NHTSA Complaint #10631331 — 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

THE NEW 2014 BEETLE I PURCHASED AT HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN OF REISTERSTOWN, MARYLAND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 3 TIMES SINCE I BROUGHT IT HOME. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WITH THE BRAKE PRESSED, SEATBELT BUCKLED, AND ALL DOORS CLOSED. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I WAS UNABLE TO GO ANYWHERE. I WAS GIVEN A KEY AND TOLD THAT THE SECOND KEY HAD BEEN MISPLACED AND AS SOON AS THEY FOUND IT THEY WOULD SEND IT TO ME. I JUST RECEIVED IT THIS WEEK. THE SECOND TIME I WAS STRANDED WAS AT THE COLUMBIA MALL. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, IT STARTED. THE THIRD TIME WAS AT MY SCHOOL. IT WAS WEEK BEFORE LAST, ONE OF THE HOTTEST DAYS OF THE SUMMER. I HAD AN APPOINTMENT AFTER SCHOOL AND SO I GOT OUT A FEW MINUTES EARLY. I GOT INTO A 120 DEGREE CAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN AND SHUTTING THE DOOR, BUCKLING UP, AND PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I WAS SWEATING THROUGH ALL MY CLOTHES AND FEELING PANICKED. I AM 63 AND HAVE OWNED A PT CRUISER FOR OVER 12 YEARS AND WANTED A NEW CAR FOR PEACE OF MIND THAT I WOULD NOT BE STRANDED ONE DAY IF MY PT DIDN'T START. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE BEETLE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL START OR NOT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE 30 DAY CHECK TOMORROW, WHICH IS THE EARLIEST I COULD TAKE IT IN, BUT JUST GOT A BILL FOR 115.00 FOR DIAGNOSTICS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FIRST MONTH CHECK WAS A COURTESY, TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY CONCERNS. THE CAR IS BRAND NEW!! ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT SHOULD BE COVERED WITH NO CHARGE. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED AND FURIOUS AND FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN SOLD A LEMON. AFTER READING SEVERAL POSTS, BY OTHER OWNERS, THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT MANY VW OWNERS ARE HAVING. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THE BEETLE ON THE LOT. *TR