Alternator/generator/regulator Problems of Volkswagen Beetle - part 1

Tl-the contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the window regulator seized working on the driver side window ( the window did not go up or down anymore and unable to open door ). The contact also stated that the passenger side window regulator had to be replaced also ( did not remeber what month, but it was winter ). The vehicle was taken to the dealervolkswagen of huntington, 838 e jericho tpke, huntington, NY 11746, the determined the regulator had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. . The approximate failure mileage was 35,600. Bp.

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The car was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green and we tried to accelerate, the car engine stopped running. It looks like the cause was the wiring going into the fuse box on top of the battery overheated and melted. The alternator harness and fuse box need to be replaced. We are the second owner of this vehicle so don't know if this has happened before.

See all problems of the 2006 Volkswagen Beetle 🔎.

While driving on a local highway, I heard a "click" then a "poof", then the car lost power, in traffic! it was towed to the mechanic we always use. They determined that the fuse box/alternator cable melted. They said this is a problem with the Beetle. We checked to see if we missed any recalls and were surprised to learn that there has not been any on such a dangerous issue! I am including screen captured images from video we have of the problem being inspected. We also have documentation from the mechanic.

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Electrical main fuse box under hood burnt and melted into battery. See pics of burnt fuse box, and indention of melted battery. Car cut off while in motion on highway, causing my 19 year old college daughter to almost wreck in route to school last week at 8pm est. Her major is nursing. I want to make sure she's alive to see her graduate. Outside air temp was 65 degrees. This is extremely dangerous, not to mention the cost that will be associated with paying for volkswagons poor design electrical misengineering flaw, a new alternator, all electrical wiring, a new battery, and possibly new convertible top motor. Her vw is/was in mint condition with fewer than 80k miles. Vw estimates costs to fix over $5k to 6k. Kbb value is much less. My daughters life is priceless. Also, the wiring harness for the seatbelts underneath the seat are too short!! if you slide the seats back, it breaks electrical connections which triggers seatbelts light to come on, which disengages airbags to work in the event of an accident. The 2 front seats also must slide forward in order for back seat passengers to enter vehicle. Is this how vw saves money, by shortening electrical wire to connect seatbelts? perhaps it's on purpose to avoid millions of electrical lawsuits?.

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Alternator gets extremely hot, untouchable. Appears to be direct short with heavy load. Melts fuse box on top of battery. Fire hazard. Online search for other events reveal that is common occurrence even resulting in class action suit but still vw will not admit fault. All volkswagon Beetles should be removed from the roads, it is a ticking time bomb. I was sitting in my car in my shop checking out systems and saw and smelled smoke coming from front of engine. Vehicle not safe to be on road with engine running. Please require grounding all these vehicles until vw does a permanent fix, even on the ones that have been repaired up until now.

Every year when it gets cold the window regulators break. I have replaced both sides twice now!.

The automatic window motor and regulator went bad on rear passenger side when the car was stationary. Vw knows about the issue but sells the cars anyway without warning, and then charges between $800 and $900 for the required repair kit. In order to repair the window, a mechanic must remove the entire back seat of the car. This takes more than four hours. Total cost to repair is more than $1200 per window. Vw profits through selling a defective part which can only be repaired by an expensive repair kit - the price of which is determined by vw. All mechanics contacted (12) in the cincinnati area are aware of this vw window situation, and the vw owners forums online are full of the exact same complaint. Vw dealers also have to get the part from vw, and charge the same thing. New buyers like me do not budget for this kind of repair, but have no option other than to pay vw their price.

See all problems of the 2008 Volkswagen Beetle 🔎.

On my 2008 vw Beetle convertible the rear drivers side window regulator/motor made a loud pop when rolling up the window (vehicle was in motion travling at about 20mph in my neighborhood) and is now broken. It will not roll up or down, the car only has 38,000 miles on it & is always garage kept. This is not the only electrical issue I've had with the windows. When pressing the 'all windows' button (whether up or down) the headlights will go dim and then go back to normal when you let off the button. This will happen while the car is in motion at any speed or parked. The headlights dimming from the 'all windows' button is dangerous because of the loss of visibility, and it's confusing to other drivers thinking that you are flashing them. Volkswagen should be held accountable for these defects that are causing safety issues. I believe vw is fully aware of both of these quality issues and even has 'technical service bulletins' on both. A recall needs be done!.

Driver's side rear window regulator stopped working. Window was stuck down in the middle of winter. Car was in motion, hit the front window button, back window rolled down, wouldn't roll back up.

Window needs new regulator. It is stuck halfway down. It is the drivers side rear window.

Alternator malfunction caused sever burning of the battery top mounted fuse box assembly. Replaced alternator and fuse box assembly and car still does not operate properly. Battery drains out continuously even with no key in the ignition. Dealership has given up of repairing the car even after spending 500$ in diagnostics, they could not identify a corrective course of action. I have all bills and repair lists on file if needed. The car has only 44,000 miles and was in mint condition. I have also had to replace 3 of the 4 window components on the electric windows.

My 2009 Volkswagen Beetle windows stopped working. First is was on the two back passenger window. Several months later the driver window failed to work. A few months later, the front passenger window stopped working. Each time the dealership reported that it was the regulator that needed replacing. I believe this is a manufacturer defect and that vw should pay for these repairs. Each window cost 500 to 600 dollars.

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Just purchased this vehicle in November 2015, February 29, 2016 the vehicle wouldn't start, had my sons jump it and drove it to work, after turning vehicle off tried to start again right away, vehicle dead. Made an appointment March 4, 2016 with Volkswagen dealership, they stated that the issue is a burnt alternator cable and melted fuse box. After reading numerous accounts online, it seems that is goes out between 70,000 - 80,000 miles, my vehicle had 79,000 miles when it happened. Volkswagen isn't doing anything about it even though it is a common complaint I've seen. . . Wanting Volkswagen to pay for repair. . . Very frustrated, don't think I would own another Volkswagen again!. . . If this is the way they treat customers. There wasn't a fire, but it could've happened, isn't Volkswagen concerned about individuals safety, think they should resolve the issue by providing a different solution to how the vehicle is designed pertaining to the fuse box, etc.

See all problems of the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle 🔎.

The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the alternator cable melted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Alternator harness had to much resistance in it causing the fuse box to melt and frying the alternator. Dealer said it was a result of the wire being over crimpt during manufacturing.

Rear right side window regulator malfunction.

It started with the battery light coming on. I made it home. I turned off the car and when I tried to restart, dead. I first assumed the battery needed to recharge and did that. It wouldn't hold a charge. When I looked at the fuse block on top the battery, it was melted! along with the wire going to the alternator. This seems to be a very common complaint with these vehicles.

Vehicle engine stopped while driving. Battery dead, no power in vehicle at all. Found melted battery fuse box under hood. Root cause determined to be corrosion on alternator power supply cable that created heat enough to melt plastic (~450f) and burn the protective cover off the alternator supply wire back 2 inches. Poor contact due to corrosion caused battery to drain, which eventually could no longer sustain engine ignition. No warning lights prior to engine stopping. No battery power also means no power steering, no power brakes, no airbags during collision. Online forums indicate this is happening to a lot of people. It would appear to be as deadly as the gm ignition switch issue, but it is not being taken seriously by vw.

First I had 4 warning lights come on. Battery, oil pressure, air bags, and brakes. Then the air conditioner compressor turned off. Then the car died in the middle of an intersection. I was almost hit by 3 cars. Finally got to the side of the road and opened hood. The fuse box on top of the battery melted along with the alternator wire to fuse box. Cost over $1000. 00 to fix. Vw dealer stated this is a known problem with this fuse box but no recall and to be prepared for it to happen again. I did some searching on the internet. . . . Wow. . . . This is really an issue with this fuse box. There was a civil suit filed by florida residents.

Rear driver's side window stuck on convertible Beetle, would not roll up or down. Had window regulator replaced--$400 two months later, rear driver's side window again stuck. Made appointment to have it looked at. Day before appointment driver's side window stuck in open position. Would not roll up. Informed that I need new regulator for that window too, another $400. Back window just needed to be adjusted. Seems like this is a flaw in design. When will it be recalled and flaw fixed? I live up north. So glad this didn't happen in subzero weather!.

The battery to alternator wire on these cars overheats and catches fire. I own a car dealership and just had it happen to me. I was lucky and stopped anything horrible from happening but most people would not know enough to stop it or that it was happening. These cars are a huge fire hazard and you need to issue a recall. Check the pictures of burned cars on google. You wont find one complaint but many and plenty of burned cars. So I ask that you do your best to fix this issue. The car I own has a history of the alternator being serviced. Obviously a recall issue that maybe vw should figure out how to fix instead a band aid and out the door. Check car fax on this car. If someone let there car warm they could burn down there house. I am going to reroute this wire and replace it with a better grade of wire.

I have a 2003 vw Beetle turbo 1. 8. And the fuse block has burnt up 3 times now and there hasn't been a recall. I just had vw to do over $2000. 00 and have the recipts to prove it. They didn't fix the problem to begin with but says they did. The car has left my daughter stranded 3 different times. I hear that the alternator harness is faulty. . Read more...

Love my vw Beetle convertible but this is the 4th window that has stopped working and with the prices to fix them well over 300 I have about had enough. After looking on the internet this seems to be a common problem that has been happening for awhile. Is there a recall on these window regulators? if not there should be!!!.

All panel lights come on (abs, brake, battery, seatbelt, check engine), and the indicator continously sounds like the seatbelt is not locked. The right brakelight goes out when the lights are on. Alternator and battery were both checked and they were both really strong. Thinking this may be an electrical problem.

Had to have fuse panel on battery replaced for 2nd time in 2-3 yrs and also a fuse box under dash. Cost was very expensive. Car would not start all of a sudden after shopping at a store. Had to push start the car to a independent mechanic. Still don't know why it went bad/appeared melted. In first episode the alternator had to be replaced also as there were battery drain problems. This an indirect safety issue as my daughter drives car and she could have be stranded at any place when this happened.

See all problems of the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle 🔎.

Today, 12/3/13, I had my 3rd window regulator go out in the past 12 months. Each occurrence has been on a different window, and each repair has cost from $400 - $600. The service advisors I've spoken to have all said this is a common problem in Volkswagen Beetle convertibles because the part is poorly engineered and they're surprised a recall has not been made. This poorly engineered part is not only a financial abuse to the consumer, but also a safety issue. If this happens when the convertible is down, then one is not able to put the top back up, which now does not only cost you a new window, but the loss of the car if it's stolen while unattended. Additionally what could happen, as it did in my case. The window made a noise on Sunday, this morning (Tuesday) I took my car in, the part won't be in until tomorrow or potentially Thursday. In the mean time, it's raining in my city and I live in apartments and have to park on the street. Therefore, my car runs the risk of not only getting stolen, but the interior being damaged if the plastic on the outside comes off during the heavy rain. Again, major inconvenience to the consumer, while the manufacturer not only pockets the customers car payment on a monthly basis, but is also making money in the service department with a vehicle that was produced by them with faulty parts in the first place. Finally, the window at any moment can fall into the door and shatter, which would make the broken window a health risk if the individual is in the vehicle when the window shatters; the driver or passenger could be injured by the glass. In conclusion, there seems to be multiple risk and consumer complaints on the same issue, it is ludicrous that a recall or permanent solution has not yet been determined.

Rear window regularor bad - replace $639. 00 front regulator bad - $338. 23 radio went bad - drains battery - replacement $419. 62 airconditioner making loud noice not replacement yet dash ligh bulb - 100. 62 replace crank seal,water pump,thermostat,drive belt $1,094. 16 outside temp gage replace $49. 70.

Car would on again off again lose lights radio speedometer and eventually died in a not nice section of town. Replaced alternator, battery prior to the breakdown. Due to a web search found out the problem. Fuse box melted, smoked. Dangerous. Vw will not recall or fix. Did an internet search and found out that many people had this problem. Fixed with parts suggested. Now again today. . . . . . . . 12-6-2013 the fuse box is melted again. I have spent over $1000. 00 and done my own repairs as vw does not have a fix for this. If they would just do a recall. I love the car but it is not reliable and somewhat dangerous. The car is great otherwise. I just spent$2000. 00 to replace the convertible top and now I feel like I have a lemon!.

Vw 2009 Volkswagen convt. Beetle- windows-I have had to replace 3 out of 4 windows. I only have 49007 miles and have had to replace at least $1400. 00 dollars in window repairs alone. I have had the window regulator go out several time. When purchasing a car you never think that before you are through paying it off you will be out of tons of money just to keep in running properly. What happened to when you brought the car you were problem free at least until you paid it off. Now it seems as though no one puts efforts in satisfying the consumer anymore they only sale cars knowing soon and very soon you will be returning due to the malfunction of parts that are placed in the vehicle before they car is sold. I know I will never put value into vw again they have really placed a sour taste in my mouth. First passenger window for repair $400 ridiculous second drivers window for repair $400 ridiculous third rear drivers window for repair $600 ridiculous.

Driver side rear window fell down. I'm told the rear window regulator snapped and they have to repair it. For $600! from what I've read online, it seems to be a common problem in the 05 model. It's a shame that Volkswagen doesn't stand behind this and put out a recall.

My vehicle's radio shut off, warning lights came on and vehicle powered down while driving. Could not even steer vehicle completely to shoulder of road. Police officer driving by stopped and chastised me for not moving my car completely out of traffic's way. Created a very hazardous traffic situation. Police officer had to direct traffic around my vehicle for the hour it took to get vehicle home. The battery was checked and was fine. No charge on alternator. A quick google search led to checking fuse box near battery. One fuse was completely melted/burnt as well as the alternator cable connection on vehicle. The google search made it seem as though this is a very common occurrence, yet no recall has been issued. From my assessment, the damage included the fuse-box assembly, one of the fuses, and alternator cable ring-terminal; however, multiple web forums suggest that fan assemblies and other components may need to be replaced as well, leading to costly repairs. It is my opinion that the issue can be attributed to manufacturer's faulty design. My internet search also revealed that a class action lawsuit was filled in florida, 2011, but I cannot find any further information on the matter.

Defective rear power window regulators. Rear window stuck half open,unable to lock car.

The airbag light remains on the dashboard, mechanics have said they cannot fix it, makes me concerned there is an issue with the passenger airbag. Both the passenger window and the driver's side window regulators are both broken. The driver's side window will not go down when you press the window button, and the passenger door/ window rattles when driving and when you shut the door.

Both rear window regulators have become defective. Do not work.

This particular electrical problem with vw new Beetles has been reported in online vw forums hundreds of times. There is a small plastic fuse box that is attached at the top of the vehicle battery in the engine compartment. It contains a series of flat metal fuses of various amperage, and is electrically fed by a cable directly from the alternator. Once at the fuse box, the electricity is branched to other circuits by connection to a bus. But the main feed from the fuse box is to the battery by an auxiliary cable, branching out from the fuse box, connected by the alternator cable/flat fuse at one end (in the fuse box), and directly to the battery positive at the other end. The problem is that the entire fuse box assembly frequently melts into a glob of plastic, and represents a significant fire hazard. I have owned two new Beetles (2003 & 2004), and have experienced this problem four time between the two. My own investigation into the cause(s) has shown me that if the vehicle battery is discharged, and the alternator attempts to recharge the battery at a high rate, that once the electrical charge enters the fuse box via the alternator cable, the auxiliary cable is incapable of allowing the electricity to pass on through to the battery. The excess electrical build up is dissipated as heat, and the fuse box melts. It is analogous to bringing in water through a fire hose (the alternator cable), and then trying to funnel all of the water into a straw (the auxiliary cable). It won't fit. It appears that the auxiliary cable is of insufficient size and metal type to handle the electrical charge. In addition to the generic fire hazard, given the fuse box location, any leaking fumes (hydrogen) from the battery which come into contact with a fuse box spark/flame could cause the battery to explode. Please advise.