Catalytic Convertor Problems of Volkswagen New Beetle

While driving on the highway my car suddenly began making a loud, horrendous noise. I pulled over to the side and looked at the muffler, it appeared intact. I drove slowly to a service station where they told me that the pipe of the exhaust system that leads to the catalytic converter had detached. They told me the pipe was stainless steel and they were not even sure how it had ever attached. They called Volkswagen to ask what could be done. The people at Volkswagen wanted to know what year the car was and the mileage, 61,000 miles. After a hesitation they told the man at the service station that it would cost $800 - $900 for a new system. The man at the service station did an emergency weld, although he didn't think that it would hold. He also told me that he saw no damage under the car that would have caused this pipe to detach. He also said he was suspicious of the manner in which the Volkswagen representative had questioned him about the year and mileage and suggested I contact Volkswagen myself. I called Volkswagen and was told that the warranty on the catalytic converter on that model had been extended to 80,000 miles or 8 years. I explained that I wasn't sure if it was the converter but it was the pipe leading to it, I was assured that it was probably covered. I took my car to pitcairn Volkswagen in langhorne, PA. The people at the dealership told me that they contacted Volkswagen directly and showed them pictures of the undercarriage of my car. It was determined that I had caused the damage. When I argued that there was no damage, I was told it was not covered because I had the emergency weld done. They agreed to reinforce the weld but that was all.

See all problems of the 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle 🔎.

Seatbelt air bag sensor- air bag malfunction light came on 11/8/03 took the car to the dealership they ordered the part. Both headlights were not working by the time I got to the dealer, they replaced those, turn signals were going on and off along with the hazard lights, was told these needed to be ordered. Called in 2 weeks and was told the parts were on manufacture backorder and they would call me when they came in. I called every 2 weeks they part were not in. 3/3/04 smog test done to register my car- failed smog, took car to dealer cat converter out, they had to order part said they would reorder the sensor, 3/12/04 took car back in parts not in yet, called every day parts not in now my registration was late. Cat converter came in on 4/2/04 it was installed dealer was refusing to smog test for free the finally did but would not pay the fees for my registration being late. Called again every 2 weeks parts did not come in. 6/30/04 went in other parts on the car were braking off, emergency brake handle broken, display lights not working, cup holder broken, again they had to order parts, and they never came in. 8/18/04 air conditioning stoped blowing cold air, made appt online for 8/23/04 took car in, none of the parts ordered are in again. Service stated my air conditioning is not covered because of a hole in the condensor even though my warranty states it is covered they refused to fix it and tried to charge me $95. 00 for finding the hole, I refused to pay after all I have been waiting since November for several parts including a saftey issue, the dealer service has been the worst I dealt with in 25 years of driving. I have sent emails, phone calls and faxes to the dealer regarding all my complaints and have not received a response.

See all problems of the 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle 🔎.

Nar 02/28/2003 mr the consumer has had ongoing problem with the catalytic converter, and the emissions control system.

See all problems of the 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle 🔎.