Premature Head Light Bulb Burnout and Bulb Harness Failure is Common : Volkswagen Beetle Common Electrical & Lights Problems

Volkswagen Beetle Premature Head Light Bulb Burnout and Bulb Harness Failure is Common

Volkswagen Beetle Problem

70 Reports

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Model Years Affected: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Average Mileage: 69,246 mi (500 mi - 139,975 mi)

One or both head lights may not work due to premature head light bulb burnout and/or bulb harness failure. Care should be taken to inspect the head light harness connector for damage when replacing bulbs. Damaged connectors should be replaced.

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Visitor, 2002 Volkswagen Beetle, 100,000 mi

Seems like constantly replacing headlight bulbs

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Visitor, 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, 78,000 mi

passenger lowbeam quit working, replaced bulb, still not working

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justanothor, 1998 Volkswagen Beetle, 103,000 mi

Enthusiast
Had to replace whole light unit.

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Visitor, 2008 Volkswagen Beetle, 66,000 mi

2008 beetle has had 2 passenger and 2 driver side headlight failures AND HAS TO BE FIXED AT THE DEALER. ~$100 EACH EXCEPT FIR THE ONE UNDER WARRANTY. Ridiculous!! I will not buy another VW ever...Spent $300 for headlight bulbs. CALL VW AMERICA AND COMPLAIN

VW NEEDS TO COME CLEAN ON THEIR POOR DESIGN OR POOR QUALITY PARTS

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Visitor, 2010 Volkswagen Beetle, 12,258 mi

My left rear turn signal light failed to work a month ago. The indicator is that the turn signal was clicking fast. They fixed the socket. Next the right turn signal was not working. Friday they said it was a loose wire. That evening it stopped working. Today on Wednesday, they replaced the socket.

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Visitor, 2009 Volkswagen Beetle

both low beam headlights not working

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Visitor, 2006 Volkswagen Beetle, 64,000 mi

headlight bulbs keep burning out Cheaply made plastic housings break at retainers and clips

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Visitor, 2004 Volkswagen Beetle, 48,000 mi

headlight balb went out.

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Visitor, 1998 Volkswagen Beetle, 110,000 mi

1st one goes replace, then the other, replace. gone through 4 bulbs in last 2 years.

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Visitor, 2002 Volkswagen Beetle

all lights on passenger side are out ,bulb are good.

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My08VWbug, 2008 Volkswagen Beetle, 500 mi

Rookie
I literally just signed the papers and the ink was still wet. I went to leave the dealership and the lights would not come one. They claim they replaced the electrical wires. About 500 miles later the dashboard lights would blink on and off whenever the windshield wipers were on. Again, they replaced the electrical wires. Then about 27,000 + miles in the light on the driver's side went out. They replaced the bulb and some wires. Again about a week later, the drivers' side light was out again. Yet another light bulb change and wire change. I have not had problems since and I am at around 38,500 miles. Thank God it was all under warranty.

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Visitor, 2006 Volkswagen Beetle, 70,000 mi

frequent loss of head lamps. possible shot in headlamp harness wiring

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Visitor, 2001 Volkswagen Beetle, 50,000 mi

The last two years (10-year old new beetle) I've needed to fix EACH headlight at least once a year, and the problem seems to be accelerating! Tomorrow I have to take my car in to fix the light (or at least change the bulb) after fixing it just six months ago! Help!

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Visitor, 2008 Volkswagen Beetle, 30,000 mi

I have had to replace my burned out bulbs on this vehicle 3 time since I have purchased this 2008 VW beetle. bought it new in April 2008 The design is so poor it's not something the owner wants to do because it's too likely a plastic piece will get broken. I also owned a 2001 VW beetle replacing bulbs at least 4 or 5 times. The cost of taking the car to the dealership to have this done is just under 100.00 and that is not acceptable. Volkswagen should be paying for this because it's not just a small issue. It happens to everyone. Not only that, I can't count the beetles I see drive by me that have headlights out. You can even see it during daylight hours because it's got day time running lights.

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Visitor, 2006 Volkswagen Beetle, 45,000 mi

Headlight bulbs keep burning out. The passenger side twice and the drivers side once.

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Visitor, 2009 Volkswagen Beetle, 18,982 mi

Driver side low beam was out. I swapped the low beam fuses and the driver side was still out but the passenger side still worked.
The I swapped the passenger side low beam bulb with the drivers side one.
Same results, no driver side low beam. Seems like a harness or connector problem.
Still cold out so I'll wait for warmer weather to continue trouble shooting this problem.
Getting the headlight assembly out (and back in) is a REAL pain.

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Visitor, 2006 Volkswagen Beetle, 43,000 mi

Wiring harness coming apart

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Visitor, 2008 Volkswagen Beetle, 23,891 mi

2008 VW Beetle has had 2 passenger and 2 driver side headlight bulbs replaced. each time it had to be replaced by the dealer because of a special tool needed for the assembly to prevent breaking the housing. only one was replaced under warranty. Something is wrong with the bulbs or the design! We have 3 other cars 1999, 2004, 2012 and have not replaced any headlight bulbs!

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Visitor, 2008 Volkswagen Beetle, 39,456 mi

i have replaced the bulbs in both sides but now the driver side dont work a all so as i have read it might be th harness i think it should be fixed by company just saying .

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Visitor, 2008 Volkswagen Beetle

Head lights keep blowing after being replaced new, now they say wiring harness may need replacing

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