I traded in a 2001 VW BEETLE for a 2007 BEETLE. I had several problems with the 2001, with the oxygen sensors going out right and left. I had a couple replaced while still under warranty, but after warranty was over, watch out. I had to replace about 1-2 a year. Then I started having trouble with airbag light and the drivers window not wanting to go up. I took car in for the brake light switch recall and decided to trade for a new one. I really thought I’d have a new car with no problems. I traded on the 26th of December and have had the car in for problems every week since I’ve had it. First a driver’s window problem, heater blowing cold when idling, leak in passengers window seal While the dealership had it the first time, they also put a new fuel pump on it, it wouldn’t start. 2nd time, the heater still not working right, and the passenger window squealing. 3rd time heater still not working and driver’s window not going up again. And now the 4th time driver’s window not going up and heater still blowing cold. I live in Indiana and sure don’t need cold air when stopped or sitting with car running. Dealer told me that the heating problem is an engineering problem since they changed engine to 2.5, don’t know if it can be fixed at this time. WHAT! WHAT’S UP WITH THIS, I THOUGHT I HAD A NEW CAR………………..

So after a lemon Volvo 240 (nothing against the brand, just bad experience with used cars) I sprung for a NEW 2003 Passat 1.8t. in August of 2003. Well 3 years later and 50,000 miles i get an oil light. After taking in the car and waiting 2 days they tell me it’s 3300 dollars. The best part is they KNOW its a 2003 and KNOW its under warranty so they start right into this spiel:

“”We can’t fix your car under warranty unless you provide a receipt for every oil service that is recommended in your manual.”"

The adviser that has my car KNOWS i had 3 including the big 40,000 and yet still i need every oil change i ever made. I tell him i have two more stamps in manual aside from the ones he knows about and he says it doesn’t matter unless i can provide all of them.

Of course i had my oil changed every time i just didn’t pay 80 bucks at the dealer for it. There is no way i can find my receipts from the Jiffy Lubes and other places i went (i tried).

To top it off my warranty stipulates in no way that receipts are necessary in getting a car repaired. At this point i have filed with BBB and am awaiting a call from VW “”Customer Care”" after escalating it to the third supervisor.

I have filed in small claims before (and won) but i have to admit this is pretty sad for a 26 year old who in general wants to trust the businesses he interacts with.

At this point i have no confidence in VW as a company and would love any advice this community might have, other than “”don’t buy VW’s”" of course.

Edited by Whatwarranty on 01/23/07 at 4:16 PM

Edited by Whatwarranty on 01/23/07 at 4:16 PM

Hi everyone,

I just bought a used 2001 Beetle GLS-automatic from a private party this morning. The Beetle has 63k miles on that and looks nice with yellow color. However, the ABS light is on all the time, and the seller gave me the diagnostics from a VW dealer showing that it needs a new ABS controle module which costs about $850 for parts( The parts weren’t available at that time). The seller took off $1000 from his asking price, and the total price that we bought the car was $8300+tax. I have researched this model for a week and the electrical problem seems like the biggest problem with 98-02 Beetle. The seller shown me another receipt from VW dealer that he just fixed the “”EPC light on”" problem last month( The bill was $1000). That made me worry about the electrical quality of this specific model. Do you guys have any advice that should I keep this Beetle? I’m gonna take this car to the mechanic shop tomorrow to check and we can still return it by the end of tomorrow.

Thanks for your advice