IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
2002 Volkswagen Beetle
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Beetle years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle are substantially higher than the model-year median of 49.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Beetle years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
170–25K
2325–50K
3850–75K
1675–100K
15100–150K
5150K+
114 reports with mileage · 51 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 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports4 fire reports11 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
14 reportsSERIOUS ELECTRICAL LONG TERM QUALITY ISSUES, STARTING WITH UNDER HOOD WIRING FOR GLOW PLUGS MELTED AWAY, AIR BAG/SEAT BELT WIRING BROKE/FAILED, SEAT HEATER FAILED, PASSENGER DOOR SWITCH FAILED, TURN SIGNAL BULB HOLDER FAILED, REPEATED HEAD LAMP AND TAIL LIGHT FAILURES, ALTERNATOR PULLEY CLUTCH FAILED(EXPLODED) FACTORY ALARM PRO…
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SERIOUS ELECTRICAL LONG TERM QUALITY ISSUES, STARTING WITH UNDER HOOD WIRING FOR GLOW PLUGS MELTED AWAY, AIR BAG/SEAT BELT WIRING BROKE/FAILED, SEAT HEATER FAILED, PASSENGER DOOR SWITCH FAILED, TURN SIGNAL BULB HOLDER FAILED, REPEATED HEAD LAMP AND TAIL LIGHT FAILURES, ALTERNATOR PULLEY CLUTCH FAILED(EXPLODED) FACTORY ALARM PROBLEMS - JUST SETS OFF, AIR BACK LIGHT ON DASH ON, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TR
2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING REPLACEMENT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS THE SAME SWITCH THAT WA REPLACED UNDER RECALL.
EACH TIME I SELECT THE TURN SIGNAL IT NOW BLINKS A COUPLE TIMES AND THEN STOPS WORKING. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WORK FINE. *TR
I OWN TWO OF THE VW NEW BEETLES. ONE IS 2002 AND THE OTHER IS 2003. BOTH OF THEM HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE TAILLIGHT/STOPLIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CONTACT DESIGN IN THE BULB SOCKET. IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE ASSEMBLY OUT AND BEND THE CONTACT TO PUT MORE SPRING IN THEM WHICH PUTS MOR…
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I OWN TWO OF THE VW NEW BEETLES. ONE IS 2002 AND THE OTHER IS 2003. BOTH OF THEM HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE TAILLIGHT/STOPLIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CONTACT DESIGN IN THE BULB SOCKET. IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE ASSEMBLY OUT AND BEND THE CONTACT TO PUT MORE SPRING IN THEM WHICH PUTS MORE PRESSURE AGAINST THE BULB. THIS MAY FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A TIME ( 1 TO 60 DAYS) THEN THE PROBLEM REVERTS. ALL PARTS ARE OEM EQUIPMENT. I HAVE CONTACTED VW ABOUT THIS AND THERE IS NOT A RECALL. I WOULD THINK THAT TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LIGHTS WOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY FAMILIES SAFETY AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A MANDATORY RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED AND THE SEAT BELT LATCH SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WOUL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED AND THE SEAT BELT LATCH SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE AIR BAG WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 02/14/08. *LJ THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB AND RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED.
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 VW NEW BEETLE AS IN PE 04073: TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT. THE FLASHER DOES NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY: IT STARTS, THEN STOPS AFTER ONE OR TWO BLINKS. THE TIMING OF THE BLINKS ARE ALSO ERRATIC. MY MODEL NEEDS TO BE COVERED BY THIS RECALL. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED INDICATING THE BRAKE SAFETY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT PRESENTED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH YET. THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WAS 130 MILES FROM THE LOCALITY. THE CONTACT ASKED THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE REPLACEME…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED INDICATING THE BRAKE SAFETY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT PRESENTED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH YET. THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WAS 130 MILES FROM THE LOCALITY. THE CONTACT ASKED THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART TO PERFORM THE REPAIR AT AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED MECHANIC OR OTHER TRUSTED DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED THE PROPOSAL. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE IN CASES WERE NO DEALERSHIP WERE PRESENT IN THE AREA.
I HAVE A 2002 VW BEETLE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. I KNOW THEY HAVE RECALLED OTHER BEETLES FOR THIS BUT WHEN I CALLED VW THEY SAID IT WAS NOT RECALLED ON MY VEHICLE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK DURING FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 06V183000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE R…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK DURING FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 06V183000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Official recalls
207V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Feb 20, 2007
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.
06V183000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
May 24, 2006
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
2RQ06004 · Brake Light Switch Failure
Opened Feb 28, 2006 · Closed Aug 7, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; 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.
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.
EA03002 · Brake Light Switch
Opened Apr 8, 2003 · Closed Aug 20, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; 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.
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.