The 2000 Volkswagen new Beetle ignition switch melted at contact wires in the steering column. The cause was the fog lights undersized wiring to the ignition switch. When it melted the contacts the headlights, turn signals, HVAC, and gauges became inoperable, to name a few. It was out of service for two months at my cost and my repair. I could not afford the repair through the dealership and there are no recalls although though conversations with VW mechanics and others this problem was not uncommon. There are still nuances with electrical components in the Beetle to this day. I would hope there were no fires or injuries.

- Odessa, DE, USA

I drove an hour away in the rain, parked for 15 minutes, and when I returned the engine would start but I had no use of wipers, heater/blower, or directional signals. Since I dared not drive in the rain without wipers, and since it was a Sunday, I had to get towed home. It was the ignition switch -- and when they tried to replace it, they found that its receptacle and nearby wires were all melted! VW says tough luck, it's my problem.

- Yarmouth, ME, USA

2000 VW new Beetle ignition swtich - thousands of failures with documented photographic proof of overheated wiring burning through insulation within steering column. Fire hazard! my switch went back in the middle of the Arizona desert. No headlights, no windshield wipers, no horn, no A/C, no turn signals, no fog lights, no rear defroster. Main concern is no headlights, and risk of fire obviously. VW of America is aware of the problem across many models, and dealers have warned that cars are 'un-driveable' due to fire risk when problem surfaces. Vwoa refuses to replace or recall switches. Ignition swith requires replacment.

- Norco, CA, USA

Two wires on ignition switch module shorted. Caused failure of headlights, wipers, brake lights, air conditioning, interior lighting, etc. Ignition module was replaced. Problem remedied. This is a known problem. Volkswagen, and Volkswagen of America refuse to recognize this defect, or initiate a recall. Here is a link to an online forum with other consumers that have had the exact same safety issue as I have. forums.newbeetle.org/showthread.php?S=0667E7E7A9388bfaaa8A71dcdd6574F2&postid=499275#post499275 this is a fire hazard, and could potentially hurt someone. Updated 07/24/2012.

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

The ignition switch on the car failed sometime between 8:00pm Monday 8/02 and 5:30am on Tuesday 8/03. I went out to my car and started it, only to notice, I had no fan, no A/C, no defroster, no rear defroster, no headlights, no foglights, no power to some of my gauges. I researched the problem and found it to be the ignition switch, which I called my dealer for and had to spend $90 to replace. Upon removing the old unit, I noticed a wire that connects to the 30 fuse on the unit was melted and corroded, the plastic housing that connects the wires to the switch it self had melted in a small portion and the old unit had visible burn marks on it. The failure has been fixed, but the potential safety hazard still exists in my opinion, just based on the numerous people I've read about with the same problem.

- Baltimore, MD, USA