Air Bag Light On problems of the 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle

1. 2000 vw beetle worked fine. 2. One day I started the car up and the airbag light came on. It didn't come on the next time I started it, but it did the time after that and it comes on and stays on now every time I start the car. 3. Tried to have a mechanic check it out but they were unable to read the code. I went online and found out that many, many people have this same problem with the airbag light. (according to my research, almost all the beetles have this problem, as the wiring harness under the seats that connects the side airbags to the buckles on the seat belt was made about 3" too short and gets pulled forward or out completely when the seats are brought forward to gain access to the back. ) this obviously should be a recall.

Problem: chronic failure of driver's air bag circuit purchased February 2000. Since July 2004 we have had repeated (eight) repairs done in response to the airbag light illuminating continuously, indicating the air bag circuit is faulty and the air bag won't fire should an accident occur. Despite repeated repairs, twice completely replacing the wiring harness, and once replacing the airbag itself, the airbag light has illuminated again this week and a ninth repair is needed. All repairs have been done and documented by our vw dealer. To date repair costs exceed $1500. The problem continues to occur.

On the 2000 beetle, you can telescope the driver steering column. Well, the airbag spring coil uncoiled on my car when I telescoped the column and the only way I know this is because the airbag light came on. The dealer and other mechanics are saying the whole airbag needs to be replaced which will cost anywhere from $600 to $800. Now, I don?t feel as if this is a problem I should have to pay for. The vehicle was designed to have the steering column telescope so why would the coil uncoil when I use the feature? also, they have told me that the airbag will not work if something where to happen. Is this something vw should look into and replace for me free of charge?.

2000 vw beetle airbag light. My wife's 2000 beetle's air bag light keeps coming on. It has been back to vw service four times to correct the problem. It started well before the warranty ran out. Each time they replace either the driver seat wiring harness or driver seat airbag or both. One time they replaced the controller. It has happened again and again and most recently they replaced the airbag and wiring harness for the fourth time. This took care of the problem for a week and then again the light comes on. Vw has been good to cover these repairs even though the car is now out of warranty but as we see it, the problem has never really been fixed correctly in the first place so it's only right that they keep spending their dollar to get it right. It has been explained to us by vw service that if the light is on, the airbags system will not function in a crash and this causes us great concern. The vw service manager contacted vwoa tech support and they suggested bypassing a wiring connector by running a wire from the controller to the airbag. (sounds like they are grasping at straws). Problem is they want us to pay the $550 to perform this. Vwoa has refused to pay for this procedure. . Read more...

Engine would not start, after several attempts it started but check engine & air bag light was on. Check engine light went off after 23 miles, but air bag light stayed on until instrument cluster was replaced by dealer.

Consumer states vehicle has been in the shop 7 times for repairs, each time he is assured that the car is fixed. Vw customer services position is that if it is currently fixed they have no further obligation. The car was back 4 times under its 24,000 mile warrenty but each time consumer was assured that the problem was found and necessary repairs were made, all seven times the car was taken in for service it was because the air bag light was on.