10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,004 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #4

Jul 202005

Beetle 4-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,500 miles
1. attempted to start vehicle; 2. engine then "exploded" resulting in engine fire and destruction of engine and all underhood components.

- Prescott, AZ, USA

problem #3

Jan 272003

Beetle 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 20,517 miles
The coil pack on my 2001 Volkswagen New beetle burned out causing me to practically stall on a very busy freeway. So far, VW doesn't seem to think this a saftey issue yet and will not require a recall on these parts. These coils will burn out. Not if, but when. I would hate to be going up a hill when one of these coil packs go out.

- Milpitas, CA, USA

problem #2

Dec 062000

Beetle

  • miles
Headlights started browning out on deceleration at 100 miles. Dealer could not verify. At 35,000 miles, headlights flashed all the time. At cold start engine fan would come on, then headlights would dim and fan would run, then headlights would come back normal and fan would stop. This happens at 3 second intervals. Dealer replased grounds and harness. Fan stopped cycling but headlights still dimmed, until one morning the cold light went out and also blew a headlight. Now no dimming and no fan trouble. Dealer replaced headlight bulb and the problem started again. This is a very dangerous situation as the flashing lights mezmorize you when you drive. Problem 2: car will start and die three times, running rough before it will stay running. Dealer says to use 87 octane fuel. Car manual says 93 octane and has used 93 since new. Dealer suggested additives at my cost!!! seems to happen in low temps and at high temps, 70 degrees is ok!. I live in Maine, no such luck.

- Lyman, ME, USA

problem #1

Dec 062000

Beetle

  • miles
Headlights started browning out on deceleration at 100 miles. Dealer could not verify. At 35,000 miles, headlights flashed all the time. At cold start engine fan would come on, then headlights would dim and fan would run, then headlights would come back normal and fan would stop. This happens at 3 second intervals. Dealer replased grounds and harness. Fan stopped cycling but headlights still dimmed, until one morning the cold light went out and also blew a headlight. Now no dimming and no fan trouble. Dealer replaced headlight bulb and the problem started again. This is a very dangerous situation as the flashing lights mezmorize you when you drive. Problem 2: car will start and die three times, running rough before it will stay running. Dealer says to use 87 octane fuel. Car manual says 93 octane and has used 93 since new. Dealer suggested additives at my cost!!! seems to happen in low temps and at high temps, 70 degrees is ok!. I live in Maine, no such luck.

- Lyman, ME, USA