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Bad Beetle: My 2002 VW Beetle Story

The crux of the story is that I had a new, 2002 Beetle that made a horrible, loud, embarrassing sound when I made U-turns and tight turns.

This sound was like the pterodactyl in Jurrassic Park - - it was not normal. No other VW that I've ever driven or been a passenger in makes this sound; no other Beetle made this sound.

• VW Corporate
• Classic VW - - Escondido, CA
• Miramar VW - - San Diego, CA Ultimately, however Miramar VW correctly identified and fixed the problem.

The Sound

Near my work, there's a street on which I have to make U-turns about three or four times a week. Over time, I noticed that the car made a sqealing sound during the U-turn. The sound got louder over time, and came from the outside of the car. I could hear this squealing sound above the din of the radio and air conditioner, with the windows closed: that's how loud this sound was. Frankly, it was embarrassing. And I know next to nothing about cars, so I have no freaking clue whether or not this sound signals severe mechanical trouble. So I scheduled an my first appointment.

The Runaround

This sound wasn't the only sound that my car was making, plus there were a few other things that I got fixed during the times that I brought my car in. My tachometer was broken, the oil pan (or some such thing) was making a scraping sound and was replaced. I brought in the car 6 or 7 times - - got rentals and even gave my car up for 3 days one time. Sometimes, I'd bring the car in but couldn't duplicate the sound as loudly as I'd hear it while driving on Mira Mesa road (the street near my work). I made them record that they did hear the sound, but the reasons that I got from different technicians were baloney.

BS Reasons

• The motormounts are different in the 2002 model, this is a normal sound associated with the motor mounts
• I drive my stick shift incorrectly, shifting too quickly between 1st and 2nd gear
• I drive incorrectly, turning the wheel too tightly
• All cars, regardless of make and model make this sound when they're hot

Corporate Flunkies

Desperate to find a solution, I called corporate. I spoke with someone the first time and told her my story. She investigated something in the database while I was on hold. They'll investigate, then call me back.

Two weeks passed with no call. So I called them back. They still didn't have answers and promised to call me back.
Two days went by with no call. This time I spoke with someone else who said "the dealerships have advised us that this is a normal sound." To which I said "I know. I told you guys that on my first phone call. I disagree, hence the call to corporate. . . . Let me speak to a manager." But I couldn't speak to a manager on that call. A manager will call me back "later today, tomorrow at the latest."
Two days go by with no call. So I call again. This time a manager gets on the line. I explain my situation, she says that she'll need to speak with the dealerships again, then she'll give me a call back. She gives me a call to say that the dealerships have advised her that this is a normal sound. By this point, I am absolutely IRATE. These people could not get it through their heads that I disagree with the dealerships and that's why I called corporate. Plus, they have a bad habit of not calling me back when they say they will.
Two days pass with no call. So I call again. I ask to speak with that manager lady. She's not in to take my call. I ask to be transferred to her boss. They give me the runaround, claiming that they're not a hierarchical organization (which is most certainly crap).

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