Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
2525–50K
3850–75K
1875–100K
19100–150K
9150K+
127 reports with mileage · 76 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.
Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
203 reports
34,337 miles · Jan 23, 2003
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2001 BEETLE WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE. MY CAR HAS BEEN DISABLED TWICE DUE TO DEFECTIVE COIL PACKS. RESEARCH ON THE VWVORTEX.COM WEBSITE REVEALED THERE IS A LARGE HISTORY OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE COIL PACKS WHICH CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. THERE IS CURRENTLY A SHORTAGE OF THIS PART (PART # 06B-90…
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I HAVE A 2001 BEETLE WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE. MY CAR HAS BEEN DISABLED TWICE DUE TO DEFECTIVE COIL PACKS. RESEARCH ON THE VWVORTEX.COM WEBSITE REVEALED THERE IS A LARGE HISTORY OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE COIL PACKS WHICH CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. THERE IS CURRENTLY A SHORTAGE OF THIS PART (PART # 06B-905-115-J COIL) DUE TO THE VOLUME OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. VWVORTEX IS RECOMMENDING OWNERS CONTACT NHTSA TO FACILITATE A RECALL OF COIL PACKS AS VW IS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AT THIS TIME. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THEY CAN FAIL WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10003305
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2003
Air Bags
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 40MPH HAD AN ACCIDENT, CAR SLIPPERY DRIVER LOSS CONTROL AND HIT RAIL GUARD BRIDGE, AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #10002262
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE BEGAN TO MISFIRE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH THEN IT STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO RIDE VERY ROUGH. TOOK TO DELAER AND DEALER STATED COIL PACKS HAD FAILED. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001886
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2003
Visibility
CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVER SIDE OUTSIDE MIRROR IS POSITION TO HIGH. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001874
Mileage unknown · Dec 24, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ACROSS A BRIDGE, ONE OF HIS ENGINES DIED LEAVING HIM WITH VERY LITTLE POWER. HE STATES THAT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HIM. HE HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN, OR WITH OTHER PEOPLE, WHICH IS A HIGH RISK FOR AN ACCIDENT IF THE AUTO STOPS IN HEAVY TRAFFI…
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CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ACROSS A BRIDGE, ONE OF HIS ENGINES DIED LEAVING HIM WITH VERY LITTLE POWER. HE STATES THAT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HIM. HE HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN, OR WITH OTHER PEOPLE, WHICH IS A HIGH RISK FOR AN ACCIDENT IF THE AUTO STOPS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001461
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2002
Air BagsCrashFire
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT CAR WAS TOTALED WHEN IT BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER IT REAR ENDED CAR IN FRONT OF IT. PAID EXTRA MONEY FOR FIRE SAFETY FEATURES ON THIS CAR BUT IT STARTED ON FIRE ANYWAY. THIS IS MY DAUGHTERS CAR AND SHE WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME. DT
NHTSA ODI #770374
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2002
Seats
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HEADRESTS ARE DESIGNED TOO HIGH, OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OUT OF THE REAR WINDSHIELD WHEN BACKING. MR THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE NEW HEADRESTS(WHICH BETTERED VISIBILITY) WOULDN'T FIT THIS MODEL, AND IS WAITING ON A REPLY FROM DEALER/MANUFACTURER. SCC
NHTSA ODI #8022678
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2002
Structure
10/10/2002 WHILE BACKING VEHICLE UP SCRAPED WALL. ONLY SCRATCHES ON BUMPER. FULLY LOCATED BEHIND BUMPER CRUSHED . CONCERNED ABOUT DESIGN FLAW & ASSOCIATED DANGERS. DT
NHTSA ODI #769475
16,500 miles · Oct 30, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE PEDAL WAS HARD AND WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS *TT *JB
NHTSA ODI #8021926
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN SLOWLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED ON A HILL. ALSO THE BRAKES CAUSE A JOLTING STOP. *YH
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
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 APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. 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.
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.
2001 Volkswagen Beetle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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