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Volkswagen Beetle Maintenance and Repair

1140 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 6:52 PM

You are in the Volkswagen Beetle Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen New Beetle, Coupe, Hatchback

    
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Messages Page 5 of 115

#32 of 1140 transmission bolts falling off by jenbarcelona

Jul 23, 2001 (8:25 pm)

I have an 8 month old 2001 New Beetle - 4600 miles. About a week ago, I was driving when suddenly the transmission began to slip. While I was debating as to what to do about it, the problem went from bad to worse and in less than five minutes the transmission was grinding away - very awful sound. I had it towed to the dealer and a week later I finally got my car back - this was today.
 
The problem, they said, was that the transmission bolts fell off. In addition to leaving me stranded on the highway, the engine shifted and also damaged the radiator fan, the fan casing and the fan belt - all of which VW replaced.
 
I picked my car up today at 2pm, drove back to work and by 6:30pm this evening I was waiting for the tow truck again. Same symptoms - only this time there was an audible pop sound before the major grinding started up. I only drove it the five feet it took me to get it out of the way of traffic.
 
The dealer said this was a fluke and that they'd never seen this on any kind of car - much less this one. But now I'm afraid to drive it even if they fix it again.
 
Has anyone had this problem? When is it appropriate to file the car as a lemon? I was lucky enough to be in a good neighborhood during both of my breakdowns - but living in a metropolitan area, I won't always have that fortune.
 
Thanks for any insight,
Jen

#33 of 1140 Gas Cap problem by giantbeagle

Jul 25, 2001 (11:49 am)

I've had the gas cap sticking problem, too, with my '00 GLS turbo. I've had to pry on it with a screwdriver while my wife pressed the release button. I finally sprayed it with WD-40, and bent the lid ever so slightly, and it doesn't seem to happen too much anymore. (I keep a screwdriver in the car, just in case.)

#34 of 1140 Ref #28 - Gas cap door: by beetlenooz

Jul 31, 2001 (3:25 pm)

In a gas station, my 2000 gas cap door would not open after repeated switch operations. Asked a customer to press on the door. I then hit switch again. Door opened. Repeated. No problem. Filled up, went home, my wife and I tried 20-30 times to make fail. Could cause failure when I (carefully) didn't press door fully closed. Think that was what probably caused original problem. No problem since.

#35 of 1140 Bugs In VW Bugs by bugsinvwbugs

Aug 09, 2001 (12:37 pm)

I've owned a New Beetle since Feb. of 1999. Believe me it has been nothing but trouble. The last thing was engine fan and relative components.

I recommend to look very close before purchasing one.

My web page is <http://www.geocities.com/bugsinvwbugs> You can see all 40 items that have repaired on the car.

#36 of 1140 Gas Mileage for TDI by jamey

Aug 09, 2001 (2:01 pm)

What are other TDI owners getting for gas mileage? I am getting anywhere from 36 mpg to 41 mpg depending on the amount of highway use. This is lower than I expected and the dealer is telling me the car checks out fine. I am not a fast or hard driver and I have about 7,800 miles on the car.

#37 of 1140 2000 New Beetle Problems by breeze6078

Aug 14, 2001 (2:03 pm)

Our Turbo Bug has 30000 miles on it. My wife loves the car and how it runs and will keep it till it drops. However, she has strong reservations of ever owning another one. We have had it in for service way more than expected.
 
First snow tore off plastic piece under engine. Warranty
Plastic piece which runs between windshield and dash cracked in two. Entire dash was taken off to replace this item. Also the VIN number is on this piece. A replacement VIN number sticker is very difficult to get replaced. Warranty
When the dealer replaced the plastic piece all of a sudden the radio didn't work.
Dealer said the failure was "unrelated" and replaced the radio with a new one from another car on the lot. Warranty
Check engine light came on. Dealer "cleared" the codes in the computer. Warranty
Driver side window switch popped out. Dealer repaired under warranty. Window is now hanging up and will not go up automatically all the time. Dealer said this was "unrelated" to having the door panel off. Replaced window mechanism. Dealer replaced even though my warranty had run out. First fill-up after service, fuel door will not open. After my wife was stranded for two hours, we take it back to the dealer. They found a broken connector on the switch. They insist this was unrelated to them being in the door working, but replace the switch as a "good will" gesture. Dealer tried to get me to turn this in on warranty ($50 deductible). I refused.
Check engine light is on again. Dealer replaced mass airflow sensor.($50 deductible)
Thank God we bought the extended warranty.

#38 of 1140 2002 Beetle by wkohler

Aug 17, 2001 (12:13 pm)

Just purchased a 2002 Beetle GLS with automatic and heated seats. Not many changes other than really nice looking wheel covers vs the old wheel covers that looked tacky and like an after thought. The really great news is the warranty: now FULL coverage for 4 yrs or 50,000 miles. VW realized the problems mentioned in previous posts, so they upped the warranty. The first service, oil change, lube, etc. is free (dealer incentive). VW does not pay for any more oil changes/services that was covered under the old warranty. Not a problem, as I can go through a whole lot of oil changes vs what it would cost to have air conditioning/transmission/electrical repairs etc. done. So far, an absolutely flawless vehicle.

#40 of 1140 alpine325i by lngtonge18

Sep 10, 2001 (10:22 pm)

Good lord! Where did you read such hogwash about the turbo?? The turbo should easily last 100k and it would not cost anywhere near $4k to replace it! You definitely got some bad info there. There is no way people would buy these turbo-equipped cars if that was true.

#41 of 1140 Check engine light is on by mozgirly

Sep 26, 2001 (6:58 am)

I have a 1998 new beetle at 25300 miles. The check engine light came on as I started the car. I checked the oil, the gas cap and the car is running normal. Does the light come on automatically for service? if so, can I turn it off myself?

Messages Page 5 of 115

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