The main recall was to replace the battery tray and check for chafing in wiring harness. Another recall was to add a ground wire between the ignition switch and the steering column. That was our problem (see below). A third recall was to relocate the oil cooler (I think they just flipped it over). The last recall was to tie down the wiring for the side airbags in the seats.
My problem that led to one of the recalls happened to me on Monday, May 4. In Ohio, returning home from a weekend trip to the midwest, after stopping at a rest stop on I-71, NUBEETL would not start. It would not respond to the remote control; the starter would not crank when the key was turned; the windows and trunk lid would not move. In short, it suddenly decided Linda was not its owner. Thanks to the VW maintenance 800 line, a tow truck was dispatched and the car was taken to the nearest VW dealer. After some head scratching and confering with the VW tech line, an additional ground strap was attached. The car started. Upon returning home, the local dealer said it was their second New Beetle to experience similar symptoms (out of approximately 50 delivered by the local dealer). So, all you New Beetle owners, beware. Volkswagens are still bothered by electrical problems.
If it happens to you, and you haven't been in for your recall, momentarily disconnecting the battery cable should reset the computer.
Have a question or comment? Send e-mail to Linda.
I was number nine on the list when my husband put down the deposit on December 8.
As January approached, he spent lots of time on the internet looking at both
official and unofficial sites. During the Detroit Auto Show, we watched the live camera
shots many evenings. We bought all the auto magazines for January, February and March.
On March 11, stopped at the dealer's just as the first model was being unloaded (a yellow
one). Flew to Seattle for a visit and saw my first red one in the flesh at a dealer's
showroom in Everett, Wa. on March 14.
Got a call from my dealer on March 25 after returning home, and picked it up on March 27. It's serial number 3347 (production date 01/98), a standard shift with the Sport Package and Convenience Package. Tires are Michelin MXV4 205/55R16. The window sticker says it has a leatherette interior, but it came with cloth. I wish it had a sunroof. It was shipped through POE Houston.
While I was being instructed on all its features by my salesman, we couldn't keep people off of, and out of the car. A lady jumped in the driver's seat while the salesman was demonstrating how to open and close the rear hatch, not realizing the car was being delivered to a customer.
When it arrived, it had 37 miles on the odometer. That appears normal, and the car has been driven on a dusty road. Does anyone know where and why? Mexico, or the Port of Entry?
After 19,000 miles, gas mileage is running about 30 mpg on the highway, and a little less around town. Have been using some 89 octane and some 87 octane. Of course, it gets lots of attention on the road. People give it thumbs up, truckers give it a honk, and lots of people mouth "love your car" through their window. When it is parked, everyone who stops to look it over has some sort of VW story to tell. Sometimes I let them sit in the car.
Heard one story about a new owner who drove into D.C. and parked his car to dine at a restaurant. When he returned, there was a panhandler nearby who thanked him profusely for making his evening. Seems the car drew much attention, and the panhandler got more than his usual money from passers-by just by being in the vicinity of the new VW.
The first impressions were surprise at the wide dashboard and the mirrors that are too small and too far away (lots of head turning for visibility). Love the way the seats adjust and make space for getting into the back. It drives and shifts like a Golf. Since ALL the first Beetles have virtually the same features, look for lots of customizing. This car may actually become a preferred vehicle for the very tall drivers--it has lots of head room and plenty of adjustments on the steering wheel and seat. I was surprised to see raw foam when lifting the rear seat bottom to make space for loading. The engine is covered with an attractive plastic cap and even the battery is covered (well, at least it's not under the seat.) Very neat. What happened to the original Beetle's familiar exhaust sound? This one sure is quiet.
Ordered the license plate in January so it would be ready by the time the Beetle arrived. Over achieved, as the plate came before the car (but then, I was expecting it by the end of February, not late March). Being number nine in line meant I did not get a car from the first shipment, but mine arrived only a week later than the first cars to hit the local roads.