Electrical System Problems of Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible owners have reported 12 problems related to electrical system (under the electrical system category). The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Electrical System problem of the 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Failure Date: 01/15/2011

Head lamp assembly does not fully engage with headlight connector (socket) when replacing head lamps and re-installing assembly. Head light can go off unexpectedly due to road vibration. We had drivers side repaired under warranty (6/24/09, 37,779 miles). Passenger side failed after I replaced low beam lamp (1/15/11, 54,000 +/- miles). I had (have to- depending on timing and my ability-) to replace the "retainer", the device that secures the head light module/assembly within the fender.

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2 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Failure Date: 11/06/2010

Well it has been nothing but trouble. First thing, the transmission went bad and then right after that there was no brake lights. The top will not come down by it self. The dash lights come on ( air bag, brakes, check engine, emissions). Sounds like there are holes in the muffler. Last but not least the right rear window fell down and they won't 800 to fix, there are several complaints about this and nothing is being done.

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3 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Failure Date: 09/17/2010

Problem with transmission, gear stuck in low.

4 Electrical System problem of the 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Failure Date: 09/15/2010

Just like everyone else's complaint. I have a 2005 convertible beetle that is jerking, thrusting, getting stuck in gears. I drive the car for approximately 10 min and then it starts like clockwork. I have had it in the shop for 2 weeks and spent $1400 replacing everything to fix the problem. Nothing shows up on the diagnostic machine (no codes) they tell me. I am astounded at all the complaints I'm seeing about the transmission defect. My car has 83,000 miles and I cannot pay $4000 - $5000 to fix. I will be out of transportation and out of a job. What is being done by Volkswagen to fix this defect. This is unacceptable!!!.

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5 Electrical System problem of the 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Failure Date: 05/17/2010

Have had issues with the front automatic windows in this car since August 2008. In may 2010 the rear windows would go up part way and then go back down. I had repairs done (reinstalled window seal at a cost of $96. 00) then in September of 2011 the other rear window would not go up and the dealer said that I needed a "kit" to correct the problem of the cables binding up and keeping the window from going up. This repair cost $800. Today the other rear window will not go up and is making the familiar grinding sound. I suppect that I will need to go to the dealer and get a "kit" for this window which is the one that had the seal replaced on it. Another $800. 00 or so for something that will only temporarily fix this issue. I have only had the back windows down on this vehicle maybe a dozen times since I've owned it. This is clearly a cheap and faulty design by the manufacturer. If I do not continue to make these repairs I cannot properly secure my vehicle and risk damage or theft.

6 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Failure Date: 03/16/2010

At about 35,000 miles my car started slipping with the transmission. It would jerk forward and sometimes get stuck in between 1, 3, and 4th gears. This was not a huge problem at this point and during my regular check ups, vw dealership always said there was no problem detected. 2. The automatic transmission is now failing at 60,000 miles. It has almost caused me several accidents, especially at intersections. People almost rearend me daily. Not only is the car jerking forward and backward upon gear shifting, but now it gets stuck period and will not move. . The rpm's going all the way to 6-7. The tires spin, the car groans horribly, the gears show up on my dash in brackets. When I had a diagnostic test done at the dealership about four months ago, and I explained in detail the tranny problem, they said nothing was wrong with it. Now, I can tell it is almost undrivable at this pt. On my fifteen mile commute home today, I had to pull over seven times because the transmission failed. I could not get out of first gear then it jumped to six. I was stuck in the middle of an intersection at a red light, almost getting backended. This is terrifying. I had a panic attack. I have an appt. Tomorrow at the dealership to see what the problem is and how much money this will cost me. My car has always been checked up regularly.

7 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Failure Date: 03/04/2010

My 2004 vw beetle turbo convertible check engine light came on, vehicle then stalled out, smoke came out of engine hood, embers fell below car, smoke continued to poor out of engine hood, flames came out of engine hood, 911 called and fire dept and fire marshall put out fire. I am now waiting to hear from my insurance company.

8 Electrical System problem of the 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Failure Date: 02/04/2010

I own a 2003 vw New Beetle Convertible, 4 cyl, 6 sp auto. It has 80,000 miles on it. Within the past year, it's started jerking when shifting gears. I've been told by I need a new transmission. After doing some research, I find I'm not alone. There are literally hundreds of others in the same position. According to vw, the transmission is $6,800. Wow - I know! you have to use the dealer because the parts aren't available to the after market. In any event, the car hesitates when you attempt to pull out, jerks when you stop. I've narrowly avoided several rear end collisions as well as said several prayers when it didn't accelerate as quickly as it should have. I'm not a mechanic, but I'm not stupid either. The transmission is fine until the engine is warm. I can shift gears with no problem using the tiptronic part of the system - but others have said this only works for a short period. There are no metal sounds when the engine is shifting. There is nothing wrong with the transmission, it is an electrical issue. Vw refuses to put the time and effort into determining what the real problem is. They just replace the transmissions and pocket $6,800. By the way, the blue book value of the car is $6,800. Ironic, I know. I've read post after post from people who had the entire transmission replaced by vw only to find the problems persist. I understand they don't want to find the issue, but I really love my car and want it fixed. Correctly. Please, please, please strongly encourage vw to do the right thing, find the problem and fix it. Any help you can offer is appreciated.

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9 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Failure Date: 06/30/2009

The electrical system shorted out and shut down in the middle of traffic. And front headlight goes off and on the drivers side.

10 Electrical System problem of the 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Failure Date: 06/26/2008

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact's daughter noticed smoke underneath the dashboard. She pulled the vehicle onto the side of the road and it immediately burst into flames. There were no injuries. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 54,000.

11 Electrical System problem of the 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Failure Date: 10/26/2007

Three years ago when the car had only 55000 miles on it, the air bag light came on. There was never any deployment of the air bags and I take good care of my car. Vw said it was a defective air bag, but refused to stand behind it. They want $750 to fix it. In the past four years I have had to replace each window motor. They cost $400 to replace. The driver side motor needs to be replaced for the second time. That means the first replacement lasted less than four years. The car has only 77,000 miles on it. This is outrageous.

12 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Failure Date: 04/08/2007

2004 new beetle conv turbo . Always in shop. Always had problems. In the shop more than at home. Elec issues,windows not working, air bag lights flashing, top staying down wont go up one repair after another. Now the transmission is gone. What a piece of [xxx]. Just hope some one reads this and talks their daughter or wife out of making a 20,000 dollar mistake. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).


Other Common Electrical System related problems of Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Problem Category Number of Problems
Electrical System problems
12
Alternator/generator/regulator problems
6
Electrical Failure problems
1
Car Will Not Start problems
1
Instrument Panel problems
1

New Beetle Convertible Service Bulletins
New Beetle Convertible Safety Recalls