Faults:

Battery failed at 24,000 miles, and then again at 30,000 had to be replaced by the dealer at an expense of $190. The design is so poor when the negative terminal is removed the engine computer loses critical programming that can only be recovered at the dealer. When there they actually have to remove much of the headlight assembly to get at it in addition to resetting all the computer codes!

The cars transmission bucks, kicks, and misses shifts. It holds onto a gear too long under moderate acceleration. The dealer refused to deal with it.

Many electrical problems - the car runs with the key out, the alarm sets without locking the doors, the radio stays on after removing the key.

Window switches failed on both sides, windows were stuck in the down position.

Burns a lot of oil, refill it every 2-3 tanks of gas or you will be surprised.

Paint is low quality, chips and scratches too easily.

General Comments:

Lots of features, nice looking, economical, roomy interior.

Resale falls like a rock.

Wouldn't trust it on a cross country drive, we have been stranded twice.

In our opinion there are too many other nice brands to buy to ever consider a VW or Audi. We will stick to Honda, Acura, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, or BMW.

Faults:

The car would not start at 18,000 miles, diagnosed as a fuel filter blockage.

The car would not start at 19,900 miles, diagnosed as carbon buildup.

The car died on the road at 35,500 miles, diagnosed as carbon buildup again.

The turbocharger needed to be repaired at 35,400 miles.

The taillights have blown out twice, the headlights have blown out once.

The rear defroster had to be repaired at 26,500 miles.

The engine light came on repeatedly, with "no concrete problem."

The mirror control knob had to be replaced three times.

The fuel filler door repeatedly jammed and finally required replacement of the actuator cable.

General Comments:

Although the car was fun when it was running, the repeated need for repairs made it exceedingly unreliable.

Safety became a concern when the car began dying in the middle of major highways.

Volkswagen has refused our request for assistance, because we are not the original owner, despite the fact that the car has less than 36000 miles on it.

Faults:

Well I love my car. I have had it since August 2000 when my brother in law passed to me. He bought the car brand new in August of 1999. The problems barely started last month in August 2002. The car for some reason had one of its fuel injectors pop out that's when the check engine light came on. I got the problem fixed, but then during the process I noticed that one of the fans is not working which is the fan for the A/C. (still not working). Well after that the car started pulling and they went ahead and changed the gas filter which then the car started running fine again. A week later after the car filter was changed spark plugs changed and wiring changed the check engine light came back on. This car used to give me up to 250 miles per hour and in that week it only gave me 110 miles. The car is also making this noise inside the motor as if something was hitting inside. You can also still hear the noise that supposedly is made by the fuel injectors. HELP...

General Comments:

Well my car easily gets dirty inside since its black. Also the hand brake the little button broke off, and also the door handle through the inside the grey handle plastic started to come off right away. I sometimes have trouble closing the trunk it close it hard and it sometimes stays open.

Faults:

Tires blew twice in 6 months.

VW logo on tire wore off.

Irritating blind spot.

General Comments:

The car is a dream on the road and an A+ where safety in concerned. It handles turns and corners exceptionally well. I am short - about 5 ft. - and have a problem driving most compact cars as I sit too low and can't see the road very well. But for a small car this gives me a great view of the road and the sides and is splendidly roomy inside. The only irritating thing is the amount of blocked space or blind spot especially when you make a left turn. Otherwise it's smooth, cool, fast and reliable. Trust me I know as I was in a huge accident that crashed my car into the guard rails at 60mph and I don't have a scratch on me though the car got totalled! So it's very very safe and sturdy. I will never buy any other car after driving and loving a Beetle. And what's more, it makes heads turn!

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

It's a most stylish auto which fits my personality perfectly. Just the right amount of panache and performance!!!