2000 Volkswagen New beetle problems
The Volkswagen New Beetle is a compact car, introduced by Volkswagen in 1997, drawing heavy inspiration from the exterior design of the original Beetle. Unlike the original Beetle, the New Beetle has its engine in the front, driving the front wheels, with luggage storage in the rear. It was revised in 2005 and was in production until 2011, almost fourteen years since introduction.
In 2011 for the 2012 model year, a new Beetle model, the Beetle (A5), replaced the New Beetle. It is often referred to as the New Beetle as well. Various versions of this model continued to be made in Puebla, Mexico, until the final car left the assembly line on 10 July 2019.
History
At the 1994 North American International Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the Concept One, a "retro"-themed concept car with a resemblance to the original Volkswagen Beetle. Designed by J Mays and Freeman Thomas at the company's California design studio, the concept car was based on the platform of the Volkswagen Polo. A red cabriolet concept was featured at the Geneva Motor Show, also in 1994.
Production design approval was reached in mid-1995, with a design freeze resulting in 22 months of development time for production. In October 1995, the Volkswagen Concept Two was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show, essentially an early preview of the production model due in early 1998.
Strong public reaction to the Concept One convinced the company that it should develop a production version which was launched as the New Beetle in 1997 for the 1998 model-year, based on the Golf IV's larger PQ34 platform. The New Beetle is related to the original only in name and appearance (including the absence of a car emblem script with the exception of the VW logo). For the 1998 model year, only the TDI compression-ignition engine was turbocharged; the spark-ignition engines were only naturally aspirated. In June 1999, Volkswagen introduced the 1.8T, which was the first turbocharged spark-ignition engine offered for the New Beetle. Volkswagen created a web site dedicated specifically to the 1.8T. A convertible was added for the 2003 model-year to replace the Volkswagen Cabrio. However, the New Beetle Convertible was never offered with a compression-ignition engine in North America. The third-generation Beetle Convertible, the successor to the New Beetle Convertible, was offered with the TDI compression-ignition engine in the USA but not in Canada, though, making it possibly the only diesel convertible car offered in North America.
The New Beetle carries many design similarities with the original VW Beetle: separate fenders, vestigial running boards, sloping headlamps, and large round taillights, as well as a high rounded roofline. It was assembled in VW's Puebla factory in Mexico.
In June 2005, Volkswagen announced a facelift of the New Beetle featuring revised bumpers, wheels, lamps, VW emblems, sharper lines and a different interior. In the USA it went on sale for the 2006 model year.
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Common 2000 Volkswagen New beetle problems
The Volkswagen New Beetle 2000 has been reported to have several common problems, which include issues with interior dashboard materials, engine noises, exhaust smoke, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Engine Noises and Exhaust Smoke: Engines should start quickly, even the turbo-diesel, as it has fast-acting glow plugs. Listen for odd engine noises, especially when the oil hasn't built up to its full pressure. Look for smoke from the exhaust when the engine is worked hard, particularly on long uphill slogs. These symptoms may indicate engine problems, which could lead to expensive repairs.
- Transmission: The clutch pedal should be reasonably light, even during quick downchanges. Check that automatic transmissions are positive in their shifts and don't take too long to go into Drive or Reverse from Park. Uneven tyre wear, particularly on the front wheels, may indicate transmission problems. Some sellers may swap tyres around to try and hide the wear. Therefore, it's essential to check for uneven tyre wear and ask for professional help if in doubt.
- Electrical Systems: The New Beetle 2000 is known to have electrical issues, which can be frustrating and expensive to repair. Electrical shorts can cause the project to be life-ending due to frustration and constant battery drain. Therefore, it's essential to be aware of these issues and budget for potential electrical repairs if you own a New Beetle 2000.
In conclusion, while the Volkswagen New Beetle 2000 is a charming and unique car, it's essential to be aware of these common problems to ensure that you can budget for potential repairs and maintenance costs. Regular servicing and maintenance can help to prevent some of these issues, but it's essential to be prepared for the possibility of more significant repairs, particularly with the electrical systems.
Are 2000 VW Beetles reliable?
The average rating is a 4 out of 5 stars. The 2000 Volkswagen Beetle Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5. It ranks 12th out of 32 for all car brands.
What years of VW beetles to avoid?
There are tons of years of the VW Beetle, which provides plenty of opportunities to pick out the worst ones for drivers. Some are more ideal than others. We recommend staying away from the 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, and 2013 models. These require expensive fixes that can cause trouble as you drive.
How long do VW Beetle engines last?
Most Volkswagen vehicles will last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, although well-kept models can last even longer than that. All VWs are remarkably reliable vehicles. When it comes to longevity, the Golf, Passat, Jetta, and Beetle are known to be particularly long-lasting.
Are VW beetles cheap to fix?
The average annual repair cost is $612 which means it has average ownership costs.
Are 2000 VW Beetles reliable?
The average rating is a 4 out of 5 stars. The 2000 Volkswagen Beetle Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5. It ranks 12th out of 32 for all car brands.
What years of VW beetles to avoid?
There are tons of years of the VW Beetle, which provides plenty of opportunities to pick out the worst ones for drivers. Some are more ideal than others. We recommend staying away from the 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, and 2013 models. These require expensive fixes that can cause trouble as you drive.
Why did the New Beetle fail?
Simply put, the New Beetle failed to capture the spirit of the original Beetle, as it was a Mark IV Golf with a vaguely Beetle shaped tin can put on top of it. The original Beetle was a rear engined, rear drive, air cooled car that was truly ahead of its time when introduced in 1939.
What was wrong with the Volkswagen Beetle?
The Beetle is praised for its longevity, lasting up to 10 years and possibly even longer with proper maintenance. Despite its reliability, the Beetle's most common problems include engine failure, faulty power locks, and faulty power windows.
2000 Volkswagen New beetle car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen New beetle problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2000 Volkswagen New beetle vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2000 Volkswagen New beetle
The NHTSA has received 353 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2000 Volkswagen New beetle. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2000 Volkswagen New beetle vehicles.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-08-15
- VIN: 3VWCC21C9YM
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: BRAKE LIGHT. *TR
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-08-25
- VIN: 3VWDD21C5YM
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
- Summary: I BOUGHT A BEETLE (136K M) FROM AN ACQUAINTANCE FOR $1600 CASH THERE WERE SOME ISSUES I.E. THE FAULTY TRUNK RELEASE DIDNT WORK, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAD NO POWER, (TURNS OUT THE DOOR MOTOR IS A COMMON ISSUE BEETLE HAS) SUNROOF WAS STUCK PART OPEN, AND THE KEY FOB TO THE BEETLE HAD BEEN WORN/BROKEN. (FUN FACT: WITHOUT THE KEY FOB, ACCESS TO THE TRUNK, AND NO POWER TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE STOCK ALARM IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DISABLE.) WE DROVE THE BEETLE FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHEN THE CLUTCH WENT OUT. A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST QUOTED US $400 FOR THE HYDRAULIC LINE, AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION THE ENTIRE CLUTCH WAS OUT (HE CHARGED ME $1100) THE VERY NEXT DAY THE OIL LIGHT WAS BLINKING, WE CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IT WAS FULL. WE CONTINUED ON OUR BUSINESS THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER, STALLING AND MAKING A HORRIBLE TAPPING/KNOCKING SOUND. THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. WE WERENT ABLE TO PULL CODES BECAUSE THE ODB WAS DISCONNECTED DURING THE EXPENSIVE CLUTCH REPAIR. AT THIS POINT WE HAVE INVESTED A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY INTO THIS USED VEHICLE, WE ARE HESITANT TO TO TAKE IT TO THE CRUSHER. WE BOUGHT A HAYNES REPAIR MANUAL AND AFTER SOME LUCK, COMMON SENSE, AND TROUBLE SHOOTING WE WERE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAR WITH A FAULTY CAMSHAFT TIMING CHAIN TENSION GUIDE. THE REPAIR SEEMED EASY ENOUGH SO WE ENLISTED A OUR FAMILY MECHANIC TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. AFTER ANOTHER $575 WE DISCOVERED THAT THE TENSION GUIDE WAS IN FACT THE PROBLEM. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE ALL PUT BACK TOGETHER WITH SEVERAL NEW VITAL PARTS. IT WILL NOT TURN OVER. THE MANUAL INDICATES IT MAY STILL BE OUT OF TIME OR WE MAY HAVE A BLOWN FUSE. AFTER I REPLACE THE FUSES AND REATTEMPT INSTALLING THE TIMING CHAIN, I WILL HAVE PUT 3 X AS MUCH MONEY INTO THIS CAR THAN ITS WORTH. I FEEL LIKE VOLKWAGEN IS PRODUCING LEMONS AND RIPPING OFF AMERICANS!!!
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-08-16
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 3VWDD21C3YM
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AREA BY THE TIRE ALONG WITH AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR SMELLED LIKE COOLANT. THE CONTACT WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-04-14
- VIN: 3VWDD21C0YM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ELECTRICAL SURGES...BLOWS FUSE BLOCK...MELTS DOWN FUSE BLOCK. REPLACED FUSE BLOCK ABOVE THE BATTERY THREE TIMES SINCE OWNING THE CAR. CAR WAS BEING USED IN THE CITY.
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-10-29
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WALKED A FEW YARDS AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MINOR INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-07-03
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: THE FRONT LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I CHANGE OUT THE BULBS AND THEY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. AS I WAS DRIVING OVER COLIMA ROAD TOWARD WHITTIER, CA ON THE WAY HOME, ONE LIGHT WENT OUT AND THEN THE OTHER. COLIMA RD IS AN UNLIT ROAD. I DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT. I HAVE SPENT OVER 150.00 ON MECHANICS TRYING TO GET IT FIXED. I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, AND IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-12-25
- VIN: 3VWDD21C8YM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: HIS COMPLAINT CONSISTS OF A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, IN WHICH IT DOESN'T APPLY TO ANY WARRANTY WHATS SO EVER. WHETHER IT'S A NEW VEHICLE OR NOT. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SWITCHBLADE PROGRAMMABLE TYPE KEY WITH REMOTE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THESE TYPE KEYS FOR SOMETIME BUT HAS FAILED THE CONSUMERS AND THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THEY INSTEAD TAKE THE APPROACH, WHICH PROFIT OUTWEIGHS THE CONSUMERS, THEY PUT PROFIT BEFORE CONSUMERS, AND SAFETY. THESE KEYS PRODUCE A ''DANGER'' TO NOT ONLY THE CONSUMERS BUT EVERYONE ON THE HIGHWAYS AROUND THEM THE SAFETY AND MARKSMANSHIP OF THE KEY CAN BREAK OFF DURING USE, SO IF THIS HAPPENS DURING A CRASH, THE CONSUMER WOULD BE UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE WHICH AGAIN PRODUCES AN IMMEDIATE ''DANGER''. THE REMOTE SWITCHBLADE KEY IS ONLY SECURED BY A VERY CHEAP MADE PLASTIC. IT'S VERY POORLY DESIGNED AND MADE. IF THE ENCASING THAT HOLDS THE KEY WAS MADE OUT OF METAL OR ALUMINUM THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE KEY, IS THAT VOLKSWAGEN MADE THE KEY PROGRAMMABLE WITH A CHIP, SO THE KEY HAS TO BE CUT DOWN THE MIDDLE, AND PROGRAMMED, WHICH MEANS THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE CONNECTED TO A COMPUTER AT THE DEALERSHIP AND USUALLY TAKES ABOUT ONE HOUR AT A COST OF $245.00. IT'S VERY OBVIOUS THAT THE MANUFACTURE DOES THIS FOR PURE PROFIT, AND TO DETER THE CONSUMER FROM GOING ELSEWHERE TO HAVE SUCH KEY MADE. I URGE NHTSA TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ELIMINATE ANYONE FROM BEING INJURED OR KILLED. THESE EMAILS WILL BE KEPT AS PROOF AND FOR THE RECORD THAT THIS VERY ''IMPORTANT AND SAFETY ISSUE'' HAS BEEN SENT TO YOU AS EVIDENCE, FOR FUTURE LAWSUITS ETC CONCERNING THIS MATTER. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-02-01
- VIN: 3VWBC21C0YM
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS DISENGAGED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FAILED TO FULLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-02-19
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 3VWCF21C9YM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR AND JUST STALLED ON AN INTERSECTION AND SMOKE JUST CAME OUT UNDER THE HOOD AND I SMELLED IT TOO, OPENED THE HOOD AND FUSE BOX HAD MELTED WHICH IS LOCATED ON TOP OF BATTERY AND FIRE INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, UNDER THE BATTERY HAS BEEN BURNING AND ALSO MELTED THE WIRES.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-12-23
- VIN: 3VWDD21C0YM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: FUSE BOX ON TOP OF BATTERY MELTED.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-10-21
- VIN: 3VWCC21C0YM
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-08-21
- VIN: 3VWCA21C8YM
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-05-16
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING NOTICED WHITE SMOKE BEHIND THE VEHICLE, THEN ALL ELECTRONICS FAILED BUT CAR REMAINED RUNNING, PULLED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS QUICKLY ON FIRE FROM THE DASH FORWARD. TRIED CALLING VW COSTUMER CARE AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO FIRE. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FOUND DOZENS OF SIMILAR IF NOT EXACT INCIDENTS. THIS WAS MY DAUGHTERS CAR (17) AND CARRIED ONLY LIABILITY. ONLY REASON FOR WRITING IS TO EDUCATE SO THAT OTHERS ARE NOT FACING A LIFE THREATNING EVENT, AS VW DENIES ANY WRONG DOING.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-04-30
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 3VWBC21C4YM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: MY DAUGHTER'S CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY NIECE ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE LIGHT WENT ON SIGNALING IT WAS OVER HEATING SO SHE PULLED OVER TO A CALL BOX AND WHILE SHE WAS MAKING THE CALL FOR ASSISTANCE SHE HEARD A POP POP AND THE FRONT HOOD WAS ON FIRE AND A MAN PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH HIS EXTINGUISHER WHICH DIDN'T WORK AND THE WHOLE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES WITHIN A MATTER OF MINUTES. IT WAS COMPLETELY BURNED UP WHICH ALSO BURNED DOWN THE CALL BOX ON THE FREEWAY. SHE HAD JUST SPENT APROXIMATELY $1, 400 ON REPAIRS ON THE CAR WHICH WAS MAINLY ON THE COOLING SYSTEM. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-02-10
- VIN: 3VWDD21CXYM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY GRANDSON TO DRIVE TO WORK..THE GUY I BOUGHT IT FROM SWORE IT WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, THAT HIS DAUGHTER DROVE IT TO SCHOOL ETC......WHEN WE GOT IT, I TOOK IT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE FOR MY GRANDSON TO DRIVE, THEY BEGAN TO FIND THINGS WRONG AND THE COST WAS MOUNTING UP AND UP AND THEY EVEN HAD US TAKE IT HOME ONLY TO TAKE IT RIGHT BACK BECAUSE IT HAD NO HEAT (AND ITS VERY COLD HERE) SO THEY WORKED ON IT SOME MORE...BOTTOM LINE IS SO FAR THEY HAVE CHARGED ME 3 TIMES WHAT I PAID FOR IT AND WHEN I LOOKED IT UP ON LINE, EVERY THING THEY DID WAS A RECALL....MY QUESTION TO YOU IS..HOW LONG ARE THE RECALLS GOOD FOR AND I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THE GUY WAS APPRAISED OF THEM OR HE WOULDN'T HAVE LET HIS DAUGHTER DRIVE IT LIKE THAT ....I HAVE THE PAPERWORK RIGHT HERE WHERE IT SHOWS 9 RECALLS AND 62 SERVICE BULLETINS...PLEASE ADVISE ME OF MY OPTION AS I COULD HAVE BOUGHT HIM A MUCH NICER CAR FOR WHAT I HAVE IN THIS!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-12-19
- VIN: 3VWDD21C0YM
- Components: POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS
- Summary: I'VE HAD MY BEETLE SINCE 2005, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY COME ON AS WELL AS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE TAKEN IT TO VW ONCE FOR REPAIR, AND THEY COME BACK ON MONTHS LATER. I'VE READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER VW OWNERS CONCERNING THE AIRBAG AND TRANSMISSION. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL ISSUE PARTICULARLY SINCE THERE WAS A DEATH IN 2007 WITH ANOTHER OWNER. THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. THE WEB PAGE BELOW VOICES THE FRUSTRATIONS OF MANY OWNERS, AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THESE COMPLAINTS AREN'T BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY. THE REPAIRS COST OVER $1600. HOW IS THIS FAIR WHEN HAVING TO GET IT REPAIRED EVERY YEAR? ARE YOU PROTECTING VW? TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE TO CLEAR THE CODES IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GO UNDER THE SEAT TO ADJUST WIRES AND USING THE COMPUTER TO CLEAR THEM, BUT THEY COME BACK ON A DAY OR TWO LATER. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2000/VOLKSWAGEN/BEETLE/AIR_BAGS/PROBLEM.ASPX. *TR
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-11-07
- VIN: 3VWBC21C0YM
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: CABLE HAS COMPLETELY SEVERED ON DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RECEPTOR. THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT BUT JUST DUE TO USE AS INTENDED. ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED ON EXAMINATION ON 7 NOVEMBER 2014. INFORMED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WHO DECLINED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM DESPITE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. INFORMAL COMMUNICATION WITH DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS THAT THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED BECAUSE A PLASTIC SLEEVE AROUND THE TWO CABLES AT THE LATCHING MECHANISM HAD SLIPPED DOWN THE CABLE ALLOWING THE CABLE TO BEND BACK AND FORTH, EVENTUALLY CAUSING STRESS FAILURE. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-07-14
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 3VWDD21CXYM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: THE FUSE BOX ATOP THE BATTERY MELTED ON 2/18/2009 CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. REPAIRS INCLUDING NEW FUSE BOX AND OTHER DAMAGED PARTS COST ME $1500.00. ON 7/15/2011 THE FUSE BOX MELTED CAUSING A/C TO STOP WORKING. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME WAS IN THE HIGH 90'S DURING A PROLONGED HEAT WAVE IN THE NORTH EAST. COST TO REPAIR $400.00. ON 5/18/2014 ONCE AGAIN THE FUSE BOX MELTED, COST TO REPAIR AND REPLACE $700. TWO DAYS LATER THE REPAIR (5/20/2014) THE CAR WENT DEAD IN TRAFFIC CAUSED BY A DRAINED BATTERY COST OF TOWING $150.00 + NEW FUSE BOX MELTED. IN CHECKING VW OWNERS FORUMS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND COMPLAINT (FUSE BOX MELTING) IN THE VW PRODUCT LINE. WHY HASN'T VW BEEN FINED AND ORDERED TO RECALL THEIR DEFECTIVE CARS? *TR
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-05-09
- VIN: 3VWCC21C2YM
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE STEEL CABLE SECURING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE TO THE SEAT CAGE BROKE LEAVING ME UNPROTECTED IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE COMMON TO THE VW NEW BEETLE AND CITED BY OWNERS ACROSS MODEL YEARS. ALSO, THE MANUFACTURER COMPLICATES WHAT WOULD BE AN EASY FIX BY ATTACHING THE PART TO THE SEAT CAGE WITH FASTENERS THAT CANNOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT A PROPRIETARY TOOL. IT'S LIKE STRONG-ARM ROBBERY! *TR
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-11-03
- VIN: 3VWCD21C9YM
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE DRIVER FORCED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-06-03
- VIN: 3VWCD21C4YM
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE TRANSMISSION MECHANICALLY FAILED ON 3 JUNE 2013. PRIOR TO IT FAILING I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT VW REPAIR SHOP OVER A FOUR YEAR PERIOD, DUE TO THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTING ALL THE WAY TO FIRST GEAR. THE CAR WILL DRIVE NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THEN START HAVING THIS DOWNSHIFTING ISSUE, I PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR COOL A FEW MINUTES THEN ALL IS NORMAL AGAIN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. OF COURSE WITH THE DOWNSHIFTING THE TRANNY TENDS TO OVERHEAT QUICKLY. I WANTED TO GET THE OIL CHANGED IN THE TRANNY, BUT ALL REPAIR CENTERS SAID, "IT'S A SEALED SYSTEM AND NEVER NEEDS AND OIL CHANGE;" ALSO THE VW REPAIR TECHS TEST DROVE THE CAR AND ANALYZED IT, COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. MY EXPERIENCE WITH VW SERVICE ON EVERYTHING IS, THEIR MECHANICS ARE PARTS CHANGERS ONLY AND DON'T HAVE ANY REAL DIAGNOSTIC CAPABILITY TO FIND THE PROBLEM, JUST REPLACE PARTS UNTIL THEY FIX THE PROBLEM AT THE CUSTOMERS EXPENSE; I'VE SPENT ABOUT $10,000 ON REPAIRS FOR A/C, BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, ETC. FINALLY, THE CAR FAILED FORTUNATELY ACROSS THE STREET FROM A MR. TRANSMISSION SHOP. PER MR. TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, THE TRANNY FAILED DUE TO LUBRICATION FAILURE PROBABLY FROM OVER HEATING AND HIGH MILEAGE; SO MUCH FOR THE "NEVER NEEDS AN OIL CHANGE POLICY." MR. TRANSMISSION REBUILT THE TRANNY (OUT $3400), AND STATE THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL NOT THE TRANSMISSION, AND VW IS FAMOUS FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN. NEEDLESS TO SAY MR. TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE REBUILT THE TRANNY TWICE JUST TO MAKE SURE THE PROBLEM IS NOT IN THE TRANSMISSION. WORD TO THE WISE, NEVER BUY A VW; I'LL NEVER OWN ANOTHER ONE. *TR
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-05-10
- VIN: 3VWCC21C7YM
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: I TURNED ON MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON. *TR
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-08-31
- VIN: 3VWDD21C3YM
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: ENGINE TIMING BELT PREMATURELY FAILED AT 89,000 MILE. VW OWNERS MANUAL SUPPLIED WITH VEHICLE STATES THAT FOR THE 1.8L TURBOCHARGED ENGINE, THE TIMING BELT DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED UNTIL 105,000 MILES. THE FAILURE OF THE BELT CAUSED BENT VALVES. TOTAL SERVICE BILL AS A RESULT CAME TO ABOUT $4500. LOSS OF POWER WHEN THE BELT FAILED ALSO PUT MY SAFETY AT RISK AS MY CAR WAS STALLED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-03-13
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: WE BOUGHT THE CAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE. TWO WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION TAKES OFF IN SECOND GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT TILL GETS UP TO 40 MPH. AFTER CHECKING ON LINE IT SEEMS VOLKSWAGEN IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS AND DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-02-19
- VIN: 3VWCA21CXYM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS. *TR
2000 Volkswagen New beetle recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2000 Volkswagen New beetle.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
- Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
- Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE; OR THE LAMPS COULD COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 26, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
- Summary: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
- Consequence: THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
- Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALSO ONE SET OF FOUR GUIDANCE FIXTURES INTENDED TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD SEATS EQUIPPED WITH RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID LOWER ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
Negative 2000 Volkswagen New beetle car reviews
Positive 2000 Volkswagen New beetle car reviews
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What an awesome little bug! It's amazing how much it can carry, even three dogs! The spoiler is a nice touch, and it's no surprise that it comes out at 90mph. I've gotten great mileage on the highway, up to 40 miles per gallon. Despite being small and compact, there's still plenty of headroom. Plus, the panels are incredibly strong - I once ran into a van and the van got a dent, but there wasn't a scratch on the beetle!
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Hi there! I bought my beetle brand new in 2000 and it has been an amazing car ever since. I was looking for a small car with good mileage and the diesel version I drive gets nearly 50 mpg on the highway - how great is that! Safety was a top priority for me as I would be driving my kids around town, and the beetle has fantastic safety ratings. But what I didn't expect was how much fun it would be to drive! It is solid, hugs the road, and is super aerodynamic. I have never had any issues with it, even in windy weather. Plus, the sound system is fantastic with a 6 CD changer - perfect for long drives. I have put 150,000 miles on it and have had no major problems. I highly recommend this car!
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Your yellow TDI sounds like a great companion! It's both fun to drive and incredibly economical. It's wonderful to hear that you've had no issues with it and that it's been a joy to drive. Your trip to Niagara Falls for your 25th anniversary sounds like it was a blast, especially with your Beach Boys CD playing in the changer. It's great to hear that you're considering purchasing a 2003 convertible TDI, and it's impressive that you've been a VW diesel owner since 1980. It's amazing that you went through an ice storm and traveled 500 miles on Amtrak to get this one.
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I bought my Turbo New Beetle because I thought it would be a great fun drive when I test drove it. And after 3 years of driving it, it hasn't disappointed me. The ride, power, and handling continue to impress me even to this day. I love driving a rolling piece of sculpture, especially something that looks unlike anything else on the road. The only issue I encountered was a short that caused a warning light to appear in the instrument cluster. It seems that three times in the first two years, the airbag indicator light came on. Each time, my dealer indicated that it was an electrical short and replaced the cluster under warranty with no charge to me.
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I was pleasantly surprised by the features and the car's solid build. We have been able to achieve over 50 mpg on the highway, with an overall average of 44 mpg. The TDI powerplant runs smoothly even in the harsh WI winters and provides power that few gas engines can match. I was able to purchase it used for under 10 grand, which included heated leather seats, sunroof, 6 disk, 5 speed, alloys, and more. In my opinion, why spend money on a hybrid when the TDI is a more environmentally friendly alternative?
Lafayette Jones 2024-11-13
Hi there! I've had my turbo diesel bug for 3 years now and it's been a great commuter car. It's surprisingly roomy for a small car and has lots of headroom. The gas mileage is outstanding, ranging from 40 to 45 MPG, and it's really fun to drive! The only downside is that the key system can be expensive to replace and the engine immobilizer is tied to the battery, which left me stranded when I replaced the battery earlier this year without knowing the secret of doing it. However, the reliance on electronics has only been a minor annoyance, with the entire dash going out once (but it was under warranty). If you're looking for a fun car to commute with, this is probably the one for you. I haven't needed any repairs on it between 16k and 50k, so it's been really reliable. Just keep in mind that it needs 5 miles to warm up, so it's not ideal for short trips. Personally, I commute 15 miles each way and it's been perfect for me!
Gennaro Hettinger 2024-09-01
I bought the beetle because it was my childhood dream to own one. The car drives awesome, the way it handles curves and braking etc., you never feel you are out of control. However, I sadly had to sell mine today not for comfort reasons but for reliability. I experienced some quality control issues, such as the window trimming giving way and the window switches being flaky. After it crossed 50K miles, I had to go to the dealer multiple times to get my engine check light fixed. When I talked to the service agents about the quality issues, they shrugged their shoulders and said it was normal wear and tear. In comparison, I own a Camry with 80K miles and have never had any problems. Reliability is one reason why I would not buy a VW or recommend it.
Sigurd Lynch 2024-08-25
I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share my experience with my car. When I first bought it brand new, it was such a fun car to drive and I absolutely loved it. However, over time, I started experiencing some issues with the car. Unfortunately, some of the parts, like the interior door handle, the window regulator, and pretty much every plastic piece, started falling off. Additionally, my headlights burn out every 3000 miles and my rear passenger side fixed window fell off on the freeway. The radio also went out and the defroster doesn't work well. I've had a few electrical issues as well. Despite these issues, I still have a soft spot for this car and I hope to get it fixed up soon. Thanks for listening!
Lance Jenkins 2024-08-13
It's unfortunate to say that I won't be purchasing another Volkswagen again, despite owning 3 older models. From a broken CD player to a faulty sunroof, it seems like everything that could go wrong did. We've had to take our Beetle to the dealer 5 times for various issues, including a recalled oxygen sensor and sputtering performance. Ironically, our mechanics failed to report these issues every time we took it in. Due to the shoddy workmanship and terrible dealer service at Continental of Joplin, my family and I have decided to take our business elsewhere. Unfortunately, I have to rate this car as the worst one I've ever purchased.
Zachary Jacobi 2024-07-10
I have experienced several issues with my car, including the headlights going out on my way home from work in the dark. This happened twice, and it was quite inconvenient to replace them. Additionally, the sensor under the brake went out in both the first and second year of owning the car. Despite contacting VW, I was informed that I would have to pay for the repairs myself. It is worth noting that the car cannot go into gear without this sensor, and while I have learned to override it, it is still dangerous to drive without it. I also had to pay a significant amount to repair the sunroof, which was leaking. The rims were also problematic, as they never held air in the tires, and I had to replace the tires multiple times. Overall, I have had to make several repairs to my car. Thank you for your attention to this matter.