTEE THEY WOULD PAY FOR MY EXPENSES EITHER. I ASKED ABOUT \"OPENING A CASE\" W/VW AND HE SAID THE CONVERSATION WE WERE HAVING INITIATED IT AND WHEN I HUNG UP(I ASKED HIM ABOUT THIS) THAT THE CASE WOULD BE CLOSED, AS FAR AS THEY WERE CONCERNED.  BUT NOT AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10075301,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/03/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"06/13/2004","vin":"","components":"VISIBILITY","summary":"WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM NUT SECURING THE BRACKET TO THE WIPER MOTOR NUT HAS NO LOCKING MECHANISM TO PREVENT THE NUT FROM LOOSENING DURING WIPER OPERATION.  THIS RESULTS IN THE NUT WORKING ITS WAY OFF THE WIPER MOTOR AND THE WIPERS CEASING OPERATION.  REATTACHING THE NUT ONLY WORKS BRIEFLY UNTIL THE NUT WORKS LOOSE AGAIN.  IN ADDITION, I RECEIVE NO RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR THIS VEHICLE IN THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED IT AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10075863,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/17/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"06/08/2004","vin":"","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD.THEN, CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.  CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10074638,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"05/24/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"06/02/2004","vin":"","components":"UNKNOWN OR OTHER","summary":"A FAMILY MEMBER OF MINE RECENTLY BOUGHT, I BELIEVE, A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE.  AFTER WAITING A WHILE FOR HER TAGS SHE AND HER FATHER LOOKED INTO THE DOCUMENTS GIVEN TO HER BY THE DEALERSHIP AND NOTICED A DISCREPANCY IN MILEAGE AFTER THEY DID A FULL CARFAX REPORT ON THE CAR.  THE CARFAX REPORTED THAT THE CAR HAD 76000 MILES ON IT IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 BUT THE DOCUMENT ATESTING TO MILEAGE FROM THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT HAD ONLY 66K WHEN BOUGHT IN MARCH ON IT AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SOLD TO THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL FEBRUARY WITH WHO KNOWS HOW MANY MILES.  I BELIEVE THAT THE DEALERSHIP OR THE PREVIOUS OWNER ROLLED BACK THE MILEAGE. IN MY MIND IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT IT IS THE DEALER.  I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE STEPS WE NEED TO TAKE, THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO HAVE AND HOW TO GET IT, AND WHO TO CONTACT IN SOUTH CAROLINA (PREFERABLY IN ROCK HILL, SC) IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10068131,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/02/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"04/30/2004","vin":"3VWCK21C21M","components":"VISIBILITY","summary":"WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILS TO OPERATE OR OPERATES RANDOMLY.  THE BLADE WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW AND GO NO FURTHER UNLESS I PHYSICALLY PUSH IT DOWN OR TURN THE SWITCH ON THE HIGHEST SPEED AND THEN IT MAY WORK SO I CAN PUT IT IN THE DOWN POSITION SO IT DOESN'T OBSTRUCT MY VIEW.  *LA","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10065222,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/29/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"03/30/2004","vin":"","components":"AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS","summary":"CONSUMER FELT THAT THE AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELTS SHOULD NOT BE HOOKED UP TOGETHER.   BOTH AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERABLE.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10063712,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/22/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"03/23/2004","vin":"3VWBK21C11M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"BRAKE LAMPS ON 2001 NEW BEETLE COME ON AND STAY ON EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND PARKED.  THIS IS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 03V265000 (7-25-03).  I CHECKED VW AND THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL WAS VIN SPECIFIC AND MY 2001 NEW BEETLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.  IT SEEMS THERE MAY BE MORE UNITS AFFECTED THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10060463,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/07/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"03/04/2004","vin":"3VWCB21C71M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"I OWN A 2001 NEW BEETLE AND HAVE DILIGENTLY HAD ALL FACTORY SERVICE PERFORMED.  AT THE 20,000 MILE SERVICE, WE REPORTED A METALLIC RUBBING SOUND FROM THE REAR BRAKES.  THE DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG.  THE NOISE CONTINUED, AT 9,000 MILES LATER WE TOOK IT BACK FOR FURTHER INSPECTION.  AT THAT TIME, THE DEALER INFORMED US WE NEEDED NEW REAR ROTORS AND PADS AT A COST OF $357.47.  WE ASKED HOW THE BRAKES COULD BE FINE JUST 9,000 MILES PREVIOUSLY, AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THAT WAS THE WAY IT WAS WITH THESE NEW BEETLES; WHEN THE PADS WEAR OUT, YOU ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ROTORS.   I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE, MARY GENERA, WHO STATED THAT SHE BACKED UP WHATEVER THE DEALER SAID.  SHE FURTHER INDICATED THAT SHE HAD NO TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE WHATSOEVER, AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A TECHNICAL CONTACT WITHIN THE COMPANY TO SPEAK TO.  SHE SAID MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO WORK WITH THE DEALER.   I CONTACTED A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE EXPERT, DAVE FINKELESTEIN, (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH), WHO SUGGESTED, BUT COULD NOT CONFIRM, THAT VW MIGHT BE USING A SUBSTANDARD \"SOFT\" BRAKE ROTOR.   A FOLLOWUP WRITTTEN COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALER YIELDED NO RESPONSE.  I SUSPECT VW IS USING SUBSTANDARD PARTS ON THEIR NEW VEHICLES.    AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THE REAR PADS WORE OUT AROUND 19,000 MILES, WHICH  IS RIDICULOUSLY LOW FOR A NEW CAR.  THIS CAR HAS HAD AN EXTEREMELY LARGE NUMBER OF MECHANICAL FAILURES, MOST OF THEM REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.  IT GOT SO BAD, VW AGREED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY AN ADDITIONAL 48,000 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ADDITIONAL WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER BRAKE ROTORS.  THE DEALER-PROVIDED SERVICE PROVIDED FOR THIS CAR HAS BEEN ABYSMAL AND I WOULD CAUTION ANYONE THINKING ABOUT BUYING A NEW VW TO THINK TWICE.  THESE CARS ARE VERY POORLY MADE AND EVEN MORE POORLY SUPPORTED BY SO-CALLED \"CUSTOMER SERVICE\".","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10059276,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"02/18/2004","vin":"","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10058361,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/16/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"02/17/2004","vin":"3VWCD21CX1M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 VW NEW BEETLE THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO IDLE VERY ROUGHLY. THE ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE ENGINE AND DRIVE THE CAR HOME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE O2 SENSOR AND THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE TOTAL COST WAS $1097.00 AND WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS A 2001 MODEL WITH JUST OVER 18000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. A CALL TO THE  VOLKSWAGEN \"CUSTOMER ADVOCATE\" CENTER PROVED HOPELESS AS THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE 2001 VW BEETLE CAME WITH A 2 YEAR 24000 MILE WARRANTY. THE LACK OF WARRANTY LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT VW KNEW THESE CARS WERE OF SUBSTANDARD QUALITY FROM THE DATE OF MANUFACTURER.   *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10056242,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/10/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"01/31/2004","vin":"3VWCP21C81M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"AT 30,000 MILES MY BEETLE NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES AFTER DAMAGE OCCURED TO THE ROTOR.  AFTER OBSERVING THEM I DECIDED TO CHANGE THE FRONT BRAKES AS WELL, THE FRONT BRAKES HAD PLENTY OF PAD LEFT.  IS IT NOT NORMAL THAT THE FRONT WEAR MORE PREMATURELY THAN THE REAR???  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10056244,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/29/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"01/31/2004","vin":"3VWCP21C81M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH.  IT MALFUNCTIONED LEAVING ME STRANDED BY NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK.  CALLED VOLKSWAGEN ROADSIDE BUT NO HELP DUE TO STINGY WARRANTY PERIOD(2YRS&24K) FOR 2001 AND OLDER VW'S.  FINALLY REPAIRED, BUT STILL PROBLEMATIC.  THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NO LONGER RETRACT 100%. THE BRAKES ACTUALLY OVERHEATED!  I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT NOW, SO I HAVE GOTTEN ACCUSTOMED TO MANUALLY PULLING IT BACK WITH MY LEFT FOOT.  I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL & THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE BRAKES BEING APPLIED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION.  UPON FURTHER DISCOVERY ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND A GUY WHOSE BRAKES ACTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THIS PROBLEM!!  WHAT SHOULD I DO?????  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10056241,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/10/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"01/31/2004","vin":"3VWCP21C81M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"AT 30,000 MILES MY BEETLE NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES AFTER DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE ROTOR.  AFTER OBSERVING THEM I DECIDED TO CHANGE THE FRONT BRAKES AS WELL, THE FRONT BRAKES HAD PLENTY OF PAD LEFT.  IS IT NOT NORMAL THAT THE FRONT WEAR MORE PREMATURELY THAN THE REAR???  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10056090,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/18/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"01/29/2004","vin":"3VWCB21C61M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10055077,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/23/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"01/28/2004","vin":"3VWCP21C81M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"2001 NEW BEETLE 1.9 L TDI, 55,000 MI.: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OFF THEN IT COMES ON ONCE GLOW PLUG LIGHT GOES OFF AND CAR HAS STARTED (WITIN 20 SECONDS).  THE DEALER FIRST TOLD ME IT WAS THE GLOW PLUG SENSOR.  THEN RECANTED AND SAID THE SENSOR WAS FINE AND TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW BRIDGE WIRE AND 4 NEW GLOW PLUGS.  SHOULD GLOW PLUGS ONLY LAST FOR 55,000 MILES?  THE CAR JUST TURNED OVER 55,023 WHEN THE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10054748,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/22/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"01/23/2004","vin":"3VWCB21C91M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE WHICH WAS LEASED NEW FROM BILL COOK IN FARMINTON HILLS MICHIGAN.  THE COMPLAINT REGARDS THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT OF REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT 18,000 MILES WHILE THE FRONTS WERE STILL AT 70%.  THE DEALERSHIP FOUND NOTHING IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED OR ANY EVIDENCE OF POOR MAINTENANCE OR ABUSE.  I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987 AFTER GETTING THE SERVICE COMPLETED AND OPENED A CASE.   VOLKSWAGEN VERIFIED THAT I HAVE HAD ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE PERFORMED ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP RECORDS AND CONFIRMED THE DETAILS OF MY COMPLAINT WITH THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THE DEALERSHIP.  YET THEY REFUSE TO COMPENSATE IN ANY WAY, STATING THAT NO MANUFACTURING DEFECT EXISTS.  I HAVE FOUND A VOLKSWAGEN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 4600-01 ON THE INTERNET REGARDING UNEVEN PAD WEAR INSTRUCTING TECHNICIANS TO USE AN ALTERNATE BRAKE PAD OF DIFFERENT COMPOSITION.  I AM AN ENGINEER IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, AND IN MY OPINION THIS LEVEL OF REPAIR AT THIS MILEAGE WITH NO EVIDENCE OF ANY EXTERNAL CAUSE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE STATE OF THE FRONT BRAKES, INDICATES EITHER A DEFECT IN DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. AT THE DEALERSHIP I ASKED WHETHER I COULD EXPECT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO FAIL AS QUICKLY AS THE ORIGINALS AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD LAST MUCH LONGER.  THE ONLY WAY THIS COULD BE TRUE IS IF THE NEW PARTS ARE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN OR THE OLD PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE.  THIS COST ME $45.00 TO DIAGNOSE AND $399.15 PARTS AND LABOR PLUS TAX AND SHOP FEES TO REPAIR.  I EXPECT A LONGER LIFE FOR THESE COMPONENTS ON A NEW VEHICLE AND CONSIDER THIS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF VOLKSWAGEN TO REPAIR.   *LA","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10054252,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/15/2004","dateComplaintFiled":"01/16/2004","vin":"3VWCB21C01M","components":"TIRES","summary":"VIOLENT SHAKING OF 2001 NEW BEETLE GL (HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AFTER SNOW STORM.   1/14/04 SNOW STORM HITS DETROIT METRO AREA.  THE NEXT MORNING 1/15/04 WHILE GOING TO WORK MY VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE/VIBRATE, STARTING AT 45 MPH.  I DID NOT TAKE THE BUG ABOVE 55 MPH BECAUSE THE SHAKING WAS GETTING WORSE.  AFTER WORK, I DROVE TO THE VW DEALER AND LEARNED THAT 16 OTHER NEW BEETLE OWNERS BROUGHT THEIR CAR IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM (THIS WAS A QUOTE BY THE SERVICE REP. STEVE)AND NUMEROUS OWNERS CALLED IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.    APPARENTLY THE DESIGN OF THE WHEEL RIMS ALLOW SNOW TO ACCUMULATE CAUSING AN IMBALANCE WITH THE WHEELS.  THIS CAUSES THE VIOLENT SHAKING WHILE RUNNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (45 MPH AND ABOVE).  THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO REMOVE THE SNOW BY HAND OR MELT IT AWAY.  (DEALER IS CHARGING ABOUT 72 DOLLARS FOR MELTING IT).   I NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DO THIS AFTER ANY SNOW STORM IN MICHIGAN.  BUT SINCE I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE INVOLVED, I FELT YOU SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE.  I LOVE MY BUG, BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE.    WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP (VYLETEL BUICK & VW, STERLING HEIGHTS MICHIGAN) I LEFT THE VEHICLE  THERE OVERNIGHT FOR 30K MAINTENANCE. I FIGURED, WHILE THEY DO THE MAINTENANCE, THE SNOW WOULD MELT OFF THE WHEELS.        GIVEN THE SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE CAUSED BY THE IMBALANCE OF THE WHEELS, I AM CONCERNED THE TIRES WILL HAVE PREMATURE WEAR OR FLAT SPOTS ON THE SURFACE.  HOPEFULLY, THIS IS NOT THE CASE, SINCE I ACTED ON THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT.  *CB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10070310,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"05/15/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"01/15/2004","vin":"3VWCT21C41M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENT","summary":"I HAVE 21,500 MILES ON MY 2001 VW BEETLE, HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP APROX 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, CAR HESITATES AND STALLS OUT AS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS A CONSTANT ON, DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM, MY WIFE AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED IN VEHICLE DUE TO STALLING OUT IN FRONT OF FAST MOVING TRAFFIC, I LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS AN ENDANGER TO MY AND MY FAMILIES LIFE WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD LIKE THIS VEHICLE TOWED IN, AND SINCE WAS AN ON GOING PROBLEM ALSO NEEDED A RENTAL CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA BOTH REFUSED ON BOTH ACCOUNTS, BECAUSE OF THE BITTER TASTE IN MY MOUTH FOR VW. I NO LONGER WANT THIS CAR.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10070739,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/15/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"01/15/2004","vin":"3VWDD21C61M","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PREOWNED 2001 VW BETTLE ON 7/9/03.  ON 8/14/03 THE VEHICLE SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH AT HIGHWAY SPEED AFTER AROUND 1,000 MILES AFTER THE PURCHASE.  ON 8/18/03 THE SELLING DEALER (BILL BARRY VOLKSWAGEN, WEST HARTFORD, CT) REFUSED TO HONOR THE MANUFACTURER'S AND CONNECTICUT STATE MANDATED WARRANTIES.  A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA.  VW CORPORATE HAS TAKEN NO ACTION TO REMEDIATE.  IT HAS BECOME CLEAR BASED ON MY RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10049274,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/11/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"12/05/2003","vin":"3VWDD21C01M","components":"SEAT BELTS","summary":"DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SAFETY LATCH. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10050090,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/18/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"12/04/2003","vin":"PLEASE PROV","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE VEHICLE WAS COMING ON AND STAYING ON.  THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE AIR BAGS FOUR TIMES.  AFTER THE LAST TIME, THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON.  THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT SIMPLY RESET THE AIR BAG LIGHT.  THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.    *PH","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10049900,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/30/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"12/02/2003","vin":"","components":"SEAT BELTS","summary":"DEALERSHIP/MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT  THE ADVANCED AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION WAS DUE TO  DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURE. DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10046581,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/01/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"11/07/2003","vin":"3VWCS21C51M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST FOR REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.*MR  (NAR)   *CB  THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS RECALLED.  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10047763,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"11/05/2003","vin":"3VWCP21C21M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON 2001 BEETLE.   *MR   THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED WITH THE FACT THAT THE SERVICE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 17 DAYS TO FIX THE  BRAKE PROBLEM.   *SCC  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10044512,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/02/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"10/22/2003","vin":"3VWCP21C21M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BRAKES.*MR  THE CONSUMERS HAD PLACED THERE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 11 DAYS BEFORE RETURNING. THE CONSUMER FELLED IT WAS SERIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, EITHER AND ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR OR IN EVENT BREAKING THE LEASE.   PLEASE HELP IN RESOLVING MATTERS. *CB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10044345,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/02/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"10/21/2003","vin":"","components":"FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL","summary":"INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE READ IMPROPERLY. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10044317,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/16/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"10/20/2003","vin":"","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF ONE HOUR DRIVER TRIED TO START IT BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALSO, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE DASH.   VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE.   DEALER FOUND THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE WIRING UNDER THE DASH, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10043118,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/04/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"10/17/2003","vin":"3VWCK21C71M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT","summary":"BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR DURRING A PANIC STOP, BRAKES DID NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE COMPUTER IN CAR DID NOT IDENTIFY A MALFUNCTION. SAID DEALERSHIP DID/HAS NOT DONE ANY MANUAL DIAGNOSTICS.  *LA","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."},{"type":"Equipment","productYear":"9999","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"SEAT BELTS","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10039868,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"09/12/2003","vin":"3VWCP21C61M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"THE BRAKE BOOSTER SPRING FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKES TO BE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING.  THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED.  PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.   *PH","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10037488,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/23/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"09/08/2003","vin":"3VWCS21C21M","components":"SUSPENSION","summary":"I AM WILL REINECKE AND WILL BE SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MS. ROSSI.  WE HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WITH 15500 MILES ON IT [THE VEHICLE HAD 1220 MILES ON IT WHEN WE BOUGHT IT].  WE NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR THAT BECAME INCREASINGLY WORSE.  IN AS MUCH AS THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY [12 MONTHS OR 12000 MILES], A FRIEND AND MYSELF SEARCHED FOR THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE THAT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM BOTH SIDES, REAR OF THE VEHICLE.  WE FOUND THE CAUSE TO BE THE  REAR SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTINGS.  INSIDE THESE MOUNTINGS IS A FIBER OR NEOPHRENE GASKET/GROMMET THAT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DISINDEGRADED IN BOTH MOUNTINGS.  WHEN WE REMOVED EACH SHOCK WE DISCOVERED AN ORANGE DUST/CRUMB LIKE SUBSTANCE ON THE SHAFT.  FURTHER INVESTIGATION LED US TO WHAT WAS LEFT OF THESE GASKETS EMBODIED WITHIN THE MOUNTINGS.  I HAVE THE REMAINS OF THESE GASKETS ALONG WITH THE CRUMB LIKE RESIDUE IN MY POSSESSION AND WILL GLADLY SEND IT TO YOU SHOULD YOU SO DESIRE.  I CONTACTED THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AS WELL AS THEIR CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AND RECEIVED NO HELP AT ALL WITH THIS PROBLEM.  I FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS AN ENGINEERING FLAW THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD OCCUR ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 15500 MILES ON IT THAT IS MAINLY DRIVEN WITHIN A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY BY A SENIOR CITIZEN.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10036892,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/24/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"08/30/2003","vin":"3VWBK21C11M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"NEW BEETLE 2001: VIN#[XXX] E AIR BAG SYSTEM KEEPS FAILING. 7 REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY VW AUTHORIZED REPAIR REPRESENTATIVES. VW HAS NOT IDENTIFIED THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK  VW MADE ME AN $2,000.- TRADE-IN ALLOWANCE OFFER (AGAINST THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VW). IF TRADED, THIS CAR WOULD VERY LIKELY BE RE-SOLD TO A CONSUMER WITH THE DEALERS FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE SAFETY PROBLEM AS VW REFUSES TO TAKE THIS CAR OFF THE MARKET PLACE.  WHAT SHOULD I DO ??    INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10033774,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/12/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"08/12/2003","vin":"","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND WILL NOT GO OFF UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10030878,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/02/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"08/05/2003","vin":"","components":"VISIBILITY","summary":"MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE HAS HAD AT LEAST ONE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH FAILURES IN THE MATERIALS MAKING UP THE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES IN SIDE THE VEHICLE (WINDOW SWITCHES).  RECENTLY, THE I BUMPED THE KNOB THAT CONTROLS THE REMOTE CONTROL EXTERIOR MIRROS AND THE KNOB BROKE OFF.  UPON INSPECTION, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE OPTICAL MATERIAL WHICH IS USED TO CONNECT (MOLDED) THE KNOB TO THE MIRROR SWITCH ASSEMBLY (AND TRANSPORT LIGHT TO THE KNOB FOR NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY) IS TOO BRITTLE TO WITHSTAND PROLONGED USE AND SNAPPED CLEAN WHEN GENTLY BUMPED.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10031917,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/24/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"07/25/2003","vin":"","components":"TIRES","summary":"VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL AND BEGAN SKIDDING ON HIGHWAY.   *MR   THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS.   THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LARGE GAPING HOLE CUT THROUGH THE RIGHT TIRE WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE METAL WHEEL.  THIS WAS SAID TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.   *SCC         *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."},{"type":"Tire","productYear":"9999","productMake":"MICHELIN","productModel":"MICHELIN","size":null,"manufacturer":"MICHELIN TIRE CORP."}]},{"odiNumber":10025997,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/07/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"07/13/2003","vin":"3VWCC21C81M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"ON 7 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WE HAVE HAD A FAULTY BRAKE LIKE SWITCH REPLACED ON A 2001 VW BEETLE THAT WE BOUGHT NEW.  WHEN THIS PROBLEMS OCCURS, THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE.  I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY DAUGHTER'S SAFETY.  THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN OCT. 2001 AND IS CONTINUING TO OCCUR REPEATEDLY.  WHAT CAN  I DO AS A CONSUMER?  MY DAUGHTER WILL BE MOVING 120 MILES AWAY IN ONE MONTH TO ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PICK HER UP AND HAVE HER CAR TOWED WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN.  PLEASE HELP!!!!!*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10025960,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/01/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"07/12/2003","vin":"3VWCP21C31M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"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.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10019930,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/23/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"07/11/2003","vin":"3VWCC21C91M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"THE VEHICLE WAS IN A SIDE COLLISION AND WAS IMPACTED AT 45 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.   *NLM   PH   *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10025375,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/24/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"07/03/2003","vin":"","components":"TIRES","summary":"I AM WRITING TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN OVER THE SAFETY AND POTENTIAL DEFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH 2001 MODEL VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE TURBO, ALONG WITH ITS MICHELIN TIRES. LAST WEEK, MY OWN LIFE WAS SERIOUSLY ENDANGERED WHILE DRIVING ON THE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE.     TRAVELING IN THE LEFT LANE AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MY CAR INSTANTLY LOST CONTROL AND BEGAN SKIDDING VICIOUSLY. UNABLE TO SLOW THE CAR IN TIME, I HIT THE MEDIAN, CAUSING IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A LARGE, GAPING HOLE CUT THROUGH MY RIGHT REAR TIRE. THIS HOLE, COUPLE WITH THE EXTENSIVE CHARRING AND GRATING TO THE METAL WHEEL, WAS CORROBORATED BY MECHANICS AND VW DEALERS AS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.    I AM GREATLY CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE, AND OR TIRES, MAY CONTAIN A DEFECT THAT HEIGHTENED THE CHANCES OF AN ACCIDENT SUCH AS MINE. THE CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR ONLY 27,000 MILES. AS SUCH, IT SEEMS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT A TIRE RUPTURE WOULD BE A NORMAL \u0018WEAR AND TEAR\u0019 OCCURRENCE. I DO NOT WISH FOR SUCH AN ACCIDENT TO REOCCUR IN THE FUTURE (EITHER TO MYSELF, OR OTHER CONSUMERS), AND THUS WOULD URGE THE AUTO AND TIRE MANUFACTURERS, ALONG WITH THE NHTSA TO STUDY THE MATTER IN EXPEDITIOUS FASHION.    THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME VIA PHONE AT [XXX], OR BY EMAIL AT [XXX].      INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).   *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."},{"type":"Tire","productYear":"1998","productMake":"MICHELIN","productModel":"MICHELIN","size":null,"manufacturer":"MICHELIN TIRE CORP."}]},{"odiNumber":10021228,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"05/15/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"06/07/2003","vin":"3VWCP21C31M","components":"STRUCTURE","summary":"WE HAVE A 2001 VW BEETLE AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN MN, THE ENTIRE PLASTIC BOTTOM PANEL SEPARATED FROM THE AUTO.  THE PANEL GOT CAUGHT IN A REAR TIRE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL, THEN THIS PIECE OF PANEL THAT IS ABOUT 3' SQUARE BLASTED INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR BEHIND.  THIS PANEL IS REMOVED FOR OIL CHANGES, ENGINE REPAIR AND FLUID FILLS.  THE MECHANIC SAID THIS HAPPENS WITH ALL THE BEETLES, BUT THE PANEL HAD TO BE REPLACED.  I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ASPECT OF ROAD DEBRIS AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH.  *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10022508,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/05/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"06/05/2003","vin":"9999","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"NAR 06/05/2003   *MR    THE CONSUMER HAS HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS  WITH THE REAR ROTORS AND BRAKES PADS ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. * CB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"VOLKSWAGEN","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10019037,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/05/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"05/21/2003","vin":"3VWCB21C71M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"I OWN A 2001 VW BEETLE. BOUGHT RIGHT OFF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR. PAID A PRETTY PRICE FOR IT TOO. MY CAR WAS RUNNING GREAT UNTIL JANUARY OF 2003, LESS THAN TWO YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I NOTICED THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND CUTTING OUT REALLY BAD. I BARELY MADE IT HOME THAT NIGHT. I TOOK IT IN TO BE REPAIRED IN MAY OF 2003, COSTING ME A HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL. IT WASN'T 6 DAYS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN, SAME THING. SO I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS GOING TO COST ANOTHER HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX IT. WASN'T HAPPENING. I GOT A HOLD OF THE MAIN MAN IN CHARGE OF SERVICE, TOLD HIM MY PROBLEM AND HE WAVED THE FEE. WHEN I GOT UP THERE THE NEXT WEEK, THEY TOLD ME IT COULD BE 1-250 DIFFERENT THINGS WRONG WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING. OK, I AM STARTING TO DO SOME MATH HERE. 250 POSSIBLE THINGS WRONG X $100= $25,000!!!!!!! I COULD BUY A HOUSE FOR THAT MUCH MONEY. AND THE CAR ISN'T WORTH ANYWHERE NEAR THAT MUCH NOW. IT'S LIKE I WOULD BE PAYING FOR IT ALL OVER AGAIN AND WHO'S TO SAY THE PROBLEM WOULD EVEN GET FIXED? IT COULD JUST KEEP GOING IN CIRCLES. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ALL OF YOU, BUT I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I AM MAKING CLOSE TO $500 PAYMENTS A MONTH ON THIS CAR WITH THREE YEARS STILL LEFT TO GO ON IT. YOU WOULD THINK A CAR COSTING THAT MUCH AND ALL THE HYPE THEY PUSHED ON IT THAT IT WOULD RUN BETTER THAN WHAT IT DOES AND WOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAN IT DID. TO ALL THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THINKING ABOUT BUYING A VW BEETLE, TAKE IT  FROM AN OWNER, DON'T!!!!!*JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10019934,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"05/15/2003","vin":"3VWCP21C61M","components":"VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL","summary":"THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE THROTTLE PEDAL SENSOR.  THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC.   *NLM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10018400,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/19/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"05/08/2003","vin":"3VWCP21C61M","components":"VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL","summary":"DRIVING AT 65 MPH, ENGINE SPEED 2200 RPM, VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATES TO ENGINE SPEED 1200 RPM (35 MPH).  APPROX 5-10 SECONDS LATER THE MIL (\"CHECK ENGINE\") LIGHT COMES ON SOLID AND THE GLO-PLUG LAMP BLINKS.  OBD-II DIAGNOSTIC CODE \"P0226\" (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR) CODE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY READ.  THROTTLE CONTROL MAY BE MOMENTARILY REGAINED BY TURNING VEHICLE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SPEED (OBSERVING CARE THAT ROAD IS STRAIGHT SO THAT STEERING WHEEL LOCK DOES NOT LOCK UP).   FAILURE MAY RE-OCCUR WITHIN 50-100 YARDS, REPEATEDLY REQUIRING IGNITION TURN-OFF/TURN-ON SEQUENCING FOR 'BURSTS' OF THROTTLE FUNCTION BETWEEN FAILURES BEING CAREFUL TO TRY TO AVOID STEERING WHEEL LOCK.  ALTERNATIVE TO RECOVERY FROM LOSS OF FOOT THROTTLE IS TO QUICKLY ENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL (LIMITING ACCELERATION IS LIMITED TO 1 MPH 'CLICKS').   VW OF AMERICA ([XXX]  3-MAR-03, 1210 PST, - CUST. CARE #30108450) DENIES KNOWLEDGE OF A PROBLEM WITH THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS AND VEHICLE DEFAULTING TO 1200 RPM 'LIMP MODE'.  LITHIA MOTORS (MEDFORD, OR - VW SALES & SERVICE) HAS ALSO NOTED THE P0226 (\"THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR\") CODE WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE INVESTIGATION BUT UNABLE TO CORRELATE THE \"THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR\" CODE WITH 1200 RPM ENGINE LIMITATION AND LOSS OF THROTTLE FUNCTION.  INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP SAYS THAT THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS HAVE BEEN MODIFIED AND ARE ON BACK ORDER AND THAT THE TPS IN THIS VEHICLE (VIN # [XXX]) FAILS TO PROVIDE PROPER SIGNAL (\"DRIVE-BY-WIRE\" THROTTLE) AT BETWEEN 7% AND 17% OF FOOT THROTTLE ACTUATION.    PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED APPROX. 100-200 TIMES SINCE FIRST NOTED ON 19-FEB-2003.  VERY CURIOUS THAT PARTS HAVE BEEN MODIFIED AND ARE BACK-ORDERED WHEN THERE IS \"NO KNOWN PROBLEM\" AND VW AND THEIR DEALERS CANNOT CORRELATE AN OBD-II \"P0226\" CODE WITH THIS HAZARDOUS VEHICLE CONTROL FAILURE.  *NLM    INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).  *TR","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10016996,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"05/02/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"05/04/2003","vin":"3VWCK21C51M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTION: (PURCHASED THIS USED CAR MARCH 1, 2003. STARTED NOTICING PROBLEMS SHORTLY THEREAFTER, DECIDED TO REPORT IT AFTER THE MOST CURRENT INCIDENT AND UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS AT FIXING).  - WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, IT WILL START THEN DIE IMMEDIATELY, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN STRANDED A FEW TIMES. I HAD TO KEEP TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR UNTIL THE ENGINE FINALLY STAYED RUNNING (THIS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 7 TIMES FROM MARCH 1, 2003 AND IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE). COULD THIS POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DIE WHILE DRIVING?   - THE SEAT BELT WARNING BUZZER HAS NEVER FUNCTIONED DURING MY OWNERSHIP.   - THE DOOR BUZZER HAS NEVER FUNCTIONED DURING MY OWNERSHIP, NOT IF THE LIGHTS ARE LEFT ON OR IF THE KEYS ARE STILL IN THE IGNITION. *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10017226,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"04/21/2003","vin":"3VWDD21C81M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"THE VEHICLES DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS/HEADLIGHT HAVE ONE SWITCH WHICH CONTINUOUSLY BURNED OUT AND RESULTED IN NO HEAD LIGHTS.  *NLM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10013535,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/19/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"03/27/2003","vin":"3VWCP21C61M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL","summary":"2001 NEW BEETLE 1.9 L TDI, 55,000 MI.: ENGINE MIL LIGHT COMES ON SOLID AND GLO-PLUG LIGHT BLINKS ON/OFF AT STEADY RATE (NO APPARENT CODE TO BLINK RATE).  FOOT THROTTLE CONTROL IS LOST AND ENGINE CHANGES FROM (NORMAL) IDLE (950 RPM) WITH FOOT-THROTTLE (\"ACCELERATOR\") CONTROL TO COMPLETE LOSS OF FOOT THROTTLE AND STEADY 1200 RPM ENGINE SPEED.  THIS MAY HAPPEN AT RANDOM TIMES DURING DRIVING OR (ONCE) EVEN WITHIN SECONDS AFTER STARTING ENGINE BEFORE VEHICLE IS PUT IN GEAR OR BEGINS MOVING.  MOST TIMES, IT OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE IS AT SPEED, CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF SPEED (I.E. 2000 RPM IN 5TH GEAR = 55 MPH CHANGES TO 1200 RPM = 35 MPH).  INDEPENDENT GARAGE HAS 'READ' OBD-II DIAGNOSTIC CODES AND DETERMINED \"THROTTLE OUT OF RANGE\".  TWO \"REMEDIES\" (1) \"RE-BOOT\" THE VEHICLE (TURN IGNITION OFF AND THEN BACK ON --- REQUIRING STRAIGHT/WIDE STRETCH OF ROAD BECAUSE OF INTERLOCK WITH STEERING), AFTER WHICH THROTTLE CONTROL IS REGAINED FOR SOME RANDOM PERIOD OF TIME (FRACTION OF A KM TO SEVERAL KM'S) BEFORE THROTTLE CONTROL IS LOST AGAIN... OR RESORT TO VEHICLE OPERATION WITH \"HAND THROTTLE\" (CALLED \"CRUISE CONTROL\".  WITH 1200 RPM ENGINE SPEED LIMIT, VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN IF VERY GINGERLY SHIFTED GEARS, GETTING UP TO 20-25 MPH IN 3RD GEAR AT WHICH POINT \"CRUISE CONTROL\" (\"CC\") CAN BE ENGAGED.  SUBSEQUENTLY HIGHER SPEEDS CAN BE OBTAINED BY INCREMENTAL (1 MPH) INCREASES ON CC, EVENTUALLY REGAINING 55 MPH (2000 RPM) ENGINE SPEED.  DRIVING IN TRAFFIC REQUIRED CONTINUOUS ENGAGEMENT & DISENGAGEMENT/RE-ENGAGEMENT OF HAND THROTTLE (\"CC\") AS FOOT THROTTLE IS USELESS.  STARTING FROM TRAFFIC SIGNALS, MERGING WITH HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC, ETC. IS INCONVENIENT AT BEST AND, TYPICALLY, QUITE HAZARDOUS WHEN CONSIDERING THE CONSTANT 1200 RPM ENGINE SPEED LIMITATION (UNTIL THE PAINSTAKING HAND THROTTLE INCREMENTS SLOWLY ALLOW SPEED INCREASES FROM 20-25 MPH TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS.  VW CUSTOMER CARE CLAIMS THERE IS NO RECALL AND THEY ARE \"UNAWARE\" OF A PROBLEM.   *NLM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10012179,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"03/20/2003","vin":"NOT AVAILAB","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE.   *NLM","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10011207,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/15/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"03/10/2003","vin":"FULLFILL","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY LOCKED UP WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10008297,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/28/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"03/01/2003","vin":"","components":"SEAT BELTS","summary":"THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT IS FRAYING, THE CAR HAS 38000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER SEEN FRAYED SEAT BELTS ON ANY CAR NO MATTER THE AGE OR MILES. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE?  THE DEALER WAS NO HELP.*JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10005262,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/03/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"02/04/2003","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"COILPACKS ON 2001 NEW BEETLE 1.8 TURBO SPORT GOING OUT.  IF I WERE PASSING SOMEONE OR PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, WHAT COULD HAVE INEVITABLY HAPPENED??  MYSELF AND/OR OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR KILLED!","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10005197,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/31/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"02/03/2003","vin":"3VWED21C51M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"I STARTED MY CAR ON 1/31 AND THE EPC, CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WOULD DRIVE HOWEVER HAD MUCH LESS POWER AND WAS VERY ROUGH. I BORUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON 2/3 AND THEY STATED IT WAS A COIL. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE ALL 4 COILS, ONLY THE FAULTY ONE,  AND I WAS TOLD THAT ONLY IF THIS POWER FAILURE OCCURS AGAIN AND IT IS DUE TO ANOTHER COIL...THEN THEY WOULD REPLACE ALL FOUR. I AM QUESTIONING THE RELIABILITY OF MY CAR, SINCE IT APPEARS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WIDE SPREAD THROGHOUT THE US. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN MY YEAR AND HALF OLD BEETLE THAT WAS BOUGHT BECAUSE OF THE HIGH RELIABILITY RATING AT THE TIME.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10004878,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":1,"dateOfIncident":"09/03/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"01/29/2003","vin":"3VWBK21C51M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"I BOUGHT A VW NEW BEETLE IN FEB 2001. AFTER A YEAR AND HALF, THE CAR BEGAN TO START ROUGHLY AND SHAKY, AND WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING AT THE SAME TIME.  THIS PHENOMENON HAPPENED MORE REQUENTLY AND WAS GETTING WORSE LATER. THE CAR LOST MOST OF IT POWER WHILE DRIVING. SO I DROVE TO VW/AUDI BERNADI DEALER IN NATICK, MA IN SEPTEMBER 2002 TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT WAS FOUND OUT IT WAS CAUSED BY AN IGNITION COIL FAILURE AND IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. THEY REPLACED THE BAD COIL BUT LEFT THE OTHER THREE UNTOUCHED.     I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THIS. I DRIVE THROUGH HIGHWAY TO MY OFFICE EVERYDAY. I DON'T WANT TO STUCK IN THE HIGHTWAY IN THE COLD WIND WAITING FOR A TOWL TRUCK. MY WARRANTY IS GOING TO EXPIRE SOON, AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE VW DEALER WILL FIX THE POSSIBLE NEXT FAILURE OF IGNITION COIL FREE OF CHARGE. SEEING AN ARTICLE FROM BOSTON GLOBE, I KNOW THAT I AM NOT ALONE. HTTP://WWW.BOSTON.COM/DAILYGLOBE2/026/AUTO/NO_EASY_FIX_FOR_FAILING_IGNITION_COILS_IN_AUDIS_VWS+.SHTML  WOULD YOU PLEASE ORDER VW TO RECALL ALL THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS?  THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR TIME.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10003451,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/23/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"01/27/2003","vin":"3VWED21CX1M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"COIL PACK FAILURE IIN VW NEW BEETLE WITH 1.8T ENGINE -- LAST WEEK, I HAD MY 2ND COIL PACK FAILURE (THE FIRST BEING IN NOVEMBER 2002) WHILE COMMUTING TO WORK ON THE GEORGE WASHINGTON PARKWAY AT ABOUT 45 MPH.  THE CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, AND I NARROWLY AVERTED AN ACCIDENT WHEN I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 30.  FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO EXIT SAFELY, AND I FOLLOWED SURFACE STREETS TO THE DEALER, WITH THE CAR SHUDDERING WHENEVER MY RPM EXCEEDED 2,500.  THE DEALER (ALEXANDRIA VW) REPLACED THE COIL PACK THE SAME DAY, BUT, AFTER CHECKING WITH VW OF AMERICA AT MY INSISTENCE, THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE REMAINING TWO DEFECTIVE COIL PACKS DESPITE THEIR ADMISSION THAT THE OTHER TWO WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY FAIL IN THE FUTURE.  I CALLED VW'S COMPLAINT LINE THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD THAT VW COULDN'T ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF THE REPLACEMENT PARTS.  VW DOESN'T, APPARENTLY, CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE -- PLEASE SEE THE COMMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO VW'S REPRESENTATIVE IN THIS BOSTON GLOBE STORY FROM YESTERDAY: HTTP://WWW.BOSTON.COM/DAILYGLOBE2/026/AUTO/NO_EASY_FIX_FOR_FAILING_IGNITION_COILS_IN_AUDIS_VWS+.SHTML  I WOULD SUBMIT (1) THAT, BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, THE COIL PACK PROBLEM IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT VW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE ALL DEFECTIVE PARTS WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE ALREADY FAILED AND (2) THAT THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC ISSUE, INVOLVING POTENTIALLY 500,000 AUTOMOBILES, WHICH VW CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO SWEEP UNDER THE TABLE.  PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND FORCE VW TO AMEND ITS IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR AND TO ISSUE A RECALL.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10003485,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/27/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"01/27/2003","vin":"3VWED21C01M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"THE COIL PACK ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE BURNED OUT CAUSING ME TO PRACTICALLY STALL ON A VERY BUSY FREEWAY.  SO FAR, VW DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK THIS A SAFTEY ISSUE YET AND WILL NOT REQUIRE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS.  THESE COILS WILL BURN OUT.  NOT IF, BUT WHEN.  I WOULD HATE TO BE GOING UP A HILL WHEN ONE OF THESE COIL PACKS GO OUT.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10003305,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/10/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"01/23/2003","vin":"3VWED21C91M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"I HAVE A 2001 BEETLE WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE.  MY CAR HAS BEEN DISABLED TWICE DUE TO DEFECTIVE COIL PACKS.  RESEARCH ON THE VWVORTEX.COM WEBSITE REVEALED THERE IS A LARGE HISTORY OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE COIL PACKS WHICH CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE.  THERE IS CURRENTLY A SHORTAGE OF THIS PART (PART # 06B-905-115-J COIL) DUE TO THE VOLUME OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM.  VWVORTEX IS RECOMMENDING OWNERS CONTACT NHTSA TO FACILITATE A RECALL OF COIL PACKS AS VW IS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AT THIS TIME.  IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THEY CAN FAIL WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF  THE VEHICLE.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10003232,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"04/12/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"01/22/2003","vin":"","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"I AM FRUSTRATED AND SCARED BY A PROBLEM VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI ARE HAVING WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM ON THEIR TURBOCHARGED FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINES.     THE SIBLING AUTOMAKERS, PARTS OF VOLKSWAGEN AG OF GERMANY, ADMIT THERE IS A \"HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL\" FAILURE RATE OF THE FOUR IGNITION COILS ON 2001 AND 2002 TURBOCHARGED, 1.8-LITER ENGINES USED IN ABOUT 300,000 VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE GOLF, NEW BEETLE, JETTA, PASSAT AND AUDI A4.    I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE COILPAC REPLACED, AND FEAR FOR THE TIME WHEN THE OTHERS WILL GO TOO.  I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY ARE GOING TO FAIL AT SOME POINT.  SO WHY DIDNT VW JUST REPLACE ALL OF THE COIL PACKS WITH THE IMPROVED ONES.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10002262,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/05/2003","dateComplaintFiled":"01/07/2003","vin":"3VWCP21CX1M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 40MPH HAD AN ACCIDENT, CAR SLIPPERY DRIVER LOSS CONTROL AND HIT RAIL GUARD BRIDGE, AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10001874,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/04/2000","dateComplaintFiled":"01/02/2003","vin":"PLEASE FILL","components":"VISIBILITY","summary":"CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVER SIDE OUTSIDE MIRROR IS POSITION TO HIGH. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10001886,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"01/02/2003","vin":"NOT AVAILAB","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE BEGAN TO MISFIRE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH THEN IT STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO RIDE VERY ROUGH. TOOK TO DELAER AND DEALER STATED COIL PACKS HAD FAILED. TS","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":10001461,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"12/24/2002","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ACROSS A BRIDGE, ONE OF HIS ENGINES DIED LEAVING HIM WITH VERY LITTLE POWER.  HE STATES THAT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HIM.  HE HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN, OR WITH OTHER PEOPLE, WHICH IS A HIGH RISK FOR AN ACCIDENT IF THE AUTO STOPS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TS","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":770734,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/01/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"12/11/2002","vin":"3VWED21C01M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"THE  2001.5, 2002, AND CERTAIN 2003 VW/AUDI 1.8T ENGINES HAVE EXPERIENCED A HIGH RATE OF COILPACK FAILURES. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY THE MEDIA (AUTOWEEK MAGAZINE) AND DETAILED ON INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS AT VWVORTEX.COM, AUDIWORLD.COM, NEWBEETLE.ORG, AND OTHERS, IN GREAT DETAIL. THE CURRENT PARTS SHORTAGE IS CAUSING OWNERS TO WAIT UP TO 3 WEEKS OR MORE. I WAITED 2 1/2 WEEKS. BECAUSE OF THIS SHORTAGE, ONLY THE FAILED COILPACKS ARE BEING REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THIS LEAVES THE OWNER WITH THE REMAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE COILPACKS THAT CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT WARRANTS A RECALL. THE FAILED UNITS HAVE BEEN ISOLATED TO A CERTAIN PART NUMBER. PREVIOUS 1.8TS THAT USE A COILPACK OF A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DESIGN AND PRODUCED BY A DIFFERENT SUPPLIER, HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS HIGH RATE OF FAILURE.  DT","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":770374,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":true,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/29/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"12/03/2002","vin":"","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT CAR WAS TOTALED WHEN IT BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER IT REAR ENDED CAR IN FRONT OF IT.   PAID EXTRA MONEY FOR FIRE SAFETY FEATURES ON THIS CAR BUT IT STARTED ON FIRE ANYWAY.  THIS IS MY DAUGHTERS CAR AND SHE WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME.  DT","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":770279,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/30/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"11/30/2002","vin":"3VWDD21CX1M","components":"WHEELS","summary":"I'M REPORTING THIS TO NHTSA AS I BELIEVE THIS FAILURE CONSTITUTES A SAFETY ISSUE.   THIS IS THE 4TH, OR 5TH, REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE THAT HAS OCCURRED ON THIS 1 YEAR OLD CAR.  THIS TIME THE BEARING FAILED SUDDENLY BECOMING VERY NOISY.   I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO DRIVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP, APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES.  BY THE TIME I ARRIVED AT FITZGERALD VW IN FREDERICK, MD THE REPAIR FACILITY WAS CLOSED.   I WAS UNWILLING TO TAKE A CHANCE ON DRIVING THE CAR HOME AND BACK AGAIN ON MONDAY (AN ADDITIONAL 50 MILES) AS I'M CERTAIN IT WOULD NOT HAVE MADE THE TRIP.  WHILE I REALIZE THAT ANY MECHANICAL THING CAN BREAK, I FIND IT UNREASONABLE THAT THIS VEHICLE WOULD HAVE 4 FAILURES IN THE SPACE OF LESS THAN ONE YEAR AND IN ONLY 26,000 MILES.   PREVIOUS FAILURES HAVE OCCURED SLOWLY AND SHOWED UP AS A NOISY BEARING.   TODAY'S FAILURE HAPPENED SUDDENLY  AND WITHIN THE SPACE OF 30 MINUTES AND 20 MILES OF DRIVING THE NOISE IN INSIDE THE CAR WAS SO LOUD YOU COULD NOT HEAR THE RADIO.  ALSO, THE CAR DEVELOPED AN INCREASINGLY BAD VIBRATION IN THE RIGHT REAR.    AFTER CHECKING THE DEALER, I CALLED THE VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER, RECORDED THE PROBLEM AND LEFT THE CAR AT FITZGERALD VW IN FREDERICK, MARYLAND AS I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FARTHER.   IT WAS, IN FACT, UNDRIVEABLE IN MY OPINION AS THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HAD A SLGHT TILT INWARD AT THE TOP WHEN COMPARED WITH THE LEFT.  BETTER SAFE THAN LOSE THE WHOLE WHEEL ON I-70!   AGAIN, I WOULD NOT BE WRITING UNLESS I FELT THIS WAS OF SAFETY SIGNIFICANCE.  SINCE IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN ONE YEAR, I BELIEVE THERE COULD BE ONE OR MORE REASONS FOR THE FAILURE:  IMPROPER  OR NO LUBRICANT; BAD METALURGY; IMPROPER ASSEMBLY, OR IMPROPER ASSEMBLY DURING REPAIR.    NOTES:   THE CAR HAS THE ORIGINAL WHEELS AND RIMS;  THE CAR IS NOT RACED OR THRASHED;  IT HAS NOT BEEN HEAVILY LOADED;   ITS NEVER BEEN WRECKED OR PRANGED;  BEARING FAILURES HAVE PREVIOUSLY OCCURED ON BOTH THE LEFT  (2X) AND RIGHT SIDES (1X) OF THE REAR AXLE.  DT","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":8022678,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/01/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"11/13/2002","vin":"3VWCB21CX1M","components":"SEATS","summary":"THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HEADRESTS ARE DESIGNED TOO HIGH, OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OUT OF THE REAR WINDSHIELD WHEN BACKING.   MR  THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE NEW HEADRESTS(WHICH BETTERED VISIBILITY) WOULDN'T FIT THIS MODEL, AND IS WAITING ON A REPLY FROM DEALER/MANUFACTURER.  SCC","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":769475,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/10/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"11/08/2002","vin":"3VWBB21C51M","components":"STRUCTURE","summary":"10/10/2002 WHILE BACKING VEHICLE UP SCRAPED  WALL. ONLY SCRATCHES ON BUMPER.  FULLY LOCATED BEHIND BUMPER CRUSHED . CONCERNED ABOUT DESIGN FLAW & ASSOCIATED DANGERS.  DT","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":8021926,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/01/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"10/30/2002","vin":"3VWDC21C71M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR.  THE PEDAL WAS HARD  AND WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AT ALL.  THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.  TS  *TT *JB","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":567681,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"09/30/2002","vin":"3VWCP21C51M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN SLOWLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED ON A HILL. ALSO THE BRAKES CAUSE A JOLTING STOP. *YH","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":766125,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"08/17/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"08/23/2002","vin":"3VWBB21C01M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"ENGINE QUIT RUNNING WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH.  LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.  WAS ABLE TO STOP CAR SAFELY.  CAR WOULD NOT RESTART.  DEALER REPORTS THAT ECM IS BEING REPLACED, BUT BLAMES PROBLEM ON AN AFTERMARKET K&N AIR FILTER THAT WAS INSTALLED 11 MONTHS AGO.  INFORMED DEALER AND VW CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE MAGNUSSEN-MOSS WARRANTY ACT OF 1982 WHICH MAKES IT A FEDERAL OFFENCE TO NOT HONOR A WARRANTY UNLESS THE MANUFACTURER OFFERS FREE FILTERS.  VW IS COVERING ECM UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IS INSISTING ON USE OF A VW FILTER AT MY EXPENSE.  I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT AND A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW.  THE VW REFERENCE NUMBER FOR THIS COMPLAINT IS #20268678.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":6901311,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/27/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"08/12/2002","vin":"3VWDD21C71M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"WHILE DRIVING, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN CONSUMER OFF THE ROAD, CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN OVER A CURB, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CLAIM 43-R829-345.   *SLC","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":6901312,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/20/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"08/12/2002","vin":"3VWCS21C91M","components":"AIR BAGS,TIRES","summary":"WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG THEN DEPLOYED, THERE WAS A SCRATCH ON THE WHEEL, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN, CLAIM 53-C850-661.   *SLC","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":566140,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/14/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"06/19/2002","vin":"3VWBK21CX1M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"THE CONSUMER HAD A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN A SERIOUS INJURY TO THE PASSENGER.  *YH         THE CONSUMER STATED THE BELT TENSIONER DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED HIS INCREASED ACCELERATION OVER THE NORMAL FORCES .","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":566140,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/14/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"06/19/2002","vin":"3VWBK21CX1M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"ALSO, THE BELT TENSIONER MALFUNCTIONED. *YH","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":8011083,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/04/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"06/05/2002","vin":"","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND ROLLING OVER SOME PIECES OF TIRE TREAD ON  ROAD  DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.  PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":762397,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"05/29/2002","vin":"3VWCS21C61M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"DEALER SAYS AIR BAG MUST BE REPLACED.  NEVER DEPLOYED.  SHOULD IT NOT LAST LONGER.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":8009441,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"05/08/2002","vin":"3VWCP21C01M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"WHILE DRIVING ON A BRIDGE AT 50 MPH WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND  AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.  DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FUTHER INFORMATION.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":761518,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"05/03/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"05/04/2002","vin":"WVWPH63B61E","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"VOLKSWAGEN","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":8005901,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"03/19/2002","vin":"3VWCP21C01M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WAS INVOLVED IN AN  ACCIDENT, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND REQUESTED CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO RECEIVE A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK.*AKL","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":759278,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"03/12/2002","vin":"3VWCK21C91M","components":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC","summary":"NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":758263,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"02/04/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"02/15/2002","vin":"3VWCT21CX1M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":8003845,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"02/11/2002","vin":"","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"WHILE DRIVING  40MPH THE CAR HIT GRAVEL/ SPET OFF THE SIDE OF  ROAD, AND CAUSED  PASSENGER'S SIDE TO HIT A TREE. NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DECLARED TOTALED.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":757733,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/06/2000","dateComplaintFiled":"02/04/2002","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"HEADLIGHTS STARTED BROWNING OUT ON DECELERATION AT 100 MILES.  DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY. AT 35,000 MILES, HEADLIGHTS FLASHED ALL THE TIME. AT COLD START ENGINE FAN WOULD COME ON, THEN HEADLIGHTS WOULD DIM AND FAN WOULD RUN, THEN HEADLIGHTS WOULD COME BACK NORMAL AND FAN WOULD STOP. THIS HAPPENS AT 3 SECOND INTERVALS.  DEALER REPLASED GROUNDS AND HARNESS. FAN STOPPED CYCLING BUT HEADLIGHTS STILL DIMMED, UNTIL ONE MORNING THE COLD LIGHT WENT OUT AND ALSO BLEW A HEADLIGHT. NOW NO DIMMING AND NO FAN TROUBLE. DEALER REPLACED HEADLIGHT BULB AND THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN.  THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE FLASHING LIGHTS MEZMORIZE YOU WHEN YOU DRIVE.  PROBLEM 2:  CAR WILL START AND DIE THREE TIMES , RUNNING ROUGH BEFORE IT WILL STAY RUNNING.  DEALER SAYS TO USE 87 OCTANE FUEL. CAR MANUAL SAYS 93 OCTANE AND HAS USED 93 SINCE NEW.  DEALER SUGGESTED ADDITIVES AT MY COST!!! SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN LOW TEMPS AND AT HIGH TEMPS, 70 DEGREES IS OK!. I LIVE IN MAINE, NO SUCH LUCK.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":757733,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/06/2000","dateComplaintFiled":"02/04/2002","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"HEADLIGHTS STARTED BROWNING OUT ON DECELERATION AT 100 MILES.  DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY. AT 35,000 MILES, HEADLIGHTS FLASHED ALL THE TIME. AT COLD START ENGINE FAN WOULD COME ON, THEN HEADLIGHTS WOULD DIM AND FAN WOULD RUN, THEN HEADLIGHTS WOULD COME BACK NORMAL AND FAN WOULD STOP. THIS HAPPENS AT 3 SECOND INTERVALS.  DEALER REPLASED GROUNDS AND HARNESS. FAN STOPPED CYCLING BUT HEADLIGHTS STILL DIMMED, UNTIL ONE MORNING THE COLD LIGHT WENT OUT AND ALSO BLEW A HEADLIGHT. NOW NO DIMMING AND NO FAN TROUBLE. DEALER REPLACED HEADLIGHT BULB AND THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN.  THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE FLASHING LIGHTS MEZMORIZE YOU WHEN YOU DRIVE.  PROBLEM 2:  CAR WILL START AND DIE THREE TIMES , RUNNING ROUGH BEFORE IT WILL STAY RUNNING.  DEALER SAYS TO USE 87 OCTANE FUEL. CAR MANUAL SAYS 93 OCTANE AND HAS USED 93 SINCE NEW.  DEALER SUGGESTED ADDITIVES AT MY COST!!! SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN LOW TEMPS AND AT HIGH TEMPS, 70 DEGREES IS OK!. I LIVE IN MAINE, NO SUCH LUCK.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":757615,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/22/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"01/31/2002","vin":"3VWCK21C31M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL","summary":"MOST OF THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED DURING THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY.  ON JAN 22ND, TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, ENGINE LOST POWER AND WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT.  I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND THE POWER CUT FROM 55 TO ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR IN THE MATTER OF SECONDS.  OTHER CARS WERE SWERVING AROUND ME AND I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD.   CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED OUT.  ON JAN 30TH THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY BUT A SIDE STREET.  CAR WAS TOWED AWAY AGAIN ANDIS IN THE DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR REPAIRS.  DURING THIS MONTH NOT ONLY WAS AN ENGINE REPLACED BUT IT MALFUNCTIONED TWICE.  IT IS DANGEROUS TO TRAVEL ON ANY HIGHWAY WITH THIS CAR.  THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED TWICE IN ONE WEEK.   I CAN NOT SAFELY RETURN TO DRIVING THIS CAR.  I WAS ALMOST KILLED ONCE AND WAS VERY LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIUOS ACCIDENT.  THE BEETLE HAS ENGINE PROBLEMS AND VERY MAJOR ONES.  FOR A CAR THAT IS 8 MONTHS OLD, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":757126,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/20/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"01/21/2002","vin":"3VWCS21C91M","components":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING","summary":"HEADLIGHT IS BURNED OUT.  TO REPLACE IT YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE FENDER OFF OF THE VEHICLE.  A COWORKER OF MINE ALSO HAS A NEW BEETLE AND HIS HEADLIGHT BURNT OUT WITHIN A YEAR.  ALSO DRIVING AROUND YOU CONSTANTLY SEE NEW BEETLES WITH BURNED OUT HEADLIGHTS.  I THINK THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTUERER DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.  I HAVE TO NOTE THE DEALERSHIP WILL REPAIR IT FOR FREE SINCE THE CAR IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, HOWEVER I DON'T BELIEVE THE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BURN OUT THIS FREQUENTLY.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":756957,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"01/16/2002","vin":"3VWCD21C01M","components":"SEAT BELTS","summary":"REAR SEATBELTED PASSENGERS HIT THEIR HEADS ON NON-CUSHIONED REAR PILLARS DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.  ON A BUMPY ROAD, BOTH REAR PASSENGERS CAN GET PAINFUL BUMPS ON THEIR HEADS. AT THE VERY LEAST THE PILLARS SHOULD BE CUSHIONED.  I SPOKE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY UNFORTUNATELY COULD NOT RECOMMEND A SOLUTION.  THIS REMINDS ME OF THE OBSOLETE HARD/RIGID DASHBOARDS ON OLD CARS.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":756447,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/04/2002","dateComplaintFiled":"01/05/2002","vin":"3VWCP21C61M","components":"VISIBILITY","summary":"I USED THE SWITCH TO LOWER THE WINDOW ,HEARD A CLUNK,WINDOW FELL ALL THE WAY INSIDE THE DOOR.THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR VW AND THEY CONTINUE  NOT TO REMEDY IT.ALL WINDOW REGULATORS ARE ON BACKORDER FOR 4 WEEKS SO THAT TELLS YOU SOMETHING. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":755316,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/28/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"12/05/2001","vin":"3VWDD21C91M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"HIT, WHILE STOPPING FOR STOPPED TRAFFIC ON FREEWAY,  IN THE REAR BY A CAR TRAVELING AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE ($7800+) DONE TO REAR AND SIDE OF CAR. SIDE AIRBAG CURTAIN DEPLOYED, BUT DID NOT INFLATE. FRONT DRIVERS AIRBAG ALSO DID NOT INFLATE. DRIVER SUFFERED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":755316,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"11/28/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"12/05/2001","vin":"3VWDD21C91M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"HIT, WHILE STOPPING FOR STOPPED TRAFFIC ON FREEWAY,  IN THE REAR BY A CAR TRAVELING AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE ($7800+) DONE TO REAR AND SIDE OF CAR. SIDE AIRBAG CURTAIN DEPLOYED, BUT DID NOT INFLATE. FRONT DRIVERS AIRBAG ALSO DID NOT INFLATE. DRIVER SUFFERED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":753675,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"07/26/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"10/25/2001","vin":"3VWDD21C71M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"I RECEIVED THIS 2001 BEETLE AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND A VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE, BECAUSE MY 2000 BEETLE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WHICH COULD NOT BE FIXED. AFTER ABOUT 5 MONTHS, THIS 2001 BEETLE HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND CONTINUES TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT IN THE FIRST TIME ON JULY 26, 2001 FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I TOOK IT TO FOR SERVICE SAID IT WAS A DEFECT AND THEY ORDERED MEPARTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY DID ALSO FIND FAULTS WITH P1200 AND P0411 TECH BULLETINS. IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP MOTOR WAS INOPERATIUVE. THEY REMOVED AND INSTALLED AN OVVERRUN CUT-OFF VALVE. THAT SAME DAY, THE WINDOW GLASS WAS FOUND OFF TRACK  SO THEY REMOVED AND INSTALLED A FRONT DOOR TRIM PANEL AND THE WINDOW GLASS. THE CAR WAS BACK IN FOR THE ORDERED PARTS FOR THE ENGINE DEFECT ON A LATER DATE. ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER THOSE REPAIRS, MY AUTOMOBILE WAS IN FOR A FAULTY TRUNK LATCH AND MOTOR AND A MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRBAGS. THEY HAD TO ORDER PARTS FOR THAT AND SO MY CAR WAS IN ON A LATER DATE FOR THAT. THEY REPLACED THE LOWER TRUNK LATCH BINDING AND REMOVED AND INSTALLED LIFTGATE TRIM AND A REAR LOCK. THEY ALSO REPLACED THE AIR BAG MODULE, AS WELL AS REMOVING AND INSSTALLING AN AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT. THE CAR HAS OTHER PROBLEMS AS WELL. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND VIBRATES THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING. IT HAS A HUM SOUND WHILE DRIVING. THE TURBO WING LIGHT COMES ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. IT'S HAVING THE ALMOST ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MY LAST BEETLE. I'M VERY ANGRY WITH THIS CAR AND I CAN'T SEEM TO GET ANY RELIEF. IT'S A LEASED AUTOMOBILE, THAT'S MY ONLY THING TO LOOK FORWARD TO, IS GETTING RID OF IT.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":752498,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"09/24/2001","vin":"3VWCB21C31M","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER","summary":"EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON///CAR LOSES POWER......EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS MOST OF MY DRIVE TO WORK IS ON FREEWAY...HAPPENED 7/4 AND 7/5..TAKEN INTO METRO VW 7/5....TOLD OT PROBLEMS FOUND....HAPPENED AGAIN 7/9 RETURNED TO METRO VW/CHECKED/NOTHING WRONG....HAPPENED AGAIN 7/12/13...ETURNED TO METRO VW....THROTTLE REPLACED....HAPPENED AGAIN 7/12 7/13 AGAIN TO METRO VW THROTTLE BODY  REPLACED......HAPPENED AGAIN 7/30 THROTTLE BODY REPLACED.....AGAIN 9/10 9/11...CONTROL MOD. REPLACED AGAIN 9/12...THOUGHT I WAS GOIN TO DIE THIS TIME....WHEN LOST POWER 18 WHEELER WAS TURNIN MY WAY.....AGAIN TO METRO VW.....WORKED ON WIRING OVERLAY....WAITIN TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":750426,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"08/14/2001","vin":"3VWCD21C61M","components":"VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL","summary":"WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHES FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST DAILY AND SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES CONSECUTIVELY. IN ONE INSTANCE, THE CAR THRUST FORWARD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"NEW BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":748662,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/01/2000","dateComplaintFiled":"07/18/2001","vin":"","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILURE.  I HAVE HAD 4 FAIL, AND THE DEALER HAS JUST BEEN REPLACING THESE.  I HAVE COME TO THE POINT OF JUST DISABLEING THIS SENSOR AND RUNNING OFF OF THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE SENSOR.  SEVERAL CARS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":561989,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"07/10/2001","vin":"","components":"VISIBILITY","summary":"CONSUMER STATES THE REAR WINDOW CAN NOT BE CLEARED OF RAIN, DEW, FOG OR MOISTURE THAT ACCUMULATES ON THE WINDOW WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION, EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION UNDER CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE REAR WINDOW VISION REMAINS OBSCURED, CONSUMER HAS DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT A CHEMICAL BE APPLIED TO THE REAR WINDOW THAT WILL FACILITATE REMOVAL OF MOISTURE FROM THE WINDOW, BUT THAT SOLUTION IS EFFECTIVE ONLY AFTER THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT A WIPER BE INSTALLED FOR THE REAR WINDOW AT HIS EXPENSE, BUT DEALER REFUSED TO DO SO.*ET","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":747930,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"06/21/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"07/05/2001","vin":"","components":"VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL","summary":"VEHICLE EXPERIENCES DELAYS IN ACCELERATION ALMOST CAUSING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS.  DEALER #1, LASHER VOLKSWAGON STATED PROBLEM WAS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND REPLACED IT.  VEHICLE STILL EXPERICENCED DELAYS IN ACCELERATION.  DEALER #2, ROSEVILLE VOLKSWAGON STATED PROBLEM IS CONTAINED WITHIN THE VEHICLES SOFTWARE AND WILL TAKE 1 TO 3 MONTHS TO CORRECT.  THIS VEHICLE IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":747326,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"05/05/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"06/24/2001","vin":"3VWCS21C11M","components":"VISIBILITY","summary":"THE BACK GLASS JUST EXPLODED INTO A MILLION PIECES WHILE IT WAS IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT.*AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":885021,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"03/30/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"04/04/2001","vin":"3VWCK21C61M","components":"VISIBILITY","summary":"THERE IS A MAJOR DISTORTION IN THE CENTER OF THE REAR WINDOW. IT MAKES  FRONT END OF OTHER  VEHICLES LOOK LIKE CRUMBLED UP. FRONT WINDSHIELD AT  BOTTOM HAS A MAJOR DISTORTION WHICH EXTENDS  VISION 15 FEET IN FRONT OF VEHICLE.  CONSUMER WILL BE CONTACTNG MANUFACTURER.  *AK  THE DEFECT IN REAR WINDOW WAS NOTICABLE ONLY TO TALLER PERSONS ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER.  *YH","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":879218,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"01/21/2001","dateComplaintFiled":"01/29/2001","vin":"3VWCP21C81M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"VEHICLE WILL START OFF OKAY, BUT THEN IT WOULD DIE/STALL.  PROBLEM  WAS INTREMITTENT.  IT SHUT OFF FOR ABOUT10 SECONDS OR MORE. *AK  DEALER REPLACED RELAY, HOWEVER VEHICLE HAS STALLED 4 MORE TIMES, POSSIBLE ENGINE PROBLEMS.   *SLC","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":878495,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":null,"dateComplaintFiled":"01/18/2001","vin":"3VWCP21C91M","components":"FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE","summary":"FUEL LEAKAGE DUE TO A PUNCTURE IN PLASTIC FUEL TANK. THERE IS NO PROTECTION OR BARRIER FOR LOW POSITIONED FUEL TANK .  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":876090,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/02/2000","dateComplaintFiled":"12/06/2000","vin":"3VWCK21C41M","components":"STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN","summary":"CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 10MPH ON A SIDE STREET AT A TRAFFIC STOP,   AND WHEN  LIGHT TURNED GREEN, HE APPLIED  GAS AND  STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKED UP. HE COULDN'T TURN  STEERING LEFT OR RIGHT.   DEALERSHIP  WAS AWARE OF  PROBLEM.  ALSO,  TRANSMISSION LEAKS COOLANT,  AND  WHEELS LOCKED UP.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":875648,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":true,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":1,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/12/2000","dateComplaintFiled":"11/28/2000","vin":"3VWCS21C41M","components":"AIR BAGS","summary":"WAS DRIVING 40MPH  AND ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF VOLKSWAGEN.   OTHER VEHICLE WAS \"T\" BONED. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.  DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES & HAD EMERGENCY TREATMENT.  *AK","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]},{"odiNumber":555502,"manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"09/12/2000","dateComplaintFiled":"10/04/2000","vin":"3VWCC21C11M","components":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING","summary":"VEHICLE EXPERIENCES DELAY IN ACCELERATION ALMOST CAUSING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN USING A STEPPING MOTOR THAT CAN CREATE A LAG TIME DURING ACCELERATION.   *SLC","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2001","productMake":"VOLKSWAGEN","productModel":"BEETLE","manufacturer":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc."}]}]}