Major Problems with Volkswagen New Beetle Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Volkswagen New Beetle to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for Volkswagen New Beetle

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Volkswagen New Beetle.

Model Year	Complaints
2006 New Beetle	1
2004 New Beetle	12
2003 New Beetle	20
2002 New Beetle	15
2001 New Beetle	39
2000 New Beetle	40
1999 New Beetle	34

Worst 3 Volkswagen New Beetle complaints

2000 Volkswagen New Beetle SIDE/WINDOW Victims: 2

2002 Volkswagen New Beetle AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Victims: 2

2000 Volkswagen New Beetle ANCHORAGE Victims: 2

Browse Volkswagen New Beetle complaints by category

Problems with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ENGINE are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Volkswagen New Beetle owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM dt:the contact purchased a 2006 volkswagen new beetle convertible and the computer system stopped functioning resulting in a failure of...	15 ~ 12130 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 2004 vw beetle buy 8-19-04. ransmission failure 4 since 9-8 letter 9-18 sent certified *vw tech hotline gave no case...	14 ~ 1671 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING texas lemon law/ texas deceptive trade practices act/ breach of warranty.mr cb ...	6 ~ 15211 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL car downshifts extremely hard when coming to a stop causing driver and passengers to be lunged forward in their seat.....	6 ~ 9167 miles
SWITCH > BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING when attempting to move the gear shift out of park the vehicle failed to respond. the vehicle had to be...	6 ~ 9878 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING purchased my third volkswagen new beetle - recognize that my second one a 2003 was a lemon _x0013_ 5 right...	5 ~ 14717 miles
SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS while driving srs light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. the consumer was able to maintain control of the...	5 ~ 11817 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS i have a 2001 volkswagen new beetle which was leased new from bill cook in farminton hills michigan. the complaint...	5 ~ 21583 miles
AIR BAGS powertrain problems-- vehicle has tiptronic. intermittent failure shifting from automatic to tiptronic manual functionality. in addition passenger frontal airbag failed	5
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN the clutch on my 2003 volkswagen new beetle failed at 2000 miles approximately two months after purchase. *ak...	5 ~ 21010 miles
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY 2004 vw beetle convertible. the windows catch on the top when the doors are open. this action is wearing top....	5 ~ 2435 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the throttle failed to respond in my new 2003 volkswagen beetle. it didn't respond when accelerator pedal was depressed. this...	5 ~ 3200 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER i bought my new beetle brand new in august 2001. the day after i brought it home (over 2 hours...	5 ~ 2000 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC i bought my new beetle brand new in august 2001. the day after i brought it home (over 2 hours...	5 ~ 4693 miles
INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM engine would not start after several attempts it started but check engine & air bag light was on. check engine	5 ~ 8600 miles
FRONT UNDERHOOD > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM headlights started browning out on deceleration at 100 miles. dealer could not verify. at 35 000 miles headlights flashed all...	5 ~ 4103 miles
FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM headlights started browning out on deceleration at 100 miles. dealer could not verify. at 35 000 miles headlights flashed all...	4
SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY > VISIBILITY the convertible top has been a major failure point. it has been "fixed" several times now and is still failing.*ak...	3 ~ 10167 miles
SWITCH > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM while driving at night the epc light came on. i wanted to pull over since the car is fairly new...	3 ~ 76997 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS while driving at 20 mph consumer's vehicle crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. consumer was wearing a seat...	3 ~ 8667 miles
SEATS while driving srs light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. the consumer was able to maintain control of the...	3 ~ 6333 miles
STRUCTURE when opening and closing the door window catches on the convertible top. as a result driver has to close the...	3 ~ 13000 miles
MOTOR > WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY refer to # 10051120 my windshield wipers would operate normally and then just stop in mid-swipe right in front of...	3
TIRES while driving front left side wall tire blew out it caused the tire to become flat. it caused the wheel...	3 ~ 11094 miles
DIESEL > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2001 new beetle 1.9 l tdi 55 000 mi.: engine mil light comes on solid and glo-plug light blinks on/off...	3 ~ 38336 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING several problems with car. worst warranty and service. dlr difficult to deal with. poor attitude of service and poor public...	3 ~ 22773 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING when changing the oil a frame support pan found only on convertible catches the motor oil. this support pen is...	2
EQUIPMENT while driving at night the epc light came on. i wanted to pull over since the car is fairly new...	2 ~ 19734 miles
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL while driving consumer applied the brake pedal and vehicle stalled. consumer restarted the vehicle and drove it to dealer. mechanic	2 ~ 27500 miles
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i own a 2000 new beetle 1.8t glx with approximately 30461 original miles. i have had a total of 7...	2 ~ 15231 miles
LINKAGES > WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY purchased my third volkswagen new beetle - recognize that my second one a 2003 was a lemon _x0013_ 5 right...	2 ~ 12733 miles
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS while driving at 20 mph consumer's vehicle crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. consumer was wearing a seat...	2 ~ 13000 miles
BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING from sept 03 through april 04 i had 5 right rear brake lights replaced and 2 left headlights replaced on...	2 ~ 7264 miles
WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES > FRONT > SEAT BELTS the 2004 volkswagen beetle has a safety belt warning system that triggers a series of warning beeps every thrity seconds...	2 ~ 20792 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES when opening and closing the door window catches on the convertible top. as a result driver has to close the...	2 ~ 4500 miles
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS i have a 2001 volkswagen new beetle which was leased new from bill cook in farminton hills michigan. the complaint...	2 ~ 21578 miles
UNDERBODY SHIELDS > FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE 2003 olkswagon new beetle-the rear bumper had been removed to repair damage to the left drivers side fender.once removed it...	2 ~ 5035 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES we have a 2002 and a 2003 vw beetle. the 2002 has door locks that only lock part of the...	2 ~ 21292 miles
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY winshield wipers quit working while driving on the freeway in rain. ble to get off freeway without accident by sticking	2 ~ 8125 miles
PARKING BRAKE seatbelt air bag sensor- air bag malfunction light came on 11/8/03 took the car to the dealership they ordered the...	2 ~ 25792 miles
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM seatbelt air bag sensor- air bag malfunction light came on 11/8/03 took the car to the dealership they ordered the...	2 ~ 48435 miles
LOCK > HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES remote hatchbatch lock release failure- 2nd occurrence. first occurrence about a year ago and was dealer repaired....	2
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the 2001.5 2002 and certain 2003 vw/audi 1.8t engines have experienced a high rate of coilpack failures. this has been...	2 ~ 10259 miles
TURBO/SUPERCHARGER > GASOLINE > ENGINE 2002 volkswagen new beetle 1.8 turbo had coilpack fail along with turbo blow off valve. this is a re-ocuring problem...	2 ~ 9450 miles
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY i bought my new beetle brand new in august 2001. the day after i brought it home (over 2 hours...	2
HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING check engine light constantly comes on due to a vacuum hose constantly braking. have had repaired 4 times. *jb...	2
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE the engine shut down suddenly with absolutely no warning at about 50 mph. the car restarted after sitting momentarily. this...	2
ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT > MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT the jack does not properly support the weight of the vehicle causing it to penetrate the ground rather than raise	2
MODULE > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM epc and check engine lights come on///car loses power......extremely dangerous as most of my drive to work is on freeway...happened...	2 ~ 1703 miles
LINKAGES > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL when stopped at a traffic light and the brakes are being applied the vehicle suddenly lurches forward. this happens almost	2
DRUM > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC both rear brakes locked up needed to replace calipers rotors drums pads at 16 455miles.*ak...	1 ~ 16455 miles
CALIPER > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS both rear brakes locked up needed to replace calipers rotors drums pads at 16 455miles.*ak...	1 ~ 16455 miles
ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM while driving at night the epc light came on. i wanted to pull over since the car is fairly new...	1 ~ 16000 miles
CONTROL MODULE > ANTI-THEFT > IGNITION while driving at night the epc light came on. i wanted to pull over since the car is fairly new...	1 ~ 16000 miles
FLOOR SHIFT > LEVER AND LINKAGE > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION while driving at night the epc light came on. i wanted to pull over since the car is fairly new...	1 ~ 16000 miles
GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM check engine light came on no drivability problems though. dealer said not under warranty 2001 vw beetle with 7 600...	1 ~ 7860 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER car stalled out several times right after starting it. it would always start right back up normally once the vehicle...	1 ~ 24000 miles
TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING purchased my third volkswagen new beetle - recognize that my second one a 2003 was a lemon _x0013_ 5 right...	1
RECLINER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS drivers seat adjuster bolts fell out resulting in drivers seat silding fully to rear and seat coming off tracks. the...	1 ~ 34000 miles
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT sudden lost of shift ability. vehicle was parked shifted it into reverse backed up and then shift to forward gear...	1
VISIBILITY when opening and closing the door window catches on the convertible top. as a result driver has to close the...	1 ~ 9000 miles
REAR WINDOW > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY we have a 2002 and a 2003 vw beetle. the 2002 has door locks that only lock part of the...	1 ~ 1000 miles
SEAT HEATER/COOLER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS since purchasing our 2003 vw beetle turbo s with heated front seats the seat warmers get extremely hot on the...	1 ~ 15000 miles
SWITCH > TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING seatbelt air bag sensor- air bag malfunction light came on 11/8/03 took the car to the dealership they ordered the...	1 ~ 41583 miles
INTERIOR LIGHTING seatbelt air bag sensor- air bag malfunction light came on 11/8/03 took the car to the dealership they ordered the...	1 ~ 41583 miles
HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING seatbelt air bag sensor- air bag malfunction light came on 11/8/03 took the car to the dealership they ordered the...	1 ~ 41583 miles
FLASHER UNIT > TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING seatbelt air bag sensor- air bag malfunction light came on 11/8/03 took the car to the dealership they ordered the...	1 ~ 41583 miles
INFLATOR MODULE > DRIVER SIDE > FRONTAL my 2000 vw beetle has recently had it's airbag safety light come on. i took it to bill black vw...	1
POWER STEERING FLUID > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING power steering pump contiuously runs out of fuel and there is no evedence of leakage.*ak...	1
EXTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY my 2001 volkswagen new beetle has had at least one recall associated with failures in the materials making up the...	1
CONCEALMENT DEVICES > HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING low beam headlight on drivers side no longer functions. dealer states cracked housing allowed water in which in turn burned...	1 ~ 80000 miles
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL i bought a volkswagen beetle on the 12th of june before we went on vacation. we traveled 860 miles one...	1
PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN transmission locks its self into park. you cannot release the car from park. dealer cannot replicate problem. will not fix	1 ~ 55000 miles
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE after about 500 miles driven the car developed numerous rattles and buzzing of the interior pieces. the workmanship involved in	1 ~ 500 miles
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER car has a history of stalling when it is decelerating since original purchase date in june 2000. problem still has...	1 ~ 5000 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL on january 16 2003 while driving my vw new beetle tdi (diesel) on the interstate with a half of a...	1 ~ 34420 miles
STARTER ASSEMBLY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM failure of starter...	1 ~ 25000 miles
WHEELS i'm reporting this to nhtsa as i believe this failure constitutes a safety issue. this is the 4th or 5th...	1
HOOD > BODY > STRUCTURE the hood latch has failed twice including the original and a replacement. the hood pops open while driving once at...	1
FILLER PIPE AND CAP > TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE remote fuel door release failure- 2nd occurrence. first occurrence about a year previous and was dealer repaired. unable to fuel	1
CABLES > 12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM consumer statedthe design of the battery cable assembly could possibly start a fire under the vehicle's hood. the battery cable...	1 ~ 50421 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM car was parked and caught fire-total loss was this an electrical failure or vandalism. *ak...	1
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS hit while stopping for stopped traffic on freeway in the rear by a car traveling at high rate of speed....	1
POWER TRAIN runaway engine - engine speeded tachometer to red line. *ak...	1
TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE at various speeds vehicle will stall out and die without warning. dealer has repaired electrical system and fuel tank. but...	1
FUEL PUMP > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE this vehicle uses an excessive amount of fuel. when refuling the gas pump continually cuts off even after less than	1
ANCHORAGE > FRONT > SEAT BELTS lost control in an accident and the side impact airbag and seatbelt failure resulting in death...	1
FRONT > SUSPENSION while traveling on i70w through indiana vehicle bottomed out extremely hard resulting in momentary loss of control. incident occurred during...	1
POWER ASSIST > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the brake booster spring failed causing the brakes to be engaged while driving. the power brake booster unit had to	1
HEAD RESTRAINT > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS in the 1999 vw new beetle the front (both driver and passenger) head restraint height adjustment does not allow the...	1

FAQ

What year Volkswagen New Beetle is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 7 years, Volkswagen New Beetle models of 2006, 2004, 2002 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Volkswagen New Beetle?

Volkswagen New Beetle models of 2000 and 2001 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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