Faults:

The first week, the climate control went out. Took 3 months to finally get it replaced.

Driver side seat latch broke. Passenger side seat crank is broken.

Seatbelt latch cover came off.

Due to the car's height, the oil pan was cracked by a rock.

Having some possible transmission troubles now.

Headlights have been replaced at least 3 times, and one is out now.

General Comments:

The car is quick and handles well, but isn't worth the money paid for it.

Faults:

VERY expensive to replace lost key or lost remote/alarm key. (in my case, both. I purchased this used car with only one key available: the valet key. to replace the remote/alarm key, at VW, it cost me $250 + tax!)

General Comments:

Would you have REQUESTED the used car salesman to pick up this $250 cost (knowing you'd paid over 1,000 less the market value on the car)?

Other than that, so far, so good. I love the car!

Faults:

This is a great car with poor quality control. The Beetle immediately needed ignition coils, window regulators, and the instrument cluster replaced, as well as one fuel injector.

The biggest problem has been VW and its' dealer. This dealer sold me the car as a demonstrator. It turns out that they had previously sold the car and then took it back as a return due to electrical problems.

I came along and they told me that the owners wife had been driving it around. An obvious case of fraud - a vehicle is new only once - the Attorney General is involved. VW corporate says it's between me and the dealer. What a lousy company.

General Comments:

The car handles great.

Too many annoying problems for a well engineered car.

Irritating and lovable.

Faults:

Car was taken to the dealership after 2 months to replace faulty ignition coils. One month later was back again to replace "faulty" coils with, again, faulty coils.

Window mechanism/Pinch control problems since the start. Have been repaired or replaced 3 times. Each time the service department has told me there are not a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) out, that my car is just defective. There is a Class Action Lawsuit against VW as we speak, and a TSB was posted Sept. 2002 on the Window/Door Mechanism. Why do I know more about this than my service advisors?

General Comments:

This is my first VW, and I was very excited when I leased it. My excitement quickly turned to disappointment within 2 months. I work at a car dealership and know what quality service is, unfortunately I don't know weather to blame VW or my dealership. Neither will own up to the problems, and I know I'm not alone.

Car is fun to drive, when it's running properly. Although the rear spoiler is so loud when it comes down. I have been told that it is within the normal noise range, although it was not that loud on purchase.

Faults:

My Beetle is a 2002 Turbo Diesel. It is 17 months old and has 17,000 miles on it. I baby this car. I only hand wash it. There is condensation inside all the lights, so I know that the condensation is not due to using power washing wands. I have experienced many problems with this car. The driver's side window broke. The dealership said it was the regulator arm. Another time the entire instrument panel stopped working as I was driving down the freeway. The dealership didn't say what went wrong. Another time the car wouldn't start. It had something to do with the electronics in the transmission. I had to have it towed that time. The tow truck used the tools out of the trunk and didn't replace them. The dealership took some "body plugs" out of the car and didn't put them back. I had to take it to another dealership to get them put where they belong. Another time the locks failed. The dealership insisted I was trying to use the remote inside the car, but I had to take the car in to prove to them that the buttons wouldn't work. It was another electrical problem. I am also experiencing premature aging of the leather in the seats. I use the Volkswagen leather spray to condition the seats and they still look I don't take care of them. The car is adorable and very fun to drive. It is fast and responsive and I love it. However, do not buy the Beetle without buying the full extended warranty or you will go broke paying for repairs to defects that Volkswagen knows all about, but denies.

General Comments:

Very cute car that is fast and responsive.

This car is plagued with electrical problems.

The leather seats are very low quality.