Volkswagen Beetle Reliability Problems

1. In case you missed it during your eggnog and sugar cookie hangover (no judgement), VW announced the 2012-2014 Beetle needs to be recalled to replace their dangerously defective Takata airbag inflators.

   The script is very much the same as previous Takata recalls. The propellant inside the inflators becomes extremely volatile due to heat and humidity exposure over time to the point that, when the airbag is deployed, the inflator actually explodes and sends shards of metal out into the cabin.…

   keep reading article "2012-2014 Beetle Recalled to Replace Takata Airbag Inflators"

2. A new class-action says VW's front assist technology applies the brakes randomly and without warning.

   Customers who complain are typically given two not-so-great options, live with it and document the malfunctions or disable the feature entirely.

   The Missouri-based class-action says that's unacceptable and wants VW to take ownership of the problem. That includes covering any related repairs or costs associated with the system malfunctioning under warranty.

   keep reading article "Volkswagen's Front-Assist Emergency Braking Can Activate For No Reason, Says Lawsuit"

3. VW replaced reliable brake pad wear indicators with a software solution for the 2019 Beetle.

   The system is supposed to display a warning message when the brake pads are dangerously thin and need to be replaced. It isn’t working. Over 4,000 Beetle vehicles have been recalled to update the instrument cluster software.

   

   keep reading article "The 2019 Beetle Has A Brake Software ... Bug?"

5. There’s an important deadline coming up for VW owners who previously paid for repairs to their timing chain system or damage to their engine from a timing chain failure, and want the automaker to pick up the tab.

   A recently approved timing chain settlement benefits thousands of owners by providing them with an extended “new vehicle limited warranty” for any future repairs, plus conditional reimbursements for any previous repairs.

   The extended warranty is applied automatically if you own or lease one of the affected vehicles and didn’t opt out of the class-action.

   Owners who want to be eligible for reimbursements must file a claim by January 25th, 2019. More information is available at TimingChainLitigation.com.

   How to Submit a Claim ∞

   1. Use the VIN lookup tool to check your eligibility
   2. Gather the documents requested by the Claim Administrator
   3. Submit your claim before 11:59 PST on January 25th, 2019

   keep reading article "Upcoming Deadline for Timing Chain Reimbursements"

6. When Volkswagen agreed to a multi-district settlement for selling polluting engines marketed as clean diesel, it did so knowing it’d have to pay billions of dollars to customers that owned or leased an affected vehicle when the news about the scandal broke.

   Some owners that had sold their affected vehicles before the news came out tried to file for compensation in court, but didn't get very far. That may be about to change due to an interesting court decision in California.

   Former owners and lessees of Volkswagen "clean diesel" vehicles can proceed with their lawsuit even though the customers got rid of their diesel vehicles before anyone knew the emissions systems were illegal.

   Volkswagen, as you might image, is less than impressed with this decision.

   Volkswagen says the case is nothing more than trial attorneys trying to suck more money out of the automaker that has already paid more than $25 billion for its emissions sins.

   keep reading article "Judge's Decision May Open to the Door to New Diesel-Scandal Claims"

7. Owners and lessees of certain 2008-2014 VW and Audi vehicles may soon be eligible to receive benefits for their engine’s defective timing chain.

   On November 19, 2018 a judge will rule on a proposed settlement that would either reimburse owners for previous repairs or fund future work on the timing chain tensioner system.

   This decision has been a long time coming. Even snails are embarrassed by how slowly this case has crept along.

   • May 2016 VW was first sued for failing to help pay for repairs on their defective timing chain tensioner system.
   • August 2016 Another lawsuit popped up after 24 plaintiffs in 17 states complained about their timing chain “jumping a tooth.”
   • May 2017 VW filed a motion to dismiss the cases after they were combined in court. They were denied.
   • May 2018 VW reluctantly agreed to settle the class-action lawsuits in one combined action.

   keep reading article "It’s the Final Countdown for VW’s Timing Chain Class-Action Settlement"

8. It appears Volkswagen is close to settling 7 lawsuits regarding defective timing chains and the threat of engine damage.

   The proposed settlement includes all consumers who purchased or leased certain 2008-2014 Audi and Volkswagen vehicles that will be determined by the vehicle identification numbers (VINs).

   According to the terms, reimbursement amounts will be determined based on the age of the vehicle, how many miles are on the odometer and if the timing chain tensioner, timing chain or engine was replaced."

   Reimbursement amounts are highly favoriable to owners who get work done at an authorized VW dealership. Our advice – if something goes wrong with your timing chain or tensioner and you're covered under this settlement, skip your local mechanic and go to an authorized dealer.

   keep reading article "VW Owners to Receive Reimbursements for Busted Timing Chains and Tensioners"

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