Suspension Noise Problems of Volkswagen New Beetle

While driving home from work at about 12 am in the right hand lane on highway 217 in tigard oregon, just passed exit 4 my steering started pulling me to the right side of the road, towards the guard rail. (was traveling at approx. 55 mph) I tried to correct by pulling the steering wheel left, but the vehicle would not respond. I then hear a very loud snapping/breaking noise under my left foot and the next thing I know my car slides to the right hand side, into the guard rail. I then bounced off of the guard rail and the car continued sliding/spinning until coming to rest in the left hand lane. Tigard police arrived at the scene and stated that it looked like the "suspension broke and the wheel fell off", causing the wreck. There was substantial damage to the front end (left side) and marks on the rear bumper. Witness following behind me stated that they saw me driving in front of them and then all of a sudden the car started spinning, apparently for no reason since there was no impact.

See all problems of the 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle 🔎.

While traveling on i70w through indiana, vehicle bottomed out extremely hard resulting in momentary loss of control. Incident occurred during clear daylight dry conditions in a non-construction zone. Apparently, after crossing a concrete bridge, there was an indentation in the interstate roadway where the concrete ended and the pavement began. The impact was at a sufficient magnitude that the entire front portion of the chassis (dirctly behind the engine) made contact with the road surface sufficient enough to result in a shower of black asphalt following the vehicle (as I looked the rear view mirror). The impact was startling and severe. I pulled off the road and looked under the vehicle and discovered chunks of black asphalt hanging like icecycles from the lowest part of the frame assemble directly behind the engine and transaxle. I drove the the closest vw dealer (in st. Louis off I 70w) and had the vehicle put on a lift to check the damage. The plastic noise abatement cover was torn away at the point of impact and the drivers side portion of the steel assembley which the "a" arms (steering arms) are connected to was crushed as well. The dealer commented this is a common problem and had no opinion as to the manufacturers position. I would like to state that this incident occurred under normal driving conditions and came as a complete surprise to me, the driver. My heart and nervous system did not regain normality for quite some time after the event. I called the manufacturer and opened an incident number. They took the information but were otherwise nonresponsive. At the very least, if the vehicles minimum ground clearance is not designed to accomodate normal driving conditions or the suspension cannot compensate, I think the manufacturer should issue a warning to owners. Thank you.

See all problems of the 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle 🔎.