10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,231 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.

2004 Volkswagen Beetle miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2004 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Comments

problem #11

Jun 092019

Beetle

  • 148,000 miles

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

When driving the car shuts off in traffic in town and on the highway. 2 times no check engine light came on. One time light came on. Mechanic is not sure why. I have read several similar occurances online by other owners. Sounds like a risk for fatality to me. My daughter just bought this car from another party.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #10

Nov 012018

Beetle

  • 8 miles
I bought my VW Beetle 2004 used 3 months ago. (epc light on, check engine light on) since then ive had to fix the timing belt, cooling, and hoses because of backfire. I got notified that there is a recall in my car, yet went typing the VIN # it says it no recalls have been found for my car. I have documentation to show the repairs and costs. I'm wondering who do I contact to determinate if my car does have a real or not.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

problem #9

Dec 132016

Beetle

  • 135,400 miles
Window regulators are easy to break.

- El Cerrito, CA, USA

problem #8

Aug 152015

Beetle

  • 90,000 miles

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

Transmission slips, jerks, downshifts, vehicle becomes disabled on roadway, danger to driver, pedestrians and other vehicles on the roadways. There is a class action suit in Louisiana regarding this problem. This problem happens while vehicle is in motion 10-15 minutes after it is in motion.

- Niles, OH, USA

problem #7

Jun 282012

Beetle 4-cyl

  • miles
My car lurches forward when I stop. Took it to the dealership and they ran it on the computer stated found nothing. Mechanic said he took it out for a drive and no problems encountered while driving. When vehicle lunges forward ;I feel like I am going to be rearended by the car behind me because it is so sudden; no way to warn the car behind me. Please help me and others that have posted the same problems on internet. Thank-you.

- Huntington, IN, USA

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problem #6

Aug 232011

Beetle

  • 102,000 miles
This is for a convertible Beetle: The rear window rolled down while opening the top, made a grinding sound, and now will not go up either with the convertible top close button, nor with the individual window button - the window motor works, but the regulator mechanism makes a grinding sound and the window stays in open position (on-line entry system won't accept correct phone # so I list it here: Correct daytime phone is [xxx]). information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Battle Lake , MN, USA

problem #5

May 052011

Beetle

  • 70,000 miles

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

Nothing led up to the failure. The windows in my new Beetle convertible no longer function. I have had two of these fixed already, and now one of the back windows is broken. I noticed that this has been a problem for many other new Beetle convertible owners as well. I am hoping that there is a recall to this issue as it effects so many other owners.

- Texico, IL, USA

problem #4

Mar 292010

Beetle

  • 104,369 miles
I purchased 2004 VW Beetle 7 months ago. About a week after purchase, the car began jumping, jerking, and surging. On three different occasions, the car stalled on the roadway, twice on the interstate. The car was barely driven due to uncertainty with what the problem was. While driving on the interstate today (75 mph), the vehicle switched out of gear. I immediately lost ability to drive. I was barely able to get it off the highway before someone crashed into me. I had it towed to another VW dealership and just today found out the mechatronics control module needs to be replaced. Something needs to be done asap before someone gets killed!

- Johnstown, CO, USA

problem #3

Nov 172009

Beetle

  • 39,200 miles
Driver side rear window glass does not function properly, it is will not go up or down by using the auto glass operator

- Plainfield, IL, USA

problem #2

Feb 072010

Beetle

  • 61,564 miles
2004 VW Beetle convertible both rear window regulator are defective and don't work

- Van Buren, AR, USA

problem #1

Sep 012005

Beetle 4-cyl

  • miles
Purchased brand new. Problems I have had with this car: 1. rear power windows have both taken turns falling down into the body. Will not power up. One has been replaced. Dealer now won't fix second one because they 'don't see it as a known problem.' 2. headliner around rear window has come undone. 3. headlights have to be replaced constantly. For example; a light bulb was installed on a Saturday, and had stopped working by the following Wednesday. 4. rubber coating on glove box and on interior doors is peeling off. Dealer would not even condsider fixing or addressing. 5. key assembly for arm console broke almost immediately. It took approximately 8 months, and several reminders, to get dealer to replace. 6. sometimes radio stays on after key has been removed from ignition. 7. air bag light stays on. Won't go off. 8. hand release on front passenger seat often gets 'stuck' and will not work. 9. cup holder has come off track. I only drive this car to-and-from work. No kids/passengers ride in it. It has not had any owner abuse. I will never buy another Volkswagen product.

- Richmond, TX, USA

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