Volkswagen BEETLE steering problems
82 complaint narratives mention steering terms.
Key facts
2,529 owner complaints analyzed
32 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1965 to 2019 model years. Data snapshot: . 1,730 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Steering behavior evidence
82 of 2,529 complaints match this topic (3.2%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10586714 · 2014-05-05 (May 5, 2014)
IN A SWEEPING LEFT TURN ON HWY 58, THE STEERING LOCK. I WENT ACROSS THE ON COMING LANE, INTO A BIG PULLOUT AND STOPPED ABOUT 3 FEET FROM A LARGE TREE. I CHECK WITH THE DEALER ABOUT GETTING A NEW SHAFT WITH NEW U JOINTS. HE SAID THAT THEY HAD A SUPER BUG THAT WAS IN A COLLISION THAT NEEDED THE STEERING SHAFT REPLACED, (BAD U JOINT). I WENT AND GOT ANOTHER ONE, IT TOO HAD A BINDING U JOINT. ONE BEARING IN THE ALL SHAFTS, (U JOINT) DID NOT HAVE GREASE IN THEM THEY HAD RUST AND WERE BINDING OR BOUND! I MADE UP 2 OUT OF THE PARTS OF 3 WITH …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10586714 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 728228 · 2000-08-17 (August 17, 2000)
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM THE START. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTERWARDS, IF YOU HIT A BUMP THE HUBCAPS WOULD COME FLYING OFF. THIS WOULD HAPPEN GOING AT THE SPEED OF 25MPH. I'VE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THEY SAID THAT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE NEW MODELS. THEY REPLACED THE HUBCAPS, BUT THE PROBLEM WOULD CONTINUOUSLY HAPPEN. FINALLY I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN FOR SERVICE AND DEMANDED THAT THIS PROBLEM BE FIXED. SO FAR THEY ARE ALL CHANGED AND IT HASN'T OCCURED AGAIN. BETWEEN THESE PRO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 728228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 745010 · 2001-05-07 (May 7, 2001)
CAR OVERHEATS ROUTINELY. INITIALLY IN FOR REPAIR ON 1/25/01 WHEN DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. SINCE THEN, CAR HAS OVERHEATED ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WATER LEAKAGE HAS BEEN OBSERVED. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AND UNLOCK RELIABLY, FORCING ME TO ENTER AND EXIT CAR THROUGH PASSENGER DOOR. REPORTED TO DEALER THREE TIMES (INITIALLY 5/31/00). ONE TIME DEALER LUBRICATED LOCK; CURRENTLY THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND WILL NOT FIX. AFTER WATER PU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 745010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 886801 · 2001-04-25 (April 25, 2001)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING , APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, AND APPLYING BRAKES AND SEAT CAME LOOSE. DRIVER WAS FORCED INTO STEERING WHEEL, AND THEN WENT ALL WAY BACK, NOT ALLOWING DRIVER TO REACH THE PEDALS. ONLY COMPONENT THAT HELD THE SEAT TO VEHICLE WAS A WHEEL MOUNTED IN A TRACK. THERE WERE 2 SCREWS (3/4") THAT HAD COME LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THIS DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 886801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006532 · 2002-12-13 (December 13, 2002)
1)DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAD DIFFICULTY GOING UP SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE, HAVE TO PUSH WITH HAND TO ASSIST. 2) JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE SENSOR BEHIND BRAKE PEDAL FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM PARK, REPLACED. 3) AIR BAG CAME ON AND THEN ENGINE LIGHT SOON AFTER, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. BOTH WARNING LIGHTS OFF AND REPLACED. 4) HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING OUT, EVIDENCE OF A SHORT WHEN REPLACED. BURN MARKS, AND EXPOSED WIRING BECAUSE PLASTIC ON CONNECTORS GOT BRITTLE AND CRACKED OFF. 5) AIR BAG LIGHT ON AGAIN, TWO WEEKS LATER ENG…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006532 at NHTSA ↗