Three problems related to brakes failed have been reported for the 1998 Volkswagen Beetle. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 1998 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact was not the driver at the time of the incident. While driving approximately 55 mph on a snow covered road, the driver noticed an 18-wheeler heading towards the vehicle. The driver applied pressure to the brakes in order to avoid a crash. The brakes failed and the driver rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and an insurance agent informed the owner that the vehicle was destroyed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.
The contact owns a 1998 Volkswagen Beetle. The plastic tube that extends from the vacuum pump to the vacuum brake booster is cracked and defective. The contact stated that without this piece, brake failure is likely to occur. As a result, he would have to depress the brake pedal very hard in order for them to work. The vehicle has not been driven since the failure occurred. The current and failure mileages were 89,957. The consumer stated plastic line replaced with 3/8" vacuum line. Updated 07/26/07.
Vehicle caught on fire, possible engine failure, while driving the vehicles brake system failed and the driver had to use the emergency brake to stop vehicle. The head light malfunctioned and the vehicles is flling apart after one month of ownership. The dealer refused to fix it.