The vehicle dossier US · 2005
2005 Volkswagen
BEETLEProblems & recalls
261 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Transmission & drivetrain appears in 116 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.
01 / Owner-reported evidence
What owners reported.
Categories attached to 261 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.
See original component labels
These are reports made to NHTSA, not verified diagnoses. More reports can reflect more vehicles, more time on the road, or greater reporting activity.
The reporting timeline
When reports arrived.
Reports by year filed, not by the year a problem occurred. Showing the latest 15 years with reports.
62,000 miles is the median among 231 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 46,766–81,400 miles.
This describes the submitted reports. It does not predict when a vehicle will fail.
02 / Official safety campaigns
6 recall campaigns on file.
A campaign can cover only certain production dates or configurations. The count does not tell you whether an individual car has an open recall.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINECampaign 14E007000
Reported concern
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Manufacturer’s stated response
Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Read campaign 14E007000 at NHTSAEXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 09E012000
Reported concern
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Manufacturer’s stated response
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Read campaign 09E012000 at NHTSAAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVECampaign 08V178000
Reported concern
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 76,900 MY 2004-2005 NEW BEETLE AND MY 2003-2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED (DUAL-STAGE) AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM MAY HAVE AIR BAG FRONTAL CRASH SENSORS THAT CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE FALLBACK ALGORITHM WILL ENSURE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS ALWAYS DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE'S DECELERATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS.
Manufacturer’s stated response
DEALERS WILL INSPECT EACH VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE SPECIFIC DEFECT CRASH SENSOR IS PRESENT ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE DEFECT CRASH SENSORS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Manufacturer campaign: R6
Read campaign 08V178000 at NHTSASERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERCampaign 07E023000
Reported concern
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Manufacturer’s stated response
CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Read campaign 07E023000 at NHTSAEXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCHCampaign 07V063000
Reported concern
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Manufacturer’s stated response
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Manufacturer campaign: N4
Read campaign 07V063000 at NHTSAFUEL SYSTEM, DIESELCampaign 04V586000
Reported concern
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL PUMPS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPER FASTENER, WHICH COULD ALLOW DIESEL FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE PUMP.
Manufacturer’s stated response
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Manufacturer campaign: VY
Read campaign 04V586000 at NHTSA03 / The manufacturer’s record
Instructions. Updates. Responses.
257 distinct communications list this model-year. Showing the latest 12. A matching model-year does not establish that every engine, trim or reported symptom is covered.
V691901201047916Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement.NHTSA ID 10249138
Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10249138 at NHTSAV171901201285565Update to Volkswagen engine oil standardsNHTSA ID 10241177
Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10241177 at NHTSAV171901201285562Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.NHTSA ID 10237427
Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10237427 at NHTSAV171901201285560Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.NHTSA ID 10235138
Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10235138 at NHTSAV941901201152119Update model year applicability to include 2023.NHTSA ID 10228180
Update model year applicability to include 2023.
Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10228180 at NHTSAV271901201189422Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.NHTSA ID 10228178
Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10228178 at NHTSAA002155201173212This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.NHTSA ID 10204722
This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10204722 at NHTSAV171901201285534Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)NHTSA ID 10193577
Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10193577 at NHTSAV271901201189416Battery testing. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability.NHTSA ID 10185676
Battery testing. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability.
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · EQUIPMENT. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10185676 at NHTSAV5515032021354_7Body surfaces (engine compartment and underside of hood) are not directly visible (exposed) therefore do not match exterior paint finish.NHTSA ID 10185665
Body surfaces (engine compartment and underside of hood) are not directly visible (exposed) therefore do not match exterior paint finish.
Components: EQUIPMENT · STRUCTURE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10185665 at NHTSASM C-2020This special notice is to inform dealers to return the part numbers listed (State of California only).NHTSA ID 10185155
This special notice is to inform dealers to return the part numbers listed (State of California only).
Components: EQUIPMENT. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10185155 at NHTSAV171806201781314Oil consumption test updated to include additional models and model year applicability.NHTSA ID 10182515
Oil consumption test updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10182515 at NHTSARecords below contain the NHTSA bulk summary unless a document-reviewed explainer is linked. A service bulletin is not a safety recall or a promise of a free repair. Records may be revised or superseded; verify the current document with the manufacturer.
04 / Agency investigations
Official inquiries.
An investigation is an inquiry into a potential concern. Its presence does not establish a defect, and a closed case does not certify a car’s condition.
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