Eight problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While driving noticed white smoke behind the vehicle, then all electronics failed but car remained running, pulled to side of the road and engine compartment engulfed in flames. The car was quickly on fire from the dash forward. Tried calling vw costumer care and there are no recalls on the vehicle pertaining to fire. After searching online found dozens of similar if not exact incidents. This was my daughters car (17) and carried only liability. Only reason for writing is to educate so that others are not facing a life threatning event, as vw denies any wrong doing.
My son was driving our 2000 vw Beetle on the westbank expressway in new orleans, he heard a loud pop, and the car started to fill with "white smoke", he pulled over immediately, and turned the engine off. Within minutes, the car was on fire. This came without warning, we did not have any issues with the car prior to yesterday, 7-17-10.
The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the engine warning indicator remains illuminated on the instrument panel. A diagnostic was performed, which produced "error code 5". A mechanic repaired the vehicle and reset the computer; however, the indicator continues to illuminate. The current and failure mileages were 126,000. Updated 02/24/09. Updated 02/26/09.
The fuse box atop the battery melted on 2/18/2009 causing a fire in the engine compartment. Repairs including new fuse box and other damaged parts cost me $1500. 00. On 7/15/2011 the fuse box melted causing a/c to stop working. The outside temperature at the time was in the high 90's during a prolonged heat wave in the north east. Cost to repair $400. 00. On 5/18/2014 once again the fuse box melted, cost to repair and replace $700. Two days later the repair (5/20/2014) the car went dead in traffic caused by a drained battery cost of towing $150. 00 + new fuse box melted. In checking vw owners forums available on the internet, this is a common problem and complaint (fuse box melting) in the vw product line. Why hasn't vw been fined and ordered to recall their defective cars?.
After parking the vehicle, within 15 minute or less the vehicle caught on fire under the hood. The local fire department arrived on location to extinguish the fire. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified. The cause of the fire was still undetermined.
The vehicle hesitates, shuts down and will not restart. Please furnish additional information. Dealer is aware of the problem. Ph.
Consumer states: the engine would shut itself off while driving. Dealership kept 5 days and never recognized problem.
Undercarriage of vehicle was hard cardboard, when going over a high speed bump it ripped undercarriage off. Also in heavy rain, it tears and comes off. Has been repaired 4 times, replaced once. Dealer said it was poor design. The undercarriage came off several times after being replaced. The temperature guage and the a/c had failed.