I wrote Volkswagen three times and had three phone conversations regarding a problem with the engine/splash guard. I consider the problem to be not only a design and manufacturing defect, but also a safety issue. The guard has come loose twice from the underside of the car, with VW suggesting that one time was due to the piece being improperly put back after an oil change from an auto repair garage and the other instance due to my parking too closely to a parking space concrete end-block. It is very fortunate that the piece did not come completely off and go flying into traffic. VW told me that I should probably back into parking spaces so as to avoid that problem or park far enough away from parking space concrete barriers so it wouldn't happen again. There is no mention of this "feature" in the owner's manual. They also suggested that I am probably not accustomed to driving a low riding car and would have to get used to it - my previous car rode just as low, but was engineered well enough that the bumper would never get caught on a parking block. Isn't that the purpose of the blocks - to lightly tap them to know the car is close enough in the space to be kept from being hit from behind? I have asked other Beetle owners if they have experienced the same problem and so far, the four people I asked have said yes, but they have not contacted VW or made any other entities aware of the problem - they are just living with it. There are also several mentions of this same problem on car/VW/complaint forums on the internet, which I documented in my correspondence with VW. The final word from VW was that they meet the us automaker guidelines/specifications and the problem is "due to be to an outside influence, and not a manufacturer's shortcoming".. and so it even, "did not fall within warranty parameters." The first repair, VW was able to push the guard back into place and secure it; the second cost me $340. Thank you for any consideration and follow-up.

- Richardson, TX, USA

2006 VW Beetle with 10,200 miles...rear engine mount falling apart. Trans engine mount..broken bolts.

- Onancock, VA, USA