Two problems related to air bag not deploy have been reported for the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
After returning vehicle to the dealer several times for airbag light in which time the senor under the passenger seat was replaced, the airbag sensors reprogrammed, finally there was a recall of the airbag sensors and they were replaced. Approximately 1 month after replacement, the airbag light came back on. Now it is the airbag sensor in the drivers seat. It seems to me that there is an intrinsect problem with the entire airbag system. When I asked if we could just not have it repaired, I was told that not having it repaired could cause the seat belt to not work, and the airbag may not deploy.
Air bag warning light illuminated and dealer found that front crash sensor failed and that there was a related computer problem at approximately 30,000 miles and this was replaced under warranty. I was told that the airbag would not deploy in a crash because of this failure. At 40,000 the airbag light came on again and the dealer found that the other side front crash sensor had failed also and that the airbags would not deploy in a crash. The warranty has expired and I was charged $505 to replace this. I was told by the service advisor that they "see this all the time with the beetle", and that "after one side fails the other side usually does too".