2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

56

Owner Complaints

7 Crashes

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

4

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE

The 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE has received a total of 56 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP. 4 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 (5 complaints), Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor (4 complaints), and Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood (3 complaints).

Recalls for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE, potentially affecting up to 683,086 vehicles.

Recall 03V265000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

| 295,136 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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Recall 02V244000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

| 332,950 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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Recall 02V031000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

| 55,000 vehicles affected

Defect: ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD...

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Owner Complaints for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE

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

Electrical System
Complaints: 5
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 4
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 3
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 3
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingenginediesel
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 2
Air Bags
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolineturbosupercharger
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlgas Recirculation Valve Egr Valve
Complaints: 1
Equipment
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicpower Assist
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controllinkages
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherlinkages
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
Complaints: 1
Wheels
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, NEEDED TO REPLACE CALIPERS, ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS AT 16,455MILES.*AK
BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, NEEDED TO REPLACE CALIPERS, ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS AT 16,455MILES.*AK
BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, NEEDED TO REPLACE CALIPERS, ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS AT 16,455MILES.*AK
#10088988 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | | 3,405 miles
I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGON BEETLE AND WAS VERY FRUSTRATED WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS CHARGED $100!!!! AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS! I WAS SO UPSET! THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT CAME ON AGIAN AND I WAS FURIOUS! I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $100 AGIAN. I COPMPLAINED AND GOT THE 2ND FEE WAVED. I'M NOT AN EXPERT BUT IT IS VERY RARE FOR AN IGNITION COIL TO FAIL???*AK
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, NO DRIVABILITY PROBLEMS THOUGH. DEALER SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY; 2001 VW BEETLE WITH 7,600 MILES. CHECKED AND CHARGED $142.00 TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, REPLACED CTS, COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR. IT APPEARS THAT IT IS HARD TO FIND ANY SHOPS WITH EQUIPMENT TO ACCESS VW'S ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM; ONLY WAY IS AT VW OR IF A SHOP HAS A PC BASED SYSTEM CALLED MORPHUS? WAS THIS DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY SINCE IT IS PART OF THE OVERALL ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, CONTROLLING EMISSIONS? THANK YOU, [XXX].*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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Safety Rating for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE

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

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

31703 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

SAFETY RECALL - WT - NEW BEETLE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TT

900101 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

SUBJECT REGARDING MALFUNCTIONING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TT

VLS0112 — SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION USING THE LATCH SYSTEM (LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN). *TT

260101 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE POWER SURGE ON THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP BLOWS 40 AMP. FUSE. *TT

NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE

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

Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE

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Other VOLKSWAGEN Models

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