2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

291

Owner Complaints

13 Crashes 17 Fires 1 Death

8

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

6

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

The 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE has received a total of 291 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (29 complaints), Air Bags (25 complaints), and Engine And Engine Cooling (15 complaints).

Recalls for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, potentially affecting up to 1,843,352 vehicles.

Recall 14E007000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

| 50 vehicles affected

Defect: The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold...

Consequence: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

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Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 16,270 vehicles affected

Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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Recall 08E050000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

| 1,921 vehicles affected

Defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

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Recall 07V063000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

| 1,002,000 vehicles affected

Defect: 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: 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...

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Recall 06V183000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

| 646,246 vehicles affected

Defect: 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: 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...

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Recall 06E060000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 87,745 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

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Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 27,176 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

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Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 61,944 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

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Owner Complaints for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

291 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Electrical System
Complaints: 29 3 Fires
Air Bags
Complaints: 25 3 Crashes 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 15 1 Fire
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 15 1 Fire
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
Complaints: 12
Engine
Complaints: 10 2 Fires
Power Train
Complaints: 8
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 7 4 Crashes 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 7
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 7 1 Fire
Seat Belts
Complaints: 7
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 6 3 Crashes 3 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 6
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 6 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
Complaints: 6
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 6 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 6 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 5
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 5
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 5
Exterior Lightinghazard Flashing Warning Lightsswitch
Complaints: 4
Tires
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 3
Equipment
Complaints: 3
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 3 1 Fire
Seats
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 3
Structure
Complaints: 3
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 2 1 Death
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingenginediesel
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightinghazard Flashing Warning Lightsunit
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Airantilockcontrol Unitmodule
Complaints: 2
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 2
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 2
Wheels
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systeminstrument Panelspeedometerodometer
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolineturbosupercharger
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectrical
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 1
Parking Brakeindicator Light
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelineconstant Velocity Joint
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontwarning Lightdevices
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontwebbing
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airantilock
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airantilockabs Warning Light
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
Complaints: 1
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 1
Structurebodybumpers
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrearshock Absorber
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 1
Visibility
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevices
Complaints: 1
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 71,854, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 74,036.
#11631272 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | | 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal exhaust odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor was abnormally strong. The contact stated that exhaust fumes were entering the vehicle through the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear latch for the hatchback was not locking securely and was also allowing exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Manufacturer Emissions Recall Circular Code: WA000 Reprograming of Engine Control Module and Replacement of Oxygen Sensor (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
#11631272 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | | 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal exhaust odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor was abnormally strong. The contact stated that exhaust fumes were entering the vehicle through the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear latch for the hatchback was not locking securely and was also allowing exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Manufacturer Emissions Recall Circular Code: WA000 Reprograming of Engine Control Module and Replacement of Oxygen Sensor (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
#11499979 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles Fire
Car caught on fire 2 times it was electrical and fuel problem the fire department was present. I reported this once already and the company acted like they didnt care
#11499979 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | N/A miles Fire
Car caught on fire 2 times it was electrical and fuel problem the fire department was present. I reported this once already and the company acted like they didnt care

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Safety Rating for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

V171901-2012855 — ENGINE

Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards

TT 90-16-01 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Circuit repair procedure to correct vehicle speed sensor input when an instrument cluster is replaced. This is addressing the updated construction of the instrument cluster.

Edition115 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VW Elsa Newsletter

TT 24-08-01 — ENGINE

Tech Tips (Models with 1.8T Engine - Pressure Loss issues): Fault code P1297 may be set and fuel mixtures may go lean if the vehicle is driven under load or revved up and then returned to idle. This document informs of what to do should these systems occur.

TT201301 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

To clear static ECM fault P1250 ?Fuel Level Too Low?, add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not allow fault to clear.

SB-28F3 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VOLKSWAGEN: VEHICLES MAY HAVE IGNITION COILS THAT COULD MALFUNCTION UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) WILL ILLUMINATED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE SOME DETERIORATION IN PERFORMANCE. IN SOME CASES, A MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL MAY CAUSE A VEHICLE TO EXCEED FEDERAL AND/OR...

NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

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Other VOLKSWAGEN Models

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Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report