Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
140–25K
3525–50K
3050–75K
2175–100K
28100–150K
5150K+
133 reports with mileage · 130 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports21 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
263 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 VW BEETLE ON THE WESTBANK EXPRESSWAY IN NEW ORLEANS, HE HEARD A LOUD POP, AND THE CAR STARTED TO FILL WITH "WHITE SMOKE", HE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. WITHIN MINUTES, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THIS CAME WITHOUT WARNING, WE DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO YESTERDAY, …
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MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 VW BEETLE ON THE WESTBANK EXPRESSWAY IN NEW ORLEANS, HE HEARD A LOUD POP, AND THE CAR STARTED TO FILL WITH "WHITE SMOKE", HE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. WITHIN MINUTES, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THIS CAME WITHOUT WARNING, WE DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO YESTERDAY, 7-17-10. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343848
60,000 miles · Jul 1, 2010
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON A 2000 VW BEETLE AT 60,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341049
110,355 miles · Apr 5, 2010
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS YOKOHAMA TIRES, SIZE 205/55R16. WHILE DRIVING AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF OF THE ROAD AND CHANGE THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER; H…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS YOKOHAMA TIRES, SIZE 205/55R16. WHILE DRIVING AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF OF THE ROAD AND CHANGE THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER; THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE ROTTEN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,355.
NHTSA ODI #10323811
1 miles · Apr 1, 2010
Electrical System
TL* CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATES SINCE DAY ONE OF OWNING HIS VEHICLE HE HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN HIS DASH LIGHTS BLEW OUT, HIS POWER DOOR LOCKS ALSO STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT STATES WHILE HIS VEHICLE IS PARKED OUTSIDE AND IS NOT RUNNING HIS ALARM W…
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TL* CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATES SINCE DAY ONE OF OWNING HIS VEHICLE HE HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN HIS DASH LIGHTS BLEW OUT, HIS POWER DOOR LOCKS ALSO STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT STATES WHILE HIS VEHICLE IS PARKED OUTSIDE AND IS NOT RUNNING HIS ALARM WOULD JUST GO OFF ON IT'S OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME SO THE CONTACT DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY AS MUCH. THE CONTACT STATES HE HAS SPENT ABOUT 353.00 ON MISCELLANEOUS, AND NORMAL MAINTENANCE. THERE WAS 5,182 PAID ON REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATES HE ALSO HAD A NEW COMPUTER PUT IN THE VEHICLE ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. THERE HAS BEEN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BACK TO BACK AND THE CONTACT ALSO STATES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON AND OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1 MILE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 58,000. AR UPDATED 06/22/11 UPDATED 07/12/11
NHTSA ODI #10323342
12,218 miles · Jan 11, 2010
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE "AIR BAG " WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE "AIR BAG " WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON EIGHT SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE DRIVER SIDE WIRING HARNESS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,218. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,564.
NHTSA ODI #10298964
49,000 miles · Dec 29, 2009
Air Bags
FOR THE FIFTH TIME IN 10 YEARS, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON IN MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE (LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND NEVER IN A CRASH). ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER WHEN THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAGS ARE DEACTIVATED PROVIDING NO PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. DEALER HAS TWICE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DRI…
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FOR THE FIFTH TIME IN 10 YEARS, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON IN MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE (LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND NEVER IN A CRASH). ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER WHEN THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAGS ARE DEACTIVATED PROVIDING NO PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. DEALER HAS TWICE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG HARNESS AND RECOMMENDS DOING SO AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297454
99,100 miles · Dec 9, 2009
VisibilityInjury
TURNING ON HEATER IN WINDOW MODE WILL CAUSE WINDOWS TO FOG UP IN ANY WEATHER ANY OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWS I AM NOT THE ONLY 1 WITH MY TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVING THIS ISSUE. A SMELL COMES INTO THE CAR THAT CAN'T BE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10295031
156,000 miles · Oct 9, 2009
Visibility
2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE TURBO 1.8L, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR BREAKS AND REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND BREAKS AGAIN. ALL OLD PARTS IN POSSESSION AND VEHICLE PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286955
111,000 miles · Aug 18, 2009
Visibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHENEVER HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE BLIND SPOT ON THE VEHICLE DISTORTS HIS VIEW OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 111000.
NHTSA ODI #10280866
105,000 miles · Jun 29, 2009
Visibility
WINDOW REGULATORS ON VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE FAILED CAUSING WINDOW GLASS TO FALL INSIDE OF DOOR. THIS ISSUE HAS TWO TSB'S ISSUED 6402-03 AND 6408-06. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE REQUIRE TO FIX THIS DEFECTIVE PART ON ALL VEHICLES REGARDLESS OF AGE OR MILEAGE. *TR
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Exterior Lighting
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
2000 Volkswagen Beetle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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