NHTSA Complaint #11162868 — 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issue reported to NHTSA

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Crash

Complaint Details

ODI Number	11162868
Vehicle	2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Component	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Date of Incident	August 1, 2018
Date Filed	December 20, 2018
Mileage	90,000 miles
Crash	Yes
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	GA

Consumer Description

HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ELECTRICAL CONNECTION HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS THE REAR PIN CONNECTOR TO SLIGHTLY PULL-AWAY AND LOOSEN FROM THE HEADLAMP BUCKET RESULTING IN INTERMITTANT HEADLIGHT FAILURE, ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER OR GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES DURING THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, EACH TIME THINKING THE BULBS BURNED-OUT BUT IN ACTUALITY, IT IS THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VW DEALER SAYS THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED, BUT IT THE TOO-SHORT CHASSIS WIRING HARNESS THAT IS THE ISSUE. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION PRESENTS A CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER WHEN TRAVELING AT NIGHT AND REASONABLY MUST BE ADDRESSES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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