Underhood Wiring Problems of Volkswagen New Beetle

1. Attempted to start vehicle; 2. Engine then "exploded" resulting in engine fire and destruction of engine and all underhood components.

See all problems of the 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle 🔎.

At about 30,000 mile, there was a failure of electronic intsrumentation panel due to some kind of short circuit, which they fixed under warranty. This same thing happened again at about 60,000 mile with same symptom, which I could not fix it because its warranty was over. But, I strongly believe that its instrumentation is faulty part if same part has a failure twice within 60,000 miles when other instrumentation panel last more than 220,000 mile in my other vw jetta without any failure at all.

See all problems of the 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle 🔎.

1998 Volkswagen New Beetle severely overheated, checking out cause found the fuse box on top of the battery housing had melted. This could have caused a major fire in the engine compartment! vwoa refuses to acknowledge there is a problem althought internet surveys show 26% failure in New Beetles. Placement of the fuse box on the battery housing does not sound like a very safe idea!.

See all problems of the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle 🔎.

The coil pack on my 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle burned out causing me to practically stall on a very busy freeway. So far, vw doesn't seem to think this a saftey issue yet and will not require a recall on these parts. These coils will burn out. Not if, but when. I would hate to be going up a hill when one of these coil packs go out.

At 4:20pm on 5/28/02 my wife was on interstate 95 near georgetown, MA on the way to the dealership in amesbuy for service because the car's airconditioner had quit and some of the dashboard indicator lights would not stop flashing. Suddenly she saw smoke in the rearview mirror and pulled the car over to the side of the road. Then more smoke came from under the hood, so she got out of the car. Minutes later the car was engulfed in flames and black smoke. Ten minutes later it was completely destroyed. The georgetown fire department and state police had responded, but by the time they got there, there was nothing they could do. We have not contacted Volkswagen directly because we feel they would not be responsive. Maybe the insurance company or the NHTSA can force the manufacturer to look into this, since this seems to be happening to other 2000 beetles as well, and sooner or later someone will be seriously injured or killed because of this apparent defect.

See all problems of the 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle 🔎.

Car began to hesitate but did not stall. All panel lights began to flash, also a ''clicking'' sound. There also was a smell of burning wires. The car became fully engulfed in flame in less than 10 minutes. The fire began on drivers side.

While coming to an intersection and downshifting, instead of the car slowing down, the cruise control turned itself on and proceeded to accelerate. By pressing the brake pedal, the cruise control turned off. The cruise control switch has already been replaced one time. My car has now been in the shop 8 times for numerous electrical problems and vw of America doesn't seem too interested on solving the problems.

Headlights started browning out on deceleration at 100 miles. Dealer could not verify. At 35,000 miles, headlights flashed all the time. At cold start engine fan would come on, then headlights would dim and fan would run, then headlights would come back normal and fan would stop. This happens at 3 second intervals. Dealer replased grounds and harness. Fan stopped cycling but headlights still dimmed, until one morning the cold light went out and also blew a headlight. Now no dimming and no fan trouble. Dealer replaced headlight bulb and the problem started again. This is a very dangerous situation as the flashing lights mezmorize you when you drive. Problem 2: car will start and die three times , running rough before it will stay running. Dealer says to use 87 octane fuel. Car manual says 93 octane and has used 93 since new. Dealer suggested additives at my cost!!! seems to happen in low temps and at high temps, 70 degrees is ok!. I live in maine, no such luck.