Problems · by component

2003 Volkswagen New Beetle visibility problems

58 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle cite visibility, 17% of all 338 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
58
17% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the visibility

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“ON THE SOFT TOP CONVERTIBLE THE WINDOWS DROP WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED AND RAISED WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. WINDOW STILL ROLLS UP AND DOWN HOWEVER THE WINDOW DOESN'T RESPOND TO THE DOOR OPENING OR CLOSING ANYMORE. THIS IS A COMMON AND POPULAR PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! EXPENSIVE DEFECT FOR UNSUSPECTING OWNERS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2013VisibilityODI 10499499
“THE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS FAILED. WHEN I ROLL THE WINDOW UP IT STARTS GOING SLOWLY WHEN IT'S ALMOST ALL THE WAY UP AND THEN IT MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE AND THEN ONCE IT REACHES THE TOP IT ROLLS BACK DOWN BY ITSELF WITHOUT ME TOUCHING ANYTHING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IF THERE IS INCLEMENT WEATHER, I CANNOT GET MY WINDOW TO STAY ROLLED UP. MY CAR IS NOT SAFE LEFT WITH THE WINDOW ROLLED ALL THE WAY DOWN. THIS IS NOT JUST AN ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING. THERE A FORUMS FILLED WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS ALL WITH 2003 VW BEETLES. IT IS A CHEAPLY MADE PART THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED PROFESSIONALLY. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT EVERYONE HAS TO PAY $300+ FOR REPAIR THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN THIS OFTEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 14, 2013VisibilityODI 10492898
“I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR POWER WINDOW REGULATORS. I AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE ONE OF THE REPLACEMENTS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 83000 MILES ON IT. THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS WINDOW ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE - OVER $500. I'VE ALREADY INVESTED WELL OVER $1500 REPLACING THE REGULATORS ALREADY. VOLKSWAGEN IS MAKING DEFECTIVE PARTS AND WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I FILED A COMPLAINT EARLIER ON THIS VEHICLE FOR A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED. I'VE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT. THE AIRBAG WAS NEVER DEPLOYED OR DAMAGED IN ANY WAY. IF THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE IT IS BECAUSE VW PUTS DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS IN THEIR VEHICLES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2012Visibility, Air bagsODI 10474406
“FROM DAY ONE THIS CAR HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHICH WERE DENIED BY THE DEALER ON 5 VISITS, AFTER I SOLD THE CAR I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM VW, NOW THAT I AM LOOKING AT BLOGS THEY HAVE APPARENTLY RECALLED THIS RECALL TO SUIT THEM. OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE WINDOW TROUBLES, CONVERTIBLE ROOF TROUBLES, ELECTRONIC TROUBLES, SEATBELT TROUBLES, AIRBAG TROUBLES. I CAN'T BELIEVE ANYONE WILL ALLOW THIS CAR TO STILL BE SOLD OR ON THE ROAD. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD ON WHEELS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 20, 2011Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Visibility, Air bags, Seat beltsODI 10440523
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. WHEN DECELERATING TO APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK BEFORE SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND AFTER INSPECTION THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE AT A COST OF $6,000. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2011Power train, VisibilityODI 10425183
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. SHE ALSO NOTICED DEBRIS ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHICH WAS A GREASY SUBSTANCE THAT CAUSED HER EYES TO BURN AND COULD HAVE OBSTRUCTED HER VIEW. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING AN APPOINTMENT WITH A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,700. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,100. UPDATED 10/18/11*LJ THE DEALER INDICATED THE DEBRIS WAS A RESULT OF THE A/C UNIT PROTECTION WITH A FOAM SUBSTANCE WHICH WAS PEELING OFF THE A/C UNIT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE MAIN VALVE FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2011Power train, VisibilityODI 10419568

Showing 6 of 58 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2003 New Beetle problem areas