Faults:

I purchased a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle for my daughter’s graduation present April 2008. Since this time the right tail light has gone out several times. I bought a new bulb, but when we went to replace it, the light was suddenly working again. The tail light comes on a off regularly. She never knows if it's working or not.

Recently my daughter notices that the headlight lens is missing form her car and it seemed as if it had been pulled off. But, after reading these posts, I now believe it may have just fallen off while she was driving. There’s grayish colored glue around the headlight rim that once held the lens in place and some of the glue is stuck to the side of the car. I’m having a difficult time trying to locate a replacement lens. I went to two auto part stores and with zero luck in finding the lens. I’m hoping that I don’t have to buy the entire headlight assembly. Does anyone know if I can purchase just the lens?

Faults:

WOW! A cute car, but a piece of junk.

Things that have gone wrong:

Both windows fell off the track and shattered inside the doors.

The sun roof water lines have clogged twice and the entire inside of the car was soaked.

The engine, EPC, Cool/Hot light sensor lights come on all the time...

The latest and greatest, the key is no longer recognized and now I can't get it started...

I HATE the Beetle and will never buy a cute car again!

Faults:

I have a 03' that was bought used in '04. I lived in a city with horrible roads, which led to body damage. Other than that, I never had problems with the car unless someone has hit me, which has been 4 times.

I can't go 3,000 miles without putting oil in (somewhere around 2,600).

I have had my brake lights/unit replaced a few times from damage and leaks. A pain to replace since the whole unit has to be taken apart.

My passenger side window switch is making a clicking noise that causes the head lights and interior panel lights to flicker.

My 3 dial switch for heat/AC control will only light up when it wants to.

In extremely cold weather, my wipers have a mind of their own. Also when it freezes I can't open the trunk, unless I drive it for a while to let it warm up.

I have experienced frost/ice on the inside of my windshield on a few occasions, which is not fun.

I still love my beetle no matter its faults. I've only had problems thanks to the lovely drivers out there that hit me, and the harsh winters I live in.

General Comments:

Handles well in snow.

No major engine trouble. Only electrical and body work since the car sits so low. (watch those pot holes)

Its compact factor is a plus when it comes to maneuvering and parking.

Very comfortable for me as a driver. I am tall and it has nice leg room. Backseat passengers are not as happy.

Faults:

This car is fun to drive when it is operational.

Gets great gas mileage, but with the cost of having it repaired, I could be driving a truck and actually save money.

From the day I got the car, I had to take it to the dealership 6 times for a blown taillight (not the same one). Every three months I can pretty much count on either a tail light, blinker, head light, or brake light to go out. My reverse light went out and it cost me close to $300 to have them repaired. I live in a smaller town, so the only place that is willing to work on it is the Volkswagen dealership.

The sunroof constantly get clogged, and I was told by the dealership that there was no way to stop it, and no maintenance that could be done. The only way I would know to have them cleaned would be to start smelling the mildew from the sunroof leaking (which has happened twice in 6 months).

None of this really bothered me until the car went out of warranty, and I found out how much they were to fix. Oh, and I had to have it towed, just to get the battery replaced. The battery alone was $110! Twice the amount of any other battery!

I agree with one of the comments I saw where the person said that it wouldn't be quite as bad if the dealership would take care of the problem the first time! Every problem I have had with the car, I've had to take it back to be fixed at least twice before they got it right!

I will NEVER own a Volkswagen again! Even if they gave me one!

General Comments:

The car is fun & fuel efficient when it actually works. But the cost to have it repaired is nowhere near worth the hassle.