Table 1 shows two common steering related problems of the 2009 Volkswagen Beetle.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Steering problems | |
| Steering Column problems |
While driving around a corner the battery indicator light came on, power steering went out and no acceleration. It did not appear that the engine stalled. The light went out and the power steering and acceleration came right back without touching the ignition key. My daughter almost lost control of the vehicle. No other dash warning lights came on other than the battery indicator. This car is a deathtrap!.
The steering column locks and the key will not turn in the ignition to start the vehicle sometimes. After a cursory google search and speaking with the dealership mechanic, it appears this is a common problem for vw Beetles and jettas. It is highly unsafe to have a car with an unreliable ignition, particularly when traveling alone at night. Vw has placed an extended warranty and acknowledged a faulty design for the 2012-2013 Beetles, but nothing has been done to address the design flaw in earlier models to my knowledge.