# 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
> NHTSA complaint `171014` · 1999-09-14 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** VOLKSWAGEN
- **Model:** BEETLE
- **Year:** 1999
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
- **Speed:** 45 mph
## Narrative
I WAS DRIVING ALONG A STRAIGHT, DRY STRETCH OF ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP.  I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT.  IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED (REGULAR SERVICING) AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP JUST 3 DAYS BEFORE.  IN ADDITION, VOLKSWAGEN HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON ITS CABRIOLET ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO.  THIS PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE WATER SEPARATOR PANEL BEING BENT DURING SERVICING.  THE OUTCOME OF THIS ACCIDENT WAS $6000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AND MINOR INJURIES SUSTAINED BY ME.
---
*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*