My car was rear-ended by another car at a high rate of speed. None of my air bags deployed and my fiance, who was driving, sustained a sprained neck and a concussion as a result of hitting the steering wheel.

- Athens, GA, USA

This is my second complaint to safercar.gov and I haven't received any contact from anyone on this matter. All I want is for my air bag system to be fixed for free by VW in stockton ca. My airbag light is on for the fourth time in four years that I have had the 03 VW Beetle convertible and every time, VW has found that the sensor is at fault. Now this time, VW wants to charge me $678 to fix it. There is no recall on this. It is 00003 control module defective. I am extremely angry that they will not fix this knowing that this is the fourth time that the air bag light came on. VW knows that my airbag light comes on and they supposedly fix the sensors free of charge each time, but this time, they will not. They need to make a recall on this thing. Im sick and tired of having to have my car serviced over a light. Please help me.

- Ca, CA, USA

When the engine was started, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and stays illuminated until the engine is turned off. The seat belt light goes off after the car is started even when no seatbelts are put on. The VIN was not included in recall 08V178000, although the failure symptoms seem similar.

- Barkhamsted, TN, USA

After starting the car, air bag light continues to stay on. This is the second time in one year this has happened. This first time the air bag light came on the driver side sensor under the seat was replaced at dealer.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen new Beetle convertible. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked when she changed gears. The failure progressed over time. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced which was done at that time. The contact also stated that both the front window regulator motors failed; the vehicle was repaired at a local repair shop. The door lock actuators failed and were repaired at a repair shop. The air bag light illuminated and the contact was informed that the air bag sensor had failed. The vehicle was being repaired. The rear windshield was beginning to detach from the structure of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 75,347 and the current mileage was 93,800.

- Fort Mohave, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the air bag warning light started to illuminate approximately 2 years ago. The dealer replaced the oxygen sensors on three occasions. The seat belt buckle was also replaced; however, the light would continue to illuminate intermittently. The vehicle was recently taken back to the dealer who stated that the air bag needed to be replaced at the owners expense. The dealer confirmed that that repairs were not covered under the extended warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The current mileage was approximately 95,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

The airbag light has been on since I purchased my used 2003 Volkswagen new Beetle convertible 1.8T in June '07. We have taken it do the dealer several times, and they have quoted outrageous prices for replacing the front airbag sensors, upwards of $700. Last year there was a recall for the front airbag sensors, which we had replaced. But the light still remains on, and now they say it is the driver's side seatbelt switch, and quoted $300 for repairs. A quick web search shows this seatbelt switch issue is widespread, and is usually caused by broken wires under the seat. Apparently these wires are too short and/or exposed, and can easily be broken by moving the seat too far forward or by items pushed under the seat. I think this is yet another poorly designed system that creates a real hazard for people unwilling or unable to pay for the dealer to poke around until they find and fix the problems.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

1. my airbag light in my car came on. 2. I took it to a repair shop that found the seatbelt sensor had gone bad thus causing the airbag light to come on and the airbags would not deploy in the case of an accident. 3. the seatbelt was replaced so that the sensor would again be working correctly and the airbags would be deployed in the case of an accident. As the seatbelt mechanism was working fine, but just a tiny sensor on the seatbelt arm went bad, it caused my airbags to be deactivated. There should be a lifetime warranty on such safety parts such that there is never a failure to deploy airbags or an issue with seatbelts. The auto repair employees said they have replaced hundreds of these seatbelts in vws for the very same reason I had.

- Houston, TX, USA

Air bag light and the warning light for malfunction indicator lamp comes on and does not go out also driver seat is stuck. The vehicle was taken on 11/15/2005 at that time it was only the air bag cause; 00591. Drivers seat belt switch faulty it was replaced on 12/12/2007 the same problem and more but, this time I have done a lot of research on the internet and I have found a alot of people have had the same problem and NHTSA is aware of it.the car is no longer under warranty I have had repair driver seat slider. It has been very frustrating, never purchase another VW.

- Downey, CA, USA

Airbag light always on even after the 6 second rule that the manual explains.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

Air bag light came on. I have done a lot of research on the internet and I have found alot of people have had the same problem with VW new Beetle. I feel that this could be a major problem due to the fact that while this light is on the air bags will not work in case of an accident. This is a major safety issue.

- Keystone Heights, FL, USA

Car bough used from vs dealership on 7/31/2006. Been in for check engine light 4times, airbag light 3 times, A/C broke once, windows would not roll up once, needed new rotors once, rattling under hood once, battery died two days after I bought it and I had to tow it back to VW. Car jerks when going out of first gear-I told VW this repeatedly and they only tried to fix it after the warranty was up. They told me it would be $700 to fix. On 12/9/2008 my car would not go out of first gear while I was driving it. It had to be towed to my house and has not been driven since. I have had nothing but problems out of this car. I can not put anymore money into it. When the warranty went up, all of the sudden everything started going wrong. I requested prior information from the VW dealership about the other owner before me. I feel that this car was doctored so that I would buy it and then it started falling apart.

- Matthews, NC, USA

2003 VW Beetle air bag light came on and stays on, will not go off. Vehicle has never been involved in an accident. NHTSA campaign id number 08V178000, investigation PE08-012, NHTSA action number PE08012 lists model yeas 2003-2005 however, 2003 model with this VIN number not listed. Believe to be same problem.

- Clayton, NC, USA

2003 VW Beetle air bag light came on and stays on, will not go off. Vehicle has never been involved in an accident. NHTSA campaign id number 08V178000, investigation PE08-012, NHTSA action number PE08012 lists model yeas 2003-2005 however, 2003 model with this VIN number not listed. Believe to be same problem.

- Clayton, NC, USA

Air bag light is on. The left front seat belt buckle is the cause of the light being on. Apparently the sensor in the buckle is defective.

- Shelby Twp., MI, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact noticed that the air bag sensor light illuminated on the instrument panel. The light remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the failure was due to a loose electrical connector for the driver's side air bag. The recall repair was performed incorrectly. On three separate occasions, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for the same failure, but with no resolutions. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved with the air bag deployment. The NHTSA campaign id number was unknown. The failure mileage was 15,000 and current mileage was 45,000.

- San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

Air bags light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer two times on Nov 15,2005 cause:00591 lt side belt switch it was replaced. On Dec/12/ 20007 the test diagnostic and confirm fault cod 00591, drivers seat belt switch faulty. Estimate fore service $472 I had to declined.if they replaced it two years ago it shouldn't have the same problem.

- Downey, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle. When the engine was started, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The light illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the failure was related to the air bag sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was excluded from the recall, although the failures were identical. The failure mileage was 83,000 and current mileage was 85,000. Update 09/10/08 updated 09/15/08.

- Cantonment, FL, USA

The vehicle has less than 47,000 miles on it and the airbag sensor light came on. This airbag has never been used or deployed. It is not damaged and the vehicle has been maintained properly. I was informed by the dealer that it is a defective airbag and I would have to pay over $700 for a new airbag. I believe the dealer should be responsible for the replacement if they equipped the vehicle with a defective airbag.

- Titusville,, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen new Beetle convertible. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel, which indicated that the air bag system was inoperative. She took her vehicle to the dealer and a technician reset the air bag sensors. Immediately after the repair, the failure recurred. The dealer stated that the sensors needed to be replaced at the discounted price of $250. The manufacturer stated that because the recall for NHTSA campaign id number 08V178000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module) does not begin until July 31, 2008, the contact would have to pay for the repairs. The current and failure mileages were 32,000.

- Wappingers Falls, NY, USA