Comments on: Guest Writer: One Troublesome Beetle! http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/ Reviews, opinions and rants on all things Volkswagen Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:06:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: cheryl http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-142996 cheryl Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:49:03 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-142996 Hi Dax, Well ten months later I am on my fourth glove box! VW dealer installed the third one and I think it was broken when they got it. It lasted about five months only because I was afraid to use it. The VW dealership on Maui has closed so now I have to use the new authorized repair shop. Not bad but he has to order through the dealership on Oahu (same company that left Maui). I have a broken glove box now for two months!! I am afraid that number five might be broken as well. do you know if there is someone at VW that I can complain to about bogus parts? Hi Dax,
Well ten months later I am on my fourth glove box!
VW dealer installed the third one and I think it was broken when they got it. It lasted about five months only because I was afraid to use it.
The VW dealership on Maui has closed so now I have to use the new authorized repair shop. Not bad but he has to order through the dealership on Oahu (same company that left Maui). I have a broken glove box now for two months!!
I am afraid that number five might be broken as well.
do you know if there is someone at VW that I can complain to about bogus parts?

]]> By: tim http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-127056 tim Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:23:34 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-127056 I hate going to the dealer. You just get that feeling in your stomach...it's always something and it's never cheap. A few weeks ago i spent $734.00 to have the water pump replaced. The next day a came to get the car, and as I was pulling away I realized the temp light was still on. I turned right back around and had someone look at it. I stuck my head in there and realized the coolant thing was bone dry! They were going to send me out of there with no fluid at all...after paying $734! I was so pissed I can't wait to sell this piece of crap 2001 beetle and get a toyota. everything in the interior breaks, the airbag lights way to expensive to fix so it's always on, and the engine lights always on. It's even hard to put a new battery in the car. Don't get one and don't deal with the dealer! I hate going to the dealer. You just get that feeling in your stomach…it’s always something and it’s never cheap. A few weeks ago i spent $734.00 to have the water pump replaced. The next day a came to get the car, and as I was pulling away I realized the temp light was still on. I turned right back around and had someone look at it. I stuck my head in there and realized the coolant thing was bone dry! They were going to send me out of there with no fluid at all…after paying $734! I was so pissed I can’t wait to sell this piece of crap 2001 beetle and get a toyota. everything in the interior breaks, the airbag lights way to expensive to fix so it’s always on, and the engine lights always on. It’s even hard to put a new battery in the car. Don’t get one and don’t deal with the dealer!

]]> By: Paige http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-107013 Paige Mon, 26 Nov 2007 01:57:38 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-107013 I just bought a 2000 NB on October 31st. I didn't buy it from a VW Dealership, which in the future, I might realize was a mistake, but for now, things seem ok(knock on wood). I did get a 2yr/24,000mi powertrain warranty with it. However, about a week after I bought it, one of my mom's friends noticed there was oil covering the underside of the engine cover. We noticed there was a part missing between where the oil dipstick inserts at the top of the engine, and where it inserts to measure the oil level at the bottom... My diagnosis is an oil dipstick funnel. Cheap part by comparison to most other things, but does anyone have any experience with this? I ordered the part from the closest VW Dealership and it is due to arrive tomorrow(Nov. 26). Planning to have my personal mechanic install it. I just bought a 2000 NB on October 31st. I didn’t buy it from a VW Dealership, which in the future, I might realize was a mistake, but for now, things seem ok(knock on wood). I did get a 2yr/24,000mi powertrain warranty with it. However, about a week after I bought it, one of my mom’s friends noticed there was oil covering the underside of the engine cover. We noticed there was a part missing between where the oil dipstick inserts at the top of the engine, and where it inserts to measure the oil level at the bottom… My diagnosis is an oil dipstick funnel. Cheap part by comparison to most other things, but does anyone have any experience with this? I ordered the part from the closest VW Dealership and it is due to arrive tomorrow(Nov. 26). Planning to have my personal mechanic install it.

]]> By: Kathryn http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-83670 Kathryn Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:46:04 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-83670 I hear that the latest Beetles have far fewer problems...I hope so for the sake of the buyers. I hear that the latest Beetles have far fewer problems…I hope so for the sake of the buyers.

]]> By: Australian Gal http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-78020 Australian Gal Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:49:41 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-78020 Hi Jane - I've read about this window-breaking. Do you happen to have a cabriolet or just a standard new beetle? It is supposedly more prone to cabriolets.. Hi Jane – I’ve read about this window-breaking. Do you happen to have a cabriolet or just a standard new beetle? It is supposedly more prone to cabriolets..

]]> By: debi http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-72351 debi Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:07:56 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-72351 Update on my 2001 bug... the one that wouldnt go in reverse and would kill when I started it, I now have a new transmission. Also I have a new starter unit... had to be specifically made to my key.... Dealership gave me credit for the valve body and de--carbonization(bunch on bull) and took it off the cost of the transmission.... but did they really??? I don't trust anyone .. My POOR credit card. Update on my 2001 bug… the one that wouldnt go in reverse and would kill when I started it, I now have a new transmission. Also I have a new starter unit… had to be specifically made to my key…. Dealership gave me credit for the valve body and de–carbonization(bunch on bull) and took it off the cost of the transmission…. but did they really??? I don’t trust anyone .. My POOR credit card.

]]> By: Carmen http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-72149 Carmen Tue, 24 Jul 2007 19:31:57 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-72149 Hi all, I have the same problem with the airbag light on my 2002 New Beetle. Spent $93 to have them tell me I need to replace the seat belt buckle? at a cost of $215. Have been told that as this is a safety issue Volkswagen should pay for it. Has anyone ever heard of that? Hi all, I have the same problem with the airbag light on my 2002 New Beetle. Spent $93 to have them tell me I need to replace the seat belt buckle? at a cost of $215. Have been told that as this is a safety issue Volkswagen should pay for it. Has anyone ever heard of that?

]]> By: Dax http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-71905 Dax Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:42:12 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-71905 Hi Dana, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-Jetta-Golf-Service-Manual/dp/0837612519/ref=pd_sim_b_3/102-0855740-6833751?ie=UTF8&qid=1185193982&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">this Bentley service manual at Amazon.com</a> is for the Jetta, Golf and GTI model years '99-'05 and covers all engines from those years. I'm not completely sure if it is meant to cover the New Beetle as well, or if there is a separate manual for it. I couldn't find one either. Hi Dana, this Bentley service manual at Amazon.com is for the Jetta, Golf and GTI model years ’99-’05 and covers all engines from those years. I’m not completely sure if it is meant to cover the New Beetle as well, or if there is a separate manual for it. I couldn’t find one either.

]]> By: Dana http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-71859 Dana Mon, 23 Jul 2007 05:17:30 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-71859 Hi all, I have a great 2004 NB diesel however my wife drove over something that punctured the oil sump(and Plastic protector). It seems to me an easy job to r&r the sump but I can't find a repair manual or info on the web. Can anyone here help me locate some repair info on this operation? Thanks. DC Hi all, I have a great 2004 NB diesel however my wife drove over something that punctured the oil sump(and Plastic protector). It seems to me an easy job to r&r the sump but I can’t find a repair manual or info on the web. Can anyone here help me locate some repair info on this operation?
Thanks.
DC

]]> By: Jane Foley http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-71828 Jane Foley Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:56:25 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-71828 Not more than 30 minutes ago my front passenger window just exploded. This is a 2006 model beetle. I read a lot about earlier model Jetta's but nothing on the newer models. The temperature at the time was maybe 75 degrees at 7:30 p.m. All windowns had been down at the time and this exploded up. All the glass fell into the door panel with the exception of few pieces. Dated 7/22/2007. Any others out there, please reply. Not more than 30 minutes ago my front passenger window just exploded. This is a 2006 model beetle. I read a lot about earlier model Jetta’s but nothing on the newer models. The temperature at the time was maybe 75 degrees at 7:30 p.m. All windowns had been down at the time and this exploded up. All the glass fell into the door panel with the exception of few pieces. Dated 7/22/2007. Any others out there, please reply.

]]> By: marc abel http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-71082 marc abel Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:03:51 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-71082 My 2003 VW just recently had the recall regarding the brake switch. since then my door chime goes off randomly. Coincidence? Somethings for a few seconds while other times it requires the drivers door to be opened and closed. The courtesy lights on the rear mirror go on too when this happens. The sound is different when driving with the headlights on. Obviousily some type of electrical issue but where does one start. I am afraind to give it to VW and pay by the hour to find a probelm. Oh Yeah, my air bag and service engine light are on too. Having the air bag invesitaged this week. My 2003 VW just recently had the recall regarding the brake switch. since then my door chime goes off randomly. Coincidence? Somethings for a few seconds while other times it requires the drivers door to be opened and closed. The courtesy lights on the rear mirror go on too when this happens. The sound is different when driving with the headlights on. Obviousily some type of electrical issue but where does one start. I am afraind to give it to VW and pay by the hour to find a probelm. Oh Yeah, my air bag and service engine light are on too. Having the air bag invesitaged this week.

]]> By: Dax http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-70111 Dax Sun, 15 Jul 2007 01:59:21 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-70111 Congratulations Kathryn, at least it's the end of a long battle. :] Congratulations Kathryn, at least it’s the end of a long battle. :]

]]> By: Kathryn http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-70108 Kathryn Sun, 15 Jul 2007 01:41:05 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-70108 GOOD NEWS!!! Carmax bought my Beetle...it was practically a give away but it is sold! KN GOOD NEWS!!! Carmax bought my Beetle…it was practically a give away but it is sold!
KN

]]> By: debi http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-67859 debi Tue, 03 Jul 2007 04:04:30 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-67859 thanks, I will try that... I have it there just one more time as I feel I paid for this and they still haven't fixed it...very frustrating to say the least thanks, I will try that… I have it there just one more time as I feel I paid for this and they still haven’t fixed it…very frustrating to say the least

]]> By: Kathryn http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-65114 Kathryn Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:28:18 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-65114 Hi Deb, I don't know whether you've tried this already, but go to a different repair garage. I know that VW insists that their cars be serviced at their place, but once you get into problems the VW mechanics can't fix, what is there to lose trying elsewhere? If nothing else, you could get a different opinion about why the car won't go in reverse. Mine did the same thing half a dozen times and had to be towed to VW- it was always "a protecive mechanism" the car had preventing it from switching gears. Whatever it was, it was awful! Get another opinion- don't stay stuck at the VW place if you aren't getting answers. Kathryn Hi Deb,
I don’t know whether you’ve tried this already, but go to a different repair garage. I know that VW insists that their cars be serviced at their place, but once you get into problems the VW mechanics can’t fix, what is there to lose trying elsewhere? If nothing else, you could get a different opinion about why the car won’t go in reverse. Mine did the same thing half a dozen times and had to be towed to VW- it was always “a protecive mechanism” the car had preventing it from switching gears. Whatever it was, it was awful! Get another opinion- don’t stay stuck at the VW place if you aren’t getting answers.
Kathryn

]]> By: debi http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-61010 debi Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:43:55 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-61010 Any ideas? I have a 2001 new beetle. The car won't go into reverse most of the time. Had it in to the dealership. They said it was a bad valve body. Had them put in a remanufactured valve body for $900. My bug was also starting to kill when I started it up, and it was doing that more frequently. Dealership said--carbon build-up...so they de-carbonized it. Brought bug home. Went into reverse right away the first (2) times I tried it, after that.. same problem... won't go into reverse.. Doesn't matter if the veh is cold or warm... Does anyone have any ideas. Dealership has had my bug for a week and they tell me it has only not gone into reverse one time and that was when the guy had driven it and wasn't near the service garage?? I just think that's impossible. My daughter was in the car several times with me when it wouldn't go into reverse... Someone please help. thnx P.s. My daughter's bug had the same glove box problem... handle just fell off one day... Any ideas? I have a 2001 new beetle. The car won’t go into reverse
most of the time. Had it in to the dealership. They said it was a bad
valve body. Had them put in a remanufactured valve body for $900.
My bug was also starting to kill when I started it up, and it was doing that more frequently. Dealership said–carbon build-up…so they de-carbonized it. Brought bug home. Went into reverse right away the first (2) times I tried it, after that.. same problem… won’t go into reverse..
Doesn’t matter if the veh is cold or warm… Does anyone have any ideas.
Dealership has had my bug for a week and they tell me it has only not gone into reverse one time and that was when the guy had driven it and wasn’t near the service garage?? I just think that’s impossible. My daughter was in the car several times with me when it wouldn’t go into reverse… Someone please help.
thnx

P.s. My daughter’s bug had the same glove box problem… handle just fell off one day…

]]> By: cheryl http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-54751 cheryl Sun, 17 Jun 2007 07:19:04 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-54751 Hi Dax, I spent today trying to fix my glove box. PLEASE don't let the average Beetle owner think they can fix this. I have tried to replace the door and it isn't as easy as it may seem. There is a spring pin that prevents me from fixing this. So, off to the dealer I go. After three auto parts dealers...they have all said "sorry" you've got to go to the dealer. The source who sold me the replacement door had said it was easy to replace. Not So!!!! To make it worse....I got a door but no lock!!! I grow very tired of VW!!!!! c. Hi Dax,
I spent today trying to fix my glove box. PLEASE don’t let the average Beetle owner think they can fix this. I have tried to replace the door and it isn’t as easy as it may seem. There is a spring pin that prevents me from fixing this. So, off to the dealer I go. After three auto parts dealers…they have all said “sorry” you’ve got to go to the dealer. The source who sold me the replacement door had said it was easy to replace. Not So!!!! To make it worse….I got a door but no lock!!!
I grow very tired of VW!!!!!
c.

]]> By: Dax http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-50487 Dax Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:10:47 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-50487 Thanks Australian Gal, and congrats on the new ride. :] The newer model year Beetles should definitely have some of those old bugs worked out. Thanks Australian Gal, and congrats on the new ride. :] The newer model year Beetles should definitely have some of those old bugs worked out.

]]> By: Australian Gal http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-50484 Australian Gal Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:03:10 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-50484 I signed on for one two weeks ago. I drive past a dealership every day to work, and it worked like a daily subliminal message to buy. I was only 18 when they first became available, so couldn't afford one, but now being 24 and wanting to drive a vehicle that doesn't depreciate so fast like what I have now (Holden Barina) I took the plunge. I stepped into the dealer only wanting to have a look - and walked out 45 minutes later with a contract in my hands. My Salsa Red TDI is due to arrive in Australia in November. Having read A LOT of reviews, comments, thoughts on New Beetles AFTER signing the contract, it's gotten me scared - especially the statement of events by Kathryn here. I really hope things end well for you!! I just wonder if these problems appear on the most recent builds (2006-2007), because after all these years I hope that Volkswagen has heard their consumers and has done something about the 'minor' problems. Does it have something to do with the assembly line in Mexico? Has there been recent reports of improvements in NBs? Also read on another site that VW may be shutting down NBs in 2010... Not sure what my point was with this entry, but I guess just wanted to share my love for this car, even though I didn't live through the nostalgy of it all, it's such a cute, appealing car to the next generation! Great work with Volksbloggin too :) Thanks for reading, I'll let you know how I go with my NB :) PS: Got to think of a name for it before it arrives! I signed on for one two weeks ago.
I drive past a dealership every day to work, and it worked like a daily subliminal message to buy. I was only 18 when they first became available, so couldn’t afford one, but now being 24 and wanting to drive a vehicle that doesn’t depreciate so fast like what I have now (Holden Barina) I took the plunge. I stepped into the dealer only wanting to have a look – and walked out 45 minutes later with a contract in my hands.
My Salsa Red TDI is due to arrive in Australia in November. Having read A LOT of reviews, comments, thoughts on New Beetles AFTER signing the contract, it’s gotten me scared – especially the statement of events by Kathryn here. I really hope things end well for you!!
I just wonder if these problems appear on the most recent builds (2006-2007), because after all these years I hope that Volkswagen has heard their consumers and has done something about the ‘minor’ problems. Does it have something to do with the assembly line in Mexico? Has there been recent reports of improvements in NBs?
Also read on another site that VW may be shutting down NBs in 2010…
Not sure what my point was with this entry, but I guess just wanted to share my love for this car, even though I didn’t live through the nostalgy of it all, it’s such a cute, appealing car to the next generation!
Great work with Volksbloggin too :)
Thanks for reading, I’ll let you know how I go with my NB :)
PS: Got to think of a name for it before it arrives!

]]> By: cheryl http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/comment-page-1/#comment-49000 cheryl Wed, 06 Jun 2007 08:35:54 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/05/23/guest-writer-one-troublesome-beetle/#comment-49000 Thanks Dax! I live on Maui - my nearest dealer is on the island of Oahu! Same chain but they do have better customer service. They shipped me my last hubcap cover because the Maui dealer wouldn't mail/UPS/DHL/Fed Ex it too me (on the same island)! Long live Super Glue! Thanks Dax! I live on Maui – my nearest dealer is on the island of Oahu! Same chain but they do have better customer service. They shipped me my last hubcap cover because the Maui dealer wouldn’t mail/UPS/DHL/Fed Ex it too me (on the same island)!
Long live Super Glue!

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