2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
18
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
5
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
The 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE has received a total of 18 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, AIR BAGS. 5 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module (2 complaints), Structure (2 complaints), and Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE, potentially affecting up to 15,448 vehicles.
Recall 03V508000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 15,115 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TIRE INFORMATION LABEL IS INCORRECT IDENTIFYING THE VEHICLE AS A FIVE-PASSENGER VEHICLE, INSTEAD OF A FOUR-PASSENGER VEHICLE.
Consequence: EXCEEDING THE CORRECT SEATING CAPACITY IN A VEHICLE PUTS OCCUPANTS AT RISK FOR INJURY IN A CRASH, AND CAN RESULT IN VEHICLE OVERLOADING, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND PUT YOU AT RISK FOR A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A NEW LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
View full details →Recall 03V356000 — AIR BAGS
| 333 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PASSENGER DETECTION FUNCTION OF THE PASSIVE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) MAY BECOME DISABLED.
Consequence: SHOULD THE PODS CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WILL NOT WORK AS DESIGNED AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PODS. OWNER NOTIFICATION ORIGINALLY BEGAN OCTOBER 3, 2003. VW HAS DETERMINED THAT ADDITIONAL VEHICLES NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE RECALL FOR THE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
18 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingtail Lights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontwarning Lightdevices | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherlinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
WHENEVER THE PASSENGER/DRIVER SEATS ARE MOVED WITHIN 10 SECONDS OF STARTING THE CAR AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON IN THE CONSOLE AND DOES NOT TURN OFF UNTIL DONE SO MANUALLY BY A MECHANIC. THE "POD" DEVICE IS THEN DISABLED. IF LIGHT IS ON, THEN AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURIES OR DEATH MAY OCCUR. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ONE IN AUGUST AND ONE IN OCTOBER THE LIGHT WAS RESET BY A MECHANIC AND TOOK 3 DAYS EACH TIME. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO HAVE THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP'S MECHANICS HAVE NOT DONE SO, ASSUMING THAT IS WHY THE LIGHT KEEPS APPEARING.*AK
WHEN CHANGING THE OIL, A FRAME SUPPORT PAN FOUND ONLY ON CONVERTIBLE CATCHES THE MOTOR OIL. THIS SUPPORT PEN IS CONCAVED AND TRAPS A LARGE MOUNT OF OIL. IF NOT WIPED OUT WITH RAGS IT STAYS THERE CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD FROM A SPARK. *AK *NM
WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET, AND RESET IT SIX TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE SEAT LATCH WAS BROKEN AND THE REAR CONSOLE WAS FALLING APART. *SC
WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET, AND RESET IT SIX TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE SEAT LATCH WAS BROKEN AND THE REAR CONSOLE WAS FALLING APART. *SC
WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET, AND RESET IT SIX TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE SEAT LATCH WAS BROKEN AND THE REAR CONSOLE WAS FALLING APART. *SC
Safety Rating for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 5 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
VK — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE AMPLIFIER MAY NOT COMPLETELY SWITCH OFF WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. SERVICE ACTION CIRCULAR TO CHECK/REPLACE AMPLIFIER ON VEHICLES WITH MONSOON SOUND SYSTEM. *TT
0403 — AIR BAGS
PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) FAULT. *MJ
0404 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HARD STARTING (EXTENDED CRANKING REQUIRED) OR NO START WHEN WET, RUNS ROUGH ON INITIAL START, MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY LIGHT GRAY SMOKE. *MJ
0401 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS), THE PASSENGER SEAT BOLSTER OR THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE, FAULT CODE 02511 014 - SEAT OCCUPIED RECOGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAULTY - APPEARS. *TT
0302 — AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR LIGHT IN CENTER DASH COVER MAY STAY ON DEPENDING ON PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY AS REGISTERED BY THE WEIGHT SENSING MAT. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
- 1999 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — 40 complaints
- 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — 45 complaints
- 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — 56 complaints
- 2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — 35 complaints
- 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — 30 complaints
- 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE (current)
- 2006 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — 1 complaint
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 13,715 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 10,288 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 3,613 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN — 3,104 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — 2,635 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 1,991 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 1,916 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 — 1,568 total complaints