13 problems related to air bag light on have been reported for the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle based on all problems reported for the 2004 New Beetle.
Airbag light came on and stay on(concerned about not working properly in event of accident) taken into dealership for code read: airbag module shorted. Front passenger seat and carpet need to be removed for replacement of airbag because wire under the seat is too short that it torn when the seat was moved forward to allow access to rear seat. This should be a manufactural fault.
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6) 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle [xxx] air bag light has came on twice and Volkswagen service department advises anytime the air bag light comes on it is a safety hazard. I have had to replace the drive & passenger seat belt latch to make the air bag light go off at a cost of $600. 32. If this is a safety issue, why is there not a recall?.
Air bag light is on at all times. Please refer to complain odi 10279199. Called vw recall center 800. 822. 8987, there is a recall #08v178000 for exact same issue. Vw said my car has never been recalled for that issue. Asked if they would take my car for inspection, request denied unless I paid for the inspection. My concern is that airbag may deploy unexpectedly and cause an accident to my family, besides the actual issue of not deploying properly. Even if my vehicle has no dual stage airbag, the issue of an airbag light on may be caused by the same quality/poor design root cause. Below is the actual recall description and remedy: "Volkswagen is recalling 76,900 my 2004-2005 New Beetle and my 2003-2005 New Beetle convertibles equipped with an advanced (dual-stage) air bag system. This system may have air bag frontal crash sensors that contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions. If this occurs, the air bag indicator light will illuminate and the fallback algorithm will ensure that the front air bags always deploy in a frontal crash in which the vehicle's deceleration is high enough to activate the frontal air bags. Consequence: in low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants. Remedy: dealers will inspect each vehicle to determine that the specific defect crash sensor is present on one or both sides of the vehicle. All of the defect crash sensors will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before July 31, 2008. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987".
Air bag light is on, does not turn off.
Air bag light remains on (concerned about not working properly in event of accident) possible wire that is too short under the seat breaking when it is moved forward to allow access to rear seat.
The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle. When the contact started the vehicle, he noticed that the air bag indicator was illuminating on the instrument panel. The indicator did not dim once the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and they stated that the driver's side seat latch for the seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed a failed wire by the latch of the seat belt on the driver's side. The manufacturer was notified and stated that they were not liable for the repairs. The current mileage was 27,888 and failure mileage was 27,858.
Purchased brand new. Problems I have had with this car: 1. Rear power windows have both taken turns falling down into the body. Will not power up. One has been replaced. Dealer now won't fix second one because they 'don't see it as a known problem. ' 2. Headliner around rear window has come undone. 3. Headlights have to be replaced constantly. For example; a light bulb was installed on a Saturday, and had stopped working by the following Wednesday. 4. Rubber coating on glove box and on interior doors is peeling off. Dealer would not even condsider fixing or addressing. 5. Key assembly for arm console broke almost immediately. It took approximately 8 months, and several reminders, to get dealer to replace. 6. Sometimes radio stays on after key has been removed from ignition. 7. Air bag light stays on. Won't go off. 8. Hand release on front passenger seat often gets 'stuck' and will not work. 9. Cup holder has come off track. I only drive this car to-and-from work. No kids/passengers ride in it. It has not had any owner abuse. I will never buy another Volkswagen product.
4th electrical failure, 3rd airbag light/malfuction. 5 days after servicing car for airbag safety issue, same repeated problem. (see complaint 10148516, 10148511).
3rd electrical failure, 2nd airbag light/malfunction. Continued issue with airbag light on/malfunctioning spontaneously.
In April 2005, the airbag light came on. I immediately brought it to the nearest vw dealer/shop. I was told that they needed to order a part, but that all was fine. In the next few months I called many times and the airbag light had come back on. By August 2005 they finally received the part (passenger airbag sensors under/in the seat). They were unable to fix it even when they received the part (three more errors came up and the wires did not connect properly) and they sent the information to the manufacture for assistance. On 12 September 2005, they had me bring the car back in because they had received repair instructions from the manufacture. I was told that the airbag system was fixed and would have no further problems with it. I do not know if the old parts are available, I will ask. On 17 September 2005 (five days later), the airbag light came back on.
Bought new 2004 vw beetle in 9/04, 2 weeks later, airbag light came on, took to dealer. They had the car over 8 weeks trying to fix. Finally agreed to replace with identical new one. Less than 2500 miles later, airbag light comes on again. They reset but did not do any repairs. Don't know if that fixed the problem as shortly after, steering went out causing the vehicle to run off road and hit guard rail. Vw has now, waiting to see if they take responsibility, it doesn't appear as they will from what I am hearing from service manager. Final verdict not in yet.
Air bag light malfunctioned first on 2/2005 , was brought in 4 times to be fixed and was not fixed until sept. Let me drive around with air bag lite on.
Consumer complained about electrical problems; the speakers didn't work/windows kept going up and down, and transmission failed. The car was not even a one year old. The replaced transmission still performs poorly. The air bag light came on at least 3-4 times.