NHTSA — Exterior Lighting: Headlights Problems

1998 Volkswagen Beetle (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,168 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Volkswagen Beetle lights problems

lights problem

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1998 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Jan 012005

Beetle 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,239 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving down the road in my car the day time running light went out. The brights still work but the passenger side headlight doesn't unless it is on brights, I thought this was just normal maybe the light work out but I was told it was the connection and I have seen so many with the same headlight out this is unsafe and can potentially result in a ticket or a wreck.

- Fort Polk, LA, USA

problem #22

Jan 302001

Beetle 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 30,415 miles
My 1998 Volkswagen Beetle is falling apart. I've had to replace my headlights 6 times within the past 4 years that I've owned this used vehicle. My interior trim, window switches, gearshift knob & several plastic covers in the car have fallen now fallen apart. My 6 headlights have cost me approx. $600 plus rent-A-car fees which my warranty doesn't cover! please help me.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #21

May 012004

Beetle

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles
Headlights constantly go out while driving, have been pulled over by the police many times due to no lights or having to drive with high beams on. This past time had to park the car and have someone take us home, could not drive car until the next morning. Repair bills are becoming rediculous.

- Sheffield Lake, OH, USA

problem #20

Jan 082004

(reported on)

Beetle 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Headlights will go out while in use without warning. When vehicle is in cruise control mode it will either surge or continue to accelerate. Dealership stated they need to separate the engine and transmission in order to fix the problem. The windshield wiper works intermittently. The dealership replaced the motor but the problem recurred. Consumer noted he has seen a lot of one headlight Beetles and that the problem is widespread.

- Gregory, MI, USA

problem #19

Jun 032002

Beetle

  • Manual transmission
  • 48,210 miles
Headlight malfunctions, burns out. Upon replacement, wiring harness melted. Car no longer under warranty.

- Fontana, CA, USA

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problem #18

Aug 192003

Beetle

  • miles
Headlights failed while driving without warning.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #17

Jul 251999

Beetle 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 15,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 1998 VW beetle. I bought the beetle new. The headlights have been a problem since the car had 15,000 miles. The first time I took it to the dealership they said they could not get the light to remain out, however since I had reported it they would honor the warranty on it if it went out again. It did the month the warranty ran out. They refused to honor the warranty. I filed a complaint with VW and they said settled it with the dealer. After going back and forth I finally paid $80 to get it repaired. Two months after the first headlight went out the other headlight quit completely. I took it back with the same complaint. They told me they are aware of the problem with the headlights and VW would address the problem later. Being stubborn, I have not repaired the headlight. The car now has 52000 miles on it. I think they should pay me for the first repair and also repair the second headlight. VW is very aware of the issue as I have spoken with numerous other owners with the same problem who own 98's and 99's.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #16

Feb 021999

Beetle 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Driver side head light continually stops working.

- Batavia, OH, USA

problem #15

Mar 012003

Beetle 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Left headlamp bulb burned-out. I had to replace the driver's side headlamp at least 5 times over the life of the vehicle. The passenger side headlamp bulb has only needed replacement once over the same time period.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #14

Mar 122003

(reported on)

Beetle

  • miles
Consumer replaced brake lights/headlights/rear brake pads and rotors/ engine shield and cooling system.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #13

Sep 132002

Beetle 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle caught on fire, possible engine failure, while driving the vehicles brake system failed and the driver had to use the emergency brake to stop vehicle. The head light malfunctioned and the vehicles is flling apart after one month of ownership. The dealer refused to fix it.

- Camden, NJ, USA

problem #12

Jul 012000

Beetle Diesel

  • miles
Consumer states upon starting the vehicle, one or both headlights do not always turn on, consumer has replaced the bulbs about 5 times each, consumer can lightly tap the headlight assembly and the lights will turn on until the next start up, consumer has checked the connection and cleaned them, however the problem still exists, he thinks it may have to do with the current flow to the bulbs or be a grounding problem, consumer also states that the lights have never gone out or flickered while driving.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #11

Jul 012000

Beetle Diesel

  • miles
Consumer states upon starting the vehicle, one or both headlights do not always turn on, consumer has replaced the bulbs about 5 times each, consumer can lightly tap the headlight assembly and the lights will turn on until the next start up, consumer has checked the connection and cleaned them, however the problem still exists, he thinks it may have to do with the current flow to the bulbs or be a grounding problem, consumer also states that the lights have never gone out or flickered while driving.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #10

Oct 252001

Beetle

  • miles
We noticed the headlight was out. The right side had already gone out and we were able to replace the bulb with no problems. When we tried to replace the drivers side bulb, the bulb had exploded inside the headlight assembly and we noticed that the metal end of the halogen bulb was melted to the connector. We made an appointment with the dealer for repairs. The dealer showed us the wiring harness which was completely melted. Additionally they said the headlight assembly connection was also melted. The dealer commented that they were surprised there was not a fire in the vehicle.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #9

Nov 082001

Beetle

  • miles
Low beams fail must take apart and reset bulb to correct 3 times in one year owning it.

- Colchester, CT, USA

problem #8

Jul 042001

Beetle Diesel

  • miles
Left headlight went out first, then again. Air compressor replaced 3 times. Car now stalls. Replaced fuel/air filters, still stalls. Car was recalled for the electrical system wiring harness under hood, recall states all problems I have had. I was not the owner at time of recall. Apparently was not fixed at recall.

- Lawrence, MS, USA

problem #7

Jul 042001

Beetle Diesel

  • miles
Left headlight went out first, then again. Air compressor replaced 3 times. Car now stalls. Replaced fuel/air filters, still stalls. Car was recalled for the electrical system wiring harness under hood, recall states all problems I have had. I was not the owner at time of recall. Apparently was not fixed at recall.

- Lawrence, MS, USA

problem #6

Jun 292001

Beetle

  • miles
First bulb out on 10/2000 on driver's side, on 1/17/01 replaced wire harnesses as recommended by volkswagon dealer on both head lights. Also replaced both bulbs at this time. On 6/29/01 both bulbs burnt out again and both replaced. Volkswagon refuses to refund, because work not done at certified VW dealer. This is a dangerous problem... one went out while driving in fog and visibility was bad. I wanted to report this problem, to inform others that this part should be recalled and may not be designed properly. I feel I should also be refunded the money spent on replacing these defective parts. It is a safety issue! sincerely, [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #5

Feb 011998

Beetle

  • miles
Headlights will blow out unexpectedly, consumer has had 10 sets of new headlights, and paid to have new wiring, and problem still occurs. Mostly happens in dark.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #4

Jul 012000

Beetle

  • miles
Multiple problems with car since purchase.

- East Greenwich, RI, USA

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