NHTSA Complaint #10184138 — 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

THE 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE IGNITION SWITCH MELTED AT CONTACT WIRES IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CAUSE WAS THE FOG LIGHTS UNDERSIZED WIRING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN IT MELTED THE CONTACTS THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, HVAC, AND GAUGES BECAME INOPERABLE, TO NAME A FEW. IT WAS OUT OF SERVICE FOR TWO MONTHS AT MY COST AND MY REPAIR. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE REPAIR THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ALTHOUGH THOUGH CONVERSATIONS WITH VW MECHANICS AND OTHERS THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT UNCOMMON. THERE ARE STILL NUANCES WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE BEETLE TO THIS DAY. I WOULD HOPE THERE WERE NO FIRES OR INJURIES. *JB